ARTHUR and SUSAN MACKIE LOOSE SIX CHILDREN 
SHORTLY AFTER THEIR 1859 ARRIVAL  IN THE UNITED STATES

A Mackie family chart shows 2 children’s demise at or shortly after their birth; Anna Maria (1860 –1860) and Charles Octavius (1861 –1861).
Before J.D.(John Davidson) started his Journals in 1864, the chart shows two more deaths;  Edward (1852 –1863) and Frederick Henry (1853 –1863).  
A November 20,1863 entry in the Journal reads:  “This afternoon I went to see the spot (preparatory to purchase) which is destined to be the last resting place of many of us: two brothers now lie there, may it be long ere another shall be added to their number”.
Dec (no date) states: “Once again has our family been visited by sever sickness; once again we have lost a beloved member of our family, our dear little sister Susannah.  She died two days ago at about 9 o’clock in the morning very suddenly: after an illness of little more than twenty four hours: the disease was a malignant form of Typhus,  I  little thought  when making my last entry, how soon I should be required to visit as a mourner the spot mentioned above,  Less than one short week ago Susannah was apparently full of health & spirits, & now her bright face, sparkling eyes no longer cheer us, but she sleeps silently in the Cemetery* in sure & certain hope of a glorious Resurrection.  She was just 8 years old.  Emma is seriously ill but we hope a change has taken place for the better.”
“Jan.8,1864  Poor Emma was called away from this world of disappointment & trouble on the  2nd.  She suffocated – on New years morning the mercury stood at 26 degrees below zero.”
*Later in J.D.’s Journals, the cemetery is listed as the Jonesboro Cemetery.

ARTHUR MACKIE LOOSES TWO SONS

A death notice found in an unknown St. Louis Missouri newspaper reads:  "Drowned--Whilst bathing in the river at the foot of Mound St., a little after 7 o'clock, on Wednesday night, the 31st of May, a fine, promising young man, named ARTHUR ARAM MACKIE, from Anna, Union County, Ill., about sixteen years of age and about five feet two inches in height, short auburn hair and light blue eyes.
Anyone finding the body will greatly oblige by sending information to the Rev. Thomas A. Morton, 48 Mound St., St. Louis, MO., or to the St. Louis Police Station."
An entry in J. D.'s Journal, page 30, year 1865, dated June 1 reads:  "Today about 11 o'clock Mr. Willard came up to the farm with a telegraphic message to say that Aram had been drowned while bathing in the Mississippi River at St. Louis."
Aram's body was never recovered.

A death notice in THE NORFOLK (England) NEWS, Saturday, May 13, 1876 states:  "MACKIE-April 26, at Cairo, Illinois, U. S., GEORGE WILLIAM, eldest son of Arthur Mackie, aged 33."

Note:  George William stayed in England when Arthur brought his family to the United States in 1859.  Through J. D.'s Journal it is known that George William arrived in New York in May, 1865 and in Anna on May 8th.  (Entry in J. D.'s Journal, May 9th, page 29).

According to various entries in J. D.'s Journal, George had problems with employment and his health.  An entry dated April 26, 1876 reads:  "Sooner than expected, George passed away today.  He died at noon today, and before we had returned from the office.  I saw him this morning a few minutes before I went to business and he said, "John, my dear fellow, I am in very deep trouble."  He couldn't tell me what, and these were his last words to me.  Poor Fellow!  May he rest in peace."

CHILDREN OF ARTHUR AND SUSAN MACKIE

Susan Elizabeth (1841-1845)

George William (1842-1886)

John Davidson (15 Nov 1843-1913); md. Sophia Louisa Ramsay (11 Aug 1850-1932)

Sarah (1845-1911)

Emma Newbegin (1846-1864)

Arthur Aram (1849-1865)

Mary Goldart (1851-1931)

Edward (1852-1863)

Frederick Henry (1853-1863)

Catherine (1854-?

Susannah Newbegin (1855-1863)

Herbert (1857-?

Francis Septimus (1858-?)  Francis was left in Norwich, England with Arthur's sister, Elizabeth.

Anna Maria (1860-1860)

Charles Octavius (1861-1861)