Neil and Catharine were married about 1790 in Kilarrow Parish, Isle of Islay, Argyll, Scotland and had a family of at least nine children. At the time of Neil McKay's death in 1825 they were living at Nosbridge Farm North of Mulindra River in Kilarrow Parish, on the Isle of Islay. Their daughter Jean married Donald McCannel in 1811 and they also lived on Nosbridge Farm with their family. After Donald's death in 1845 Jean and her family decided to emigrate to Canada. Catherine Carmichael (McKay) accompanied the family when they settled in Glenelg Twp, Grey County, Ontario about1848. Unfortunately Jean died enroute, apparently at sea, and Catherine Carmichael became the beloved matriarch living with her grandson Neil McCannel and the remaining siblings in the New World. Catharine's son Hugh McKay also migrated to Canada about the same time and settled in Bruce County, Ontario. Catharine died in 1854 and was buried in Smellies Pioneer Cemetery in Glenelg Township. |