Mary Mann Mackay was born at Pictou in 1844.  She was the daughter of Roderick McLennan. 

Roderick McLennan assumed the alias of Alexander Mackay when he escaped the British Navy in 1812 and came to Pictou, NS. 

Mary Mann Mackay married James Stewart Pitts of St John's Newfoundland in 1873. Together with her niece Mary Mackay, she was instrumental in organizing and operating the Women's Patriotic Association of Newfoundland. 

This is a copy of the photo of Mary taken about 1900.