Emma (Abbott) Mackay (1863 - 1941)

Born 14 May 1863 in Dungog, New South Wales, Australia

Ancestors

Wife of George Alexander Mackay — married 1896 in Dungog, New South Wales, Australia

Died 21 Feb 1941 at age 77 in Dungog, New South Wales, Australia

Biography

Emma was born in 1863. She is the daughter of Thomas Abbott and Eliza Mills.

Dungog Chronicle : Durham and Gloucester Advertiser (NSW), Fri 15 May 1896, p.2

MARRIAGE.

MACKAY-ABBOTT.— April 15th, at Violet Hill, Dungog, by Rev. D. Baird: George Alexander Mackay, of Melbee, to Emma Abbott, of Violet Hill.^[1]

Dungog Chronicle : Durham and Gloucester Advertiser (NSW), Fri 17 Apr 1896, p.2

Orange Blossoms. — It is our pleasing duty to have to record the marriage of Mr. G A. Mackay, of Melbee, and Miss Emma Abbott, of Violet Hill. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. D. Baird, at the residence of the bride's brother, Mr. W. H. Abbott, on Wednesday last, at 10 o'clock a.m., in the presence of a small circle of near relations. Mr. Tod, of Reidsdale, near Stroud, acted as best man ; Miss Allen (niece of the bride) was the bridesmaid ; and Mr. W. H. Abbott gave the bride away. At the wedding breakfast the Rev. D. Baird proposed the health of the bride and bridegroom, to which the latter responded in suitable terms. At noon the happy pair left for Sydney, amidst showers of rice and good wishes, where they will spend their honeymoon. Mr. and Mrs. Mackay were the recipients of numerous and costly presents, amongst which was a handsome silver tray and afternoon tea service, presented by the Rev. D. Baird in the name of the members of Dungog Presbyterian Church, as a slight token of the respect and esteem in which they are both held by the congregation. ^[2]

Dungog Chronicle : Durham and Gloucester Advertiser (NSW), Tue 25 Feb 1941, p.2

CROSSED THE VALE

LATE MRS. EMMA MACKAY

Another of the pioneer citizens of Dungog district was called to her rest on Friday last, in the passing of Mrs. Emma Mackay, relict of the late Mr George Alexander Mackay of 'Melbee,' Dungog.

The deceased lady, who had reached the age of 76 years, was a daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Abbott. She was born in Dungog, and lived all her life in the district. Upon her marriage, she went with her husband to live at 'Melbee,' which had been her home throughout.

Mrs. Mackay was the youngest member of a very large family, which included five brothers and a similar number of sisters, and she was the last surviving member of that family.

During their lifetime both Mrs. Mackay and her husband had been particularly staunch adherents of the Presbyterian Church in Dungog, and arising from their Church work both had been recipients of many handsome tokens of appreciation by district citizens, these tokens including several illuminated addresses.

A generous contributor to charitable and patriotic movements, one of the outstanding gifts bestowed by the late Mrs. Mackay was that when in recent years she had erected to the memory of her late husband the handsome brick and metal fencing enclosing the grounds of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church on its 500 feet frontages to Dowling and Chapman streets in Dungog.

Deceased was also a life member of Dungog Cottage Hospital.

Deceased's husband predeceased her some four years ago. There were four children of the marriage. Two sons are Messrs. George, of Ward's River, and Donald Reay, of Stroud Road, and the only daughter is Mrs. Jean Scott Anderson, of Frederickton. One son, Alister Mackenzie, died whilst at Sydney University studying medicine.

The funeral took place on Saturday afternoon, when following a short service at the homestead, 'Melbee,' the cortege moved for the family portion of Dungog Presbyterian cemetery. The assembly was widely representative of town and district families. Rev. J. W. McCredie, who had been absent on holidays, returned to conduct the services, marking his appreciation of one of his most devoted church workers. Rev. Rees, of Wickham, an old friend, also attended to assist in the service.

The pall-bearers both at the homestead and at the cemetery were deceased's two sons, Messrs. George and Don Mackay, her nephew, Mr. H. A. Abbott, of Gloucester, and her grand nephew, Mr. R. A. Abbott, of Dungog.

The mortuary arrangements were conducted by Messrs. Fry Bros.^[3]

Sources

• NSW BDM Birth Index - ABBOTT EMMA; 7377/1863; THOMAS; ELIZA J; DUNGOG

• Marriage - NSW BDM Marriage index - 3071/1896; MACKAY GEORGE A; ABBOTT EMMA; DUNGOG

• Death - NSW BDM Death index - MACKAY EMMA; 3447/1941; THOMAS; ELIZA JANE; DUNGOG

• Burial/ memorial - austcemindex.com - Mackay (Abbott) Emma; 1864?; 21 Feb 1941; 77; dau/Thomas & Eliza Jane; w/George Alexander; Dungog NSW; Pbn ... and ... http://austcemindex.com/inscription?id=15525662#images

1. ↑ http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article134315272
2. ↑ http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article134311361
3. ↑ http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article141292406