About twelve years ago Ritchey and I purchased The Book of McKee by Raymond W. McKee, published in Dublin, 1959.  There were only 500 copies printed and each is numbered.  I have number 319.  One of the chapters is titled McKees of Rushville, Illinois – which are Ritchey’s McKee family.  Ritchey’s oldest brother was so interested we purchased a copy for him.  Amazing that we found two of the 500 copies!  This book is a great font of knowledge of many of the McKee family members throughout the United States.  Today we will discuss the William McKee family that is buried in the A. R. Dyche Memorial Park in London, Laurel County, Kentucky.  Whenever Ritchey and I visit a cemetery we take photographs of gravestones that bear the names of our ancestors, hoping there may be a connection – sometimes there is, sometimes not.

The oldest McKee buried here is William Houston, born September 10, 1771.  According to the McKee book William was the son of James John McKee and Esther Houston, born September 10, 1771, in Rockbridge County, Virginia.  He was the couple’s third child.  His siblings were John, Robert and Nancy.

James John McKee (1735-1808) was the son of Robert and Agnes McKee.  His wife was Nancy Esther Houston (1743-1807).  Both are buried in Oxford Presbyterian Cemetery in Collierstown, Rockbridge County.  There are no stones for the couple.

William Houston McKee married Anna Van Lear in Virginia about 1800-1810.  William waited until after the deaths of his parents to move to Laurel County, Kentucky.  He and his family are listed in the census records of that county beginning in 1830; their arrival must have been after 1820 – or perhaps they were missed during that census.  Living in the household in 1830 were two males aged 15-20, one male 50-60, one female 5-10, one 15-20 and one 40-50.  In 1840 there is one male under 5, one male 20-30, one male 60-70, one female under 5, one female 15-20, two females 20-30 and one female 50-60.  To my knowledge, from Ancestry, William and Anna had four children – John Van Lear born in 1810, Margaret Jane in 1813, Nancy in 1814 and Evalina in 1821.  However, the 1830 census shows two young males and 2 young females.  The couple could have had another son who died before the 1840 census, thus never reaching adulthood.  Margaret would have been about 17 in that year and was possibly married.  By 1840 son John was married to Louisa Pitman, and there were two children Robert and Amanda born to the couple.  I feel certain they were living with William and Anna, along with younger daughters Nancy and Evalina.

In memory of Anna McKee, born December 8th 1781, died August 18th 1843, A. L. Dyche Memorial Park, London, Laurel County, Kentucky. 

Anna Van Lear McKee died August 18, 1843.  She was buried in the family cemetery on their farm.

In the 1850 census William Houston McKee is living alone, aged 79, a farmer with real estate of $5,000, was born in Virginia.  Next door is son John Van Lear McKee and family.  John was 39, a trader with $150 of real estate, also born in Virginia.  His wife, Louisa, was 32, born in Kentucky.  Their children were Amanda, 12; Robert L, 10; Maria Louise, 8; Letitia, 5; and William Pitman, 2.  Two additional children were born in the next few years – Martha in 1850 and John Christopher in 1852.

W. H. McKee, September 10, 1771 – October 10, 1855.

William Houston McKee died October 10, 1855.

Martha McKee, September 13, 1850 – October 4, 1851.

Granddaughter Martha McKee died in 1851.  She celebrated her first birthday the month before.

Early death certificates give us information on Margaret and Nancy McKee.  Both married a Mr. Chestnut, brothers or cousins, I would say.  Nancy Chestnut, aged 38, daughter of William and Anna McKee, died March 21, 1854, no cause given.  Her daughter, Nancy H. Chestnut, aged three months, died July 7, 1854.  Evan and Nancy Chestnut were listed as parents.  Margaret Chestnut died July 10, 1861, of consumption, aged 49, married, housekeeper, parents William and Anna McKee.  Margaret married John Chestnut.

J. V. L. McKee, December 7, 1810 – August 6, 1871.

John Van Lear McKee died August 6, 1871.

Letitia McKee, August 27, 1844 – July 14, 1878.

Granddaughter Letitia McKee never married; she died July 14, 1878.

Addie E., wife of Dr. W. P. Mckee, born May 1, 1849, died December 18, 1881.

Addie E. McKee, wife of Dr. W. P. McKee, died December 18, 1881.

Robert L. McKee, born February 6, 1840, died April 11, 1882.

Grandson Robert L. McKee died August 11, 1882.

Louisa P. McKee, August 27, 1817, died August 8, 1895.

Daughter-in-law Louisa Pitman McKee died August 8, 1895.

Amanda McKee, October 9, 1837 – April 5, 1910.

Granddaughter Amanda McKee died April 5, 1910.

John Van Lear, son of W. P. and Addie H. McKee, born in Mt. Vernon, Kentucky, December 7, 1881.  Killed at the battle front in France, September 29, 1918, buried in London, Kentucky, September 3, 1921.  Sgt. Co. L. 39 US Inf. 55728.

Great-grandson John Van Lear McKee, son of W. P. and Addie H. McKee, died during World War I on September 29, 1918.

Daughter Evalina H. McKee married George Pope Brown, and lived to the age of 84, dying in 1905.  She was the last of the family to pass away.

William Houston McKee and Anna Van Lear McKee were buried on their farm in the family graveyard.  The land was eventually sold and became the A. R. Dyche Memorial Cemetery.  Most of the older gravestones have been replaced – only the one for Anna McKee looks to be original.