"The authentic connected history of the family begins with the arrival in America of its founder, John McKee, from County Monaghan, Ireland about 1775. He landed at Charleston and remained in the Carolinas. Being of Scotch ancestry he early discerned the relationship of the colonies to England, espoused their cause and gave them his services. He served as a private at least two terms, and later, though unrecorded gave his life to secure and establish a free and independent government for the land of his adoption. In an interval of service he married Polly McCoy of Virginia and settled in North Carolina early in 1780. The Kings Mountain campaign began in August, 1780 and early in its inception John McKee left his home and bride and joined the ranks of the mixed American forces. On Sept. 12th in a skirmish at Case's Run, he was shot at his post of duty and expired soon after. He was buried where he fell. His death was due to the treachery of a Tory whoom he had befriended. Before he expired he delivered to his comrade and friend, THomas Shaw, tender messages to his wife and charged him to provide for her welfare. Shaw accepted the trust, took the widow to her people in Virginia and returned, serving through the war. When peace was secured Shaw married Polly McKee, and removed to Bourbon County, Kentucky where they lived to old age. The arly sacrafice of his life in the cause of liberty and of his adopted country rendered brief the history of John McKee (1). Little else is known, save that his compatriot Thomas Shaw after spoke of him with deep feeling and in terms of profound regard. His character was doubtless reproduced in his son, who,, more that the father, actually founded the family in America. John McKee (2) spend his life in Bourbon County Kentucky. He was the builder and owner of "The Mills" at Reddel's Mills once an important point, now deserted. He was unassuming, intelligent, capable and idustrious. of marked uprightness of character and life was greatly loved and respected. He owned slaves, but never sold them, permitting them to work out, or gave them their freedom. He is buried in the old churchyard at Reddell's Mills now long in ruin. The early generations of McKees in physique were very tall, with large frames, but spare in flesh, florid complexion, blue eyes and sandy hair.

THe matter that follows does pertain to the pioneer and the Revolutionary War veteran delineated briefly above. The following letter from William McKee of Cythiana Kentucky under date of November 27, 1957 (written to Raymond Walter McKee)

I am writing in reply to your letter of November 25, to my son, Thomas Miles McKee. We are glad to have this communication from a member of our clan and appreciate your writing to Tom. We hope this may lead to a better acquaintance.
I am enclosing a brief outline of the McKee family of Harrison and Bourbon Counties, Kentucky and which gives my lineal ancestors. I have not undertaken to set out all the collaterals or give the intermarriages. My grandfather was a large landowner in Harrison County and had a family of 12 children, 11 of whom lived until comparative old age. My uncle, William, ws accidentally killed at the age of 67, which was the youngest that any of them died.
The most of the material set out was gotten from a chart of the McKee, McClintock, Mills, Stipp and Stewart families, 1750-1900. compiled by James Robert McKee of California. We thought it possible that you were closely related to him. This chart or family tree contains detailed information.

McKee Family, Harrison and Bourbon Counties, Kentucky

John McKee (1) born N. Ireland about 1755; North Carolina, 1775, Private Capt Van Swearingens Co., Col. D. Morgans Regiment, Continental Troops, July 1777- March 1778; 6th S.C. Reg, Aug 1, 1779-Feb 1, 1780. Married Dec 1779 Polly McCoy, Killed Cane's Run, skirmish, King's Mountain Campaign, Sept 12, 1780 and was buried where he fell.

He and Polly McKee had one son John McKee (II). After the Revolutionary War Polly McCoy McKee married Thomas Shaw. They came to Bourbon County Kentucky about 1783 bringing with them John McKee (II), a small boy.

John McKee II spent his life in Bourbon County. He was the builder and owner of the "Mills" at Ruddles Mill. He married Elizabeth McClintock of Bourbon County on April 4, 1803. They had ten children, including John McKee (III). born in Bourbon County Feb 6, 1804.

John McKee (III) married Eliza Wilson (dauhter of James and ? Ritchey WIlson) of Lexington, Kentucky on April 10, 1828. John McKee (III) and Eliza Wilson McKee had two sons, both born in Bourbon County, John Alexander McKee born May 15, 1829 and James Wilson McKee born November 26, 1836. Eliza Wilson McKee died in 1839. John McKee (III) married Nancy Ann Thorn in 181 and she died in 1847. In 1848 he married Caroline Sweeny. One son, Miles McKee was born to this union.

James Wilson McKee married Jane McClelan Turney (daughter of William and Margaret Fearman Turney) on Dec 3, 1857. They had eleven children as follows: William Turney, Eliza Wilson, John Alexander (died in infancy), Charles, Julia, Alice, Elizabeth, George, Frank, Jesse Miles (Father of the writer and grandfather of Thomas Miles McKee, and Turney. Jane Turney McKee died and James Wilson McKee later married Anna B Talbott, daughter of James T. and Elizabeth A. Conway Talbott of Bourbon County. From this union there was on child, Louise.

Jesse Miles McKee born in Harrison County, January 27, 1876 married Lottie Hickman of Harrison County. From this union there were born four children, Hickman McKee, Jane Turney McKee, Elizabeth McKee, and William Miles McKee.

William Miles McKee married Anna Meyers Ross of Harrison County. From this union there are three children, William Ross McKee, Thomas Miles McKee, and ELizabeth McKee.

Alexander McKee of Kingsmill, Kentucky, after many years of research has traced the name McKee for 11 centuries to one ofthe earlier clans of Scotland, and from his compilation the following is here embodied:
"The name McKee comes from and is a branch of the clan Mackay, a name that appears on the pages of history at a very early date. They were a powerful clan as early as the eighth century and were numerous for centuries thereafter. Mackay was one of the Highland clans that fought under Robert Bruce at Bannockburn late in the 12th century. In 1427 Angus Donald Mackay commanded 4,000 men. In 1626 Donald Mackay led 2,000 men in the armies of Gustavus Adolphus, fighting for liberty and freedom of thought. Hugh Mackay was the favorite of William of Orange, fought at the Battle of the Boyne and gave up his life at Steenkerke, 1692, when Englands king led the combined forces of Protestantism against those of Rome in Holland."

(Raymond McKee has a note here regarding the statement above that General Hugh Mackay did not participate in the Battle of the Boyne, according to the various accounts of the action and lists of the officers the author (Raymond) persued. King William's army consisted of sixty-two squadrons of cavalry, and fifty tow battalions of infrantry, in four divisions. Lieutenant-General Douglas commanded the vanguard, Major-General Kirk commanded the right wing, the Earls of Oxford and De Solms commanded the left wing while King William in person together with the Duke of Schomberg and Monsieur de Scravenmoer commanded the main body. From all apperarances claims the General Hugh Mackay was present at the Boyne are completely at variance with the facts.).