Memorable Manitobans: Nancy McKenzie (c1790-1851)

Fur-trade wife.

The daughter of Roderick McKenzie and an Indian woman, she was born in the Athabasca country. In 1813 she married North West Company trader John George McTavish according to the custom of the country. When the NWC and Hudson's Bay Company merged, McTavish became chief trader responsible for York Factory, and his wife was the leading female at the post. In 1830, however, McTavish contracted a legal marriage in Scotland and left others to tell Nancy. George Simpson used a dowry contributed by McTavish to arrange a marriage with Pierre Le Blanc celebrated on 7 February 1831. She moved west to the Columbia district with her husband in 1838. She died at Fort Victoria.

More information:

Nancy McKenzie, Dictionary of Canadian Biography VIII, 561.

Sources:

Dictionary of Manitoba Biography by John M. “Jack” Bumsted, Winnipeg: University of Manitoba Press, 1999.

Page revised: 11 April 2008

Memorable Manitobans

Memorable Manitobans

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