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JAMES MACKAY is a sweeping Historical Narrative of one of the 18th Century's most
experienced explorers of North American Rivers. Mackay was loved by the French, Indians
and Spanish. He was undeniably a man to cherish.
An aging Isabella Mackay, the widow of James, tells the story of James' life in a narrative
form to their grandson, John Barker.
James Mackay was born in a long-house croft during the time Scotland was still reeling from
the loss of its Sovereignty to England after the 1746 battle of Culloden.
He was a Canadian Fur Trader, Explorer and Map Maker.
He was the Discoverer of the Yellowstone River he called "Rochejaune."
He was the Author of the most complete Missouri River Map used by the Lewis and Clark
Expedition.
He was the last Commandant of the St. Charles District of the Louisiana Territory under the
Spanish.
As an American, he was a Judge and Legislator for the State of Missouri
experienced explorers of North American Rivers. Mackay was loved by the French, Indians
and Spanish. He was undeniably a man to cherish.
An aging Isabella Mackay, the widow of James, tells the story of James' life in a narrative
form to their grandson, John Barker.
James Mackay was born in a long-house croft during the time Scotland was still reeling from
the loss of its Sovereignty to England after the 1746 battle of Culloden.
He was a Canadian Fur Trader, Explorer and Map Maker.
He was the Discoverer of the Yellowstone River he called "Rochejaune."
He was the Author of the most complete Missouri River Map used by the Lewis and Clark
Expedition.
He was the last Commandant of the St. Charles District of the Louisiana Territory under the
Spanish.
As an American, he was a Judge and Legislator for the State of Missouri
| BOOK REVIEW BY: SHARON BARBOSA-CRAIN Book Title: James Mackay a man to cherish 1761-1822 Website: www.jamesmackay.us Publisher: Pine Mountain Books pinemountainbooks@verizon.net Book: ISBN 0-9761466-2-2 324 pages – Hardback Film Laminated Size: 6 X 9 Price: $23.95 Creative Historical Narrative Summary: James Mackay… is more than a biography, and less than a textbook. It is history, and history in the best of formats, that of a great story. The author, Irving resident Helen Widener, has taken a confounding collection of documents and letters and researched them into a coherent tale of a period of history we seldom give attention. Using an oral-narrative writing style, the chronicle replicates the traditional Scottish story-telling used to relay family history from one generation to another. The story is set in 1859 when the widow of James Mackay relates the tale to her grandson, John Barker. Beginning with the birth of James Mackay in Scotland in 1761, the narrative traces his emigration to Canada to join the fur trade and his subsequent move to the newly formed United States. His map making ability led to employment with the Spanish from whom he petitioned land grants in the Louisiana Territories as payment. His explorations produced the Indian Map that charted the Missouri to the Yellowstone and served as the base for the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The book abounds with descriptions of the land and its cultures, the startlingly different Native Americans and their varied societies, the intricate relationships between the governments of the old world and the emerging nations of the new. We read in the words of the characters of the story their thoughts and impressions, their activities and decisions. The author has included helpful maps, a resource list, and a fascinating account of the loss and re-emergence of the Indian Map. Even the cover utilizes historical artifacts pulled together with modern technology applied by the author’s own son. To his descendants James Mackay is a man to cherish. To us, his story is a tale to cherish, a reminder of the dynamic personalities that built this country. |
| This page was last updated on 20 August 2007 Contact the Webmaster Helen Widener hwidener@msn.com |
| James Mackay a man to cherish 1761-1822 |
| Genealogy Page For information on the genealogy of the Mackay and Long families. |
| Mackay Family Documents For information on the Mackay family. |
| Descendant's Photos Pictures of James Mackay's widow, John Barker, and more. |
| Mackay Photo Learn how the image of James Mackay was created. |
| Mackay's Map See the map that was used by Lewis and Clark on their Expedition up the Missouri River. Download a copy from the Library of Congress. |
| Links Useful links to Scottish sites, James Mackay and more! |
| Guest Book Sign the guest book, inquire about more information about the book, leave a Scottish recipe or just say Howdy! |
| Recipes These recipes will have you wanting to wear a Kilt and play the Bagpipes. |
| Trip to Scotland See the Birthplace of James Mackay and hear a sample of Andrew Innes playing the Bagpipes |