Joseph Mackay (1810-1881)
Dry Goods Merchant, of Kildonan Hall, Montreal
He was born in Scotland at Kildonan, Sutherland. When he was thirteen, his family relocated to Caithness, victims of the Highland Clearances. He emigrated to Montreal in 1832 establishing himself as a tailor before becoming a dry goods merchant with premises on Rue Saint-Paul. In 1840, he was joined by his brother, Edward, who became a partner in the firm in 1850 and in the same year their nephew, Hugh Mackay, joined the business, becoming a partner in 1856. By 1860, the firm then known as Mackay Brothers moved into large new premises on McGill Street. Joseph and Edward retired in 1875 leaving the firm in the hands of Hugh and his brothers Robert and James. He built Kildonan Hall at Montreal, never married, and died worth a million dollars.
He was among the principal benefactors who built the Presbyterian College at Montreal in 1867. After retiring from business he travelled frequently, always taking an interest in the various Presbyterian missionaries he met with and in 1879 he was made an Elder of the St. Gabriel Street Church. After he died, his brother gave $40,000 to the college to endow the Joseph Mackay Chair of Systematic Theology. The Mackay brothers were also well-known for their support of handicapped children. In 1874, Joseph was made Governor of the Protestant Institution for Deaf Mutes and for the Blind. He donated land on Décarie Boulevard and in 1878 personally paid out of his own pocket to build a new 4-story building that was duly named the Mackay Institution for Protestant Deaf Mutes, of which he was appointed President. The school continues today as the Mackay Centre.
He was among the principal benefactors who built the Presbyterian College at Montreal in 1867. After retiring from business he travelled frequently, always taking an interest in the various Presbyterian missionaries he met with and in 1879 he was made an Elder of the St. Gabriel Street Church. After he died, his brother gave $40,000 to the college to endow the Joseph Mackay Chair of Systematic Theology. The Mackay brothers were also well-known for their support of handicapped children. In 1874, Joseph was made Governor of the Protestant Institution for Deaf Mutes and for the Blind. He donated land on Décarie Boulevard and in 1878 personally paid out of his own pocket to build a new 4-story building that was duly named the Mackay Institution for Protestant Deaf Mutes, of which he was appointed President. The school continues today as the Mackay Centre.
