Page 119 - Fortier Family History

Mary Finlayson Lamb (1839-1923) d/o Nicol Finlayson & Elizabeth “Betsie” Kennedy (Métis) Nicol Finlayson’s children from his only legal marriage to Elizabeth “Betsie” Kennedy (1⁄2 Scot and 1⁄2 Cree) produced 3 children: Roderick 1830-1885, Kenneth 1833-1864?, Mary 1839-1923. Betsie died in Red River Colony in 1842 of dropsy, she was only 31 years-old. Nicol retired in Nairn, Scotland near his home parish of Fodderty in 1855 and died in 1877.) Roderick & Kenneth were educated in Inverness, Scotland. When an adult, Roderick returned to Canada for a brief time with the HBC but left before a year and was farming in Victoria, B.C. near Nicol’s nephew, HBC Chief Factor Roderick Finlayson. Having failed as a farmer in Victoria, Roderick returned to Nairn, Scotland and died in 1885. He never married. Nicol’s daughter Mary was cared for by her Kennedy relatives in Red River until Nicol brought her to Nairn during his health furlough in 1844. There she was raised by Nicol’s sister Anne and her husband Hector MacKenzie, just as the two boys were earlier. There she eventually married a James Lamb and had 14 children. Her descendant, William Lees (no relation to Aunt Mary’s husband Bill Lees as far as I know), sent me much of this information and these photos from his home in London. He passed away around 2013. I am currently in contact with three descendants of Mary Finlayson Lamb searching for any trace of Nicol’s personal letters, and diaries, etc.