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David McKee, the McKeesport branch's emigrant, was born in Scotland in 1710 and died in 1795. One account says he fled to Ireland after the Jacobite Rebellion, sometime after 1715, and probably with his parents; that he came to America circa 1750 and settled near Philadelphia. A McKeesport Attorney, Walter Riggs, who authored a volume concerning the early history of McKeesport, wrote to (RWM) me that it was his understanding David McKee possessed a title of nobility but never employed or displayed it. From the bery sketchy Family Tree I have been able to prepare for this sept, it will be seen that David McKees immediate family seems to have been constituted thus- David McKee and wife Margaret; children John, Thomas, Robert, David, Elizabeth, Mary
In Walkinshaw's Annals of Pennsylvania, vol 2, pages 261, 262 a record of an immigrating family is included as shown below. The article states that this family arrived in 1768, however, rather than the earlier date asssigned for the McKeesport family of 1750. However, the almost identical names of the children seems a curious coincidence, if they indeed are different families:- David McKee, wife Margaret- Children John McKee and two daughters; Thomas McKee (born in Ireland in 1749), Robert McKee, David McKee Jr (no Elizabeth shown) Mary McKee, Margaret McKee (not on other list), James McKee (not on other list).
It will be seen that the names of 5 children are the same. While one list containts an Elizabeth that is not on the other, the other contains Margaret and James not the first. Certainly, there is nothing conclusive or even persuasive about this, but it is interesting. Very probably, earlier researchers have already traced these families, else later ones will.
Is is said that David McKee presented himself at the Propietors Land Office on its opening day, April 3, 1769, and made an application to acquire 306 acres at the juncture of the Monongahela and Youghiogheny Rivers. This was the colonial land officce that was opened to sell lands acquired by treaty at the close of the Pontiac's war. He received warrant No. 1103. Two days later his sons Thomas and Robert also filed applications, Thomas for 253 acres adjoining his father David McKees parcel on the south, and Robert for 285 acres adjoining his fathers property on the east.
In the foregoing paragraph it is stated that this land was bought from the Propietors, but other accounts say the purchase was made from the Delaware Queen Alliquippa.
In the name of GOD Amen, I, David McKee of Allegheny County and State of Pennsyvania Being of sound mind and Memory do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner of form following, Viz. First, I resign my soul to God and hope for Salvation through the Merits of his Son Jesus CHrist and I desire to buried at the discretion of my Executor in hope of a Glorious Resurrection. And as for my temporal Estate I dispose of the same as followeth, Viz: Imprimis, to my loving wife Margaret I bequeath all my right and title and all privileges that I reserved for myself in the Plantation and Ferry. I sold to my son John McKee as is mentioned in an article of agreement made between us the time I sold to him and John my son And also I leave her all my household furniture and Cows and horses Imay have at the time of my decease and also the last Fifty pound bond from John McKee bearing date to be paid January 1794 and this to be a her disposing after my decease as she shall think proper and further I bequeath to my oldest son John the sum of ten shillings lawful money of Pennsyvania to be paid him after my decease and to my son Robert McKees children: To David I allow a colt and five pounds besides, And to his brother Robert 5 pounds, and to my son Davids children I allow five pounds to each and they are but four viz, to James, Sarah, John, and David and to my son James I allow ten shillings to be paid him and to Mary my Daughter now Pebbles I allow ten Pounds-and to my Daughter Margaret now Margaret McKee I allow ten shillings as her part-and to all their children as coming from my estate as it is all I can allow my children of theirs. And this after my funeral expenses and all Just debts are fully discharged. And further the true execution of this my last will and Testament I appoint my wife Margaret and my son James McKee the sole and full executors of this my last Will and Testament, And I do hereby revoke and disannul all former Wills and testaments made by me. In witness whereof I set my hand and seal this thirteenth day of February A.D. 1793.
DAVID McKEE (seal)
Signed, Sealed, and Delivered in the presence of us, the subscribers the day and year aforesaid. Andrew McCulloch, Thomas Ochether, Isabelah Menaugh. Isabelah Menaugh one of the witnesses to the within will, Sworn before me the 16th day of October 1795. (more to come- from history of Allegheny County, 723-731 McKeesport)
The following from Family Bible of Redick McKee of Wheeling, West Virginia: The material that follows is from the Family Records of John McKee of McKeesport, Pa- father of Redick McKee. July 26, 1791 John McKee and Sally Redick are married. June 15, 1792 David their first child was born. He died May 10, 1793. July 31, 1794 John, Second child was born at McKeesport. August 18, 1797 Sally, third child born at McKeesport. December 7, 1800 Redick fourth child, born at McKeesport. September 15, 1818 Joseph Irwin McDowell and Sally McKee were married at Pittsburgh, Pa. Mr McDowell died at Mobile Ala Aug 20, 1824, and on the 25th, same month, Sally his wife.
In April, 1823 their first child, Mary, died at Mobile, aged 3 years and 4 months. Sarah Jane McDowell died at Pittburgh, March 12, 1825 aged 3 years.
The emigrant David McKee's son John McKee was born in 1746 and died January 11, 1807. It was he who founded McKeesport, Pennsylvania. (Here is a list of David and his forebearers-Rockbridge Va, Kentucky, etc.) On July 26, 1791 he married Sally Redick who was born December 1765 and died July 15 1814. Her lineage may have been important, as her surname was repaeated as the CHristian name of a son Redick McKee born Dec 7, 1800 whose son Redick McKee, Jr. died in infancy and another of whose sons, Charles Redick McKee died before he reached the age of 8. But the name persisted and was repeated in Redick Henry McKee who in 1930 who was consulting civil engineer in Seattle, Washington. The earliest association of the McKee name with that of Redick is probably when William M'Gye of Balmaghie, Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland who flourished circa 1471 A.D. consented to the marriage of his granddaughter Marion to John Redick of Balharro. There is of course no connection whatsoever, but it does seem a pleasant coincidence.
Redick McKee was born at McKeesport, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania Dec 7, 1800 and died September 13, 1886. ELiza Richie was born at Cannonsburgh, Washington COunty, Pennsylvania, June 25, 1802. Died at Washington D.C. April 22, 1871. Redick McKee and Eliza Richie were married at Cannonsburgh by the Reverend Andrew Wylie, Han 12, 1826. John McKee (older brother of Redick McKee) and Sarah Brison were married at the residence of Jas Brison, Esq near Pittburgh, Pa on Nov 7, 1816. Children of Redick and Eliza R McKee all born at Wheeling, West Virginia were: John McKee b 12-01-1826 died 12-17-1893; William Ritchie McKee June 5, 1828 death date unknown; Andrew Wylie McKee 01-11-1830 died 01-11-1879; Charles Redick McKee 09-17-1831 died 06-13-1838; ELiza R McKee 4-30-1833 died 06-30-1833; Henry Martyn McKee 11-13-1834 died 03-24-1840; Sarah Louisa McKee 09-18-1836 death date unknown; Redick McKee Jr. 10-05-1838 died 02-18-1840 and David Ritchie McKee 09-17-1842 death unknown.
Craig Ritchie born in Glasgow, Dec 29, 1758. Died at Cannonsburgh, Pa June 13, 1833 aged 74, (father of Eliza Ritchie)