The Sequalitchew

October 2003

Second Edition

President: Roxanne Woodruff silkyspot@FtNisquallyDescendants.org
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Oaks/2189/Descendants.htm
Vice President: Judy Bridges
Secretary/Treasurer: Roger Newman rhnewman@FtNisquallyDescendants.org

Spring Meeting

ELECTIONS…

We made it through our elections this last meeting. Our elect are as follows:
President, Roxanne Woodruff 503/555-5913 Vice President,
Judy Bridges 253/555-6378
Secretary/Treasurer, Roger Newman 360/555-6114

Our meeting is scheduled for October 12th, 2003 at the DuPont City Hall. The doors will be open to us around 11am, bring a sack lunch. There will be snacks at break time and a raffle for any donated items. Most of all bring your thoughts, ideas, and histories and join us for a wonderful afternoon.

We meet biannually at the DuPont City Hall and on occasion at the DuPont History Museum located at 207 Barksdale Ave DuPont, WA 98327 Info@DuPontMuseum.com

Family History Fair

A Family History Fair was held on September 20, 2003 at the Park Rose High School in Portland, Oregon. A table was rented representing our Descendant’s group along with literature to attract new members. We hope to attend more of these fairs to bring our histories to other descendants. We would like to thank Connie Lenzen for bringing this to our attention through the Genealogical Forum of Oregon. See Connie’s pages at http://www.lenzenresearch.com/ see also http://www.gfo.org/.

In Memoriam

Since our group first began to form we have all become more and more aware of our own mortality. We are becoming our own history with the passing of time. We would like to honor here those members who have since passed away:

• Delbert McBride (McLeod Descendant)
• Robert Ord (Ross Descendant)
• Ellen Freckleton (John Flett Descendant)
• Berniece Vailencour (Chalifoux Descendant)
• Phyllis Jean St. Martin Krogh (Andre St. Martin Descendant)

May they rest in peace.

John McKay

(pronounced McKie) was born in Braal, Halkirk Parish, County Caithness, Scotland. The year of his birth depends on the records you consult.

• His enlistment papers from the Hudson Bay Company state that he was 19 in 1829.
• The paperwork from his Donation Land Claim indicates that he was born in 1813.
• The 1850 Census, Marion County, Oregon, gives his age as 36.
• The 1880 Census, Woodburn Precinct, Marion County, Oregon, gives has age as 64.

The place of his birth is consistent.

• The Hudson Bay Company Records (A.32/41) give “1829, June 1st. Agreement: John McKay of BRAWL in the Parish of HALKIRK in the county of CAITHNESS as a Labourer for five years at £17 p. a. for the first three and £18 p.a. for the last two years. Signed with his mark.”

John McKay worked for the Hudson Bay Company:

Fort Vancouver Records. B/223
York Factory District Records. B/239
London Office Records. A/32
Fort Nisqually Journal

• The Hudson Bay Company Records (A.32/41) 1829, June 1st. Agreement: John McKay of BRAWL in the Parish of HALKIRK in the county of CAITHNESS as a Labourer for five years at £17 p. a. for the first three and £18 p.a. for the last two years. Signed with his mark.
• Northern Department, HBC records (B/239/g/9/1829-30/20.) place him in the ‘General Charges’ District. He was still 19, listed as a labourer, of Halkirk Parish and had one year of service, his contract expires in 1834.
• Northern Department, HBC records (B/239/g/10/1830-31/fol. 44.) do not give a District for him. He was 20, listed as a labourer, of Halkirk Parish and had two years of service, his contract expires in 1834. 1st June, 1830 – 1st June, 1831.
• Fort Nisqually Journal May 1834. “Monday 19. The men at the place are nine in number, namely Ouvre, P. Charles, William Brown, Plomondon, Louis Sagohanenchto, Silvan Bourgeau, Anawiscum McDonald, John McKie and Tai.”
• Fort Nisqually Journal January 1835. “27th. Tuesday. This morning sent off John McKie and Bourgean and family to Vancouver with the accounts of this place and Langley”
• Columbia District, Outfit 1836 (B/223/g/3/1836-1837/fol.17)  Still does not give an age, but he is from Caithness Parish, and is a M man, with 7 years service.  His contract expires 1837.  1st June 1836.
• Columbia Abstract Servants’ Accounts Outfit 1837 (B/223/g/4/1837-38) Still no age, he is from Caithness Parish, a Midman and has been assigned to the Colvile District. He has 8 years service and no contract expiration date. 1st June 1837.
• A. District Statements Columbia, Outfit 1837 (B/239/1/8/1837-1838/fol.66) Midman Cr. £2 as Ploughman & Farmer.
• 1st of November, 1838, in the presence of the witnesses undersigned, the Sieur John McKay, Post Master of the Fort of the Lakes, on the River Columbia, in the service of the Honorable Company of Hudson’s Bay,…
• A. District Statements Columbia, Outfit 1847 Fort Colvile Servants. (B/239/l/18/1847-48/fol.51) Farmer. Settled in Wallamette—wages from 1st June to 31 Aug. 1847—3 mos. @ 36/8.

John McKay Settled in Marion County Oregon

• John McKay retired from the Hudson Bay Company in 1847 at the age of 34. This retirement began with settling land in Champoeg County in the Willamette Valley with a wife and several children.
• His records can be found in Marion County, Oregon (renamed from Champoeg) and Clackamas County, Oregon. His Donation Land Claim was on the west bank of the Pudding River near what is now Woodburn, Oregon. The property is in Marion County. Clackamas County begins on the other side of the Pudding River.
• His Donation Land Claim Records are held by the Bureau of Land Management with a copy in the State of Oregon Archives.

John McKay and his family appear in the Catholic Church Records.

Vancouver Records
Acts made at Fort of the Lakes, on the Columbia
Thirteenth Page.

• B 128 George Harren. This 17 October, 1838, we priest undersigned have baptized George, aged 4 years and a half, natural child of Francis Harrenn Chief Factor, and of Josephte Boucher. Godfather Etienne Fortier who has not known how to sigh. Mod. Demers, priest, Miss.
• B 129 Isabelle McKay. This 17 October, 1838, we priest undersigned have baptized Isabelle, aged 18 months, born of the natural marriage of John McKay, Post master of Fort of the Lakes, and of Josephte Boucher. Godfather Etienne Fortier who has not known how to sign. The father has signed with us. his (X) mark. Mod. Demers, priest, Miss.
• B 130 William McKay. This 17 October, 1838, we priest undersigned have baptized William aged 7 months, born of the natural marriage of John McKay Post Master of Fort of the Lakes, and of Josephte Boucher. Godfather Etienne Fortier who has not known how to sign. The father has signed with us. his (X) mark. Mod. Demers, priest, Miss.

Fourteenth Page M.D. priest

• B 144 Josephte Boucher. This 30 October, 1838, we priest undersigned have baptized Joephte aged 21 years, daughter born of the natural marriage of Josephte Boucher, free man, and of Josephte woman of the country. Godmother Catherine Russie. Godfather Andree Chalifou who has not known how to sign. F. N. Blanchet, priest.
• M 13 John McKay and Josephte Boucher. That it might be known to those whom it may concern, the 1st of November, 1838, in the presence of the witnesses undersigned, the Sieur John McKay, Post Master of the Fort of the Lakes, on the River Columbia, in the service of the Honorable Company of Hudson’s Bay, member of the Protestant Religion, and Demoiselle Josephte Boucher, member of the Roman Catholic Church, have renewed and ratified, as before these witnesses, they renew and ratify before us priest undersigned, Vicar General of the Columbia, the mutual consent of marriage, which we have received by virtue of extraordinary powers conferred to us by His Grandeur, Monsigneur Joseph Norbert Provencher Bishop of Juliopolis. The said spouses have also recognized and made known as their legitimate children Isabelle born the 3 January, 1837, and William, aged about 7 months, issue of their natural marriage contracted while waiting the presence of a person authorized to receive legitimately their said consent, of marriage, done and recorded at Fort of the Lakes, on the River Columbia, the day and year abovesaid, before us priest undersigned, in presence of Andree Chalifou, distinguished guide on the River Columbia, who, not knowing how to sign, has made his mark by a cross, and of Frederic Minie and of Etienne Fortier, undersigned, The spouses, as well as Andree Chalifou, having declared not knowing how to sign, have made the mark of a cross. Frederic Minie Etienne Fortier Andre (X) Chalifou John (X) McKay Josephte (X) Boucher F. N. Blanchet, priest, V. G.

Mission at Colvile from 29 June to 1st October
Sixty-First Page M.D. priest

• B 34 John McKay. This 18 July, 1840, we priest undersigned have baptized John, aged 8 months, born of the legitimate marriage of John McKay and of Josephte Boucher. Godfather Antioine Felix who has not known how to sign. Mod. Demers, priest.

ST. LOUIS parish

• p. 10
  Alexandre McKay. The 14 May, 1848, we undersigned parish priest of St. Louis have baptized Alexandre born the day before of the legitimate marriage of John McKay and Josette Bouché. Godfather Joseph Barnabe. Godmother Isabelle Bouche.
• p. 15
  14-B John McKay Abjuration. The 20 May, 1849, we undersigned parish priest of St. Louis, have in supplying the ceremonies of Baptism, baptized conditionally John MacKay husband of Josette Bouche. We have received his abjuration and have renewed to him his consent to marriage in the presence of M. Veyret, priest. Godfather Andre Lachapelle, godmother, Louise Humpherville.
• p. 25
  14-B Charles MacKay. The 20 September, 1850, we undersigned parish priest of St. Louis have baptized Charles born the 14 of the legitimate marriage of John Mackay and of Josette Bouche. Godfather Charles Lafantaisie and Isabelle Hubert.

For further information on John McKay and many other journals and topics please see Barbara Wulf’s web pages: http://home.bendcable.com/wulf/Project/John%20McKay/index.html

Old Settlers Cemetery

The Old Settlers Cemetery is a special place where Washington State pioneer settlers were buried as early as 1855 according to one account. There is very little information available concerning burial records. According to Fred Morley of Piper-Morley Funeral Home in Tacoma, there is no official Sexton of this old pioneer settler cemetery. Its stewards are descendants of the families buried there, church, school and community service groups, individuals who have been taken in by its charm and tranquility, and an unknown core of county employees who mow the lawn periodically. Apparently most of the burials that have taken place here were done quite simply and perhaps unofficially as there are no burial records kept by any agency or organization according to the research available. The land was originally donated by an attorney by the name of Frank Clark. He donated the land for free burial of pioneers and their descendants in the mid 1800’s.

Five generations of my ancestors have been laid to rest here and I have recently added my father’s ashes next to my mother’s and placed a family marker, made by Quiring Monuments of Seattle, WA, that tells a story of our family history. Dave Quiring graciously offered his company’s services to repair some of the damaged and vandalized markers. I have visited this cemetery over most of my lifetime and consider it a kind of “home.” It’s a place I can always stop in and visit, just like you would a favorite relative, and consequently, I’ve taken a personal interest in seeing to it’s care and upkeep beyond the minimum provided by the County.

Flora Dalglish
http://systemsexcellence.com/Stewardship.htm

Candlelight Tour

Be sure to mark your calendars for the Candlelight Tour at Ft. Nisqually’s 3rd fort site located up at Point Defiance Park in Tacoma. The dates are for October 3 and 4. Ticket sales have already begun. The costs are $7 for adults, $5 for seniors, and $4 for children and can be purchased by calling (253) 591-5339 or visiting the gift shop during open hours (Wed – Sun, 11:00 – 5:00) Advance ticket purchase is required for this event. The year 1855 will be celebrated with Dr. Tolmie and family in their beautiful new home.

The Puyallup Fair

The Puyallup Fair this year, held in the Fair’s Museum Building the “Museums of Pierce County — 150 Years of Pierce County Stories” Exhibit. Each day a different museum staffed the building to answer questions and promote their museum. Ft. Nisqually’s day was held on Friday, September 12, 2003. The above two articles were from “Fort Notes” the Newsletter of Fort Nisqually Living History Museum 5400 N. Pearl St, #11 Tacoma, WA 98407

2003 Pow Wow Committee News

The Cowlitz 4th annual Honoring the Spirit of All Cowlitz People Pow Wow will be held Saturday, October 11th at Toledo High School, from 12 noon to 12 midnight, with Grand Entries at 1 pm and 7 pm. Dinner will be provided at 5 pm.

Head Woman Dancer: Patty Kinswa-Gaiser
Head Man Dancer: Willie Koch
Honor Drum: One People One Voice
Host Drum: Cree Star
Singers Whip Man: Robert Longcrane
Master of Ceremonies: Tony McGrady

As in previous years, many vendors and many drum groups will be present.