John McKee

 

Descendants of John H. McKee

Generation No. 1

        1.  John H.27 McKee  (Adam26, Archibald25, Archibald24, Thomas23, James22, Robert21 McKie, Thomas20, Andrew19, John18 McGhie, Alexander17, Alexander16 MacKay, Gilbert15 MacKie, Malcom14 MacKay, Gilbert13 M’Kie, Neill12, John11, Iye10, Martin9 MacKay, Iye Hugh8 MacEthj, Hugh7, Malcolm6 MacEth, Hugh or Angus5, Aoidh4 Heth, Malcolm3 III, Duncan2 I, Crinan of1 Dunkeld) was born December 29, 1783 in Ninety Six District, South Carolina, and died May 02, 1864 in Dixon, Neshoba County, Mississippi.  He married Margaret Cunningham May 28, 1811 in Abbeville County, South Carolina, daughter of Frances Cunningham and Mary Cunningham.  She was born September 07, 1791 in South Carolina, and died March 10, 1878 in Dixon, Neshoba County, Mississippi.

 

Notes for John H. McKee:

From Wayne Adams

Information from group sheet by Jewel Knierim and other research by descendents [obtained through Anna MArgaret Stroud, PO Box 114, Moberly, MO 65270]. John and Margaret moved to Kershaw County by 1820 but were back in Abbeville County in 1830. In Neshoba County, Mississippi for 1840-1860 censuses and are buried there; New Bethel Presbaterian Church also mentioned.

Note that Thomas McKee, who attended the same church as Adam, died in 1798 and had sons Thomas, William, John and James. The William who was back in Abbeville County for the 1830s census was probably Thomas’ son, since William Seth was in Missouri but the conclusion that the returning John was Adam’s son seems valid since he’s a better match as the co-administrator of Adam Jr’s estate and ties in with the Mississippi group sheet [naming their first son Adam Dixon McKee is the “clincher”]

 

 

The William two lines away in Abbeville Co for the 1830C was Michael’s son.  Logan CUNNINGHAM lived next to William. Some researchers link the John McKee of St Francis, MO as Adam’s John.  Note tha t John named his only son Thomas & seems a better fit as Thomas’ son than as Adam’s. We can b e comfortable that the co-admin. of Adam Jr’s estate who named his 1st son Adam Dixon McKEE i s indeed the son of Adam and Jean (nee Dixon) McKEE.

Jean’s father was named John DIXON/DICKSON and it is noteworthy that many of the McKEE children seem to have been named after her family rather than Adam’s. We have no indication of John’s middle name but I wouldn’t be surprised if it would turn out to be “John Dixon McKEE”

 

 

A family tradition holds that another brother to Michael & William Seth accompanied them to Missouri but did not like what he saw and immediately went back.  The tradition does not identify which brother (Adam Jr, Eliezer or John?).  We know Adam Jr died in Abbeville Co in 1820 and Doughtie claims Eliezer is buried in an unmarked grave at  Greenville Church Cemetery.  John was not found on the 1820 census (none available for Missouri that year) but the person I believe to have been “Adam’s John” was on the 1830 Abbeville County census before migrating to Mississippi during the 1830s   An Eliezer McKa / McKee who served during the Revolution and is believed by some to have been from “our” branch turns up in Cooper County, MO (per pension file) so we have a “which one?” challenge.to untangle.

There has been some speculation, based largely upon geographic proximity, that the John McKee who settled in St. Francois County, MO (just south of Jefferson County; created in 1821 from parts of Jefferson, Washington & Ste. Genevieve Counties) was a part of the Jefferson County contingent – perhaps Michael & William Seth’s brother John.  As discussed in the SC segment, I lean much stronger toward the conclusion that the John McKee who resided in the next household to Michael’s son (William) in Abbeville, SC at the time of the 1830 census enumeration was “Adam McKee’s John” and that this was the John McKee who went to Mississippi (later continuing to Texas).  However, the evidence is largely circumstantial and it is appropriate to discuss the St. Francois County John McKee within this MO McKee segment.

 

..Jean’s father was named John DIXON/DICKSON and it is noteworthy that many of the McKEE children seem to have been named after her family rather than Adam’s. We have no indication       of John’s middle name but I wouldn’t be surprised if it would turn out to be “John Dixon McKEE

 

As with many marriages in the SC Highlands during that period, no “public record” is available but the marriage was presumably either in Abbeville or Kershaw County.

 

Wilbyrn McKee noted that John McKee’s name appears on the Mississippi Census rolls for the first time in 1840.  “Family tradition has it that he was appointed by Thomas Jefferson to look after the Indians in the Alabama Territory that later became the state of Mississippi.  He was a charter member of the New Bethel Presbyterian Church founded in 1840 in Dixon, Mississippi.  He and his wife are buried in the Morrow Cemetery in Dixon, Mississippi

 

Information from group sheet by Jewel KNIERIM & other research by descendents [obtained

through Anna Margaret STROUD, PO Box 114, Moberly, MO 65270]. John & Margaret were not

found on the 1820C but were back in Abbeville Co in 1830.  They migrated to Neshoba Co, MS

by 1836, living in a community which became known as “Dixon”.  He was listed as “J.H. McKee

as one of the founders of Mt Bethel Cumberland Presbyterian Church in 1840. In Neshoba Co,

MS for 1840-60C and buried there; New Bethel Presb.Church also mentioned.  Family data from

Finis Pugh & Jn. Hollis McKee in Mackeys & Allied Families  but inaccurately links him to the

Charleston, SC McKee’s.

..A newspaper article by great grandson James Finis McKee also links him to the wrong McKee

family (Robert McKee of PA/NC) but contains useful information.  He described John as “a

farmer, statesman, politician and businessman.  He was an ardent disciple of Thomas Jefferson.

He was an Indian agent to the Chickasaw-Choctaw Indian Nation.  A Christian leader, he

founded and organized the First Presbyterian Church in Dixon, Miss”

..Note that Thomas McKEE, who attended the same church as Adam, died in 1798 and had

sons Thomas, William, JOHN & James. Their John not mentioned on his mother’s will

suggesting that John died before 1813.  (However a John turns up in 1817 as witness on bro-in-

law? will — ???) The William two lines away in Abbeville Co for the 1830C was Michael’s son.

Logan CUNNINGHAM lived next to William. Some researchers link the John McKee of St

Francis, MO as Adam’s John.  Note that John named his only son Thomas & seems a better fit

as Thomas’ son than as Adam’s. We can be comfortable that the co-admin. of Adam Jr’s estate

who named his 1st son Adam Dixon McKEE is indeed the son of Adam and Jean (nee Dixon)

McKEE.

..Jean’s father was named John DIXON/DICKSON and it is noteworthy that many of the McKEE

children seem to have been named after her family rather than Adam’s.

..The Neshoba Co, MS land later occupied by Adam Dixon & Andrew Addison McKee was in

Section 3, Township 9 Range 10.  This Township is at the SW corner of the county.  Dixon is in

the SE corner of T10R10 and the McKee land in the NE  quarter of T9R10 just a couple miles or

so from Dixon with Morrow Cemetery located in between

..John and Margaret McKee are buried in Morrow Cemetery (Row 10) Dixon, MS.  His stone

shows that he was born Dec 29, 1783 and died Aug 2 1864.  Hers shows she was born Sept 7

1791 and died Mar 10 1878

 

Tripping over the john’s — Some researchers tend to place Adam McKee’s son John as the one who

migrated to Missouri settling south of Michael and William Seth.  A 4/26/1856  affidavid=t made by John

McKee in Neshoba County, Mississippi concerning his sister Grizella’s wedding to William Milford ”

sometime near the year of our Lord 1800″ in Abbeville County, SC plus pages from Grizella’s family bible

— as well as extensive interaction/documentation with “researching cousin” descendents from his line

clearly establish that “our” John McKee migrated to Neshoba County, Mississippi with descendents

flowing into Texas.  John took a trip back to Abbeville County when his brother Adam Jr died and is

documented within “Junior;s” estate records.  There is no indication that he or his descendents ever

went to Missouri but we cannot rule out his having been the McKee who according to a story handed

down through the line of Michael’s oldest son didn’t like the environment and  turned around “without

getting off his horse” heading back to SC when Michael and Wm. Seth settled in Missouri.  Adding to the

misinformation which seems to be floating around “The Mackeys and Allied Families”. reportedly

incorrectly associated Neshoba County John with the McKee’s of St. Helena Island, SC even though that

John McKee remained there even after “our” John was in Mississippi.and appears to have been buried in

SC.

Attempts to identify Neshoba County John with the contemporary  Kershaw Co, SC John McKee also are

refuted.  The will of Kershaw Co John McKee in 9/17/1797 enumerates his wife, Susanna and children

including Jennet, Anne, Alexander, Archer, Thomas, Susana, Elizabeth, Agnes & a John Jr.  Susanna

likely a daughter of Alexander Archer of Rocky Creek so the son “Archer” more likely got name from

maternal grandparent surname rather than implying possible naming after one of the Archibald’s we are

tracking. For whatever reason “our” John not found in SC on the 1820 census but was there and in

Abbeville Co in 1830.

===

..Information from group sheet by Jewel KNIERIM & other research by descendents [obtained through

Anna Margaret STROUD, now deceased. John & Margaret were not found on the 1820C but were back

in Abbeville Co in 1830.  Where were they on the 1820 census remains a mystery.  His nephew William

McKee enumerated right by him in Abbeville Co, SC on the 1830C was similarly missing during the 1820

enumeration. The only McKee’s in Abbeville Co on that enumeration were the widows of Adam Sr &

Adam Jr.  The John McKee of Kershaw Co, SC corresponds to a different John McKee and children do

not match up.  1820C for MO and GA were lost and at least some possibility of their having been either

place (GA just west of Abbeville Co), yet children’s places of birth make it much more likely that these

families were simply missed by the census taker.  On the 1830 census:

John McKee             1012001-112001

William McIlwain      100001-10001

William McKee         010001-221001 (this was s/o John’s brother Michael)

John Cunningham    20001-00001

This cluster makes it even clearer that this indeed was Adam McKee’s son John who married Margaret

Cunningham.  Indications are that the John Cunningham next to William McKee was Margaret’s nephew.

One of William McIlwain’s daughters would later marry into the Adam McKee Jr line but no known

relationship in 1830.

===

John McKee & his family migrated to Neshoba Co, MS by 1836, living in a community which became

known as “Dixon”.   Its interesting that Rev Hugh Dickson of Abbeville/Anderson Co churches

established a mission to the Chicasaw’s of Mississippi

A waybill from Wills Creek to “McKee’s at Dixon, Miss” roughly follows Highway 20 from SC to

Gainsville, AL, then due west to Neshoba Co, MS.  It was for “1/2 bushel meal, 1 peck meal, a bushel &

 

3 pecks meal, 2 dollars worth of shugar, 1 bushel of potatoes and 71 1/2 pounds of flour”.  This may

have represented their share of crops standing in the field or staples on hand when they migrated, most

likely following pretty much the same route.

..From a listing showing “J.H. McKee” as one of the founders of Mt Bethel Cumberland Presbyterian

Church in 1840 I am assuming John’s middle initial was “H”.  He was in Neshoba Co, MS for 1840-60C

and was buried there; New Bethel Presb.Church also mentioned in the article.

..An index for the 1840 census of Neshoba Co indicates McKee’s on page 147b & 148a; not examined

.. Family data from Finis Pugh & Jn. Hollis McKee in Mackeys & Allied Families  but inaccurately links

him to the Charleston, SC McKee’s.

===

Choctaw Indian Territory — According to at least one source, as recently as the 1850 census there were

more indians than white people in Neshoba County.  John McKee became an Indian Agent to the

Choctaw’s.  They settled in the area of what became the community of Dixon reportedly named after

John’s son Adam Dixon McKee.

===

..A newspaper article by great grandson James Finis McKee also links him to the wrong McKee family

(Robert McKee of PA/NC) but contains a description of John as “a farmer, statesman, politician and

businessman…an ardent disciple of Thomas Jefferson… an Indian agent to the Chickasaw- Choctaw

Indian Nation.  A Christian leader, he founded and organized the First Presbyterian Church in Dixon, Miss

“.  James’ sister clarifies that  the article may have been embelished as a result of errors in the Mackey

book and subsequent  faulty research/ conclusions — “I think all we really know about him was that he

was a farmer and a Christian leader who helped found the Mt Bethel Presbyterian Church”.  The John

McKee who was an Indian agent was a generation earlier than our John and no evidence was found

suggesting the statesman/politician connection.

..Note that Thomas McKEE, who attended the same church as Adam, died in 1798 and had sons

Thomas, William, JOHN & James. Their John not mentioned on his mother’s will suggesting that John

died before 1813.  (However a John turns up in 1817 as witness on bro-in-law? will — ???) The William

two lines away in Abbeville Co for the 1830C was Michael’s son.  Logan CUNNINGHAM lived next to

William. Some researchers link the John McKee of St Francis, MO as Adam’s John.  Note that John

named his only son Thomas & seems a better fit as Thomas’ son than as Adam’s. We can be

comfortable that the co-admin. of Adam Jr’s estate who named his 1st son Adam Dixon McKEE is indeed

the son of Adam and Jean (nee Dixon) McKEE.

..Jean’s father was named John DIXON/DICKSON and it is noteworthy that many of the McKEE children

seem to have been named after her family rather than Adam’s.

..The Neshoba Co, MS Land Patents Index has four John McKee entries, the first two referring to him

2/27/1841   #24896 (MS1310__.387)

ditto         #24930 (MS1310__.416)

10/1/1859    #36985 (MS1560__.467) — possibly his but more likely another John McKee

ditto         #38062 (MS1580__.419)

..The Neshoba Co, MS land later occupied by Adam Dixon & Andrew Addison McKee was in Section 3,

Township 9 Range 10.  This Township is at the SW corner of the county.  Dixon is in the SE corner of T10

R10 and the McKee land in the NE  quarter of T9R10 just a couple miles or so from Dixon with Morrow

Cemetery located in between

===

In 1841 the settlers around the Dixon Trading Post decided they needed a house of worship.  An

informal church history on the 140th anniversary of the congregation gives the location of the church as ”

in the southwestern part of Neshoba County…approximately sixteen miles from the county seat of

Philadelphia in the Dowdville Community located on a small dirt road….The significance of the name of

the church is obvious when it is known that practically all of the people of that vicinity, as their name

indicates, were of Scotch descent, who moved to this section of Mississippi from North and South

Carolina” It was one of the earliest houses of worship in the area.  The first entry in the church record

 

books retained by the present Carolina Presbyterian Church read as follows:

Camp Ground, near Dixon, Neshoba County, Mississippi

November 20, 1841

Rev. Henry McDonald, a licentiate of the Mississippi Presbytery, who has been preaching in this

neighborhood for a year and a half, having previously given notice that a Presbyterian Church would be

organized this day and at this place in connection with the Tombigbee Presbytery by the Rev. W.H. Gray,

a member of the Presbytery, preached after which the fillowing persons having presented certificates of

dismission from the Philadelphia Church in the county, were united together as a church to be known as

the Carolina Church. Viz:

Neil McDonald and wife, Mary                          Eliza Jane McDonald

John Wilkinson and wife, Mary                Margaret Catherine & Mary Ann McKay

Daniel McMillan and wife, Catherine             Alexander McKay & wife Nancy McKay

John Savage and wife                                Hugh McNair

Quency Wilson and servant, Milly           Christine McNair

Daniel N.C. McDonald                               MARGARET McKEE

Margaret McDonald                                   Christian McLane

 

Margaret was an original member but no mention was made of other family members at that time.  John

McKee and the children likely attended with her but were not members.    However five years later on

November 11, 1846 “A.D.” (Adam Dixon) McKee and Angus Ferguson became elders.  Adam would

have been 34 years old which would be consistent with a time in life for taking on this important church

responsibility.

===

..John and Margaret McKee are buried in Morrow Cemetery (Row 10) Dixon, MS.  His stone shows that

he was born Dec 29, 1783 and died Aug 2 1864.  Hers shows she was born Sept 7 1791 and died Mar

10 1878  There are seven unmarked graves between that of John McKee and grandson Daxes B Majure.

Daxes’ mother Frances McKee Majure who died 8/16/1859 is next to Dazes’ grave.  In the other direction

John’s son J.A. McKee (who died 2/14/1875 at age 26y 7d, two Watkins stones, then Adam & Mary Ann

McKee stones; also in that row are Laura A (Nicholson) McKee and an infant son of FE & SE McKee

===

ANY CONNECTION TO THE MORROW’s of Abbeville, SC?

William Morrow came to Abbeville in 1774 from County Down, N Ireland.

from another source..A James Morrow was on 1830C in Abbeville Co with a wife, infant daughter and “an

older woman”  He was born in Ireland c1800, married in SC by early 1834. To Monroe Co, MS by late

1834 where he lived the rest of his life.

 

 

From WAyne Adams

To fill you in a bit more about Adam’s son John McKee he was on the 1830 census in Abbeville right next to Michael’s son William (your line)  As I mentioned the McKee males were mysteriously missing on Abbeville’s 1820 census but John & William were back there by 1830 (if they were actually gone in 1820 rather than simply having been missed by the census taker).  John’s descendents posted some stuff picking up Kershaw Co, SC John on the 1820 census as their guy but that was a different John McKee.  Adam’s son  John and his family migrated to Neshoba County, Mississippi directly from Abbeville Co SC ca.1836 (undated waybill but definitely in Neshoba County  where he was co-founder of Mt Bethel Cumberland Presbyterian Church in 1840  John was an Indian Agent with the Choctaw Indians and the community of Dixon, Mississippi was named after John’s son (of course the Dixon name originated with Adam McKee’s wife Jean being a Dixon.  John died 5/2/1864 and his widow Margaret nee Cunningham died 3/10/1878.  Both are buried in Morrow Cemetery in Dixon, MS.  Some of their children migrated to Texas as it was becoming a part of the US and “kuzzins” from that line prepared some excellent material on their branch.  I have a  binder full of pictures and correspondence with those kuzzins.  If it isn’t on the cd I sent earlier I will try to share more about that branch on the next set of cds.  I keep trying to get my ducks in a row to get that material together and cut  fresh cds to include edited/ updated  versions of my various rambling narratives.  Joanne Westmoreland from John’s line, who misses your McKee site has been in touch with me. I think she had tried to contact you through the site but it bounced — I’m not sure.   I don’t know whether you were in contact with her but didn’t want to share your e-mail address without your permission  Her writing is tremendous.  I haven’t met her face to face but she is a delightful person.  Like us she is stretched thin, timewise but I had shared with her your hope to re’activate a site later.  She did a “letter from heaven” narrative on their branch which is in your league of quality writing.

There were a number of John McKee’s and I’m interested in all of them particularly since there would be others named after Adam’s son John through sibling lines.  Thanks again for sharing.  Not sure if I can place the one who wrote the letter you found but will keep digging.

 

 

 

 

JOHN McKEE was “appointed by Thomas Jefferson to look after the Indians in the Alabama Territory” (according to family tradition) and that Dixon, Mississippi (where both JOHN and MARGARET died), which was named after their eldest son.  JOHN and MARGARET were charter members of the New Bethel Presbyterian Church which was founded in 1840 in Dixon.

Except for census records showing that she was born in SC and evidence that John’s McKEE family was from Abbeville District (John was listed as a son of ADAM McKEE who died in Abbeville District; the 1830 census was the only one in SC matching their family configuration), there was little to conclusively establish who Margaret’s parents were and which CUNNINGHAM branch her father was from.  However an LDS proxy baptism during 1936 turned up on the International Genealogical Index which mentions both Margaret and Francis, connecting them with a JOHN CUNNINGHAM who came from Northern Ireland and died in what was then North Carolina the day our Declaration of Independence was signed.  Within Abbeville District, the only Cunningham household which would accomodate Margaret (based upon her date of birth) was that of FRANCIS CUNNINGHAM.

 

More About John H. McKee:

Burial: May 1864, Morrow Cemetary, Dixon, Neshoba County, Mississippi

 

Notes for Margaret Cunningham:

From Wayne Adams

 

Descendents tentatively identified Margaret’s father as Francis CUNNINGHAM

who settled on the North fork of Brush Creek [of Saluda River] in 1791.

 

Note also that David CUNNINGHAM who died 1793-7 [ABVL20-417] had a daughter

named Margaret;

extract of his widows will [106-2746] in 1817 showed married surnames for other daughters but didn’t pick up Margaret.

 

In 1841 the settlers around the Dixon Trading Post decided they needed a house of worship.  An informal church history on the 140th anniversary of the congregation gives the location of the church as “in the southwestern part of Neshoba County…approximately sixteen miles from the county seat of Philadelphia in the Dowdville Community located on a small dirt road….The significance of the name of the church is obvious when it is known that practically all of the people of that vicinity, as their name indicates, were of Scotch descent, who moved to this section of Mississippi from North and South Carolina” It was one of the earliest houses of worship in the area.  The first entry in the church record books retained by the present Carolina Presbyterian Church read as follows:

Camp Ground, near Dixon, Neshoba County, Mississippi

November 20, 1841

Rev. Henry McDonald, a licentiate of the Mississippi Presbytery, who has been preaching in this neighborhood for a year and a half, having previously given notice that a Presbyterian Church would be organized this day and at this place in connection with the Tombigbee Presbytery by the Rev. W.H. Gray, a member of the Presbytery, preached after which the fillowing persons having presented certificates of dismission from the Philadelphia Church in the county, were united together as a church to be known as the Carolina Church. Viz:

Neil McDonald and wife, Mary McDonald            Eliza Jane McDonald

John Wilkinson and wife, Mary Wilkinson             Margaret Catherine & Mary Ann McKay

Daniel McMillan and wife, Catherine McMillan           Alexander McKay & wife Nancy McKay

John Savage and wife                                        Hugh McNair

Quency Wilson and servant, Milly                   Christine McNair

Daniel N.C. McDonald                                       MARGARET McKEE

Margaret McDonald                                   Christian McLane

 

Margaret was an original member but no mention was made of other family members at that time.  John McKee and the children likely attended with her but were not members.    However five years later on November 11, 1846 “A.D.” (Adam Dixon) McKee and Angus Ferguson became elders.  Adam would have been 34 years old which would be consistent with a time in life for taking on this important church responsibility.

 

Descendents tentatively identified Margaret’s father as Francis CUNNINGHAM

who settled on the N fork of Brush Creek [of Saluda River] in 1791.

..Note also that David CUNNINGHAM who died 1793-7 [ABVL20-417] had a daughter

named Margaret [youngest?]; extract of his widows will [106-2746] in 1817

showed mar. surnames for oth.daughters but didn’t pick up Margaret.

..After John McKee’s death, she lived with her oldest daughter & son-in-law (Eliz. C.M. & Rev

Daniel McDonald)  She died 3/10/1878 at age 86 and is buried in Morrow Cemetery beside her

husband.

 

 

Descendents tentatively identified Margaret’s father as Francis CUNNINGHAM who settled on the N fork

of Brush Creek [of Saluda River] in 1791.

..Note also that David CUNNINGHAM who died 1793-7 [ABVL20-417] had a daughter named Margaret

[youngest?]; extract of his widows will [106-2746] in 1817 showed mar. surnames for oth.daughters but

didn’t pick up Margaret.

===

A Margaret McKee — likely Margaret Cunningham McKee — was a charter member of what became

Carolina Presbyterian Church.  Her son in law Daniel McDonald was also listed in the first entry found in

the record books for that church

“”Camp Ground, near Dixon, Neshoba Co, Mississippi, November 20, 1841

Rev. Henry McDonald, a licentiate of the Mississippi Presbytery, who has been preaching in this

neighborhood for a year and a half, having previously given notice to the Tombigbee Presbytery) that a

 

Presbyterian church would be organized this day and at this place in connection with TB by the Rev WH

Gray, a member of the presbytery, preached after which the following persons having presented

certificates of dismission from the Philadelphia church in this county, were united together as a church,

to be known as the Carolina Church

Neil McDonald and wife

Mary McDonald

John Wilkerson and wife

Mary Wilkinson

Daniel McMillan and wife

Catherine McMillan

John Savage and wife

Quincy Wilson and servant Millie

DANIEL N.O. McDONALD    — <this was the husband of Elizabeth C.M. McKee>

Margaret McDonald

Eliza Jane McDonald

Margaret Catherine & Mary Ann McKay

Alex McKay and wife

Hugh McNair

Christine McNair

MARGARET McKEE

Christian McLand

(Alex McKay, John Wilkinson & Neil McDonald were elected ruling elders & were so ordained)

 

..After John McKee’s death, she lived with her oldest daughter & son-in-law (Eliz. C.M. & Rev Daniel

McDonald)   In 1870 they were on Neshoba Co, MS census page 347b (lines 35-39)

Daniel McDonald    65

Elizabeth C              52

Martha C                 16

Lovinia                     14

Margaret McKee     78

She died 3/10/1878 at age 86 and is buried in Morrow Cemetery beside her husband.

 

 

 

More About Margaret Cunningham:

Burial: March 1878, Morrow Cemetary, Dixon, Neshoba County, Mississippi

 

Marriage Notes for John McKee and Margaret Cunningham:

From Wayne Adams

 

Tripping over the John’s — Some researchers tend to place Adam McKee’s son John as the one who migrated to Missouri settling south of Michael and William Seth.  A 4/26/1856  affidavit made by John McKee in Neshoba County, Mississippi concerning his sister Grizella’s wedding to William Milford ” sometime near the year of our Lord 1800″ in Abbeville County, SC plus pages from Grizella’s family bible — as well as extensive interaction/documentation with “researching cousin” descendents from his line clearly establish that “our” John McKee migrated to Neshoba County, Mississippi with descendents flowing into Texas.  John took a trip back to Abbeville County when his brother Adam Jr died and is documented within “Junior’s” estate records.  There is no indication that he or his descendents ever went to Missouri but we cannot rule out his having been the McKee who according to a story handed down through the line of Michael’s oldest son didn’t like the environment and  turned around “without getting off his horse” heading back to SC when Michael and Wm. Seth settled in Missouri.  Adding to the misinformation which seems to be floating around “The Mackeys and Allied Families” reported incorrectly associated Neshoba County John with the McKee’s of St. Helena Island, SC even though that John McKee remained there even after “our” John was in Mississippi and appears to have been buried in SC.

Attempts to identify Neshoba County John with the contemporary Kershaw Co, SC John McKee also are refuted.  The will of Kershaw Co John McKee in 9/17/1797 enumerates his wife, Susanna and children including Jennet, Anne, Alexander, Archer, Thomas, Susana, Elizabeth, Agnes & a John Jr.  Susanna likely a daughter of Alexander Archer of Rocky Creek so the son “Archer” more likely got name from maternal grandparent surname rather than implying possible naming after one of the Archibald’s we are tracking. For whatever reason “our” John not found in SC on the 1820 census but was there and in Abbeville Co in 1830.

Information from group sheet by Jewel KNIERIM & other research by descendents [obtained through Anna Margaret STROUD, now deceased. John & Margaret were not found on the 1820C but were back in Abbeville Co in 1830.  Where were they on the 1820 census remains a mystery.  His nephew William McKee enumerated right by him in Abbeville Co, SC on the 1830C was similarly missing during the 1820 enumeration. The only McKee’s in Abbeville Co on that enumeration were the widows of Adam Sr & Adam Jr.  The John McKee of Kershaw Co, SC corresponds to a different John McKee and children do not match up.  1820C for MO and GA were lost and at least some possibility of their having been either place (GA just west of Abbeville Co), yet children’s places of birth make it much more likely that these families were simply missed by the census taker.  On the 1830 census:

John McKee             1012001-112001

William McIlwain      100001-10001

William McKee         010001-221001 (this was s/o John’s brother Michael)

 

John Cunningham    20001-00001

This cluster makes it even clearer that this indeed was Adam McKee’s son John who married Margaret Cunningham.  Indications are that the John Cunningham next to William McKee was Margaret’s nephew.

One of William McIlwain’s daughters would later marry into the Adam McKee Jr line but no known

relationship in 1830.

 

John McKee & his family migrated to Neshoba Co, MS by 1836, living in a community which became known as “Dixon”.   Its interesting that Rev Hugh Dickson of Abbeville/Anderson Co churches established a mission to the Chicasaw’s of Mississippi

A waybill from Wills Creek to “McKee’s at Dixon, Miss” roughly follows Highway 20 from SC to Gainsville, AL, then due west to Neshoba Co, MS.  It was for “1/2 bushel meal, 1 peck meal, a bushel & 3 pecks meal, 2 dollars worth of shugar, 1 bushel of potatoes and 71 1/2 pounds of flour”.  This may have represented their share of crops standing in the field or staples on hand when they migrated, most likely following pretty much the same route.

..From a listing showing “J.H. McKee” as one of the founders of Mt Bethel Cumberland Presbyterian Church in 1840 I am assuming John’s middle initial was “H”.  He was in Neshoba Co, MS for 1840-60C and was buried there; New Bethel Presb.Church also mentioned in the article.

..An index for the 1840 census of Neshoba Co indicates McKee’s on page 147b & 148a; not examined

.. Family data from Finis Pugh & Jn. Hollis McKee in Mackeys & Allied Families  but inaccurately links him to the Charleston, SC McKee’s.

 

Choctaw Indian Territory — According to at least one source, as recently as the 1850 census there were more indians than white people in Neshoba County.  John McKee became an Indian Agent to the Choctaw’s.  They settled in the area of what became the community of Dixon reportedly named after John’s son Adam Dixon McKee.

 

..A newspaper article by great grandson James Finis McKee also links him to the wrong McKee family (Robert McKee of PA/NC) but contains a description of John as “a farmer, statesman, politician and businessman…an ardent disciple of Thomas Jefferson… an Indian agent to the Chickasaw- Choctaw Indian Nation.  A Christian leader, he founded and organized the First Presbyterian Church in Dixon, Miss”

.  James’ sister clarifies that the article may have been embellished as a result of errors in the Mackey book and subsequent faulty research/ conclusions — “I think all we really know about him was that he was a farmer and a Christian leader who helped found the Mt Bethel Presbyterian Church”.  The John McKee who was an Indian agent was a generation earlier than our John and no evidence was found suggesting the statesman/politician connection.

Note that Thomas McKEE, who attended the same church as Adam, died in 1798 and had sons

Thomas, William, JOHN & James. Their John not mentioned on his mother’s will suggesting that John died before 1813.  (However a John turns up in 1817 as witness on bro-in-law? will — ???) The William two lines away in Abbeville Co for the 1830C was Michael’s son.  Logan CUNNINGHAM lived next to William. Some researchers link the John McKee of St Francis, MO as Adam’s John.  Note that John named his only son Thomas & seems a better fit as Thomas’ son than as Adam’s. We can be comfortable that the co-admin. of Adam Jr’s estate who named his 1st son Adam Dixon McKEE is indeed the son of Adam and Jean (nee Dixon) McKEE.

..Jean’s father was named John DIXON/DICKSON and it is noteworthy that many of the McKEE children seem to have been named after her family rather than Adam’s.

..The Neshoba Co, MS Land Patents Index has four John McKee entries, the first two referring to him

2/27/1841   #24896 (MS1310__.387)

ditto         #24930 (MS1310__.416)

10/1/1859    #36985 (MS1560__.467) — possibly his but more likely another John McKee

ditto         #38062 (MS1580__.419)

..The Neshoba Co, MS land later occupied by Adam Dixon & Andrew Addison McKee was in Section 3, Township 9 Range 10.  This Township is at the SW corner of the county.  Dixon is in the SE corner of T10R10 and the McKee land in the NE  quarter of T9R10 just a couple miles or so from Dixon with Morrow Cemetery located in between

 

In 1841 the settlers around the Dixon Trading Post decided they needed a house of worship.  An informal church history on the 140th anniversary of the congregation gives the location of the church as “in the southwestern part of Neshoba County…approximately sixteen miles from the county seat of Philadelphia in the Dowdville Community located on a small dirt road….The significance of the name of the church is obvious when it is known that practically all of the people of that vicinity, as their name indicates, were of Scotch descent, who moved to this section of Mississippi from North and South Carolina” It was one of the earliest houses of worship in the area.  The first entry in the church record books retained by the present Carolina Presbyterian Church read as follows:

Camp Ground, near Dixon, Neshoba County, Mississippi

November 20, 1841

Rev. Henry McDonald, a licentiate of the Mississippi Presbytery, who has been preaching in this neighborhood for a year and a half, having previously given notice that a Presbyterian Church would be organized this day and at this place in connection with the Tombigbee Presbytery by the Rev. W.H. Gray, a member of the Presbytery, preached after which the fillowing persons having presented certificates of dismission from the Philadelphia Church in the county, were united together as a church to be known as the Carolina Church. Viz:

Neil McDonald and wife, Mary                          Eliza Jane McDonald

John Wilkinson and wife, Mary                Margaret Catherine & Mary Ann McKay

Daniel McMillan and wife, Catherine             Alexander McKay & wife Nancy McKay

John Savage and wife                                Hugh McNair

Quency Wilson and servant, Milly           Christine McNair

Daniel N.C. McDonald                               MARGARET McKEE

Margaret McDonald                                   Christian McLane

 

Margaret was an original member but no mention was made of other family members at that time.  John McKee and the children likely attended with her but were not members.    However five years later on November 11, 1846 “A.D.” (Adam Dixon) McKee and Angus Ferguson became elders.  Adam would have been 34 years old which would be consistent with a time in life for taking on this important church responsibility.

 

..John and Margaret McKee are buried in Morrow Cemetery (Row 10) Dixon, MS.  His stone shows that he was born Dec 29, 1783 and died Aug 2 1864.  Hers shows she was born Sept 7 1791 and died Mar 10 1878  There are seven unmarked graves between that of John McKee and grandson Daxes B Majure.

 

Daxes’ mother Frances McKee Majure who died 8/16/1859 is next to Dazes’ grave.  In the other direction  John’s son J.A. McKee (who died 2/14/1875 at age 26y 7d, two Watkins stones, then Adam & Mary Ann McKee stones; also in that row are Laura A (Nicholson) McKee and an infant son of FE & SE McKee

 

ANY CONNECTION TO THE MORROW’s of Abbeville, SC?

William Morrow came to Abbeville in 1774 from County Down, N Ireland.

from another source..A James Morrow was on 1830C in Abbeville Co with a wife, infant daughter and “an older woman”  He was born in Ireland c1800, married in SC by early 1834. To Monroe Co, MS by late 1834 where he lived the rest of his life.

 

John married Margaret Cunningham *  daughter of Francis Cunningham and Mary Cunningham (or Logan?) on 28 May 1811 in , Abbeville, SC, [?]. Margaret was born on 7 Sep 1791 in , SC. She died on 10 Mar 1878 in Dixon., Neshoba Co, MS. She was buried in Morrow Cemetery.

 

Descendents tentatively identified Margaret’s father as Francis CUNNINGHAM who settled on the N fork of Brush Creek [of Saluda River] in 1791.

..Note also that David CUNNINGHAM who died 1793-7 [ABVL20-417] had a daughter named Margaret [youngest?]; extract of his widows will [106-2746] in 1817 showed mar. surnames for oth.daughters but didn’t pick up Margaret.

 

A Margaret McKee — likely Margaret Cunningham McKee — was a charter member of what became Carolina Presbyterian Church.  Her son in law Daniel McDonald was also listed in the first entry found in the record books for that church

“”Camp Ground, near Dixon, Neshoba Co, Mississippi, November 20, 1841

Rev. Henry McDonald, a licentiate of the Mississippi Presbytery, who has been preaching in this

neighborhood for a year and a half, having previously given notice to the Tombigbee Presbytery) that a Presbyterian church would be organized this day and at this place in connection with TB by the Rev WH Gray, a member of the presbytery, preached after which the following persons having presented certificates of dismission from the Philadelphia church in this county, were united together as a church, to be known as the Carolina Church

Neil McDonald and wife

Mary McDonald

John Wilkerson and wife

Mary Wilkinson

Daniel McMillan and wife

Catherine McMillan

John Savage and wife

Quincy Wilson and servant Millie

DANIEL N.O. McDONALD    — <this was the husband of Elizabeth C.M. McKee>

Margaret McDonald

Eliza Jane McDonald

Margaret Catherine & Mary Ann McKay

Alex McKay and wife

Hugh McNair

Christine McNair

MARGARET McKEE

Christian McLand

(Alex McKay, John Wilkinson & Neil McDonald were elected ruling elders & were so ordained)

 

..After John McKee’s death, she lived with her oldest daughter & son-in-law (Eliz. C.M. & Rev Daniel McDonald)   In 1870 they were on Neshoba Co, MS census page 347b (lines 35-39)

Daniel McDonald    65

Elizabeth C              52

Martha C                 16

Lovinia                     14

Margaret McKee     78

She died 3/10/1878 at age 86 and is buried in Morrow Cemetery beside her husband.

 

Children of John McKee and Margaret Cunningham are:

2                 i.    Adam Dixon28 McKee, born April 09, 1812 in Abbeville County, South Carolina; died June 28, 1884 in Dixon, Neshoba County, Mississippi.  He married Mary Ann Milling September 30, 1841; born February 18, 1818 in Chester, South Carolina; died July 05, 1883 in Dixon, Neshoba County, Mississippi.

 

Notes for Adam Dixon McKee:

From Wayne Adams

 

letter from O.D. McKEE, owner of McKEE Baking Co [Little Debbie Snack

Cakes] who was grandson of Adam Dixon McKEE mentioned as source reference.

The town of Dixon, MS was named after him (He went by his middle name)

Mrs. Doughtie’s records state that Dixon McKee, the founder of Dixon, Mississippi was named “Andrew Dixon McKee”.  Dixon McKee is also listed in the 1880 census of Neshoba County, Mississippi as “Andrew D. McKee”.  It appears somewhat unusual to us that John and Margaret Cunningham McKee would name two of their sons “Andrew”.  We found an entry in Carolina Presbyterian Church Session Books indicating that “Andrew” Dixon McKee was actually named “Adam” Dixon McKee:

“William Andrew infant son of Adam Dixon and Mary Ann

McKee was baptized Oct 27 – 1849 born – April 16 184911

In checking the original Plat Map of Neshoba County, the property was listed as “Adam” D. McKee.

 

 

 

 

 

1850 Census of Neshoba County, Miss. Page 147B, taken 21 September 1850: HH#448/468

McKee, A.D.                   Age 38, Male, Farmer, born in SC

Mary (Milling)                Age 32,  Female, born in -South Carolina

Elizabeth                 Age 8, Female, born in Miss.

Margaret                 Age 6, Female, born in Miss

John                       Age 4, Male, born in Miss

James                      Age 2, Male, born in Miss.

(Venie McKee was not born until 1852 and thus would not be shown on this census.)

 

 

1860 Census of Neshoba County, Mississi-pT)i, Townshi-p 9, Range 10,

Post Office: Dixon, Page 129A, census taken 01 September 1860:832/859

McKee, A.D.     Age 48, Male, Farmer, Real Property $2,112/Personal Property $5,880,born SC

Mary A.         Age 40, Female, House Keeper, born in SC (born in Chester County, SC)

Mary E.          Age 17, Female, Asst. HK, born in Miss.

Margaret A.    Age 15, Female, Asst. HK, born in Miss.

John L.J.                 Age 14, Male, born in Miss.

James A.        Age 11, Male, born in Miss.

Lucinda J        Age 9, Female, born in,Miss.

Luvenia M.              Age 7, Female, born in Miss.

Leonard D.              Age 4, Male, born in Miss.

Finis E.R.       Age 1, Male, born in Miss.

 

 

 

 

 

Adam Dixon McKee was the oldest of ten children born to John and Margaret Cunningham McKee.  He remained in Neshoba County when his brothers Andrew Addison & Francis Madison McKee migrated to Texas. during the 1840s & 50s  His other brothers had died young and sisters of course did not perpetuate the McKee surname so he is the sole link from the John McKee branch for subsequent Neshoba County McKee’s (only known descendents with the McKee surname were through youngest son Finis Ewing Ross McKee)

.  There is a family tradition that the  town of Dixon, MS was named after him (He went by his middle name).  However a waybill from SC to Dixon, MS suggests that it may already have had that name.  A tradition that he or his father “established a trading post” is similarly  unconfirmed and probably inaccurate.

..There is a comparable “Indian Agent” tradition  within the Barnes family line which may have influenced some published inaccuracies or that one too may have been speculative.  We do know that he was a farmer.

..Per 1975 McKee Family History by Wilbyrn Andrew McKee of Longview, TX he established a trading post  in Neshoba Co.  He & wife bu in Morow Cem. He charted  8 children but but only writer’s line extended further.  However in explaining Doughtie’s mistake in showing Adam’s first name as Andrew he quotes a Carolina Presbyterian Church Session Book showing

“William Andrew infant son of Adam Dixon and Mary Ann McKee was baptized Oct 27 – 1849 born – April 16, 1849”  This birth was not among those he charted  nor is a reason given for the baptism being in SC so long after the family had gone to Mississippi but this quotation is so precise it is accepted as evidence of a ninth child born between the births of James & Lucinda.  Reportedly A.D. is listed on the 1880 census record for Neshoba Co, MS as “Andrew D. McKee” which may be the reason for the mistake but land records and the family bible leave no doubt his name was Adam Dixon McKee

..letter from O.D. McKEE, owner of McKEE Baking Co [Little Debbie Snack Cakes] who was grandson (adopted) of Adam Dixon McKEE mentioned as source reference.

..Household #1142 on 1870C, Neshoba Co, MS  (page 366a, lines 11-19)

Dickson A McKee        57   SC   Farmer   $900/$380

Mary A                         51   SC  Keeping House  (nee Milling)

Elizabeth M                  27   MS  Teaching

Margaret M                  25   MS   —

James A                      21   MS  Farm Laborer

Lucinda J                    19   MS

Lovinia                        17   MS

Phineas E                   11   MS

Francis Millen              10   MS  Farm Laborer  (probably Mary Ann’s nephew?)

The next household was headed by Jincy Watkins age 58 (widow) from NC and the prior household by Martha Watkins.  There were other Watkins households in the cluster surrounding “Dickson”

..On 1880C Dixon, Neshoba, MS pg531B

Adam D. McKee              68  SC SC SC   farmer

Mary A                            62  SC SC SC   wife, keeping house (nee Milling)

Margaret H                      36  MS SC SC  dau

Finas E.R.                       21  MS SC SC  son, farmer

Frances M MILLING        19  MS SC AL   nephew, farm labor

Andrew J WILSON           26 MS AL SC   nephew, farm labor

next door was Wm. H Milling 24 MS SC AL w/wife Roxa 23 MS NC SC and their son Alonza J Milling 1 MS MS

..A published transcription of Morrow Cemetery tombstone inscriptions showed him as “A.L.” rather than as “A.D.” McKee but there is no doubt it refers to him.  Possibly a copying error:

A.L. McKEE  Apr 9 1812 – July 20 1883

and right next to it (Row 10)

Mary Ann McKEE, Wife of A.D. McKEE, Died 1883, Age 65 Yrs 4 Mos 17 Days

..Researching cousin Irvin McArthur <imcarthur@commspeed.net> is through  A.D.’s daughter Mary Elizabeth McKee..

 

Adam married Mary Ann Milling  daughter of John Milling on 30 Sep 1841. Mary was born on 18 Feb 1818 in Chester, SC. She died on 5 Jul 1883 in Dixon, Neshoba Co, MS. She was buried in Morrow Cemetery.

 

 

 

 

More About Adam Dixon McKee:

Burial: June 1884, Morrow Cemetary, Dixon, Neshoba County, Mississippi

 

Notes for Mary Ann Milling:

From Wayne Adams

daughter of John Milling, founder of the very prolific Milling family of Neshoba County

 

More About Mary Ann Milling:

Burial: July 1883, Morrow Cemetary, Dixon, Neshoba County, Mississippi

 

3                ii.    Francis Madison McKee, born February 28, 1814 in Abbeville County, South Carolina; died August 24, 1895 in Henderson, Rusk County, Texas.  He married Rebecca Jane Steele March 03, 1847; born May 18, 1833 in South Carolina; died March 03, 1906 in Henderson, Rusk County, Texas.

 

Notes for Francis Madison McKee:

From Wayne Adams

 

sources include a Joanne Westmoreland printout via Anna Margaret including cemetery inscriptions,

1860C etc for line of their son Wm.A, also later printouts from Joanne

….Francis Madison McKee was the second of ten children born to John & Margaret Cunningham McKee.  He was born 2/28/1814 in SC (assume in Abbeville Co).  He accompanied his parents to Neshoba Co, MS during the mid 1830s when he was about 20 years old.  He likely remained with his parents helping his father farm for a time but was farming “on his own” when he obtained a land patent 2/27/1841.  On 3/3/1847 when he was 33 and she was 13 he married Rebecca Jane Steele.  They had five known children between 1849 and 1860.  Between 1855 and 1857 they moved to Texas where his brother Andrew A had migrated a decade earlier.  During the Civil War F.M. served as a Captain of the Tyler Co Home Guard   F. M. died 8/24/1895 at the age of 81 and was buried in Henderson, Rusk Co, TX.  Rebecca remained a widow until her death 3/3/1906 at the age of 72.

..Married 3/3/1847 per Joanne’s June 2002 printout.  F.M. was 33 when he married and 5/18/1833 dob given for Rebecca would make her just shy of her 14th birthday. Her age on the 1860C also reflects she was 20 years younger than F.M. and that their first child was born when she was 15..

..Neshoba Co, MS Land Patents Index has two entries for him

2/27/1841   Francis M. McKee   #24894  (MS1310__.385)  –same date as 2 John McKee patents

8/2/1852     Francis M McKee   #771C    (MS2590__.422)

..”Came to Texas between 1855 and 1857; were in Tyler Co during the Civil War” later Rusk Co

(Henderson = co seat)

..On 1860C    F.M.      46       SC  (Francis Madison 2/28/1814-8/24/1895)

R.J.      26        SC   (Rebecca Jane 5/18/1833-3/3/1906)

W.A.     11  m  MS,  (William A 4/15/1849-7/6/1934)

SEC       7 f     MS,  (Sara who later married George Futch)

MML      5 f      MS,  (Mary L who later married a Denton)

FA         2 m     TX    (Francis A 1857-1947)

JM          5 months m TX.

..Francis Madison McKee was a Captain of the Tyler Co Home Guard

..Among the first to be buried in the Mt. Hope Cemetery.  (by Mt. Hope Methodist Church)

 

 

Francis married Rebecca Jane Steele  on 3 Mar 1847. Rebecca was born on 18 May 1833 in SC. She died on 3 Mar 1906 in Henderson, TX. She was buried in Mt Hope Cemetery.

 

 

More About Francis Madison McKee:

Burial: August 1895, Mt. Hope Cemetery, Henderson, Rusk County, Texas

 

More About Rebecca Jane Steele:

Burial: March 1906, Mt. Hope Cemetery, Henderson, Rusk County, Texas

 

4               iii.    Andrew Addison McKee, born February 19, 1816 in Abbeville County, South Carolina; died April 25, 1898 in Kiam, Polk County, Texas.  He married Mary Ann Barnes October 04, 1836 in Neshoba County, Mississippi; born March 15, 1817 in Philadelphia, Neshoba County, Mississippi; died May 02, 1857 in Morgansville, Polk County, Texas.

 

Notes for Andrew Addison McKee:

From Wayne Adams

 

ancester of Anna Margaret [TUCKER] STROUD.

Moved to Polk Co, TX about 1836; per county history: “must have been the first

people to settle on Wood’s Creek..not many miles from Peach Tree Village”

 

From Wayne Adams

He grew up in Abbeville, SC but during his teen-age years migrated along with his parents and siblings to help establish the trading post which later became the village of Dixon, Missippi (named after his brother Adam Dixon McKee).

 

Frank Cook, a very competent researcher of the Barnes line, kindly shared with his “McKee Cousins” as we tied down some of the loose ends linking this McKee branch to Adam McKee of Abbeville Co, SC.  Parts of Frank’s Barnes/McKee narrative are also  incorporated in this segment As well as being the “connecting link” to “adopted researching cousin” Frank Cook, Andrew and Mary were.ancesters of “researching cousins” Anna Margaret (Tucker) Stroud and Joanne (McKee) Westmoreland.

.  On 5 Oct 1845 Andrew Addison McKee and Mary (Barnes) McKee, their four children, together with his sister, Vashtie, her husband Samuel Hough Barnes and their children withdrew their letters from the New Bethel Presbyterian Church in Dixon, Miss. on Oct 4, 1846 and the following day they and their four young children, accompanied by his sister/ brother-in-law, Vashtie & Samuel Hough Barnes began their long journey to what later became Chester, Tex.  In Texas their family would grow from four children to eleven children.  According to the Polk County history they “must have been the first people to settle on Wood’s Creek..not many miles from Peach Tree Village”. There being no Presby. Ch. they soon became leaders in the Mt. Hope Methodist Church, Tyler Co.  Mary Barnes McKee died in childbirth of her eleventh child, Andrew Addison McKee Jr.  She was the first person to be buried in Midway Cemetery, Polk Co, Texas

On 10/4/1846 Andrew & Mary withdrew their letters from the New Bethel Presbyterian Church in Dixon, Mississippi.  The following day they began their long journey to what became Chester, Texas.  In this frontier area there was  no Presbyterian church and they soon became leaders in the Mt. Hope Methodist Church in Tyler, Texas.  Mary Barnes McKee died in childbirth of their eleventh child and was the first person to be buried in Midway Cemetery

Wilbyrn McKee’s family history mentions that Andrew operated a stage coach relay station and kept his horses on a creek called “Horsepen Creek”.  There is a family tradition that he not only operated the relay station but also drove one of the stage coaches.  James Morgan laid off some lots in Polk County which became the town of Morgansville.  Andrew  bought  lots and moved his family to Polk County near the new town. He obtained a post office for the vicinity and became Postmaster for Morgansville.  In 1854 the County Commissioners Court appointed Andrew to be Returning Judge of the election box of Big Spring.   During the Civil War Andrew was active in county affairs.  Shortly before his son John Francis McKee died from wounds received in the Battle of the Wilderness he wrote a letter to the family telling them that socks knitted for his brother-in-law J. “Dick” Treadway arrived too late for Dick was killed in action.  The letters were in the possession of a descendent in 1968.

 

 

 

 

From Wayne Adams

He was buried in Midway Cemetery.

..ancester of “researching cousins” Anna Margaret [Tucker] Stroud and Joanne [McKee] Westmoreland; also the “connecting link” to “adopted researching cousin” Frank Cook (of the Barnes line) .The “Adison” spelling for his middle name is from the family bible..

..He was born and grew up in South Carolina but as a young adult during the 1830s went along with his parents and siblings to set up the trading post in Neshoba Co, Mississippi which later became “Dixon”, Mississippi.  There is a tradition that the community was named  after his brother Adam Dixon McKee

..Just before James Barnes took off for Texas in 1836, two of his children married McKee siblings.

Andrew Addison McKee m/Mary Barnes 10/4/1836 and Margaret Lucinda Vashti McKee m/Samuel

Hough Barnes 10/6/1836.  Most of the other Barnes children went with their parents but the two young married couples remained in Neshoba Co, MS for about ten years.  A.A. was 20 when he married.  Both couples went to Texas in 1845/7 settling initially in Tyler Co near James Barnes

.extracts–.pg 5 of letter from “Kay”:  “Sam (Andrew’s grandson?) came to Texas when he was 3 years old.

He recalled his grandpa McKee walking up and down on the porch.  He reached down, picked up Sam who must not have been able to walk yet and put him in a hogshead of sugar…Across the branch from John McKee’s house is where Andrew McKee built his home in 1836.  When they left for Texas it was recorded in the Presbyterian church they attended that they left 7 Oct 1845.  Its recorded there that “Sam H Barnes and his wife Lucinda (McKee) and Andrew McKee and his wife Mary are leaving the Presbitery and asked for their letters.”  Sam remembered crossing the Miss. River at Vicksburg on a flatboat.  He was impressed by the little steam engine instead of being pulled by horses.  James was waiting in Texas.”

..James Finis McKee described his great-grandfather as “an outdoorsman, a surveyor, a farmer, the first postmaster of Morganville (now Midway in Polk County), a stagecoach driver and stage relay operator and Civil War patriot.”

..On 10/4/1846 Andrew & Mary (Barnes) McKee withdrew their letters from the New Bethel Presbyterian Church in Dixon, Mississippi.  The following day they began their long journey to what became Chester, Texas. They and their four young children were accompanied by his sister/brother-in-law, Vashtie & Samuel Hough Barnes.  According to the Polk County history they “must have been the first people to settle on Wood’s Creek..not many miles from Peach Tree Village”.  There being no Presbyterian church in this frontier area they soon became leaders in the Mt. Hope Methodist Church in Tyler, Texas.  Mary Barnes McKee died in childbirth of their eleventh child and was the first person to be buried in Midway Cemetery.

NOTE ABOUT CHILDREN – .Another child named “Georgia Melissa” was Included on Laura

Buckmaster’s GenWeb posting along w/the known children.  No precise birthdate and info conflicts w/ Bud born May 1 of that year.  Joanna Wesmoreland research established that “there was not a child Georgia Melissa”

..See also “The Mackeys and Allied Families” p711-714 concluding “.(Bible Recs. in possession of Finis Selman Pugh, Dixon, Miss; R Malcolm Barnes, Port Arthur, Tex; John [misprint, should be James] Hollis McKee, C.C., Livingston, Polk Co, Tex. Correspondence invited)”

..They moved from Tyler County to Polk Co prior to 12/22/1855 (date deed signed in 1853 was filed) ..per Joanne he remarried after Mary died. His 2nd marriage was on 3/13/1865 in Polk Co, TX when he married Mrs Margaret Kelly who was born 1830 in GA.

.. On the 1870 census he was enumerated with children, Almeda M, William M, John H and Georgian D ..signed Polk Co deed 1871

..His 3rd marriage on 6/29/1876 in Tyler Co was to Mrs M. Elizabeth Slater, the widow of Francis M Slater who died in 1873 in Trinity Co, TX.  On the 1880C Elizabeth is enumerated with AA McKee along with her children

James M Slater        14

Martha Slater           12

Mary Slater             13

Nancy D Slater          9

 

Andrew married (1) Mary Barnes *  daughter of James Barnes and Tabitha Hough on 4 Oct 1836 in , Neshoba, MS. Mary was born on 15 Mar 1817 in Philadelphia, Neshoba Co, MS. She died on 2 May 1857 in Morgansville, Polk Co, TX. She was buried in Midway Cemetery.

 

More About Andrew Addison McKee:

Burial: April 1898, Midway Cemetery, Polk County, Texas

 

More About Mary Ann Barnes:

Burial: May 1857, Midway Cemetery, Polk County, Texas

 

5               iv.    Elizabeth Caroline Melinda McKee, born May 07, 1818 in Abbeville County, South Carolina; died August 06, 1898 in Neshoba County, Mississippi.  She married Rev. Daniel McDonald March 09, 1837; born March 20, 1805 in Chesterfield County, South Carolina; died December 05, 1884 in Neshoba County, Mississippi.

 

Notes for Elizabeth Caroline Melinda McKee:

From Wayne Adams

 

They remained in MS after some of her siblings moved to TX.  Elizabeth & Daniel are buried in Carolina Presbyterian Cemetery near Dixon, Neshoba Co, Mississippi.  Tombstone photographed & copied by Anna Margaret Stroud

“Left – Rev Daniel McDonald – b Chesterfield Dist. SC 3/20/1805 d 12/15/1884

Right – Elizabeth C. McKee, dau of John – wife of Rev Daniel – b /6/1818 d 8/6/1898″

..gggdaughter Sue Rasberry Malone posted on GenForum 3/31/1999 but no new information on it (Eliz was her ggrandmother; b 5/6/1818; Neshoba, MS connection; tracked replies and some connects to Harrison Mundy buried in old family plot, Abbeville, SC –insufic. detail to pin down)

..We can identify one daughter via 1880C — Dickson, Neshoba Co, MS p513a

Daniel McDonald          75  SC NC NC    Minister

Elizabeth C.M.               62  SC SC SC    Wife

Lavisa L. Franklin          24  MS SC SC    Dau

Daniel W. ”                      6  MS MS MS    Grandson

..The 1870C identifies another daughter plus three “probables”  — There were several McDonald families relatively close together — appears a Hugh McDonald would have been his brother; also what appears to be widow of another brother plus some younger heads of families

Daniel McDonald          65         P347b- L35 through 38

Elizabeth C                     52

Martha C                        16

Lovinia                           14

P347a L16-18 was probably their son (input as “maybe”)

John H. McDonald       25

Martha J                        22

John                                3

On the other side Harriet McDonald age 21 was apparantly listed in family headed by another surname (domestic?

p349b L22       Harriet McDonald   21 (input as “maybe”)

lower on that page and top of next (349b39 & 40, 350a1) was Aaron,  another “maybe”

Aaron McDonald             22

Martha E                          24

Sarah F                            8/12

(need to check 1840-1860C for more info on family/ 1850C ought to confirm or rebut the “maybes”)

..Info from Joanne Westmoreland: Her mother, Margaret Cunningham, lived with them after her father died.

 

 

Elizabeth married Rev. Daniel McDonald  on 9 Mar 1837. Daniel was born on 20 Mar 1805 in Chesterfield Distr, SC. He died on 5 Dec 1884 in Neshoba Co, MS

 

..Elizabeth & Daniel are buried in Carolina Presbyterian Cemetery near Dixon,

Neshoba Co, Mississippi.  Tombstone photographed & copied by Anna Margaret

Stroud

“Left – Rev Daniel McDonald – b Chesterfield Dist. SC 3/20/1805 d 12/15/1884

Right – Elizabeth C. McKee, dau of John – wife of Rev Daniel – b /6/1818 d 8/6/

1898”

..gggdaughter Sue Rasberry Malone posted on GenForum 3/31/1999 but no

new information on it

..Info from Joanne Westmoreland: Her mother, Margaret Cunningham, lived

with them after her father died.

 

 

More About Elizabeth Caroline Melinda McKee:

Burial: August 1898, Carolina Presbyterian Church, Neshoba County, Mississippi

 

More About Rev. Daniel McDonald:

Burial: December 1884, Carolina Presbyterian Church, Neshoba County, Mississippi

Occupation: Minister

 

6                v.    Margaret Lucindia Vashrie McKee, born October 25, 1820 in Abbeville County, South Carolina; died July 20, 1903 in Tyler County, Texas.  She married Samuel Hough Barnes February 04, 1836 in Dixon, Mississippi; born September 10, 1814 in Wayne County, Mississippi; died February 21, 1879 in Mt. Hope, Tyler County, Texas.

 

Notes for Margaret Lucindia Vashrie McKee:

From Wayne Adams

 

Ancester of Jewel Knierim who researched chart.

 

 

ancester of Jewel Knierim who researched chart.  They had nine children. She & her husband are

buried in Mt Hope Cemetery in Tyler Co, TX.  Additional info from Joanne Westmoreland.  Also see “Mackeys” pg 713.

..The John McKee family bible showed:

“Margaret Lucinda Vashti McKee was born 25th October wednesday 2 oclock Afternoon 1820.”   A Barnes family bible (entry probably 1877-83) gave the year as 1821.

.. Just before James Barnes took off for Texas in 1836, two of his children married McKee siblings.

Andrew Addison McKee m/Mary Barnes 10/4/1836 and Margaret Lucinda Vashti McKee m/Samuel

Hough Barnes 10/6/1836.  Most of the other Barnes children went with their parents but the two young married couples remained in Neshoba Co, MS for about ten years. Margaret was just 15 when she married.  Both couples went to Texas in 1845/7 settling initially in Tyler Co near James Barnes.

..On the 1850 census Samuel & Margaret were in Tyler Co HH#186 (his father headed #183).  The family consisted of: (parent .info from Joanne W)

Saml H. Barnes       38 Miss (7/10/1814 Wayne Co MS- 2/21/1879)

Margaret L.V.          29 SC    (Marg.Lucinda Vashti 10/25/1820-7/20/1903)

Amarinta E              13 Miss  (Amarintha E 12/1/1837-5/12/1870)

Sarah L                    11 Miss  (Sara 10/27/1839-ca.1925)

James J                     8 Miss  (James Jasper 7/18/1842-11/1/1921)

John R.C.                   6 Miss (Jn.Robert Calvin 12/13/1844-12/27/1883)

 

M.E.M.    (f)                3 Texas (Mary Eliz M.N. 1/15/1847 – no death info)

Mary ARJ                   1 Texas (Mary Ann J.R. 3/11/1849-1/27/1926

Three more children were born during the 1850s

Samuel W.D. Barnes (1/28/1852-12/23/1917)

Andrew Madison Barnes (7/23/1854-11/3/1921)

David Lafayette Barnes (7/10/1857-11/8/1893)

Samuel & Margaret remained in the Mt. Hope community the rest of their lives. On the 1870 Tyler Co, TX census Sam was listed as a miller and farmer (per Kay).  Samuel died 2/21/1879 (at 20 minutes to 9 p.m. per family bible) at age 64 and Margaret died 7/20/1903 at age 82.  Both are buried in Mt. Hope Cemetery

..An old Barnes  family bible shared by Ernest McKee, either that of Margaret McKee Barnes or with entries likely copied from an earlier bible (a series of entries* look like same handwriting — I would place original entries as between 1877 and 1882):

*Samel H Barnes & M.L.V. McKee was married Oct the 6, 1836

*Saml H Barnes was born Sept the 10th 1814 (births entered with marriages)

*Margaret L.V. McKee was born Oct the 25th 1821

*S.H Barnes Died Feb 21st 20 minutes before 9 p.m. 1879 (4th death entry)

Mrs MLV Barnes Died July 20th 1903 (lower right corner of death page)

 

 

Margaret married Samuel Hough Barnes *  son of James Barnes and Tabitha Hough on 4 Feb 1836 in Dixon., MS. Samuel was born on 10 Sep 1814 in Wayne Co, MS. He died on 21 Feb 1879 in Mt Hope, Tyler Co, TX. He was buried in Mt Hope Cem..

 

 

More About Margaret Lucindia Vashrie McKee:

Burial: July 1903, Mt. Hope Cemetery, Tyler County, Texas

 

Notes for Samuel Hough Barnes:

From Lori Walters Lampkins

 

A cousin loaned me a book called: Sketches of Tyler Co., History by James E. and Josiah Wheat and other. In it it mentions the Barns family. Here is what it stay.Pages 232 and 233

One of the prominent fmailies of Tyler County who came to Texas during the day of the Republic was the James Barnes family. James Barnes came from Mississippi to Mount Hope and settled there in 1839.

He had four sons,

James,

Calvin,

William and

Samuel H. Barnes. (Samuel is my line, note from Lori).

 

They and their descendants have resided in the Mount Hope Vicinity and other parts of Texas to this date. Their children intermarried with the early settlers of Tyler County and have been very prominent in the history of the area.

One of the granddaughters of Samuel Barnes married Dr. L. R. Cade who practiced medicine in Chester for fifty years.

Another grandaughet married W. B. Carnes who conducted the Mercantile Business in Chester for several years and another granddaughter, Lela marriea Dr. M. M. Baker a dentist in Livingston.

Two grandsons, Austin and Clyde Barns, are prominent attorneys,

Malcolm, is an accountant in Port Arthur.

Essie Mae Barnes, another granddaughter, married Joe Carmack who for many years was a professor at William and Mary College at Williamsburg, Virginia.

Another son, Bascom, still live on the old farm near Chester.

The other children of James Barnes and their children are as follows:

1. James Barnes

A. Lucinda who married Robert Rotan

B. James who married Mary Green

C. Narcissa who married William Autry

D. Nancy who married Anthony Graham

E. Mary who married Andrew McKee

F. Tibitha who married J.M. Hallmark

G. Sara who married William Priest

2. Calvin Barnes

A. Eliza who married Bill Peterson

B. Lizzie who married Jake Hammerly

C. Addie who married John Hammerly

D. Laura who married John Donovan

E. Milton who died as a child

F. Jennie who married Fannie McWilliams

G. W. J. who married Fannie Triplett

3.William Barnes

A. William

B. Eli

C. John

D. Andrew

E. Margaret, who married Wesley Simmons

F. Sara

G. Nancy

H. Mary

I. Frances

J. Isaac

4. Samuel H. Barnes

A. Aramintha, who married John Felder

B. Jasper, who married Nancy Jopkins

C. Samuel, who married Elizabeth Watson

D. Matt, who married Maggie Platt

E. Calvin, who married Sara Seamans

F. Sarah who married I.G.Futch ( I have the Isaac G Futch line all the way back to the 1600’s)

G. David Lafayette, who married Ettie Bowers.

An interesting story concerning the Barnes family appeared in the November 17, 1955 issue of the Houston Chronicle, by Bill Gray, entitled “rolling Stones for a Grist Mill”. This article tells the story of the girst mill erected by Samuel Barnes and his father.I hope you find this interesting. You can reach me by my email Dittobyte@aol.comI would love to correspond with you.

 

 

More About Samuel Hough Barnes:

Burial: February 1879, Mt. Hope Cemetery, Tyler County, Texas

 

7               vi.    Mary Jane Amanda McKee, born March 20, 1822 in South Carolina; died August 16, 1844 in Neshoba, Mississippi.  She married Paschal H. Martin September 01, 1842.

 

More About Mary Jane Amanda McKee:

Burial: August 1844, Neshoba, Mississippi

 

8              vii.    Agnes Taliatha Marsi McKee, born 1830 in South Carolina; died Bet. 1910 – 1915 in Long Beach, California.  She married Minister; Rev. Robert L. Ross March 04, 1847 in Mississippi; born Bet. 1814 – 1815 in Mississippi or South Carolina.

 

Notes for Agnes Taliatha Marsi McKee:

From Wayne Adams

 

..She married when she was 17.  Her husband was a minister and moderator at

organizational meeting of Mt Bethel Presbyterian Church @ Dixon, MS.  At the

time of his death he was serving at Meridian, MS (Doughty pg711)

..Her name was shown as “Calita” on the 1880C

(Meridian, Lauderdale Co, MS pg.7b)

Robt L. Ross      65   MS SC SC     Minister

Calita                  54   SC SC SC      Wife

Almer Magure    20  MS AL SC       SWF – relat=”other”

 

 

 

Agnes married Rev Robert L. Ross  on 4 Mar 1847 in MS. Robert was born in 1814/1815 in MS or SC.

 

 

 

More About Minister; Rev. Robert L. Ross:

Occupation: Minister

 

9             viii.    Frances Rebecca Amanda McKee, born March 17, 1831 in Abbeville County, South Carolina; died August 16, 1859 in Neshoba County, Mississippi.  She married (1) Thomas S. Saxon April 04, 1849.  She married (2) William Karneyhan Majure 1855; born February 28, 1822; died December 23, 1892 in Neshoba County, Mississippi.

 

Notes for Frances Rebecca Amanda McKee:

From Wayne Adams

 

In Row 10 of Morrow Cemetery there are two Majure stones just before those of John & Margaret McKee with seven intervening unmarked graves.  Immediately on the other side of these two stones are seven more unmarked graves.  The two with inscriptions are

“Frances A, wife of Wm. K. Majure; Dau of John & Margaret McKee

Mar 17 1831 – Aug 16 1859”  and

“Daxes D, son of W.K. and F.A. Majure; Apr 12 1857- June 17, 1858”

..From this we see that she died at age 28.  Possibly they had other children.  No way of knowing

identities of those buried on both sides of them.

..Joanne W data shows another marriage (4/4/1849 to Thomas S. Saxon) before the 1850 marriage to William Majure.  She was just 18 years old at that time and there was one child (Margaret Julia born & died 1850) of that marriage.  No information about how the Saxon marriage ended (death or annullment?)

There is a strong chance that the unmarked graves hold the answers.   I had picked up “Daxes” from the tombstone.

 

Frances married (1) William Karneyham Majure  in 1850. William was born on 28 Feb 1822. He died on 23 Dec 1892 in Neshoba Co, MS.

 

 

More About Frances Rebecca Amanda McKee:

Burial: August 1859, Morrow Cemetary, Dixon, Neshoba County, Mississippi

 

Notes for William Karneyhan Majure:

From Wayne Adams

 

 

This is William Karneyhan Majure, a widower in 1860, who later married my gr-grandmother’s sister, Jane Elvira Morrow.  One of his wives was Frances A. McKee, sister to Adam Dickson McKee

 

Page       130A, Dixon, 9/4/1860, # 832/860:

Majure, William K.          Age 36, Male, Farmer, $1280/4132, Ala.

Wallace                      Age 9, Male, born in Miss..

Robert                        Age 5, Male, born in Miss

 

 

More About William Karneyhan Majure:

Burial: December 1892, Morrow Cemetary, Dixon, Neshoba County, Mississippi

 

10             ix.    John L. Jasper McKee, born November 1831 in South Carolina; died June 22, 1841.

 

Notes for John L. Jasper McKee:

 

..Due to the condition of the births page on the family bible we do not have precise

information about John L Jasper McKee’s birth.

John L (tear/ space with possibly another illegible initial) Jasper

McKee was born (tear goes through the “was” but nothing lost)

on Saturday the (horizontal tear/ some writing lost?)

November (hole obliterates part of this and following line — which begins the entry for

his sister Agnes)

On the Deaths page the entry concerning him is unobstructed:

John L. J. McKee

Died the 22nd day

of June A.D. 1841

..From some source which I failed to document I had that he died when he was 8 years

old.  Joanne Westmoreland provided the correction that he was born in 1829 and her

software calculated his age as 12.  Actually, having been born in November and dying

in June he would not have had his birthday in 1841.  The fact that he was born before

1830 is verified by the census record showing a son under age 5 in his parents

household.

 

 

From Wayne Adams

 

John Sr’s son John died as a child and all John’s children are accounted for in Mississippi.

 

More About John L. Jasper McKee:

Burial: June 1841

 

11              x.    Martha Ann McKee, born November 22, 1833 in Abbeville County, South Carolina; died November 22, 1833 in Abbeville County, South Carolina.

 

Notes for Martha Ann McKee:

Bible entries show that “Martha Ann McKee was born on friday the 22th of November

1833” and “Martha Ann McKee Died on friday the 22th of November 1833”.  This

would have been around the time of the migration from SC to MS, likely shortly before.

No tombstone was found for her.

 

 

More About Martha Ann McKee:

Burial: November 1833, Abbeville County, South Carolina

 

 

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