McKay Reunion

     On Wednesday, August 30, 1950, the Valley descendants and kith and kin of the Clan McKay, met together for their fifth annual reunion in the Recreational Clubrooms of Front Royal.
     Members attending were: Mr. and Mrs. Albert Brockman and son, Osborne, Arlington; Mr. and Mrs. Perry Mowbray, Pee Dee and Betty, Richmond; Mrs. Nannie McKay Boze, Charlottesville; J. M. Jett and daughter, Virginia, Ninevah; Mrs. Alice J. Cross, Washington, D C.; Mrs. Ruth McKay Millan, Alexandria; Mrs. Daisy Melton McKay, Front Royal; Mr. and Mrs. Leo McKay and Mary Ann, Washington, D. C.; Mr. and Mrs. A. L. McKay, Front Royal; Hon. John W. Rust, Fairfax; Mr. and Mrs. John Rust and Jackie and Stephen, Fairfax; C. D. Melton, DeLiance, Ohio; Mr. and Mrs. Hunter McKay and Branson, Belmont, Mass.; Mrs. Henry R. McKay, Luray; Mr. and Mrs. William K. McKay and Penny, Luray; Mrs. Margaret McCutcheon Brown, Bedford; Mrs. Mary E. McKay, Arlington; Mr. and Mrs. William P. McKay and daughters, Leona, Dianna, Carol and Penny, Washington, D. C.; Mrs. Mary Gore, Arlington; Mr. and Mrs. William Hicks and Danna, Front Royal; Mrs. Mary McKay Allen and David, Silver Spring, Md.; Mrs. Daisy L. Shipp, Drexel Hill, Pa.; A. B. Rust, Haymarket; Mr. and Mrs. Antrim A. McKay, Severna Park, Md.; Mrs. Lucy McKay Ray, Severna Park, Md.; Mr. and Mrs. Dearing L. McKay, Washington, D. C.; Mr. and Mrs. Beverly McKay, Millwood; Mr. and Mrs. Charles J. Gillis, Haymarket; Hubert McKay, Ninevah; Mrs. Pauline Golden and Nancy and Linda, Silver Spring, Md.; Tracy Aitcherson, Alexandria; Thomas Shipp, Drexel Hill, Pa.; Mrs. Wallace Shipp, Washington, D. C.
     After a basket picnic lunch the meeting was in order and prizes were awarded as follows:
     To the Hunter McKays for having travelled the greatest distance; To the Rust family, for having the largest representation; To Mrs. Henry McKay for being the oldest lady in attendance; To Charles Gillis, the oldest gentleman present; To Penelope McKay, for being the youngest girl; To Stephen McKay Rust, the youngest boy present; To Mrs. Ruth Millan, winner of the door prize.
     It was decided that the next meeting to be held the first Sunday in October, 1951. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year, and various committees appointed:
     Pres.--- Hon. John W. Rust; Vice Pres.--- Mr. Dearing McKay; Sec. and Treas.--- Mrs. Isabelle Brockman; Assist. Sec. and Treas.--- Mrs. Gertrude McKay; Sgt. at Arms--- Mr. Wm. P. McKay.
     The Clan was most fortunate in procuring two speakers for the occasion, the Hon. John W. Rust, of Fairfax, Va., and Hunter McKay, of Belmont, Mass.
     Being the historian of the family, Hunter McKay gave an informal and highly enlightening talk on his experiences in connection with the compilation of the McKay family genealogy, two volumes of which are now bound and soon will be made available to interested persons. Mr. McKay gave a resume of the family, beginning with the Clan in Scotland in the year 1395, and tracing its growth and expansion on down to the present time. He noted that while times and customs change, the Scotch-Irishmen have changed but little, having retained the characteristics by which those races have become known, those characteristics which all jokes to the contrary, have so endeared the Scotchman to the world.
     The Hon. John Rust, in his most interesting discussion of the family, stressed the human and more personal elements in the history of the McKay Clan--- its war cries and badges, its castles, coats of arms and plaids; its feuds and ambitions; its hatreds and its loves. Delving into the past, Mr. Rust, who is a competent speaker and a student of family history, brought out facts and anecdotes of much interest to his listeners.
     Highly esteemed and powerful in the north of Ireland, the McKay Clan furnished many leaders. In 1689, James II appointed General Hugh McKay "Major-General of all the forces, whatever, within our ancient kingdom of Scotland," a position he held until his death in 1696 in the Battle of Steinkirk. (See Webmaster's note #1.)
     Robert McKay was the first of his name to settle in the Valley of Virginia, coming from Pennsylvania where the family were Quakers. Samuel Kercheval's History of the Valley of Virginia states the year as 1732. The original Robert McKay house at Cedarville was built of walnut logs and stone, and is believed to be the oldest standing house west of the Blue Ridge mountains. From this pioneer Robert, are descended all of the Virginia McKays. (See Webmaster's note #2.)
     That Robert McKay was a man of means and influence, has been widely attested to by many records. His partnership with Joist Hite proved a profitable venture. The two men obtained an order of council for 100,000 acres of land north of North River and north of the forks of the Shenandoah, a grant which Lord Fairfax later, was to claim for himself under the name of the Culpeper Grant, or "Northern Neck." The rest became the history of Virginia. Hite and McKay filed suit against Lord Fairfax and were awarded the court judgment.
     Robert McKay's fortunes prospered. His sons and his sons' sons fared well, and the countryside became dotted with McKay homes. There was the old brick place, "Chamblin," at the Double Toll Gate, and the Joseph Miller stone house. "Erin," the Jesse McKay house at Ninevah, and the house of Joshua McKay, known as the "Antrim Farm." The LeHew house, the Painter house at Cedarville, the Melton house. The Robert McKay house and many others.
     Of special interest to Luray is the fact that Enos McKay, a descendant of Robert, settled in Page County at Spring Farm late in the 1700's and until he died in 1830 owned large tracts of land in and around Luray.
     It is meet and fitting, that the descendants gather to honor the memory of the pioneer Robert McKay, who was a man of integrity, vision, and foresight, a real builder of the Valley section of Virginia. It is well that the McKay descendants continue to honor their ancestors, by contributing their best and utmost toward the upbuilding of their country and nation, in wartime and in peacetime, by upholding all those standards of conduct and those ideals which must have been in the heart and mind of Robert McKay as he stood high on some hillside, looking down upon his land and perhaps, saying to himself, as countless descendants must have echoed:
"This is my own, my own loved
          land,
Acquired and tended by my hand.
Grant I may pass on to my son
That priceless heritage, work
          well done!"

Webmaster's note #1:
I believe the writer meant to say 'Scotland' rather than 'Ireland'. Also, I've been informed that where it says 'James II' it should read as 'William 3rd'. MLM

Webmaster's note #2:
The above two paragraphs represent examples of a theory I have as to how I believe Hugh Mackay ended up being listed as Robert Mackay Sr.'s father. Some historical sketches of our family are preceeded by a history of the Clan Mackay of Strathnaver. Hugh Mackay was a prominent figure in the history of the Clan and usually after the brief historical sketch, which ended with this Hugh, began a sketch of the history of our Robert Mackay family. I believe that some researchers assumed because one followed the other that a connection must have existed between the two men although none has been stated in this article or others presented on this website. Also, I would like to point out two errors in the above paragraph. #1. The house being mentioned is actually the house of Robert Mackay Jr. Robert Mackay Sr. settled further south at 'Hay Bottom' which was located west of present day Front Royal, Va. To my knowledge, Robert Sr.'s house is no longer standing. #2. Robert is not the ancestor of all Virginia McKays. There were a few other Mckay families that settled in Virginia other than our Robert Mackay family. Their connection, if any, to our Robert Mackay family is unknown at this time. MLM

McKay Reunion

     On Wednesday, August 30, 1950, the Valley descendants and kith and kin of the Clan McKay, met together for their fifth annual reunion in the Recreational Clubrooms of Front Royal.
     Members attending were: Mr. and Mrs. Albert Brockman and son, Osborne, Arlington; Mr. and Mrs. Perry Mowbray, Pee Dee and Betty, Richmond; Mrs. Nannie McKay Boze, Charlottesville; J. M. Jett and daughter, Vir- ginia, Nineveh; Mrs. Alice J. Cross, Washington, D. C.; Mrs. Ruth McKay Millan, Alexandria; Mrs. Daisy Melton McKay, Front Royal; Mr. and Mrs. Leo McKay and Mary Ann. Washington, D. C.; Mr. and Mrs. A. L. McKay, Front Royal; Hon. John W. Rust, Fairfax; Mr. and Mrs. John Rust and Jackie and Stephen, Fairfax; C. D. Melton, DeLiance, Ohio; Mr. and Mrs. Hunter McKay and Bronson, Belmont. Mass.; Mrs. Henry R. McKay, Luray; Mr. and Mrs. William K. McKay and Penny, Luray; Mrs. Margaret McCutcheon Brown, Bedford; Mrs. Mary E. McKay, Arlington; Mr. and Mrs. William P. McKay and daughters, Leona, Dianna, Carol and Penny, Washington, D. C.; Mrs. Mary Gore, Arlington; Mr. and Mrs. William Hicks and Danna, Front Royal: Mrs. Mary McKay Allen and David, Silver Spring, Md.; Mrs. Daisy L. Shipp, Drexel Hill. Pa.; A. B. Rust. Haymarket; Mr. and Mrs. Antrim A. McKay, Severna Park, Md.; Mrs. Lucy McKay Ray, Severna Park. Md.; Mr. and Mrs. Dearing L. McKay, Washington, D. C.; Mr. and Mrs. Beverly McKay, Millwood; Mr. and Mrs. Charles J. Gillis, Haymarket; Hubert McKay, Ninevah; Mrs. Pauline Golden and Nancy and Linda, Silver Spring, Md.; Tracy Aitcherson, Alexandria; Thomas Shipp, Drexel Hill, Pa.; Mrs. Wallace Shipp, Washington, D. C.
     After a basket picnic lunch the meeting was in order and prizes were awarded as follows:

     To the Hunter McKays for having travelled the greatest distance.
     To the Rust family, for having the largest representation.
     To Mrs. Henry McKay for being the oldest lady in attendance.
     To Charles Gillis, the oldest gentleman present.
     To Penelope McKay, for being the youngest girl.
     To Stephen McKay Rust, the youngest boy present.
     To Mrs. Ruth Millan, winner of the door prize.
     It was decided that the next meeting to be held the first Sunday in October, 1951. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year, and various committees appointed:
     President, Hon. John W. Rust.
     Vice President, Dearing McKay.
     Sec. and Treas., Mrs. Isabelle Brockman.
     Assist. Sec. and Treas., Mrs. Gertrude McKay.
     Sgt. at Arms, Wm. P. McKay.
     The Clan was most fortunate in procuring two speakers for the occasion, the Hon. John W. Rust, of Fairfax, Va., and Hunter McKay, of Belmont, Mass.
     Being the historian of the family, Hunter McKay gave an informal and highly enlightening talk on his experiences in connection with the compilation of the McKay family genealogy, two volumes of which are now bound and soon will be made available to interested persons. Mr. McKay gave a resume of the family, beginning with the Clan in Scotland in the year 1395, and tracing its growth and expansion on down to the present time. He noted that while times and customs change, the Scotch-Irishmen have changed but little, having retained the characteristics by which those races have become known, those characteristics which all jokes to the contrary, have so endeared the Scotchman to the world.
     The Hon. John Rust, in his most interesting discussion of the family, stressed the human and more personal elements in the history of the McKay Clan--its war cries and badges, its castles, coats of arms and plaids; its feuds and ambitions; its hatreds and its loves. Delving into the past, Mr. Rust, who is a competent speaker and a student of family history, brought out facts and anecdotes of much interest to his listeners.
     Highly esteemed and powerful in the north of Ireland, the McKay Clan furnished many leaders. In 1689. James II appointed General Hugh McKay "Major-General of all the forces, whatever, within our ancient kingdom of Scotland," a position he held until his death in 1696 in the Battle of Steinkirk.
     Robert McKay was the first of his name to settle in the Valley of Virginia, coming from Pennsylvania where the family were Quakers. Samuel Kercheval’s History of the Valley of Virginia states the year as 1732. The original Robert McKay house at Cedarville was built of walnut logs and stone, and is believed to be the oldest standing house west of the Blue Ridge mountains. From this pioneer Robert, are descended all of the Virginia McKays.
     That Robert McKay was a man of means and influence, has been widely attested to by many records. His partnership with Joist Hite proved a profitable venture. The two men obtained an order of council for 100,000 acres of land north of North River and north of the forks of the Shenandoah, a grant which Lord Fairfax later, was to claim for himself under the name of the Culpeper Grant, or "Northern Neck.” The rest became the history of Virginia. Hite and McKay filed suit against Lord Fairfax and were awarded the court judgment.
     Robert McKay’s fortunes prospered. His sons and his sons’ sons fared well, and the countryside became dotted with McKay homes. There was the old brick place, "Chamblin,” at the Double Toll Gate, and the Joseph Miller stone house, “Erin,” the Jessie McKay house at Ninevah, and the house of Joshua McKay, known as the “Antrim Farm.” The LeHew house, the Painter house at Cedarville. the Melton house. The Robert McKay house and many others.
     Of especial interest to Luray is the fact that Enos McKay, a descendant of Robert, settled In Page County at Spring Farm late in the 1700’s and until he died in 1830 owned large tracts of land in and around Luray.
     It is meet and fitting, that the descendants gather to honor the memory of the pioneer Robert McKay, who was a man of integrity, vision, and foresight, a real builder of the Valley section of Virginia. It is well that the McKay descendants continue to honor their ancestors, by contributing their best and utmost toward the upbuilding of their country and nation. In wartime and in peacetime, by upholding all those standards of conduct and those ideals which must have been in the heart and mind of Robert McKay, as he stood high on some hillside, looking down upon his land and perhaps, saying to himself, as countless descendants must have echoed:
"This is my own, my own loved
          land.
Acquired and tended by my hand.
Grant I may pass on to my son
That priceless heritage, work
          well done!"

Webmaster's note:
This is the same story as the one contributed to The Warren Sentinel above. See the notes in that write-up.

McKay Family Holds
Reunion in Front Royal

     The Valley descendents of the Clan McKay held their 5th annual reunion in the recreational clubrooms in Front Royal on August 30.
     After a basket picnic lunch, the following officers for the ensuing year were elected: Hon. John Rust, of Fairfax, president; Mr, Dearing McKay, of Washington, vice president; Mrs. Isabelle Brockman, of Arlington, secretary and treasurer; Mrs. Gertrude McKay, assistant secretary and treasurer; and Mr. William McKay, of Luray, sergeant at arms.
     Mr. Hunter McKay, historian of the family, gave an informal and highly enlightening talk on his experiences in connection with the compilation of the McKay family genealogy, two volumes of which are now bound, and soon will be made avaUable to interested persons. Mr. McKay, beginning with the Clan in Scotland in the year 1395, traced the growth and expansion of the family on down to the present time.
     Another speaker, the Hon. John Rust, in his most Interesting discussion of the family, stressed the human and more personal elements in the history of the McKay Clan. He said that Robert McKay was the first of his name to settle in the Valley of Virginia, coming from Pennsylvania where the family were Quakers.
     It was decided to hold the next meeting on the first Sunday in October, 1950. (Supposed to say "1951".)

MCKAY FAMILY, ONE
OF OLDEST IN WARREN
COUNTY, HOLD REUNION

     The McKay family reunion was held yesterday at the Front Royal Recreational Park. The family is one of the oldest in Warren County. Robert McKay came into the Valley about 1732 and settled at Cedarville building the log and stone house which is still in good condition.
     Mr. Hunter McKay of Boston, Mass. has some very valuable information relating to the McKay family and collateral branches. He has compiled several volumes and his mimeograph idex volume, size about 9x12, contains over 1000 pages.

Locals------

     A number of the Barter Players, who have been stopping with Mr. and Mrs. Wallace Griffith, left Sunday for brief vacations at their respective homes.
     The fifth annual McKay Reunion was held Wednesday, August 30th at the Front Royal Recreation Building in Front Royal. A more complete account will be given in the next issue. Mrs. H. R. McKay, Mr. and Mrs. William McKay and Miss Penny McKay with Mrs. Margaret McKay Brown, of Bedford, Mrs. Henry McKay's guest, attended the reunion. The building in which the meeting was held is on part of the original grant given to Robert McKay in 1731.