We recently had an anonymous response to a 2016 post about Elizabeth Punnett Mackenzie of Generation 5, and her husband Alexander Kenneth
https://greataunts.blogspot.com/2016/04/elizabeth-punnett-mackenzie-1772-1795.html
The comment can be found here...
https://greataunts.blogspot.com/2016/04/elizabeth-punnett-mackenzie-1772-1795.html?showComment=1556919720737#c6830858032508004243
Unknown's comment got Brenda sleuthing... and I think the exchange of emails on a fascinating adventure story (albeit with a tragic end for our Elizabeth) is worth sharing with you...
Unknown May 2, 2019
Thank you for this great review of his life. He is my 4th great grandfather through his daugther hectorina australia mackenzie m. charles langley. after i read the memoir i thought it would make a great movie, so im glad i wasnt the only one who enjoyed it.
Elizabeth Punnett May 3, 2019
how wonderful it is that we have the ability to make this connection centuries later! Mr. Mackenzie certainly had a life of great adventure!
Thank you for making contact. I am curious as to how you happened upon us?
One love,
Lisbie
Saturday, May 4, 2019
Brenda Punnett to Elizabeth![]()
Since re-reading the Mackenzie article last night I have been fired up ! Googled for information on the vessel he mentioned, Sarah Rebecca, but the only one I can see , within the time frame is James & Rebecca out of SVG which was captured by France.
His story reminds me of the resilience of the people who settled in places like this. Imagine setting out for a year’s holiday in those perilous times and leaving behind a year old baby?? Yet, amusing as you pointed out, in his description of Elisabeth’s countenance (?)!
Also reminded of her cousin, Miss Nanton which confirms our finding in the Registry that the first Christopher (1739 Bds - d.svg 1786), father of our Elizabeth was married to a Miss Nanton. Her brother, Christopher Punnett married in 1803 an Elizabeth Davidson, who maybe the Davidson friend of Elizabeth, as also mentioned by Mackenzie.
So much can be probably gleaned by studying the... info on Blair Ewing’s family tree. Each session brings home a tidbit!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ships_captured_in_the_18th_century
Saturday, May 4, 2019
Elizabeth Reynolds to Brenda
Oh Sis, how clever to have thought to google it!
As you advised, Wikipedia states that "James and Rebecca" was captured in 1794 by the French while on a voyage from Saint Vincent to London.
how wonderful it is that we have the ability to make this connection centuries later! Mr. Mackenzie certainly had a life of great adventure!
Thank you for making contact. I am curious as to how you happened upon us?
One love,
Lisbie
Saturday, May 4, 2019
Brenda Punnett to Elizabeth
Since re-reading the Mackenzie article last night I have been fired up ! Googled for information on the vessel he mentioned, Sarah Rebecca, but the only one I can see , within the time frame is James & Rebecca out of SVG which was captured by France.
His story reminds me of the resilience of the people who settled in places like this. Imagine setting out for a year’s holiday in those perilous times and leaving behind a year old baby?? Yet, amusing as you pointed out, in his description of Elisabeth’s countenance (?)!
Also reminded of her cousin, Miss Nanton which confirms our finding in the Registry that the first Christopher (1739 Bds - d.svg 1786), father of our Elizabeth was married to a Miss Nanton. Her brother, Christopher Punnett married in 1803 an Elizabeth Davidson, who maybe the Davidson friend of Elizabeth, as also mentioned by Mackenzie.
So much can be probably gleaned by studying the... info on Blair Ewing’s family tree. Each session brings home a tidbit!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ships_captured_in_the_18th_century
Saturday, May 4, 2019
Elizabeth Reynolds to Brenda
Oh Sis, how clever to have thought to google it!
As you advised, Wikipedia states that "James and Rebecca" was captured in 1794 by the French while on a voyage from Saint Vincent to London.
Mackenzie wrote that “In July 1794, Mrs. Mackenzie, myself, a free woman and a negro boy of my own embarked on board the “Sarah Rebecca” for London, leaving our sweet little girl under the care of good old Mrs. Punnett (Mrs. M.’s mother) with the intention of returning in less than 12 months.”
It would seem that Alexander erred as to the name of the vessel, and my Sister found him out!
So, you got me fired up too. I've copied the family tree into a new document and added information (in bold red) that's not on the original - like Elizabeth Punnett Mackenzie's mother being a Nanton, and the pertinent Mackenzie info.
As you pointed out, Alexander's memoir mentions both Nanton and Davidson in relation to his wife. Also, the person that shared the original piece you sent me was a Bill Davidson... I wonder if his connection to Mackenzie was through Elizabeth Davidson Punnett - the sister-in-law of Elizabeth Punnett Mackenzie?
I went to his website but it is no more, so googled him -
Davidson, William Alexander Crawford
Passed away at Toronto General Hospital on Friday November 25th, 2016 at the age of 73
Dearly loved husband of Joyce Datt of Oshawa. Much loved dad of Lindsay Sutton and her husband Stephen of Blackstock and Lesley Jackson and her husband Steven of Georgetown. Fondly remembered by Vic and Navin. Cherished grandad of Emily, Alexandra, Ember, Cohen and papa Bill of Nisha and Maya.
Much loved brother of Helen Davidson of Scotland, Linda Davidson of Australia and Irene Scott and her husband Stuart of South Africa.
I recently read a strange detective story located in New Orleans after Katrina (Claire DeWitt and The City of The Dead by Sara Gran). There are a few quotes in it that come to mind as we play detective with the family tree - like...
“All I can do is leave you clues… and hope that you will not only solve your mysteries, but choose carefully the clues you leave behind. Make your choices wisely, ma’moiselle. The mysteries you leave will last for lifetimes after you are gone.”
x
As you pointed out, Alexander's memoir mentions both Nanton and Davidson in relation to his wife. Also, the person that shared the original piece you sent me was a Bill Davidson... I wonder if his connection to Mackenzie was through Elizabeth Davidson Punnett - the sister-in-law of Elizabeth Punnett Mackenzie?
I went to his website but it is no more, so googled him -
Davidson, William Alexander Crawford
Passed away at Toronto General Hospital on Friday November 25th, 2016 at the age of 73
Dearly loved husband of Joyce Datt of Oshawa. Much loved dad of Lindsay Sutton and her husband Stephen of Blackstock and Lesley Jackson and her husband Steven of Georgetown. Fondly remembered by Vic and Navin. Cherished grandad of Emily, Alexandra, Ember, Cohen and papa Bill of Nisha and Maya.
Much loved brother of Helen Davidson of Scotland, Linda Davidson of Australia and Irene Scott and her husband Stuart of South Africa.
I recently read a strange detective story located in New Orleans after Katrina (Claire DeWitt and The City of The Dead by Sara Gran). There are a few quotes in it that come to mind as we play detective with the family tree - like...
“All I can do is leave you clues… and hope that you will not only solve your mysteries, but choose carefully the clues you leave behind. Make your choices wisely, ma’moiselle. The mysteries you leave will last for lifetimes after you are gone.”
x
Family, I hope you find this saga as interesting as Brenda and I do. We find it such fun hearing from other folk who relate to these stories. While the blog was on hiatus, there were a few comments that I need to look at, respond, and publish. Soon come...
We'd love to hear from you.
One love,
Lisbie x
We'd love to hear from you.
One love,
Lisbie x
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