Tuesday, May 9, 2023

Evaluating Sources: Mackay Land Records

 Our Mackay family, like most others, acquires land. Here are some samples:

[1] James T. Makey purchases 100 acres in Camden District, Colony of South Carolina in 1773.

[2] J.T. Maccay was deeded 125 acres of land in the Camden District, SC by Matthew Makay in 1775.

[3] James T. Mackay sells 200 acres of land in Mason Co., KY to Matthew Mackay in 1800.

[4] J.T. Mckay Sr. deeds 25 acres to J.T. Mckay Jr. in Mason Co., KY in 1805.

[5] James Mackay Sr. sells 175 acres in Jefferson Co., IN to Elwood Innis in 1837

The first transaction in 1773 is very doubtful. James T. was only 19. You need to find out the legal age at which a man could purchase land in Colonial South Carolina. If Makey is a corruption of Mackay, you need to find this one's relationship to our James T.

The 2nd and 3rd entries are good matches. James was 21 in 1775. You need to identify this Matthew Makay! The Matthew Mackay in #3 is probably James' eldest son now 21.

#4. Ah ha! James Sr. and Jr.! James Jr. has reached the age of majority  by 1800. James T. is still living, thus identified as Sr.

#5 needs some close examination. We have James Sr. in Jefferson Co., IN, but this record is dated 1837. The elder James passed in 1836. Does James Jr. have a son named for him? Is there another James Mackay younger than James born in 1784.

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