Mary Mann Mackay was born in 1844, the daughter of Roderick Mackay aka Alex Mackay aka Roderick McLennan.  She grew up on the Mackay farm at Haliburton, Lyons Brook, Pictou.

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

In 1873 Mary married James Stewart Pitts of St. Johns, Newfoundland. James Pitts was appointed to the Legislative Council in 1883. 

Mary Pitts and her niece Mary Mackay were instrumental in organizing and operating the Women’s Patriotic Association of Newfoundland.  

This copy of the photo of Mary Pitts was taken about 1900.