Elizabeth (c1767-1838), Andrew McKee’s Unimaginable Widow – 52 Ancestors #373

Elizabeth was Andrew McKee’s spouse, however who was she? What will we find out about her?

I can inform you one factor after researching the main points of her life and fleshing out as a lot as potential – that lady was manufactured from absolute grit! I might love to sit down down for just a few days and discuss to her about her life and what was occurring round her. I do know, I simply know that there’s an untold story right here. I can odor it, however I can’t discover it.

Amazingly, we didn’t even know Elizabeth’s identify till her husband died.

The whole lot we find out about Elizabeth’s adolescence, we all know by way of Andrew and her kids.

On condition that Elizabeth’s youngest youngster was born in both 1810 or shortly thereafter, and if we estimate that she was 43 years previous on the time, we will moderately set up her delivery about 1767. In fact, she might have been anyplace from 40-45, so born between 1765-1770.

Primarily based on this, it is smart that Elizabeth would have been marrying about 1788. She would have been about 21 years previous.

Why 1788?

Andrew McKee, her husband, had land surveyed on October 5, 1789. Now this might imply a few issues.

Andrew might have already been dwelling on this property, leasing, and determined that, certainly, he did wish to buy the patent choice, have it surveyed, and settle right here completely.

He did, in actual fact, settle there completely. The house he introduced his bride dwelling to is the one dwelling they ever had. The one one both of them lived in.

In truth, it nonetheless stands – as wonderful as that sounds. How cool is that this?!!

The house is listed as having been inbuilt 1765, so, it’s potential that Andrew didn’t simply receive a hill with a forest that needed to be cleared, however land with a house. Sure, the encircling land was in all probability principally uncleared. I’m not satisfied that this home was inbuilt 1765, nevertheless it’s definitely the house the place Andrew and Elizabeth lived. There’s no query about that.

It’s unlikely that Andrew, as a single man, bought this land. It’s potential after all.

Marriage information for Washington County do exist, however they appear to be solely partially full, and there’s nothing for this timeframe for Andrew and Elizabeth.

The place Was Andrew Earlier than 1789?

That’s an excellent query.

The early Washington County information, together with the tax lists starting in 1782 don’t present any McKee males, apart from one Elias Mackey in 1784. He lives 9 homes from John Kelly, who turned Andrew McKee’s neighbor in 1789 when his land was surveyed. John Kelly is within the county as early as 1782 and presumably earlier, together with the Robinsons and plenty of Edmistons (Edmondson) – households that will be Andrew’s neighbors his complete grownup life.

In 1785 and 1786, there aren’t any McKee or Mackey males within the county.

Andrew McKee apparently wasn’t in Washington County previous to 1787 when he first seems on the tax listing. Both that or he was too younger to be taxed, or on another person’s listing. On the 1787 tax listing, he’s 21 or over, however he has no property in any respect, not even a horse. His delivery yr was 1766 or earlier.

If he was dwelling with another person in 1787, he was taxed on his personal and never on their listing.

Sadly, the 1787 tax listing is recorded in letter order, not tax or home order. Andrew McKee is listed because the particular person chargeable and the white male above 21 – no blacks, no horses, no cattle, no stud horses – nothing else.

Andrew needed to come from someplace. Did he include different McKee males?

The 1788 property and land tax listing is, sadly, in alpha order, however exhibits a number of folks of curiosity.

• Might 21 – John Mackey 1 – – – 3
• July 26 – Samuel Mackey 1
• Sept 10 – Alexander Mecke (I consider that is Meek or Meeks from later lists) 1 – 1 2
• Sept 19 – Andrew McKee 1
• October 5 – Thomas McKee 1

These final two are undoubtedly McKee, however apparently, Thomas moved on. They weren’t visited on the identical day, and even shut, so they might be totally disconnected.

All these males have one tithable, which suggests they’re dwelling in their very own households and solely have one white male, age 21 or over, no horses (besides John) and no blacks.

Thomas’s identify was undoubtedly McKee, however he’s by no means discovered once more.

Andrew might have arrived by himself on the frontier. If these different males in 1788 have been household, they moved on. Elias did serve within the Revolutionary Struggle from Washington and Montgomery Counties, however he moved on too. Andrew named none of his boys any of those names besides Alexander, and that’s the identify I’m pretty sure is definitely Meek or Meeks.

Courting

In 1787 and 1788, Andrew was in all probability calling on Elizabeth, possibly choosing wildflowers alongside the best way, Queen Anne’s Lace and Daisies maybe, and tying them right into a bouquet, attempting to win her coronary heart.

Possibly Elizabeth is the explanation why Andrew didn’t transfer on with these different McKee males.

On condition that he didn’t have a horse on the 1787 tax listing, we all know Andrew was strolling or, if fortunate, possibly driving a mule. Possibly 1787 is after they married, which is why he’s on the tax listing.

Possibly Andrew proposed as quickly as he might afford a horse. Or possibly his father-in-law-to-be took pity on younger Andrew and offered him an previous nag actual low cost!

Ahhh, younger love.

If Andrew and Elizabeth have been married in 1788, or thereabouts, then they’d have been married within the Ebbing Springs Church that not exists. It wasn’t situated too distant. In truth, folks in a Fb group for Washington County, VA say they will keep in mind strolling from the land that John Kelly owned, throughout Worth’s Bridge spanning the Holston River to the cemetery the place the previous church was once. In fact, again when Andrew lived there, no bridges existed, and the river would have both been waded, forded on horseback, or in a wagon when (if) the water was low sufficient.

In fact, it’s additionally potential that Andrew married Elizabeth elsewhere, and so they got here along with her household.

Andrew’s not on the land or private tax listing in 1789, however then his district may very well be lacking.

On August 18, 1790, Andrew McKee had 1 tax levy, himself, and one horse/mare, no blacks or any stud horses or anything.

At the least he’s been capable of save up sufficient for a horse.

On condition that Elizabeth in all probability would have been too younger to marry earlier than 1787, it’s possible that Andrew married a neighborhood gal and settled down close to her dad and mom. Possibly even beside her dad and mom.

Hmmm, who’re the neighbors?

Neighbors

Andrew’s speedy neighbors, whose land borders his, are:

• John Kelley (Kelly)’s land was surveyed in 1782
• Samuel Kithcart had his land surveyed in 1782
• Jacob Halfacre whose land was surveyed in 1783 and bought the Dozer survey
• James Thompson’s 2600 aces was surveyed in 1746 and a few additionally in 1794

Close to neighbors embody

• John Starnes who settled in 1774
• Aaron Lewis whose land was surveyed in 1785
• John Kirk who settled in 1772, however whose land wasn’t surveyed till 1783
• David Craig whose land wasn’t surveyed till 1801
• Nathaniel McClure settled in 1770 and his land was surveyed in 1785
• Henry Oakwood settled in 1773 and his land was surveyed in 1784
• Jonathan Cunningham settled in 1775 by George Hice and had lis land surveyed in 1782
• Abraham Lefever settled in 1774 and had his land surveyed in 1785, additionally one other hint surveyed in 1784
• Adam Morrow settled n 773 and had his land surveyed in 1784
• Joseph Cole settled in 1771 and had his land surveyed in 1782
• Philip Grever settled in 1773 and had his land surveyed in 1782
• John Bowles settled in 1773 and had his land surveyed in 1784
• Thomas Edmundson had two tracts of land surveyed in 1783
• Jonathan Cortney has his land surveyed in 1798
• Patrick Watson’s land was surveyed in 1783
• James Robinson’s land was surveyed in 1783
• David and Samuel Robinson had land surveyed in 1785 and David in 1796

Jeffrey La Favre mapped these early land grants, right here, and found that there’s n marker within the David Robinson 1796 survey that refers to a nook with Andrew McKee. I’ve drawn that with a inexperienced arrow. (It’s additionally value noting that time could be very near the previous McKee cemetery.)

The issue is that Andrew McKee’s land is proven in yellow, on the high. What provides?

We all know from Andrew’s 1805 will that he had “two plantations,” adjoined.

Jeffrey additionally found that Samuel Kithcart offered 192 acres to Andrew McKee in 1791.

Samuel Killhart [Kithcart] sells to Andrew W. Kee [McKee] 192 acres on the Center and South Forks of the Holston River. Washington Co., VA File of Deeds 1, p. 226. David Robinson’s 100-acre tract surveyed 27 June 1796, lists Andrew McKee as proprietor of adjoining land, which on the map beneath is Samuel Kithcart’s 191 acre tract. Really, as a consequence of issues in becoming the tracts on the map, Robinson’s tract doesn’t adjoin Kithcart’s tract, though the survey descriptions point out that they do adjoin.

Now we all know that Andrew McKee purchased Kithcart’s land. Was that an arm’s size transaction, or had Andrew married Kithcart’s daughter?

The land transaction was for 105 kilos and lay between the center and south fork of the Holston. The unique survey referenced James Dozer and Zachariah Wolsey, whose land Andrew McKee patented initially. It mentions John Kelley’s line together with Thomas Edmondson and Adam Morrow.

The deed was confirmed in court docket on August 16, 1791, the place Elizabeth Kincart, his spouse, relinquished her proper of dower. Sadly, the identify Elizabeth is quite common, so we will’t actually draw any inferences from that.

The next deed registered within the deed e-book was one other sale transaction from Samuel Kithcart to Samuel Eakin, additionally for 110 kilos of Virginia cash, so certainly it does sound like Kithcart was promoting out and leaving.

I used to be so hoping that Kithcart had offered his land to Andrew at a low worth, a cheaper price than regular, which could have recommended that Andrew was his son-in-law, however no such luck.

Or possibly, Elizabeth was John Kelly’s daughter?

In fact, possibly neither, however it’s a must to be shut sufficient to court docket a gal earlier than you’ll be able to ask her father for her hand in marriage after which suggest to her.

Did Samuel Kithcart, who had been settled there since at the least 1782, promote out and transfer on a decade later? The place did he go, and extra importantly, maybe, did he go away a will?

The Starting of the Household

We all know that Andrew and Elizabeth’s kids began arriving not lengthy after their presumed marriage about 1788.

For instance, we all know that son James McKee was born on January 12 of 1791, however he might not have been their first youngster. In truth, I’m pretty sure that he wasn’t.

How I want the 1790 census existed. Though, James McKee, on his Struggle of 1812 bounty land requisition, says he was drafted and that on April 23^rd, 1852, he was 59 years previous, which locations his delivery in 1793, not 1791.

His tombstone supplies his delivery, by subtraction, as December 22, 1790, as does the Washington County, VA loss of life register. The e-book, Excessive on a Windy Hill supplies the placement of James’s grave because the McKee Cemetery. This is able to have been on the land he owned, initially owned by his father, and should very properly be the place Andrew, Elizabeth, and his siblings are buried as properly.

I wrote in regards to the McKee Cemetery, right here, together with the placement.

Daughter Sally McKee was in all probability their firstborn youngster, possibly in 1788 or 1789. She married Robert Larimer in December of 1810.

Now would in all probability be an excellent time to say that I compiled a big spreadsheet involving each file for Andrew’s kids that I might discover that will even trace at their age. I’ve used the assorted columns to hone in on the almost certainly delivery years I’ll be publishing the details about their kids in delivery order. The spreadsheet contains:

• Andrew’s 1805 will – listing of his kids
• 1810 census
• Marriage date
• Andrew’s 1814 property sale purchasers
• Tax listing look date
• Guardianship date
• 1820 census
• 1830 census
• Elizabeth’s property purchasers
• Margaret’s property purchasers
• Partner’s estates
• 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870 census
• Demise info
• Their kids’s delivery info
• Army information
• Different sources

James was in all probability the oldest son primarily based on the order of kids listed in Andrew’s will and likewise primarily based on the truth that he served because the guardian for his minor siblings after his father’s loss of life.

Primarily based on this, we will presume that Elizabeth in all probability had Sally 18 months to 2 years sooner than James, so July of 1789, simply earlier than Andrew’s land was surveyed. Since we didn’t discover Andrew on the tax listing that yr, was he on his father-in-law’s tax listing, or did I miss the itemizing or was his web page lacking? If their youngster was born in July of 1789, then we’d say they have been married in the summertime of 1788.

That is smart, particularly since we first discover Andrew on the 1787 tax listing.

Kids Sally and James would have been baptized within the previous Ebbing Springs church only a few miles away from dwelling.

We don’t have all of the tax lists, however by 1790, in keeping with that yr’s tax listing, Andrew had obtained a horse. Thank goodness!

On Might 21 of 1791, Andrew had 5 horses, and 4 in 1792.

Their household saved rising, yr by yr.

I believe their son William McKee was born about 1792 or 1793, particularly if James really was born in January of 1791, which I believe is correct. That date comes from his Struggle of 1812 pension utility.

William McKee, Service provider of Abingdon

I’m going to take a minute right here to dispel some misinformation. We all know, primarily based on Andrew McKee’s will that William was born earlier than March 24, 1805, however we don’t know when, precisely. We additionally know that William is listed because the second son within the will, which signifies that William might NOT have been born earlier than 1791. If Elizabeth and Andrew have been married about 1788, William wouldn’t have been older than 16, on the oldest, when his father wrote his will in 1805.

There’s a William McKee and Firm who’s granted a service provider’s license in Abingdon, 8 or 9 miles away, in 1803, two years earlier than Andrew wrote his will.

It’s nearly not possible that this William, who would have been at the least 21 AND had the cash for stock, is Andrew’s son, William.

Due to the identical identify, however with out thorough analysis, it has been assumed (there’s that phrase) through the years that William of Abingdon is William, Andrew’s son. Plus, William of Abingdon has a grave marker, so he’s simple to seek out. Nonetheless, discover that one in all his kids, Julia Ann, died in New York in 1826 at age 13. New York???

Because it seems, William McKee of Abingdon married one Phebe Ogden of New York.

He has ties to New York and a house in Richmond. William is a rich service provider with a retailer that carries silks and upscale objects. He additionally owns a tanyard, and in all of his enterprise dealings, not one particular person is a well-known particular person or surname related to Andrew McKee’s group within the northern a part of the county. I can’t assist however surprise, although, if Y DNA have been concerned if these two strains descend from the identical line again abroad. William McKee can also be a Presbyterian primarily based on the placement of his grave marker, within the Sinking Spring Cemetery.

William McKee’s will was probated on Might 27, 1833, and dated October 29, 1832. William estimated that his property was value 1 / 4 million {dollars}, again then, and talked about his nephew, Thomas Wallace.

He lists a number of underage kids, together with son William Carlton McKee who he suggests be positioned in a dry items retailer in NY after his training. Additionally, kids Mary Elizabeth McKee, Adeline Taylor McKee, Sarah Ann Helms McKee, and Henry Ogden McKee. Elias Ogden is the executor. The youngsters’s guardian is William Fulton out of Lynchburg, and William mentions Richmond, VA. His lengthy property settlement will be seen right here.

The New York Night Publish reported his loss of life and referred to him as “of this metropolis.”

Moreover, the 1803 service provider date signifies that if William was 21 at the moment, he would have been born in 1782 or earlier than, which signifies that Elizabeth, if she have been his mom, must have been born in 1764 to have a toddler as late as 1810. This isn’t not possible, however we’ve a complete group of unbelievable issues that will all have needed to happen in sequence.

The William McKee, service provider, in Abingdon, is NOT the son of Andrew and Elizabeth.

Elizabeth’s Son, William

I don’t know what occurred to Andrew and Elizabeth’s son William, however maybe tax lists and different information might help us type by way of what may need occurred to William, and when. Because it stands, we solely know that he was alive in 1805 and appears to be in 1810.

Ebbing Springs Church

One thing else occurred in 1792 that will have reverberated by way of the group. I’m guessing that opinions have been break up about this reasonably dramatic change.

Andrew and Elizabeth would have been attending church on the Ebbing Springs Presbyterian Church. That alone tells us that Andrew and Elizabeth have been in all probability Scots-Irish. We all know that Andrew was, however we don’t find out about Elizabeth. On condition that these have been the one church buildings within the area, and nearly all of the settlers have been Scots-Irish, I’d say it’s an excellent wager.

For some purpose, in 1792, the congregation deserted the Ebbing Springs website and moved to Glade Springs, about three miles away. With out realizing why the transfer was made, it’s arduous to gauge how church members may need felt. If Elizabeth was a neighborhood gal, which I believe she was, then she possible had relations buried within the graveyard beside the Ebbing Springs church.

This 1950 aerial view of the remnants of the buildings the place the unique Ebbing Springs Church and cemetery have been situated, circled in purple, displaying the proximity to what I consider is the Ebbing Spring, itself, on the purple arrows. The Holston River is the darkish meandering line.

Right here’s the identical location on Google Maps at the moment.

Andrew and Elizabeth lived on the star within the higher proper. Andrew owned about 250 acres to the west of Friendship Street, between the Holston and the street, and John Kelly owned many of the relaxation south to Kelly Chapel Street.

Ebbing Springs Church was about two miles because the crow flies, and possibly 5 because the wagon traveled.

The unique Ebbing Springs Church was established on Capt. James Thompson’s land again when Fort Kilmachronan existed, earlier than Washington County was even established in 1776 from Fincastle County.

You possibly can view photographs of a number of the authentic gravestones, right here.

Charlie Barnette posted a complete public album of Ebbing Springs photographs within the Historic Society of Washington County, VA Fb group, right here. The authentic James Thompson survey will be seen, right here with the Ebbing Springs land within the very decrease left nook, the place you’ll be able to see dotted strains displaying the previous wagon street that ran alongside the river to the church.

Ebbing Spring itself, which might have supplied water for Elizabeth and the opposite churchgoers, in addition to the baptismal font, will be seen, right here.

These stones mark all that’s left of the chimney of these log cabins that have been nonetheless standing within the Nineteen Fifties and Sixties, with a remembrance stone positioned by Glade Springs marking the cemetery, within the distance close to the river on the best.

In fact, a brand new cemetery was begun at Glade Springs Church, about 3 miles additional away. It’s unclear what occurred to the previous Ebbing Springs Church, however the gravestones have been pushed into the river someday within the 1900s, apart from one. The present proprietor has fenced the cemetery space to forestall additional desecration, and the Glade Springs Church erected a monument within the area, seen within the distance at proper within the above photograph.

One native particular person says they grew up on the previous John Kelly land, and so they keep in mind strolling from Worth’s Bridge as much as the previous cemetery after they have been a child.

We do know that John Kelly, who died in 1834, stipulated in his will that he was to be buried by his spouse within the Ebbing Springs cemetery, so it was nonetheless in use at the least sometimes then.

The brand new church, Glade Springs, was one other 3-ish miles distant.

Did Andrew and Elizabeth make that 7-mile journey, a method, each Sunday? One way or the other, I doubt this. Particularly not with younger or new child kids, and Elizabeth was both pregnant or had a younger child for greater than twenty years of her life.

Was one other youngster born, and misplaced, about 1793 or 1794, or possibly each? Have been these infants buried right here?

The McKee Homestead

Andrew McKee was a farmer, and a distiller primarily based on the nonetheless offered in his property sale. Whereas nobody was rich within the nation, he additionally wasn’t poor. Their dwelling was not a small 8×10 or 10×12 one-room log cabin, and Andrew owned multiple horse.

On April 16^th, Andrew had 4 horses on the 1793 tax listing, sufficient for a workforce to drag a wagon and even two. In 1794 and 1796, he had 7 horses and doubtless 3 have been colts. The 1795 listing was illegible.

A 3rd son, Edward McKee, was born about 1795. He married Mary Hand in 1818.

Elizabeth spent her days cooking on this hearth the place the household gathered ’spherical the fireplace on chilly winter days.

Soup or beans would have been simmered within the kettle on the pothook nearly on a regular basis within the days earlier than refrigeration.

Elizabeth would have stirred these embers 1000’s of occasions in her life. Andrew would have chopped and break up wooden to be introduced inside to maintain the fireplace burning, and carried ashes out within the ash bucket.

Elizabeth needed to be cautious to maintain the kids away from the fireplace, after all.

The following youngster, Andrew McKee, named after her husband, arrived about 1797, making me surprise if James and William have been named after his and her fathers, respectively.

That made 4 boys and one lady.

Life was buzzing alongside fairly properly within the McKee homestead nearby of the Center Fork of the Holston River.

Andrew and Elizabeth have been again to their 4 horses in 1797 and 1798, which suggests they may have been breeding horses and promoting the colts.

A brand new child joined the family each 18 months or so. It could have been a reduction when the oldest youngster might start to assist watch the youthful ones.

The 1799 tax listing confirmed Andrew’s land break up into two entries, one for 150 acres which is the unique plat the place the three horses have been listed, and a second entry for 192 acres for the second “plantation,” as he known as it. Plantation didn’t imply what it meant additional south. Neither Andrew nor his kids enslaved others.

Mary McKee joined the household in 1799, in keeping with her loss of life file on December 17, 1855, when she died of consumption at age 56. She married John Larimer in January of 1820 and lived the longest of the kids who stayed in Washington County, and the second longest of all of Elizabeth’s kids.

Ann McKee, my ancestor, was in all probability born between 1799 and 1801, however no later than 1804, primarily based on a number of census information. Contemplating the dates on all of them, the almost certainly delivery yr was 1800. She married Charles Converse in February of 1823. For some purpose, when her sisters have been being assigned guardians in 1822, she was not, which lends credibility to the 1800 delivery date.

Sadly, we don’t have the 1800 census both, however the tax listing exhibits Andrew with 4 horses in 1800, 6 in 1801, and seven once more in 1802.

By 1800, his oldest sons, James and William, would have been possibly 8 and 10, sufficiently old to trip horses and definitely to assist on the barn and within the fields.

Daughter Charity McKee was born someday between 1801 and March of 1805. Charity was a minor in June of 1818 when a guardian was appointed. She married William Griever in Might of 1823.

Daughter Jane McKee was born after 1801 and doubtless in 1802 or 1803 primarily based on the truth that she was a minor in January of 1822 and married about 1823.

Elizabeth McKee, named in her father’s will, additionally known as Eliza in different information, was born in all probability in 1803 or 1804, however earlier than March 1805 when Andrew wrote his will. She was a minor in January of 1822 and married Eleazer Rouse in January of 1823

Within the spring of 1803 and 1804, Andrew had 8 horses.

One thing Occurred in March of 1805

One thing dangerous occurred in March of 1805 – so extreme that no matter it was triggered Andrew McKee to put in writing his will at about 40 years of age. We don’t know what, however he was clearly both very unwell or badly injured. Elizabeth will need to have been terrified. She was both pregnant, or had a babe in arms, and doubtless each.

Story of her life. Her oldest youngster, Sally, was in all probability 15 or 16, so at the least capable of assist reliably in the home and with meals preparation. Her subsequent 4 older kids have been boys and will assist in the barn and at the least have a tendency the inventory.

It’s because of Andrew’s will that we uncover Elizabeth’s identify, and he refers to their kids and names them, first the boys, then the ladies, in what seems to be delivery order.

Andrew pulled by way of, survived, and was properly sufficient to father at the least three extra kids.

On April 5, 1805, Andrew had 10 horses on the tax listing, so throughout his sickness, somebody needed to take care of the horses and his different livestock. To not point out, March and April are plowing time, on the brink of plant. Who helped him?

Tax Lists

On condition that I used to be already studying greater than 3000 unindexed tax file pages, one after the other, spanning almost 60 years (sure, you learn that proper), I used to be additionally maintaining a tally of William McKee in Abingdon, simply in case there could be one thing to tie him to Andrew. Typically you discover wonderful and surprising tidbits.

Usually, William in Abingdon had one horse, or none, however paid a hefty tax for one and generally two shops, plus finally, a tanyard.

In 1806, Andrew had 8 horses, then 7 in 1807. 1808 is lacking.

Tithables Inform Tales

In 1809, Andrew is taxed with two tithables for the primary time, plus 9 horses. This complicates issues a bit. To start with, we don’t know if white male tithables are taxed at age 16 or 21 that yr. Primarily based on what I do know of different years in Virginia information, and Washington County later, white males 16 and over are taxed as a result of they may work productively. This extra tithe could be James which might put his delivery yr at 1793. Nonetheless, keep in mind that 1808 was lacking. If he have been on that tax listing, that places his delivery yr at 1792, which is at the least extra according to different information.

The following yr, in 1810, Andrew had two tithables and 5 horses.

Lastly, a Census – 1810

Between 1805 and the primary extant census, in 1810, Elizabeth had two extra ladies and a boy not listed in Andrew’s will.

Primarily based on the truth that that they had 10 kids in 1805, and 13 in 1810, we will infer that Elizabeth had a toddler each 19 months or so from 1788 by way of 1804. That’s nearly precisely how typically one would count on if each youngster lived, which might have been very uncommon.

If a toddler died at delivery, the mom had one other child a few yr later, so we’ve no manner of realizing if Elizabeth misplaced a toddler or two – however we do know that almost all of her kids lived.

Daughter Rebecca McKee was born someday between 1805 and 1809, in all probability about 1808, primarily based on what little we find out about her kids.

One other daughter, Margaret McKee, solely found this previous week, was born after March of 1805 and earlier than the 1810 census. Extra on her reasonably wonderful story in a couple of minutes!

A male youngster was born after Andrew’s 1805 will and the 1810 census. That may very well be Alexander McKee, however I’m not satisfied. I feel he was born later, and the kid within the 1810 census died.

However earlier than we focus on that, let’s take a look at what else occurred in 1810.

Sally McKee and Robert Larimer

On December sixth, only a few weeks earlier than Christmas in 1810, Elizabeth’s first youngster, Sally, married Robert Larimer. Sally’s first youngster and Elizabeth’s final youngster have been the identical age. In truth, it’s potential that Elizabeth’s final youngster was youthful than Sally’s first youngster. They might not be the primary mother-daughter pair giving delivery on the identical time.

Sally McKee and Robert Larimer had many kids earlier than Sally’s loss of life someday after 1840. Robert married Rachel Debusk in July of 1847. Rachel was 18 years youthful than his oldest youngster with Sally.

• Rebecca Larimer 1811-1841
• Andrew J. Larimer 1812-1849
• William Larimer 1814-1879
• John Larimer 1815/1818-1859
• Mary Jane Larimer c 1817-1855
• Feminine born 1810-1820 (1840 census)
• James Larimer 1819-1890
• Robert Eakins Larimer 1822-1882
• Andrew Edmondson Larimer c 1824-1908
• Isaac Larimer 1828-1856 (was dwelling with James McKee, his uncle, in 1850)
• Samuel M. Larimer 1831-1875
• Emmett B. Larimer 1832-1877

It seems that Sally and Robert misplaced at the least three kids, the daughter born between 1810 and 1820, one in 1826 and one other in 1830.

William’s Demise

In 1811, Andrew McKee has three tithables, plus 4 horses which suggests the second son has turned 16. Primarily based on this, second son William’s delivery yr could be 1795. Nonetheless, this doesn’t add up for William’s delivery yr – however is nearly precisely Edward’s delivery yr of 1795.

Given this, I feel that William in all probability died in both 1810 after the census, or early 1811 earlier than the tax listing.

Is that 1810 Male Youngster Alexander?

The final youngster was Alexander, in all probability after the 1810 census. He by no means married, and due to him mentioning his sisters and their kids in his 1839 will, we all know that Rebecca existed.

Nonetheless, there’s one thing fascinating about Alexander. We all know that Elizabeth and Andrew have a boy within the 1810 census, and likewise a boy underneath 10 within the 1820 census. It’s possible that these are two totally different boys. To be Alexander, the boy on the census must have been born in 1810 earlier than the census, as a result of in 1820, he’s within the under-10 class, and in 1830, within the 15-19 group, which might imply he was born 1811-1815. In fact, we all know that census ages will be fluid. So, I’d say Alexander was born about 1811, however this additionally signifies that Elizabeth misplaced one other youngster – the boy on the 1810 census.

If Elizabeth was 21 when she married in 1788, she would have been 43 in 1810. In fact, she might have been a few years youthful when she married.

All I can consider is how bone-tired that lady would have been.

Possibly after Alexander’s delivery, Elizabeth thought maybe she would have just a few years of relative peace and quiet, which means no new infants arriving. Nicely, she was flawed in regards to the peace and quiet half. She had no concept what was up forward.

In 1812 and 1813, Andrew nonetheless has three tithables, which means himself, James, and Edward, with 6 and 5 horses, respectively.

The tax listing exhibits that there’s one carriage, to not be confused with a wagon, in your complete county, plus two “driving chairs.”

Return From the Struggle of 1812

In 1813, James McKee, Elizabeth’s eldest son, then about 21 years previous, would march away to conflict.

He enlisted to serve within the Struggle of 1812 in August of 1813, served at Fort Norfolk, Virginia, and was discharged on March 10, 1814.

He was allowed 24 days for journey dwelling, 480 miles to Washington County, VA from Fort Norfolk, which suggests about 20 miles a day, hopefully on a horse and never on foot. Nonetheless, I’d wager he was strolling, as a result of horses have been costly commodities and my ancestors who served in that conflict all walked, together with Nicholas Speaks who additionally served from Washington County. In truth, that connection could also be how James McKee’s sister, Ann, met her future husband, Nicholas Converse’s son, Charles, however I digress.

James, in keeping with his enlistment, had darkish hair and blue eyes.

James would have arrived dwelling within the first week of April. He would possibly, simply would possibly, have been in time.

Andrew Dies

Andrew McKee’s will was probated on June 21, 1814. Andrew would have died someday within the 90 days prior.

Andrew’s loss of life was in all probability sudden, and doubtless a shock, on condition that he by no means up to date his will.

If Elizabeth turned 43 or so when her final youngster was born in 1810, in 1814, she would have been roughly 47. Maybe as younger as 45 or as previous as 50. Andrew was about the identical age, possibly barely older.

Regardless, she had a 3 or four-year-old youngster and stair-step kids, with at the least 11 kids nonetheless at dwelling.

Andrew’s will was probated in court docket on June 21, 1814, with each Samuel Kelly and John Kelly Jr. serving as executors, simply as that they had been instructed again in 1805. The boys who had signed as witnesses to Andrew’s 1805 will have been Andrew Edmiston, John Todd, and Andrew E. Kelly. The Kelly males have been all sons of John Kelly Sr., Andrew’s authentic neighbor.

Three Kelly males are concerned, two as executors with no bond required. That’s precisely what one would count on to see of shut relations or very shut pals. I believe the reply to who was serving to Andrew McKee again in 1805 was John Kelly and doubtless his sons, who have been considerably older than Andrew’s kids.

Andrew Jr.

The 1814 tax listing confirms an approximate delivery yr for Andrew Jr.

Sadly, the 1814 tax listing shouldn’t be dated. Dates vary from February by way of late April. Andrew McKee continues to be listed with 2 tithes. He could be gone, though the farm would nonetheless be in his identify. James wouldn’t be listed both as a result of he was within the army, so these two tithes could be Edward and Andrew, which locations Andrew’s delivery yr about 1798, which is about proper.

Andrew’s Will

Like with each widow in that point, the phrases of Andrew’s will dictated the remainder of Elizabeth’s life, except she selected to remarry, after all.

Andrew left his two plantations to the 4 boys who have been dwelling in 1805.

Elizabeth can keep within the “dwelling home” as long as she doesn’t remarry. She has the best to one-third of the cash from the sale of Andrew’s private property. In fact, every part is Andrew’s private property apart from Elizabeth’s garments.

Elizabeth can preserve as many kids along with her as she needs, however the executors are to bind out the remainder of them to study a commerce. Usually, that solely means males except the kids are actually ravenous.

The executors are to hire out the plantations to supply earnings and assist for Elizabeth and the kids.

The stability of his cash, apart from Elizabeth’s third, is to go to his six daughters, plus the sons are to pay the daughters $200.

In fact, by the point Andrew died, one in all his authentic sons had died, and he had a brand new one – at the least one. He additionally had eight daughters as an alternative of six.

Life is What Occurs When You’re Making Different Plans

Elizabeth’s life got here unraveled at that time. Thank God her son James was again dwelling, as a result of she actually, actually wanted his assistance on the 2 plantations.

I’m really very shocked that Elizabeth didn’t remarry. That was definitely the customized of the time, particularly for widows with younger kids. Of her 13 kids, 11 have been nonetheless at dwelling, and Alexander was 3 or 4.

Elizabeth’s older sons have been adults. In 1814, James was 23, William was gone after all, Edward was about 19, and Edward was about 17.

My guess, and that’s what it’s at this level, nevertheless it’s logical, is that everybody stayed put within the homeplace, and James merely took over the day by day chores and working the farm.

In truth, that’s what the 1815 tax listing tells us.

Elizabeth has 2 tithes (Edward and Andrew), 3 horses, 5 cows, and 1 chest of drawers. Extra private property is being taxed that yr.

James McKee additionally has 1 tithable, 3 horses, and 5 cows.

By comparability, William McKee, the service provider in Abingdon has 12 rush backside chairs, 1 facet board, 2 trying glasses, 4 plates, 5 minimize goblets, 3 tumblers, 1 bowl and several other different issues. Sure, he’s doing VERY properly. He has a brand new enterprise accomplice and is paying for two shops.

Andrew’s Property Sale

The tough half for Elizabeth was going to be the property sale. The whole lot needed to be offered. How was James, or any of the sons, imagined to farm with out Andrew’s farm instruments?

But the property sale needed to happen.

Apart from Elizabeth, James purchased probably the most, together with a saddle and bridle, a bull, a heifer, 2 steers, a black mare, and a grindstone.

Andrew, who was 18 or so by the point the sale passed off, purchased a saddle and bridle too, together with some farming gear, a black horse, and a sorrel colt. He was clearly planning to farm.

That left Elizabeth. Poor Elizabeth.

She would have had the best to one-third of the proceeds of the sale, together with the cash she spent, herself.

I’m hoping they allowed her to only run a “credit score,” and subtracted the cash for what she needed from the overall. I can’t even think about having to buy my very own objects from my “husband’s” property.

To take care of herself and all of her kids, she bought:

• 1 bedstead, mattress and furnishings
• 1 small and 1 massive bedstead and mattress
• 1 mattress
• 1 chest of drawers
• 2 spinning wheels
• 1 desk
• 6 previous chairs
• cabinet and furnishings
• 1 counting reel
• 3 previous keggs
• 1 bag
• 2 baskets
• 2 strains
• 1 loom
• 1 hackle
• 2 pair playing cards
• Flat iron
• 1 massive kettle
• 2 churns
• 1 small pot
• 1 pot
• 1 oven
• 1 pail and washtub
• 2 pot racks
• 4 cows
• 1 gray mare
• 6 sheep

It’s evident that the cows have been for milk, as evidenced by the churns to make butter. The sheep would have been for wool, as evidenced by the spinning wheel to spin the wool into strands which will be carded and woven on the loom.

I used to be curious in regards to the hackle which is a kind of comb used to scrub wool and flax earlier than spinning.

The counting reel is used to wrap yarn earlier than producing shanks of yarn.

The playing cards have been to card and comb the wool.

Elizabeth was very clearly a weaver. You possibly can watch a video of a girl reenact weaving from this timeframe, right here and right here. Discover the basket held on the loom. Ladies used baskets and baggage for every part from gathering produce from the backyard and eggs from the chickens to holding wool.

Right this moment, the bed room within the McKee dwelling retains the spinning wheel, in all probability the place Elizabeth’s sat all these years in the past. The one distinction would have been a candle as an alternative of a lamp, and no fan, after all. I ponder if the loom was right here too, or possibly in entrance of the second fireplace.

Elizabeth spent a complete $85.56 shopping for her property again. The whole lot else was offered, together with pots, ovens, skillets, and kettles. Some went to her kids, James and Andrew McKee. Her son-in-law, Robert Larimer, spelled Larrymore, purchased 17 geese and 4 sheep. I wager her daughter, Sally, was a weaver too.

John Larimer, who was not but her son-in-law, purchased Andrew’s nonetheless, the one most costly merchandise on the sale. I suppose the nonetheless left the household, then finally married again in just a few years later!

The entire sale introduced $671.69, which suggests Elizabeth was entitled to $223.90. She purchased $85.56 value of products, so she would have been due $138.34.

The ultimate sale doc was filed with the court docket on February 20, 1816. The sale had taken place the earlier August.

James McKee and Sally Roe

In accordance with James McKee’s widow, Sarah (Sally) Roe’s pension utility, she states that they have been married by the Baptist preacher on January 4, 1816. James was clearly shopping for gear at his father’s property sale with the intention of marrying and beginning a household.

James and Sarah would have:

• Nancy McKee 1817-1875
• Mary Ann McKee 1820-1897
• Andrew J. McKee 1822-1862
• John R. McKee 1826-1863
• Eliza J. McKee 1827-1911
• Rebecca McKee 1830-1907
• Madison McKee 1831-1855
• William B. McKee 1832-1902 who died in Smyth Co., VA
• Margaret L. McKee 1835-1875
• Sarah J. McKee 1838-1915, who died in California
• Joanna McKee 1841-1898, who died in Exeter, California
• James A. McKee 1842-1918, who died in Parsons, Kansas

It seems like they might have misplaced kids born in 1819, presumably the boy within the 1820 census, 1824, possibly 1829, possibly 1834, 1837, and possibly 1839. Elizabeth would have been alive for all of those deaths besides the final one.

Elizabeth lived beside James till her loss of life, so she would have been shut to those kids.

Andrew McKee and Nancy Roe

Simply two months later, on March 17, 1816, Andrew McKee married Nancy Roe, presumably Sally’s sister. They’d two kids, in 1817 and 1819, earlier than Nancy died between 1820 and 1822.

Spreading Wings

Thankfully, Elizabeth’s kids had begun to marry – however sadly, after all, it was the eldest who have been the ablest to assist.

1816 appears to be the yr that a number of kids unfold their wings and set out on their very own. In fact, the boys had their father’s property and the cash from the sale. They settled on the identical land as Elizabeth, or close by. James possible took the neighboring plantation. Possibly the opposite boys constructed homes on a number of the land, creating their very own little “McKee Village.”

The 1816 tax listing exhibits:

• James McKee 1 – 3 – 54 cents
• Edward McKee 1 – 1 – 16 or 18 cents
• Elizabeth McKee 0 – 2 horses – 30 or 36 cents
• Andrew McKee 1 – 2 – 36 cents

It’s fascinating to match the quantity of taxes with the quantity varied objects introduced at Andrew’s sale. A wheel was 30 cents, which I’m presuming is a spinning wheel. An oven was 50 cents. A pot rack was 30 cents, and a small pot was 25 cents.

For William of Abingdon, the price of one service provider license for his mercantile retailer in Abingdon was $20.

In 1817, Elizabeth has no tithes, so no males 16 and over, 2 horses, and paid 30 cents tax. James, Edward, and Andrew McKee had one tithe every and 4, 1, and a couple of horses, respectively.

What Occurred in 1818?

One thing is occurring in 1818. I ponder if Elizabeth, by then 51 or so with 8 kids at dwelling, turned unwell. She’s lacking on the tax listing. She would solely be listed for her private property, at the least till Alexander reached age 16, however she’s absent totally, which means she had no horses both. All 3 of her grownup sons are listed with 8 horses between them.

On June 16, 1818 — John Clark was named guardian of Charity McKee, orphan of Andrew McKee, deceased.

Charity was in all probability the oldest youngster at dwelling who was not of age, however she wasn’t the oldest at dwelling. Ann and Mary have been each nonetheless dwelling at dwelling. Moreover, her 5 youthful siblings didn’t have a guardian appointed.

That is unusual.

Edward McKee and Mary Hand

On December 20, 1818, Edward McKee married Mary Hand. They’d a toddler in 1819 who died earlier than 1830, then a toddler in 1820 and 1822.

• Andrew G. McKee was born in 1824 and died in 1883 in Texas.
• One other youngster was born in 1826
• William McKee was born in 1828. In 1847, Andrew McKee was named guardian of William McKee, orphan of Edward. James McKee was the surety.
• One other youngster was born in 1829.

Sadly, Edward McKee’s stock was dated October 27, 1831. His spouse was pregnant at his loss of life. He was solely 35 or 36 years previous

• Alexander B. McKee was born in 1832 and died in 1833.

In 1819, James, Edward, Andrew, and Elizabeth are nonetheless listed on the tax listing. Elizabeth has no tithes, after all. James has 4 horses and is taxed 72 cents, and everybody else has one horse every and is taxed 18 cents. I ponder if Elizabeth’s horse is for driving or for plowing, or each.

The whole lot is similar in 1820 besides Edward and Elizabeth now have 2 horses every

Curiously, the neighbor, John Kelly is on an inventory of individuals to whom licenses have been issued for retailers, hawkers and peddlers, peculiar keepers, and keepers of homes of personal leisure. I can’t assist however surprise what John was as much as. My guess, primarily based on an account e-book a technology or so later, is that he began a rustic retailer that catered to farm households.

Mary McKee and John Larimer

On January 20, 1820, Mary McKee married John Larimer. Sure, the identical John Larimer who bought a number of objects just a few years earlier at her father’s property sale, together with his nonetheless. His first spouse had died, and Mary turned a stepmother to 2 kids solely barely youthful than her.

Mary and John had:

• Jessee Larimer born in 1821
• Andrew Larimer 1822-1895
• William G. Larimer 1823-1896
• Alexander W. Larimer 1827
• Eliza Larimer 1829
• Ann Larimer 1831
• Nancy Larimer 1833
• Edward F. Larimer 1835
• Jeremiah Fulton Larimer 1836-1919
• Catherine Larimer 1837

Appears like they misplaced one child in 1825. Elizabeth would have helped her daughter with that grief.

1820 Census

The 1820 census is fascinating. Sadly, it’s in alphabetical order, not in home order.

We discover:

• Andrew and Edward McKee, each with younger households. Each are ages 16-25, each with a spouse the identical age, 1 son and 1 daughter, every, underneath 10. Each are engaged in manufacturing of some type.
• James McKee with a household of 5, together with 1 male 26-44, 2 females underneath 10, 2 females 16-25, one in all whom might have been his sister.
• Elizabeth McKee with a household of 6, 1 feminine over 45, 2 females 16-25, 2 females 10-15, 1 male underneath 10.

Additionally, in 1820 Andrew McKee offered his share of his father’s property to his brother, James.

Someday between the census in 1820 and December of 1822, Andrew McKee’s spouse, Nancy Roe, died. In fact, we’ll by no means know why. After her loss of life, I count on her mom and Elizabeth would each have been attempting to assist Andrew with two infants.

I ponder if that is what triggered Andrew to promote his land to James.

Nov. 11, 1820 – Andrew McKee to James McKee 8-289 – Andrews McKee Jr. of Washington Co. for $75 to James McKee “my proper and title of all claims in my father’s property.”

I don’t know the place Andrew was dwelling, or possibly he was nonetheless dwelling in the identical place, however working for his brother. Possibly he left for some time. He definitely couldn’t nurse or increase a child and a toddler and farm by himself.

On the 1821 tax listing, we discover Elizabeth with 2 horses and colts, James with the identical, and Edward with 1 horse, however no Andrew.

Guardian Drama

In 1822 we discover Edward McKee with 1 horse, James with 5 horses, and once more, no Andrew. Elizabeth is lacking this yr too.

The occasions in January 1822 would possibly present a clue about Elizabeth.

On January 15, 1822, James McKee was named guardian of Jane and Eliza McKee, orphans of Andrew McKee, deceased, Bond: $250. Surety: John Clark.

Is that this Andrew who died in 1814, or his son, Andrew? Did son Andrew die too? Because it seems, no, he didn’t. These are Elizabeth’s daughters, nevertheless it’s definitely unclear from this file.

In 1822, Elizabeth would have been about 55. Was she unwell or unable to supply for her kids? If that’s the case, then why have been guardians appointed for simply the older minor kids left at dwelling? But, there have been three different minor kids at dwelling, the youngest three, with no guardian appointed.

I positive wish to know what was occurring, and why.

Andrew McKee and Rachel Fisher

On December 19, 1822, Andrew McKee married Rachel Fisher. They’d kids in 1823, 1824, 1825, 1826, 1828, and 1830. In 1847, Andrew was appointed guardian for his brother Edward’s son. I can’t discover Andrew or Rachel after that.

The 1823 tax listing exhibits that Andrew is again once more with 1 tithe and no horse, however the tax listing should be incomplete as a result of neither James nor Elizabeth are listed.

I’m so glad Andrew appears to be doing higher and beginning over once more. Elizabeth will need to have heaved an enormous sigh of reduction.

1822 and 1823 have been clearly a time of pleasure and weddings!

Eliza McKee and Eleazer Rouse

Eliza McKee, Elizabeth’s namesake, married Eleazer Rouse on January 23, 1823. She reportedly died after 1870 in Columbus, Bartholomew County, Indiana, however I can not discover her on the census. She and Eleazer migrated after his father, John Rouse, died in 1831. In 1835, Eleazer obtained a land grant in Indiana.

They’d kids:

• Frank Rouse 1823-1823
• Male Rouse 1824-1940
• Eunice Rouse 1825-1825
• Andrew J. Rouse 1826-1826
• Mary Ann Rouse 1829-1860 died in Bartholomew County, Indiana
• Feminine Rouse 1830-1840

• John Rouse 1830-1883 was an invalid by 1877 in keeping with his Civil Struggle pension index card and died in Bartholomew County, Indiana. I can’t assist however surprise if his eye situation is congenital or a results of an harm, and if he was allowed to serve with the situation.
• William Rouse 1833-1886, born and died in Bartholomew County, Indiana
• Sarah Rouse 1834-1861, born and died in Bartholomew County, Indiana

Eliza buried at the least three kids in Washington County earlier than leaving for Indiana.

Eliza would have been Elizabeth’s second youngster to depart, taking along with her 3 or 4 of Elizabeth’s grandchildren that she would by no means see once more.

Elizabeth’s tears will need to have watered their hair as she hugged and kissed them goodbye one final time – committing their faces to reminiscence perpetually. Would they keep in mind her?

Ann McKee and Charles Converse

On February 27, 1823, Ann McKee married Charles Converse, son of Nicholas Converse who would discovered the Speaks Methodist Church in Lee County, Virginia. Ann and Charles joined him there shortly after their marriage ceremony. To date, none of Elizabeth’s kids had left, apart from James who went to conflict. However he returned.

It will need to have been crushing for Elizabeth to observe the wagon draw back along with her daughter, headed for Lee County. I ponder how she felt about her daughter marrying a Methodist who transformed from being a Presbyterian.

In fact, 114 miles at the moment would have been every week in a wagon then, a method, or maybe extra, relying on the climate and terrain.

Elizabeth knew she would by no means see her daughter once more, or any of Ann’s kids. How her coronary heart will need to have ached.

Anne’s father-in-law, Nicholas Speaks, the Methodist minister, constructed this tiny cabin the place he raised his household. Charles and Ann in all probability lived in a really comparable cabin on the identical land. It makes the McKee home look enormous by comparability.

Ann had six identified kids, however there will need to have been extra, particularly in 1830, 1834, 1836, 1838, and 1840.

• Sarah Jane Converse 1824-1888, married Andrew Callahan
• Nicholas Converse 1825-1869, married Rachel Callahan
• Andrew McKee Converse 1826-1900, died in Grant County, Kentucky
• Rebecca M. Converse was born in 1827, married James Painter and died after 1867 in Kentucky
• Charity Converse 1829-after 1880, married Adam Harvey Johnson
• Elizabeth Ann Speaks 1832-1907, married Samuel Claxton and died in Hancock County, Tennessee

Ann’s final identified youngster, Elizabeth Speaks, named for her grandmother, was born in 1832, in Lawrence County, Indiana, of all locations. This household didn’t keep in Indiana, however returned to Lee County, Virginia earlier than 1840. I can’t assist however surprise why they reverse-migrated.

We’re lucky that footage exist of two of Elizabeth’s grandchildren who have been dwelling within the time of the Civil Struggle when cameras started for use, however just for very particular events. That is Elizabeth Ann Speaks who married Samuel Claxton, a Union soldier from Tennessee who died as the results of that Struggle.

Each Ann McKee and Charles Speaks died someday between 1840 and 1850. At the least Elizabeth by no means needed to obtain THAT letter, however she in all probability did obtain letters telling her that at the least three of Ann’s kids, in a row, had perished previous to 1840. Or possibly Ann spared her mom these messages and easily stated nothing.

Not solely did Elizabeth by no means see her daughter once more, however Ann didn’t see her mom both. That will need to have been extremely tough.

Charity McKee and William Griever

The third 1823 marriage (and 4th McKee marriage ceremony in 6 months) passed off on Might 22, 1823, when Charity McKee married William Griever.

They’d at the least 5 kids.

• Mary Ann Griever born in 1824
• Male youngster born about 1825
• John Griever born about 1826
• Charles Griever born about 1827
• Feminine youngster born about 1830

Charity had died someday earlier than February 1837 when William remarried to Mary Correctly. Between 1838 and 1840, this household relocated to Lee County, Virginia.

In 1824 Elizabeth is on the tax listing with 2 horses. Andrew has 1 tithe and no horses. How is he dwelling with no horse? James has 2 horses, and Edward has 1.

In 1825, Elizabeth nonetheless has 2 horses, James has 3, and Edward has 2. Un oh – Andrew is lacking once more.

Jane McKee and Richard Jones

Jane McKee married Richard Jones someday after 1822 when she was assigned a guardian and earlier than 1825, primarily based on the 1830 census. She died earlier than her brother, Alexander, whose will talked about her kids. She and Richard had 5 kids.

Richard Jones was useless by October 28, 1837, when his property was offered, and he was famous as deceased. Jane was gone earlier than March of 1839.

• Andrew McKee Jones 1824/26-1911
• John Jones 1826/28-1864
• Elizabeth M. Jones 1830-1905
• Sarah Ann Jones 1836
• Fanny R. Jones c 1838-1861

Jane misplaced at the least three kids, in 1828, 1832, and 1834. I ponder if all these McKee kids are buried within the McKee Cemetery.

On March 13, 1826, Elizabeth has three horses, Edward has 1, and James has 3.

On March 1, 1827, Elizabeth has 2 horses, James has 4, Edward has 1, and Andrew has none.

Alexander McKee Turns 16

In 1828, one male tithe seems on Elizabeth’s tax listing. That may be Alexander. If he’s 16, that places his delivery in 1812. These years appear to be a yr odd, so possibly that is the tax for the prior yr. That may put his delivery in 1811, which makes good sense. That does, nonetheless, counsel that the male underneath 10 in 1810 shouldn’t be Alexander and subsequently died earlier than 1820.

Rebecca McKee and William Jamison

Rebecca McKee married William Jamison someday round 1829 or 1830 following his spouse’s loss of life. He had 4 kids from his first marriage. Rebecca and William had two identified kids:

• William Hardy Jamison 1833-1887
• Sarah (Sallie) Jamison 1835-1837/1842

William Jamison’s property was probated November 27, 1837. Rebecca attended her mom’s property sale in 1838, however was gone by the point that Alexander wrote his will in March of 1839

The 1829 tax listing exhibits tithes and horses

• Andrew McKee 1 – – –
• James McKee 1 – – 5
• Elizabeth McKee 1 – – 3
• Edward McKee 2 – – 2

The 1830 Census

The 1830 census exhibits us that Elizabeth is 50-59, so born between 1771 and 1780. I believe she is older than that.

She has three kids dwelling along with her. I’ve related the names with the ages of the folks they should be.

• Rebecca is 20-29, so born 1801-1810
• Margaret is 20-29, so born 1801-1810. It’s this file that confirms that the Margaret we uncover just a few years later matches into this household on this location.
• Alexander is 15-19, so born 1811-1815.

In 1830, the tax synthetic his rounds on March 25^th:

• James McKee 1 – – 5 40 cents
• Elizabeth McKee 1 – – 3 24 cents
• Edward McKee 2 – – 2 16 cents
• Andrew McKee 1 – – – no tax

Andrew by no means appears to do in addition to Elizabeth’s different kids.

Edward McKee Dies

1831 was a grief-filled yr for Elizabeth. Whereas dropping a younger youngster is tough, dropping an grownup youngster is devastating. When a younger youngster passes, the father or mother loses the chances and hope. Loses their sweetness and the imaginative and prescient of their life. However when an grownup youngster passes, a father or mother loses everything of their life.

On this case, Elizabeth additionally needed to watch Edward’s pregnant spouse, Polly, and youngsters undergo. Polly had given delivery to 4 kids, as recorded within the 1830 census, however solely two of these kids lived to maturity. Polly’s grieving wasn’t over.

Edward clearly didn’t count on to die. He was solely 35 or 36 years previous and had 4 kids underneath the age of seven. Issues gave the impression to be going properly. Polly was pregnant for child quantity 5 who could be arriving someday the following yr.

There was no will, not even a deathbed nuncupative, or oral, will. He didn’t even have time for that. Simply Edward McKee’s property stock, dated October 27, 1831, submitted by Polly. That tells us that Edward died within the 90 days prior, in all probability in the summertime of 1831. Maybe Elizabeth helped Polly make the listing of their family items to undergo the court docket.

Primarily based on Edward’s stock, he had been a shoemaker and likewise owned carpentry instruments.

He in all probability lived on the land the place Elizabeth lived, or the property subsequent door. There have been two farms, and Andrew had left the farms to the boys. Andrew (Jr.) had already offered his portion to his brother James. Somebody needed to be working the farm the place Elizabeth lived.

Polly gave delivery to the kid someday in 1832, and that child died the next yr, becoming a member of Edward on the opposite facet.

Edward is current on the 1831 tax listing.

• Andrew McKee 1 – – – – –
• Edward McKee 2 – 3
• Elizabeth McKee 1 – 3
• James McKee 1 – 5

The 1832 tax listing displays Edward’s loss of life.

• February 8 – Mrs. Polly McKee – – 1
• March 12 – Mrs. Elizabeth McKee 1 – 2
• James McKee 1 – 4
• April 14 – Andrew McKee 1 – – –

Alexander Comes of Age

The 1833 tax listing exhibits some adjustments.

• James McKee 1 – 3
• Alexander McKee 1 – 1
• Mary McKee – – 2

Polly continues to be there underneath the identify of Mary, synonymous with Polly, and she or he has two horses.

Nonetheless, Elizabeth is absent, and now Alexander has taken her place on the tax listing. This tells me that he has come of age, 21 years, so born about 1812 or possibly as early as 1811, and he takes over the farm the place Elizabeth lives. He’s not a tithe on his mom’s tax listing, however in cost as an grownup. The farm can be his, and so is the accompanying tax invoice!

Elizabeth is now 67 years previous and is probably going very grateful for this shift.

She in all probability has her palms full attempting to assist Edward’s spouse, Polly, along with her infants and attempting to handle that farm. I believe that James helps too, as is Alexander and Polly’s household, though her dad and mom are aged and cross away inside a yr or so. I can’t assist however surprise if one other wave of dysentery or flux is being handed amongst household, pals, and neighbors there on the Center Fork of the Holston River. Demise information from just a few years later present this sample.

On November 12 of 1833, Mary “Polly” Hand McKee remarried to Robert Sherwood, which was in all probability a reduction for everybody.

They have been dwelling in Washington County in 1840, however I don’t discover both of them in 1850. In 1847, Andrew McKee was named guardian of William McKee, orphan of Edward. James McKee was the surety. This may be a tragic clue as to what occurred to Polly and Robert.

Elizabeth’s oldest grandchild, Andrew J. Larimer, married Isabella McClure on October 26, 1833, in Smyth County, Virginia. The following technology is starting. This will need to have been a joyful day!

I ponder if Elizabeth sat down at her loom and wove her first grandchild to marry a particular wool comforter. I wager she did!

In 1834 Alexander had one horse, and James had 4. They’d the identical quantity as 1835, and the tax man visited sooner or later aside, February 24 and 25.

In 1836, each have been visited on February 17^th, and by this time, Alexander had 2 horses.

In fact, the tax listing is barely a really broad brushstroke of what was really occurring throughout the household. Elizabeth had many grandchildren. A number of have been born annually, and sadly, a number of in all probability died as properly. We’ll by no means know all of their names. Maybe Elizabeth spent lots of time serving to her daughters and daughters-in-law.

The adjustments that occurred in 1837 aren’t proven by the tax listing. On March 1^st, 1837, James and Alexander had the identical variety of horses because the yr earlier than.

That was earlier than all Hell broke free within the McKee household.

The 1830s Have been Brutal

One thing was occurring within the center and late 1830s. Or possibly it was simply the grim reaper carrying his workers of Dysentery, Consumption, and Bloody Flux, raging throughout the countryside once more.

Elizabeth’s daughter, Charity had died someday after 1830 and earlier than March of 1837 when William Griever remarried. My finest wager could be that they misplaced all the kids born within the 1830s, then lastly Charity herself in 1835 or 1836.

James McKee misplaced a toddler in 1837.

Jane McKee’s husband, Richard Jones, died, along with his property being offered on October 28, 1837. Jane was pregnant on the time and had a child in 1838, however Jane herself was gone earlier than Might of 1839, and the child too, quickly thereafter.

The property of Rebecca McKee’s husband, William Jamison, was probated on November 27, 1837.

Elizabeth McKee and Margaret McKee each died within the 90 days earlier than their estates have been filed on February 26, 1838, so someday in the course of the winter.

Rebecca McKee Jamison died someday between her mom’s property sale in March of 1838 and her brother’s loss of life in Might of 1839.

Alexander McKee, a younger man about 27 or 28, wrote his will on Might 20, 1839 and doubtless died shortly thereafter. It was probated on July 22, 1839.

Nonetheless, there was another person who died in late 1837 or early 1838 that we didn’t find out about earlier than.

One other Youngster for Elizabeth

The truth that Elizabeth McKee by no means remarried served us in good stead, as a result of it meant she owned her personal private property, and her property was registered with the court docket. Possibly she swore she’d by no means need to buy her personal property again once more.

I can solely want she had a will, however she didn’t.

Cousin Carol discovered and despatched me the hyperlink to Elizabeth’s property administration, however that’s not the one factor I discovered. In fact, to seek out Elizabeth’s entry, I needed to learn your complete web page, starting on the high.

February 26, 1838

On movement of James McKee who took the oath of an administrator…bond $500 with Robert Larrimor his safety because the legislation directs. Granted to manage the property of Margaret McKee decd, in due type.

In fact, James McKee is Elizabeth’s son, and Robert Larimore is her son-in-law.

Ordered that Andrew E. Kelly, Samuel Kelly, Alexander M. Robinson, and James Allen or any 3 of them sworn earlier than a justice…to view and appraise all the private property of Margaret Mckee decd.

Wait?

Margaret?

Who’s Margaret McKee?

No, no, I’m looking for Elizabeth.

There’s Elizabeth, following Margaret.

For a minute, I believed that both that they had incorrectly written Elizabeth as Margaret, or Elizabeth’s identify was really Margaret, however then I spotted that there have been really two almost equivalent entries, scribed the identical day, by the clerk, one after the opposite.

Who was Margaret McKee? I needed to know. This query despatched me into an insane rabbit gap – actually for days. Okay, possibly a few weeks. However once I emerged into the sunshine of day, I knew who Margaret was, AND, far, way more about this household. That’s the knowledge I’ve compiled, right here, to put in writing Elizabeth’s story.

What else can we uncover about Margaret?

And why would her property have been entered simply forward of Elizabeth’s?

What the heck was occurring?

March 3, 1838 – Margaret’s property was inventoried, appraised, and filed on April 28^th in court docket.

Additionally, on March 3^rd, her property was offered.

The proceeds have been filed on April 23^rd in court docket.

Purchaser	Merchandise	Quantity
Granville C. Parks	1 dun cow	11.00
William Allen	1 black cow	10.675
James C. Kelly	1 brindle heifer	5.00
Nickerson Snead	1 dun calf	4.00
Samuel Snodgrass	2 sows 4 pigs	4.60
James McKee	1 mattress and furnishings	20.25
Adams Helnick	1 saddle	12.00
Samuel Parmer	1 bridle	1.00
James McKee	1 set plates	.77
Lucy Franklin	1 set plates	.60
Lewis Smith	Set cups and saucers	.40
Lewis Smith	Set cheny cups and saucers	1.00
Rachel Grieves	3 glasses and 1 pitcher	.60
Lewis Smith	1 sugar bowl	.40
Rachel Grieves	1 lot of ware	1.17
Andrew Kelly	4 bowls	.40
John Ensly	Pitcher 70 cents, trying glass 1.55	2.25
Rachel Grieves	1 baker and lid	1.20
Susan Calihan	1 tin bucket	.57
James McKee	1 desk	.35
Andrew Edmondson	1 iron shovel	.55
Thomas Lilley	1 wood bowl	.50
Nelly Winn	1 lot crocks	.47
John Kelly	2 chairs	.40
James Lilly	1 rone mare	35.00
William Griever	7 geese	1.75
Lewis Smith	1 sheet	.55
Andrew Larimore	1 set knives and forks	1.25

Elizabeth’s son and son-in-law each bought objects. I’ve bolded relations making purchases, together with objects in Margaret’s and Elizabeth’s estates that match objects bought by Elizabeth at Andrew’s property, again in 1814, all these years in the past.

I discover that Margaret has consuming utensils, however no cooking objects, like pots and kettles. I’d wager that these have been all Elizabeth’s.

Folks apparently paid Margaret’s property throughout 1838, 1839 and 1840.

Only a month earlier, Elizabeth’s personal property had been appraised and offered. You’ll discover most of the identical purchasers.

Elizabeth’s Property

On the movement of Robert Larriser (Larimer) who took the oath as administrator…bond of $500 with James McKee granted him to manage the property of Elizabeth Mckee decd.

The identical two relations as administrator and bond, simply the roles are reversed.

Ordered that Andrew E. Kelly, Samuel Kelly, Alexander M. Robinson and James Allen or any 3 of them sworn earlier than a justice…to view and appraise all the private property of Elizabeth McKee decd.

Merchandise	Appraised $	Purchaser	Buy $
Lot of chairs (5)	1.25	James Houston	1.50
2 pots	1.00
Oven and griddle	.25	Arthur Speer (oven)	.45
Desk	1.00	Miss Franklin	.55
1 dresser	1.00	James Lilley	.55
2 pales	.375	Andrew Larrimer	.69
lot of previous lumber	1.00	John Robinson	.40
1 case (chest?) of drawers	6.00	Robert Larimer	6.90
2 baggage	.25	Thomas Palmer	1.05
1 loom	4.00	Robert Larimer	3.30
1 reel	.50	William Griever	1.00
Hackle	1.00	Rebecca Jamison	1.25
1 lot of books	.25	Sinder	.50
Vinegar bag	.50	Claiborne? Kelly	.70
2 cans or canes	.30
2 playing cards and wool shears		N Snead	.125
Smoothing iron		Andrew Edmondson	.50
1 pot trammeble or trammelle?	.50	Claiborne Kelly	.50
1 pewter dish		Miss Griever	.375
1 lot of previous ware		James Robinson	.31
1 lot of previous ware		Miss Winn	.12
2 small wheels	1.25	Andrew Edmondson	.5625
1 massive wheel	.25	Leven Quillen	.55
1 churn	.25
1 lot of hogs	6.00
1 lot of sheep	2.50	Susan Callihan 5 heard sheep	3.75
1 mattress and furnishings	12.00	Miss Farnsworth	15.25
Lot of corn	20 cents per bushel	Thomas McGee 45 cents bushel	16.615
Lot of oats	20 cents per bushel	Moses Robinson 21.5 per bushel	5.3675
Lot of wheat	62.5 cents per bushel	Robert Larrimer 93…5 per bushel	4.625
1 black cow	9.00	N Snead	8.50
1 lot of crocks	.875	Sincler or Linder	1.45
1 lot of flax	.50
1 crock of fats	.30	William Griever	.75
1 lot of bacon	6.25 cents per certain	Daniel Troxel – 8 cents per pound	7.38
1 sifter	.375	Claiborne Kelly	.695
1 set plates	.375	Lewis Smith	.32
4 plates		Lewis Smith	.24
1 mattress and furnishings	7.00	Miss Franklin	10.125
1 mattress and furnishings	3.00	Mitchell Robinson	3.125
1 lot of previous lumber	12.5	Robert Sherwood	1.00
2 fats hogs	10.00	Samuel Snodgrass (lot of hogs)	10.55
1 fats scorching		N. Sneed	5.60
1 fats hog		John Tucker?	5.05
1 sow	1.00
1 lot teacups and saucers		Arthur Speer	.1625
1 lot knives and spoons		James Surber	.3
1 lot cabinet ware		Arthur Speer	.35
1 pot		James Kelly	.60
1 baker		Robert Larimer	Can’t learn
2 pot hooks		Miss Franklin	.21
1 pot		William Griever	.135
1 kettle		James Kelly	.70
1 kettle		James McKee	1.86
1 sheet		Miss Griever	.50
1 sheet		Seavis? Smith	.40
1 lot wheat		Alfred Surber	10.57
2 reeds or reels		William Griever	.125
1 espresso mill		Robert Larimer	.0675

Robert Larrimer admin.

Signed by Andrew C. Kelly, Alexander Robinson and Samuel Kelly

Stock and appraisement of property of Elizabeth McKee decd returned to court docket and ordered to be recorded on March 27, 1838.

A number of of Elizabeth’s kids and their spouses bought objects. In fact, two of her daughters, Ann and Eliza had moved on. Ann was in Lee County, Virginia, and Eliza was dwelling in Indiana.

William Griever bought. Elizabeth’s daughter, Charity, had already died, however William was clearly nonetheless on good phrases with the household. Did he carry his daughter, Mary Ann, born in 1824, so would have been 14 years previous? Is that the Miss Griever who bought a sheet and a pewter dish of her grandmothers? Be nonetheless my coronary heart.

Elizabeth will need to have been beaming! From the opposite facet, after all.

I seen that Elizabeth had bought six chairs from Andrew’s property, which have been now 5. Or possibly a type of chairs was in Margaret’s property.

Lots of the objects from Andrew’s property have been bought by relations, in all probability partially for sentimental causes.

Rebecca McKee Jamison had just lately been widowed, however was nonetheless dwelling and bought a hackle which tells me she, like her mom, was a weaver. She, too, could be gone earlier than March of 1839.

A settlement of the property of Elizabeth McKee deceased was returned to court docket by the commissioner and ordered to be recorded on Might 27, 1839.

October 28, 1839

In Elizabeth’s settlement, payments have been paid to a number of folks together with one to a “lady for nursing the decd when in her final sickness – $1.25.” I certainly hope that lady didn’t catch no matter it was that was killing McKee relations.

Alexander McKee’s Demise

The McKee household’s hell wasn’t over but.

The tax collector gave me the primary trace. Apparently, Alexander wasn’t farming anymore, and I’d wager that James had taken over.

In 1839, on March the second, James McKee has 5 horses, however Alexander isn’t listed.

Elizabeth’s directors filed on Might 27, 1839 with the court docket that they have been able to settle her property, however her son, Alexander, had made his will every week earlier signaling that one thing was very flawed.

Did the household surprise when this string of loss of life was ever going to finish? No matter was claiming this household was brutal.

Alexander McKee’s will was written Might 20, 1839, and probated on July 22, 1839 on the subsequent court docket session.

He stipulated that:

1. Perishable a part of property to be offered instantly
2. Land to James McKee which fell to me by heirship to him and his heirs perpetually and $30
3. Sister Ann Speaks and her kids $30
4. Sister Jinny Jones kids $10
5. Sister Rebecca Jamison kids $10
6. James McKee executor

Witness Andrew Patterson, Robert Sherwood, James Allen

Probated July 22, 1839, James McKee exec with John Clark Sr. his safety

This signifies that each sisters Rebecca and Jinny have handed away. Robert Sherwood is Edward McKee’s widow, Mary Hand McKee’s second husband.

Alexander’s stock was taken on September 14, 1839 and submitted to court docket January 27, 1840. It’s value noting that he has no furnishings or kitchen objects.

On condition that he lived along with his mom, between his stock, that of Elizabeth and Margaret, I’d wager we’re seeing your complete contents of that dwelling.

I certainly surprise about these three books. Books give us a lot perception into the reader.

Given the proximity of their deaths, that they lived collectively, and that two of the three have been comparatively younger, I can’t assist however surprise about consumption. We additionally know that Elizabeth didn’t die shortly as a result of somebody was paid to take care of her throughout her final sickness. Consumption can also be what took James McKee and his sister, Mary, in 1855.

Widow For twenty-four Years

Elizabeth was nearly widowed in 1805 however was really widowed 9 years later, in 1814, leaving her to take care of a passel of stair-step kids.

She in all probability buried Andrew beside or close to to their kids who had already died, and people who would quickly, maybe within the McKee Cemetery.

For a girl whose identify we nearly didn’t know, she led an extremely eventful life. For starters, she lived on the frontier – and survived – for 70 years, plus or minus a yr or two.

She was born close to the top of the French and Indian Struggle and earlier than the Revolutionary Struggle. She would have been about ten years previous, or so, on the outset of the Revolutionary Struggle, and doubtless lived in both Pennsylvania or Virginia. Her father and brothers might have been troopers.

I do not know who her dad and mom have been, however I’ve eradicated a lot of prospects. She and Andrew appear to be significantly near the John Kelly household, their close to neighbors, however John Kelly had a will and Elizabeth shouldn’t be there.

What I can inform you is that Elizabeth was European, primarily based on her base mitochondrial DNA haplogroup J. I’d like to have a direct descendant by way of all females who’s prepared to take a mitochondrial DNA check. The tester will be male within the present technology however should descend from Elizabeth by way of all females to hold her mitochondrial DNA. If that is you, I’m providing a no-cost scholarship, so please attain out.

Elizabeth would have moved westward along with her household into the newly fashioned Washington County, Virginia, nonetheless uncut, uncleared woodland, in all probability after the ultimate battle of the Revolutionary Struggle. Low-cost land known as alternative beckoned.

Elizabeth married Andrew McKee, a Scots-Irishman, someday round 1788. It’s possible that one or each of them had blue eyes, as a result of their son, James, did, together with darkish hair.

They settled nearby of the Center Fork of the Holston River, the place they stayed till, actually, the wagon took them to the graveyard. Them and their kids too. Elizabeth staked her floor, and she or he was NOT giving up. That lady’s tenacity is completely wonderful.

The group graveyard was on the Ebbing Springs Church to start with, however the household in all probability established the now misplaced McKee Cemetery on the southernmost tip of their property throughout her lifetime. We all know son James is buried there, so it stands to purpose that she is simply too. This household alone would have crammed the church cemetery!

Elizabeth cooked and cleaned and bore kids, like the opposite pioneer wives. First with Andrew, then alone. However that wasn’t all.

Elizabeth repurchased her personal kitchen utensils, alongside along with her spinning wheel, loom, beds, furnishings, and livestock at Andrew’s property sale in 1814.

She would have farmed and butchered and put greens up on this root cellar, beside the home, for the winter.

The home was raised and designed defensively.

The household lived within the higher degree, in all probability for security by way of potential Indian assault in addition to the infamous Holston River floods. The assaults gave the impression to be principally previously after the Revolutionary Struggle, however the floods have been everpresent.

Elizabeth possible saved objects within the decrease degree, like these crocks the place greens and presumably meats would have been brined and pickled. These three “previous keggs” she bought at Andrew’s property sale have been in all probability saved right here too. She opened this previous door 1000’s of occasions, bringing greens, wool, and different issues into the decrease degree from outdoors.

We all know that Elizabeth churned butter as a result of she purchased cows and her personal churn at Andrew’s property sale. She would have milked cows at daybreak each morning.

Her further workspace, despite the fact that it did flood sometimes, was in all probability the envy of each lady within the neighborhood. In fact, when it flooded, the household needed to transfer shortly to maintain issues dry. They might have needed to transfer their animals to excessive floor too. Did they get stranded on the second flooring by floodwaters sometimes? These Holston flood waters rise quickly, and the present is swift and harmful.

After Andrew’s loss of life, this is able to all have fallen to Elizabeth to handle.

The home was divided into two sections, with two fireplaces, one at every finish with its personal chimney. The second hearth would in all probability have been the realm the place her grownup son, Alexander, and presumably her daughter Margaret would have lived too. I an solely think about how tough it was to chop and hew these beams, and elevate them into place.

Margaret and Alexander each died about the identical time as Elizabeth – Margaret inside days, and it’s evident from each of their property inventories, plus Elizabeth’s, that her kids owned no cooking utensils. The excellent news is that that they had one another. The dangerous information is that they possible all died of Consumption, at the moment’s Tuberculosis, or another equally-as-awful illness that they shared throughout the identical family – their lives winking out one after the opposite.

The precise dimension of this dwelling was in all probability a luxurious, though the steps weren’t, particularly as Elizabeth aged.

Elizabeth packed all 13 of her kids into 2 or 3 beds that she bought at Andrew’s property sale, as was the customized of the day.

That lady would have labored from sunup to sunset, and previous, 7 days every week, 12 months a yr. Church, the place possibly she might go to sleep unnoticed for a couple of minutes, may need been her solely respite.

Or possibly spinning and weaving on her loom supplied that as properly – together with much-needed cloth for bedding and clothes.

Primarily based on the tax lists, and guardians being appointed for Elizabeth’s kids at totally different occasions, it seems that maybe Elizabeth turned unwell, or one thing occurred.

As soon as in 1818, when Elizabeth would have been about 51, and once more in 1822.

It baffles me why guardians have been solely appointed for a few of her kids, however not all of her minor kids.

However, like a Phoenix rising from the ashes, Elizabeth rallied each time. She beat the percentages greater than as soon as, and, it seems, greater than a number of occasions. One way or the other she managed to not succumb.

But, loss of life surrounded her. I merely can not think about what this lady endured, or how she managed to not be damaged when she needed to bury so many individuals she beloved – and that’s not counting her dad and mom and siblings.

Remember the fact that the family members listed below are solely the closest folks we find out about. Each single one was an individual she beloved dearly. Somebody she missed every single day for the remainder of her life.

Elizabeth’s son William died in 1810 or 1811 at 17 or 18, which in all probability broke her coronary heart.

She misplaced one other, youthful son, about the identical time, who we see within the 1810 census however whose identify we don’t know. I ponder if he died of the identical factor, concurrently William – possible Dysentery or Flux.

Then got here her husband Andrew’s loss of life in 1814, after all.

Elizabeth additionally buried her son Andrew’s spouse, Nancy Roe about 1820. Andrew didn’t appear to do properly after that, at the least for a few years.

Then, Elizabeth’s son Edward handed away within the fall of 1831, leaving a pregnant spouse and young children.

Elizabeth’s daughter, Charity, died someday after 1830 and earlier than March of 1837 when William Griever remarried. My finest wager could be that they misplaced all the kids born within the 1830s, then lastly Charity herself in 1835 or 1836.

Elizabeth’s son James McKee misplaced a toddler in 1837.

Jane McKee’s husband, Richard Jones, died, along with his property being offered on October 28, 1837. Jane was pregnant on the time and had a child in 1838, however Jane herself was gone earlier than Might of 1839, and the child too quickly thereafter.

The property of Rebecca McKee’s husband, William Jamison, was probated on November 27, 1837.

This string of very shut relations who died will need to have devastated Elizabeth, and I can’t assist however surprise if your complete group was infecting one another with Consumption. On condition that Elizabeth’s property was probated in February of 1838, she was possible already sick by the late fall of 1837 when her two sons-in-law died.

In fact, her daughter Margaret died inside days of Elizabeth’s personal loss of life. That might have been the ultimate straw. It’s unclear who died first, nevertheless it’s very clear that they died inside days of one another primarily based on their property submitting.

What Elizabeth didn’t know was that two of her daughters died not lengthy after she did. Jane/Jenny Jones was apparently dwelling when her husband died in late 1837, however gone earlier than Might of 1839.

Rebecca McKee Jamison died someday between her mom’s property sale in March of 1838 and her brother, Alexander’s loss of life in Might of 1839.

Alexander McKee wrote his will on Might 20, 1839, and doubtless died shortly thereafter. It was probated on July 22, 1839.

Wow, I simply must cease and take a deep breath. I can’t even think about a lot sickness and grief, so shut collectively.

Grandchildren

Elizabeth had a plethora of grandchildren, even supposing she buried kids and that two of her grownup kids by no means married. The folks bolded died earlier than Elizabeth, apart from Margaret, who died at nearly precisely the identical time. The final column indicated grandchildren that we all know perished in Elizabeth’s lifetime.

Youngster	Beginning-Demise	Partner	Whole Kids	Died Earlier than Elizabeth
Sally	c1789-1840/1847	Robert Larimer	14	3
James	1791-1855	Sally Roe	17	4
William	c1792-1810/1811	by no means	0
Edward	c1795-1831	Mary Hand	5	3
Andrew	c1797-after 1847	Nancy Roe died c 1820, Rachel Fisher	6?	?
Mary	1799-1855	John Larimer	11	1
Ann	c1800- died VA 1840/1850	Charles Converse	11	5
Charity	1801/1805-before 1837	William Griever	5	3
Jane/Jenny	c1802/1803-1838/1839	Richard Jones property Nov 1837	8	3
Elizabeth/Eliza	Earlier than Mar 1805-died Indiana aft 1870	Eleazer Rouse	10+?	3
Rebecca	c1808-1838/1839	William Jamison property Oct 1837	2	1
Margaret	1805/1809-1838	by no means	0
Male	1810-bef 1820	by no means	0
Alexander	1811/1812-1839	by no means	0

Elizabeth welcomed at the least 84 grandchildren into the world, though the ultimate arrivals have been possible celebrated from the opposite facet.

A number of, those who have been born in distant areas, she by no means bought to satisfy and didn’t get to take pleasure in watching them develop and flourish.

Sadly, she buried 26 of these kids, or about one annually, many as infants, apart from the kids of Ann who moved to Virginia when she married, and Eliza who moved to Indiana after burying some kids in Virginia.

Thirty p.c, or nearly one in three kids died, which signifies that they have been really luckier than some households, the place half of their kids perished. In fact, these are solely the kids we find out about.

Elizabeth lived lengthy sufficient for her grandchildren to start to marry as properly, a blessing not afforded to many in that point and place.

Elizabeth and Andrew have been married for about 26 years. That’s a protracted marriage. When he slipped away, all of Elizabeth’s kids have been nonetheless at dwelling apart from Sally who married in 1810, and James who had been away at conflict. At the least Andrew was capable of welcome his first grandchild, or possibly even two, earlier than he handed over.

Amazingly, Elizabeth didn’t remarry. She raised all of these 11 or 12 kids remaining at dwelling by herself. The youngest, Alexander, might not even have remembered his father. He appears to have been born in 1811 or 1812, so at finest, imprecise, fuzzy recollections.

Elizabeth functioned from that time on within the stead of a male farmer. She did what wanted to be performed – sewed crops and tended to livestock along with dealing with the normal girls’s chores. The rationale most individuals remarried was as a result of elevating a household on the frontier was actually a full-time job for 2 able-bodied folks. I ponder how she did it. Her older kids will need to have helped lots.

Elizabeth was apparently unwell, or injured, twice, and recovered. One thing occurred in 1818 and 1822. She lived for one more 24 years after Andrew’s loss of life – almost 1 / 4 century. She was widowed nearly so long as she was married.

At some point of Elizabeth’s life, she by no means lived alone. Her final youngster “at dwelling,” Alexander, died just a little over a yr after she did, within the spring of 1839.

Margaret, who died when Elizabeth did, would have been her mom’s companion, in all probability weaving and spinning and dealing collectively, facet by facet. No matter who died first, Elizabeth clearly knew that Margaret was very unwell and unlikely to outlive. She knew the indicators of loss of life properly.

This door would have shut for the final time behind Elizabeth’s kids dwelling in her family when Alexander left on his closing journey.

The McKee dwelling descended to James, who died in 1855, the final of the McKee boys, after which handed to generations of his descendants. Stewards of the McKee homestead and Elizabeth’s unimaginable legacy of putting up with energy.

_____________________________________________________________

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