Robert Ramsay (MacKenzie) MacKenzie of Coul 10th Bt (1811 - 1873)

Born 21 Jul 1811 in Coul, Ross-shire, Scotland

Ancestors

Husband of Louisa Alexandrina (Jones) MacKenzie — married 29 Sep 1846 in Brisbane, Queensland

Descendants

Died 19 Sep 1873 at age 62 in Chapel of Garioch, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Mark Sutherland-Fisher [send private message]

Biography

The Honourable Sir Robert Mackenzie, Baronet, was a pastoralist and politician in colonial New South Wales and Queensland from 1832 to 1871. He was an original member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for nine years and premier of Queensland for fifteen months. After succeeding to the baronetcy he returned to Scotland with his Aussie family to live on the family estate in Ross-shire.

Sir Robert MacKenzie, 10th Baronet

Robert Ramsay MacKenzie was born on 21st July 1811 at Coul, Ross-shire, Scotland. He was the fourth son of Sir George Steuart MacKenzie, 7th Bt, geologist, chemist and agricultural improver, and his wife Mary MacLeod, fifth daughter of Donald MacLeod of Geanies, Ross-shire.^[1]

Robert (MacKenzie) MacKenzie of Coul 10th Bt migrated from Scotland to New South Wales.

In April 1832, Mackenzie arrived on the Wave in Sydney, New South Wales, with £750, joining his brother James. He purchased sheep for £500 and grazed them at Riddlesdale, near Dungog, New South Wales. After land speculation with his brother, Mackenzie bought a station, got into debt and borrowed money from his Scottish relatives. His financial situation worsened and he was declared bankrupt in 1844. In 1846 he was discharged from bankruptcy and was appointed a magistrate in 1847, living in Clifton, New England.^[1]

In 1846 at Sydney, Robert married Louisa Jones, daughter of Richard Jones, the member for Moreton Bay in the New South Wales Legislative Council.^[2]

When Queensland was declared a separate colony in 1859, Mackenzie entered politics and became Colonial Treasurer on 15th December 1859 in the ministry of Robert Herbert. Mackenzie represented Burnett in the Legislative Assembly of Queensland 1860–1869. Mackenzie formed a government on the resignation of Arthur Macalister, taking on the roles of both Premier and Colonial Treasurer. He resigned on 25th November 1868.^[1]

Mackenzie succeeded his brother William on his death on 21st December 1868 to the baronetcy and, in 1871, returned to live on the family estate in Scotland.

He passed away on 19th September 1873 at Chapel of Garioch, Aberdeenshire.^[3] He was survived by his wife, a son and four daughters.^[1]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3} [http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/mackenzie-sir-robert-ramsay-4109/text6569 Joyce, R B. Mackenzie, Sir Robert Ramsay (1811–1873), Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, published first in hardcopy 1974; accessed online 14 Aug 2019
2. ↑ New South Wales Marriage Index #582/1846 V1846582 31C
3. ↑ Scotland'sPeople Death Index #179/ 16 1873

See also

• The Peerage: Robert MacKenzie; accessed 16 Aug 2019.
• Wikipedia profile: Sir Robert MacKenzie.
• Wikipedia: Mackenzie baronets; accessed 16 Aug 2019.