robertmackayclan

In Wilmer L. Kerns book called "Settement and Some First Families in Back Creek Valley", speaks of a couple James McCoy/McKay his widow by 1761 Mary had married James Caudy. Said Caudy wanted the 369 acres that had been granted to said James McCoy by "evil" Lord Fairfax (to decendants of the real Robert MacKay Sr.) but a John Capper claimed that he had purchased said land from James McCoy before he died. The matter was settled by Lord Fairfax in Nov 1762.

Who was this James McCoy ? Did he and Mary have children ? We know he did not belong to the family of Robert MacKay Sr. Are these the McCoy who removed to TN and which the late Bill Jobe confused with James MacKay Sr. (son of Robert Sr.) stated in his Jobe/Job Journal that he removed to TN; which we know is wrong.

Was there a connection with this group of McCoy and the ones in Fauquier Co. VA ?

My father got information from the Hopewell Friends History and Hunter B. Mackay of Belmont, Mass. re a James McKay, Sr. He was born about 1710 probably in New Jersey. He married Mary Chester. They had 8 children: James, Jr., Robert, Susannah, Hannah, Edith, Mary, Nancy and Lydia. He died in August 1797 in Shenandoah Co., VA. According to my records this James McKay was the son of Robert McKay, Sr. 1680-1752 who was married to Ann Brown. Does this help?

The trouble is there were two different couples James McCoy/McKay married a Mary.......? not our group of McKay. I do not know where and who the parents of this James were. He could have had a relationship with Alexander McKay of Shenandoah Co. VA listed on the first census, or John McKay from Northumberland Co. VA who purchased property in Frederick/Shenandoah Co. VA from Lord Fairfax.

And there was James MacKay Sr. who married Mary Chester, they had five children: James Jr. (dec'd before his father), Lydia, Susanna, Robert & Nancy McKay. We know his father was Robert MacKay Sr. His parentage unknown as this time.

I have no evidence and no one has offered any that the above James & Mary (Chester) MacKay had any other children than the ones stated in his will, his estate division and attorney appointments.

What evidence or documentation do you have they had other children ?

Hunter Branson McKay was my great-uncle I have all his works. How are you related to the family of Robert MacKay Sr.