If Hugh died before 1904 when Jessie remarried the only possible Hugh found was Hugh McIntyre McKay, age 54 years [reg=1901/6703 & folio 2256/1901 Q4 Pahiatua, Otago] and his age would mean a birth circa 1846 and probably too old for Jessie. The most likely reason is they “divorced” or he left without trace. Jessie married as Jessie Young in 1904 as if this marriage never occurred.

If Hugh was born in New Zealand most likely birth is Hugh Edward Mackay with parents Maria & Alexander [reg=1878/3613 folio=991/1878 Q2 Waipu]. Waipu is a small Scottish community north of Auckland. Hugh Edward aged 78 years died in 1940 at Kawakawa Auckland [reg=1940/23455 folio=199/1940 Q1].