Submitted by Vi Freeman
Martha Virginia McKee was my grandmother. Her dad was Daniel I. McKee. His
dad was Daniel McKee. Neal Leon Freeman, Oklahoma City.
All of the below is original research.
DANIEL MCKEE b. cir. 1808 Wilson Co. Tenn d. cir. Oct. 1836 Statesville, Tenn. ???Thomas McKee June 11, 1812 Wilson Co. d. April 16, 1894 married Margaret b. June 15, 1813 d. Mar. 29, 1892 buried 19th District, eight miles south of Lebanon. Jacob Thomas m. Amay Amy Jewell b. 1750/60 MD b. 1769 Children: James b. June 19, 1792 Henry b. 1793/94 Wilson B. b. 1794/00 Jacob b. 1795 Lucinda b. 1796 John G. b. cir.1800 SARAH THOMAS b. cir. 1808 Annie b. 1810 Eliza b. 1810 DANIEL MCKEE m. SARAH THOMAS Aug. 22, 1827, Wilson Co, Tenn Children: Drury b. 1829 Luvenia L. b. cir. 1834 DANIEL I. b. June 28, 1837 DANIEL I. MCKEE m. MARTHA ANN BARNES b. June 28, 1837 TN. b. June 17,1852 TN. d. Aug. 11, 1904 d. Jan. 3, 1928, Strickler, Ark. Fayetteville, Ark. Both are buried at Fall Creek Cemetery, Strickler, Ark. Children: James C. b. 1875 in Texas Sarah L. b. Jul. 1878 in Arkansas Daniel Lafayette (Fayett) b. Mar. 12, 1879 Ark. Cane Hill Township, Washington Co. Anna(Annie L.) b. Aug. 1880, Cove Creek Township Drury Taylor b. Oct. 1883 Cove Creek Township G.C. (Cicero) b. 1884 Iva b. Sept. 9, 1889 d. Sept. 7, 1890 buried at Strikler Lizzie May b. May 1885 Cove Creek Township MARTHA VIRGINIA b. Oct. 27, 1893 Cove Creek Township Sarah Thomas was born around 1808, in Wilson Co. Tenn. She was the daughter of Jacob Thomas and Amay Amy Jewell. Jacob was born in Maryland sometime between 1750 and 1760. He died around 1830 in Wilson County, Tennessee. Amay Amy Jewell was born around 1769. Her parents were William and Ann Tabitha Hickman Jewell. William Jewell was born in 1740 or 1741 in Prince George County, Maryland and Ann Tabitha was born in 1738. Both died in Maryland. William was the son of George Jewell, born 1710, and Amy Groome born in 1712. Sarah's brothers and sisters were: James, Henry (Harry), Wilson B., Jacob, Lucinda, John G., Annie and Eliza. 26 August 1811. James Thomas, born June 19, 1792 in Sumner/ Wilson Co., Tenn., married Nancy McMinn, born about 1793 in N. Carolina. The marriage license was issued on Aug. 26, 1811. The bondsman was James' father, Joshua Thomas. Nancy McMinn's father, Joshue McMinn was a Justice of the Peace in Wilson Co.11 August 1827. Miss Sarah McKee, sister of Daniel McKee married Henry (Harry) Thomas in (Murfreesboro) Rutherford County. Daniel McKee was the Surety for the wedding. The marriage record was found in "Marriages of Rutherford County 1804-1872" 22 August 1827. Daniel married Henry's sister, Sarah Thomas, in (Lebonan or Statesville) Wilson Co. Tenn. Her bondsman was her older brother, Henry Thomas. This marriage record was found in a book of "35,000 Tennessee Marriage Records and Bonds 1783 to 1870 Vol 2. G - N." Edited by Rev. Silas Lucas Jr. and Mrs. Ella Sheffield. 20 May 1819. Wilson B., born between 1794 and 1800 in Sumner/Wilson Co., married Sarah Vance, born April 2, 1805 in Tenn. The license was issued on April 24, 1819 in Rutherford Co. They were married on May 20, 1819 by Jacob Wright, Justice of the Peace. Cir. 1820. Jacob, born 1795 in Sumner/Wilson, Co. He married "Shelton" born in 1795. Lucinda, born 1796, Sumner/ Wilson Co. Cir. 1822. John G., born about 1800 in Sumner/Wilson, Co. married Emma Buntaine born around 1805. 11 August 1827. Henry (Harry), born around 1793 or 1794 in Sumner/Wilson Co., married Sarah McKee who was born between 1800 and 1805 in Tennessee. Daniel McKee was the surety. and the twins, Cir. 1830. Annie, who was born 1810, married William Jewell born in Kentucky and Eliza, married Albert Madison McKnight born July 18, 1811. Oct 1836 ? Daniel probably died in the fall of 1836 at age 28 as indicated in the Widow's allotment. He had been a blacksmith. Sarah was pregnant with Daniel Isaac at the time of his death. She named her new son after his father. The middle name Isaac is verified a still living granddaughter, Evelyn, who is now 92. 28 June 1837. Birth of Daniel Isaac McKee, Information also taken from cemetery records at Fall Creek Cemetery (Strickler) by Clinton Sargent. In 1836 in the State of Georgia when a man died his wife received a Dower or one-third part of the value of a husband's real estate which is, by law, her share at marriage. She has 12 months to chose a "dower election" of a child's share free and clear or her "dower" right to 1/3 of the real property of the intestate (no valid will) for her use for life. She was also entitled to receive a child's share of the personal property of her late husband. A dower may also include her own property from parents and others. Note: She had to purchase back household items for her family's use from the Estate. She was the Administrix of the Estate. The widow's allotment In pursuant to an order of the County Court of Wilson County on Oct Tenn 1837, We the commissioners have proceeded to lay off the provisions for Sarah McKee, Widow of Daniel McKee deceased for one year, as follows, one thousand five hundred pounds of pork, twenty barrels of corn, twenty-six bushels of wheat, fifty-two pounds of coffee, one hundred pounds of sugar, three bushels of salt, one pound of tea, one pound of pepper, one pound of spices, one pound of ginger, given under our hands this 26th October 1837. George Bogler Matthew Nilson I. Baily Commissioners-State of Tennessee {Above reports are so far as the articles set apart are on hand.} Wilson County Court December Tenn 1837 The commissioners report of a years provisions for Sarah McKee, Widow of Daniel McKee deceased, and his family was exhibited in court and ordered to be considered/received as far as the articles set apart are on hand and ordered set for as the court. Recorded 8th December 1837 I. L. Mclasie Clerk of said Court. MCKEE'S ESTATE SALE taken from the 1837 Wilson County Records "Oct Tenn 1837" Amount of the sale of property sold on the 26th Day of October 1837 belonging to the estate of Daniel McKee deceased. Sarah McKee 1 Table $1.00 Sarah McKee 1 press & contents $5.00 do do 9 chairs 3.00 do do 1 bureau 3.00 do do 1 pr irons .50 do do 1 table 1.00 do do 1 loom 2.00 Matthew Wilson Full leaf table 7.00 Carroll Lewis 1 clock .93 3/4 Sarah McKee 1 Looking Glass .25 Sarah McKee 1 chest .50 Shadrick Adams 1 B. Yearling 5.56 1/4 do do 1 bedstead & 4 mattresses 4.00 do do 1 Steer 5.50 do do 1 bedstead & 4 mattresses 4.00 John Millard Man's Saddle 9.00 do do 1 Oven .25 James McKee 1 Sorrel Horse 25.50 do do 1 Oven &Skillet .50 Edward Montgomery 1 Sorrel Horse 63.00 do do 1 Baker .25 John Ormond 1 Red Cow 10.25 do do 1 Skillet & Shood .12.5 Elihu Jewel 1 Genid Stove? .37 ½ Tand Aesup 1 pr. fire irons .50 Irwin J. Thomas Set Blacksmithtools 57.00 James Thomas 1 Axe .37 ½ Robert Eden 1 B. Sorrel horse 16.00 Tand Aesup 1 Keg .12 ½ James Thomas 5 shoats (hogs) 6.68 3/4 Sarah McKee 1 Axe .25 do do 20 hogs 1st tot per hundred 4.73 3/ James Ewing 1 Cary Plow 4.37 ½ Sarah McKee 1 plow 1.00 Sarah McKee 1 lwe hoe .12 ½ Wm. Grismott 15 single tree sections 2.00 do do 1 sp cow&calf 3.00 Townsend Thomas Drawing knife .62 ½ Sarah McKee 1 B. Cow & --- 6.00 James L Jacob 1 stack of oats 1.00 James Thomas 1 wh.cow&calf 9.37 ½ Fattening hogs 25 head not sold Close in action (Blacksmith) Shop accounts on sundry individuals amounting in all to the sum of............$500.00 Three hundred dollars of which is good and collectable; and two hundred dollars of which is doubtful. /s/ Sarah McKee Widow. State Of Tennessee Wilson County Nov Tenn 1837. An Inventory and an account of sale of property belonging to the estate of Daniel McKee decd. was produced in court by his Administratrix and is ordered to be recorded. Recorded 29th Nov. 1837 /s/ A. MClasie, Clerk of Said Court. 1840 Wilson Co. Tenn Circuit Court, Administrator of Daniel McKee, petitions the court. Said Daniel died leaving three heirs, to wit, Drury, S., and Daniel, all minors. May 1840. (pp 192-193) In the U. S. Census of Wilson CO, Tenn (page 280) taken on in July 1840 Sarah is the head of the household. There is one male child under five years of age, one male ten to five and one female ten to five years old. Sarah is listed in the 30 to 40 year old female group. 1840 November 15, See Court Record: Nov. 14th 1840 No. 156 E. L. Witherspon to Sarah McKee - I certify that I solemnized the rites of matrimony between Elihu L. Witherspoon and Sarah McKee on the 15th Day of Nov. 1840. /s/ Thomas H. Kilpatrick. On Nov. 14, 1840, following the death of her husband, Sarah married Elihu L. Witherspoon (b. cir 1811). Elihu and Sarah had three children, half brothers to McKee. These children were Cicero Witherspoon born about 1843, Lafayette Witherspoon born about 1845 and Vestus Witherspoon born about 1848; all born in Wilson Co, Tenn. 1850, Sept. 9. U. S. Census Wilson Co. Tenn. (Family wrongly enumerated as Weatherford Elihua (Witherspoon), 44, a wagonmaker; Sarah 41, "Gams" 7 male, Lafayette 5 male' Vestus, 2, male:, included in the home are: Drury McKee age 21, Lovina McKee, age 16, Daniel age 13. All born in Tennessee. In the 1850 U.S. Census Drury, 21, had declared a value of $1000.00. 1851 Sept. 11, Eliza (L. Lovina) McKee married Pearcy. Ceremony performed by the Justice of the peace, J. P. Thomas. Wilson Co. Tenn. 1860 Aug 9, U.S. Census, Murfreesboro, Rutherford Co. 152-180. William J. Pearsy, 36, is a farmer with a value of $3,000 and $800. L .L. (McKee) is 29, D.R. 8 male, Mary 6, David 3, Tennessee 4/12. Also in the 1860 census Drury, age 30, is living alone in Wilson County and is a farmer worth $1200 property and $2030 personal value. Drury is spelled like a family name. In 1860 Sarah's first family had grown older. Only Daniel, the baby, now age 22, remained at home. Dury was now age 30 and still unmarried. 1860 July 2. E. L. Witherspoon ad his wife Sarah J. Witherspon of Rutherford County, Tennessee to my sons Daniel J. McKee, Drury McKee and my daughter Eliza L Pearcy. the dower I received from my late husband Daniel McKee. 2 July 1960 Pp. 563-564. DEED OF GIFT. Definition: A conveyance by which a person deeds "for natural love and affection" to another (frequently parent to child), and is often very similar to a will, but does not take effect upon death of the writer. In Sarah and Elihu's Deed of Gift there are two words that I have not deciphered. Three attorney at a law firm in Oklahoma City were shown this Deed but the handwriting was impossible for them also. DEED OF GIFT. For the natural love and affecting I have for my son Daniel I. McKey and my son Drury McKey and my daughter Eliza I. Pearcy, I do hereby give to them and release all claims that I have to dower in the real estate of my late husband Daniel McKee and to wit a tract of land in Wilson County of about 30 acres now claimed by James L. Hays. also a house and lot in the town of Statesville in said county now in the possession of Daniel S Boyd and this is to be a full release to them of my entire interest in said dower estate of both real and personal property of every description as well (as) that not named as that this is a quit claim deed from me giving this deed of release also to be signed by me and my said husband E. L. Witherspon who also for the like consideration releases and quit claims all interest in the same This 2nd day of July 1860. E. L. Witherspoon seal Sarah J. Witherspoon seal State of Tennessee, Rutherford County. Personally appeared before me John Jones Clerk of the County Court of said county. E. L. Witherspoon and Sarah J. Witherspoon the bargainers with whom I am personally acquainted and acknowledged that they executed the foregoing Deed of Gift for the purposes there in contained. And Sarah J. Witherspoon (the feme covert) having also personally appeared before me ????? and a part ????? husband, the said E. L. Witherspoon acknowledged the execution of said Deed of Gift to have been done by his freely voluntarily and understandingly with out compulsive restraint from her said husband and for the purposes therein expressed --Witness John Jones Clerk of said court at offices at Murfreesboro this 23rd day of July 1860. John Jones Clerk Magistrate July 25, 1860 Recd. for Registration July 25th 1860 at 12 O'clock ...... A. Wick Registrar of Wilson County. For the natural love and affecting I have for my son Daniel I. McKey and my son Drury McKey and my daughter Eliza I. Pearcy, I do hereby give to them and release all claims that I have to dower in the real estate of my late husband Daniel McKee and to wit a tract of land in Wilson County of about 30 acres now claimed by James L. Hays. also a house and lot in the town of Statesville in said county now in the possession of Daniel S Boyd and this is to be a full release to them of my entire interest in said dower estate of both real and personal property of every description as well (as) that not named as that this is a quit claim deed from me giving this deed of release also to be signed by me and my said husband J. L. Witherspon who also for the like consideration releases and quit claims all interest in the same This 2nd day of July 1860. J. L. Witherspoon seal Sarah J. Witherspoon seal State of Tennessee, Rutherford County. Personally appeared before me John Jones Clerk of the County Court of said county. E. L. Witherspoon and Sarah J. Witherspoon the bargainers with whom I am personally acquainted and acknowledged that they executed the foregoing Deed of Gift for the purposes there in contained. ) having also personally appeared before me ??? and a part ??? husband, the said E. L. Witherspoon acknowledged the execution of said Deed of Gift to have been done by his freely voluntarily and understandingly with out compulsive restraint from her said husband and for the purposes therein expressed --Witness John Jones Clerk of said court at offices at Murfreesboro this 23rd day of July 18860. John Jones Clerk Magistrate July 25, 1860 Recd. for Registration July 25th 1860 at 12 O'clock ...... A. Wick Registrar of Wilson County 1860 Sept. 20, U.S. Census District 15, Wilson CO. Tenn. Drury is a farmer, age 30, from Tenn with a value of $1200. 1861 Dec. 21. Daniel I. McKee entered the Civil War. He, on records copied after the war, was listed under the "Mc" alphabet with the Confederate 2 Cav. (Smith's) of Tenn. He was a corporal under Capt. Robert C. Bass' Company. Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry* He was age 24. "Appears on Company Muster-in Roll of the organization named above, Roll dated Camp Cheatham, Dec 13, 1861. Muster-in date: Dec 13, 1861. Enlisted: When: Dec 13, 1861 Where: Camp Cheatham By whom: Capt. Ostara Period: 12 Mo. ----- Value of horses: $150 Remarks: none *This company was successively designated as Capt. Bass' Company Tennessee Volunteer Company; Capt. Bass' Company. 10th Battalion Tennessee Cavalry, and -- Company, 2nd (Smith's Regiment Tennessee Cavalry.) Lieut. Col. E. S. Smith's 10th (also called the 11th) Battalion Tennessee Cavalry, which consisted of eight companies about February 1, 1862, and nine companies on March 14, 1862 was increased to a regiment in April, 1862, and designated the 2nd (Smith's) Regiment Tennessee Cavalry. The regiment appears to have been disbanded in May 1862 and two companies subsequently served in Starnes', subsequently McLemore's 4th (also called the 3rd) Regiment Tennessee Cavalry. Some of the officers and men are found to have subsequently served in the 19th (also called the 2nd) Battalion Alabama Cavalry which was consolidated with the 14th Battalion Alabama Partisan Rangers to form the 9th (also called the 7th) Regiment Alabama Cavalry. /s/ J. W. Mibairn. copyist. 1861-1864 Daniel I. McKee, Confederate States of America. Military records for D. I. McKee show that Martha A. McKee applied for a widows pension for his civil war service. #23425 indicated that Daniel serviced in I Company, 7th Regiment of the Tennessee Cavarly from 1861 through 1864. (This would have the 7th Regiment Alabama Cavarly The Tennessee State Library and Archives reported that Daniel (S.) McKee served with 2nd Smith's Cav, C.S.A. They got the S. and the I. confused. 1870 July 21. Statesville, 15th Civil District, Wilson Co, Tenn, Elihu Witherspoon, age 59, wagonmaker, with a property value of $300. He is married to Sarah, age 62, who was keeping house and caring for the family of Lafayette, age 22, a laborer and Vestus M., 21, also a laborer. Also in the home was Elizabeth Malone, age 12 and Drury McKee, age 40. Drury continued to farm the family land and had a property value of $1600 and $1000. U. S. Census p. 548. Daniel was not in Tennessee during the 1870 census. I could not find him in a Southern state or in Kansas and Missouri. At the time of the U.S. Census of 1870 in Statesville, there were 235 dwellings, 240 families, 557 white males, 49 colored males, 609 white females, 45 colored females, 280 people could not read, 458 could not write, Property value was $233,.320. There was 1 idiotic and 1 insane. It was signed by J. L. Bryan. 1880 U.S. Census Wilson Co. Witherspoon, _vess* 32 male, Lafayette 35 (492) U.S. Census Wilson CO. McKee, Drury 50* (492)(same household as above) 1904 Aug. 17. Death of Daniel I. McKee, buried at Fall Creek Cemetery, Strickler, Washington Co. Arkansas 1924 Jan 3, 1928 Death of Martha Ann McKee, wife of Daniel I. DANIEL I. MCKEE was born June 28, 1837, in or near Statesville, Wilson County, Tennessee. He died Aug. 17, 1904, at Strickler, Washington County, Arkansas. He married Miss MARTHA ANN BARNES born June 17, 1852, in Clarksville, Red River County, Texas on June 29, 1874 Martha Ann died Jan. 3, 1928 at Fayetteville, Arkansas. Both are buried Strickler, AR. . In the 1880 census of Washington County, Arkansas their first three children were James C., born 1875 in Texas, Sarah Luvenia born 1877 in Arkansas and Daniel Lafayette (Fayett) McKee born Mar. 12, 1879 also in Arkansas. Military records for D. I. McKee show that Martha A. McKee applied for a widows pension for his civil war service. #23425 indicated that Daniel serviced in I Company, 7th Regiment of the Tennessee Calvary from 1861 through 1864. In Martha A. application for the Widow's pension on August 16, 1916 with a Sulphur City, P.O., Washington Co, Ark. Martha A's application shows he served as a soldier in the Army of the Confederate States, being a member of the 7th Tenn, Smith's Cavalry and that he was honorably discharged from such service at the close of the war in Tennessee in 1864. In the Proof of Service form executed by war comrades of husband in the Civil war from Wilson County, Tenn. dated Aug. 21, 1916 J. B. Tarpley and S. A. Johnson, citizens of Statesville, Tenn swore that they were each personally, well acquainted with applicant's husband Daniel I. McKee and knew him for 12 or 15 years before the war. That he was a confederate soldier belonging to Company Bass (B-I-7 Tenn) Regiment Smiths of Tenn. (2nd Smiths Cav.) (C.S.A. records show the I. as an S.) Records from the Tennessee State Library and Archives indicated S. A. Johnson was a private in Bass' company. That as such soldier he served from beginning of the war to close of war. That he was honorably discharged from such service and did not desert the same. To the question "That he is now dead and that his widow has been for the past twelve months a bona fide resident of Arkansas. That my knowledge of the facts come from:" They answered, "Can't answer the question. We served in same company of Regiment with D. I. McKee and he made a good soldier." His date of death was shown as Aug 11, 1904. The census of 1880 Daniel McKee and family were enumerated at Cane Hill Township, Washington Co, Arkansas. Daniel was age 40 from Tennessee as were his parents, his wife "Marthy" A, was age 28, born to parents in Tennessee. The children were James C, five, born in Texas, Sarah L., three, born in Arkansas and Daniel, one, born in Arkansas. The 1900 census also listed Daniel I. McKee of Cove Creek Township, Washington Co, Arkansas, enumerated Daniel as being born in June (28, 1837) 1840 in Tennessee, Martha A., wife, born June (9) 1852 in Tennessee, Fayette D., son, born Mar. 1879; Annie L., daughter, born Aug. 1880; Drewey T. a son, born Oct 1883; Lizzie M., dau, born May 1885 and Martha V., dau, born Oct. 1893. All Children were born in Arkansas. Stickler, Arkansas opened a Post Office in 1878 on the Old wire Road. The post office closed in 1883. In 1893 a few miles away another Post Office was established at Onda. This Post Office closed in 1908. The old soldier and farmer, Daniel I. McKee, died Aug. 4, 1904. He was buried at Strickler, Arkansas in what is now called Fall Creek Cemetery and a marble marker was erected. On the marker was a masonic emblem. The inscriptions reads: Daniel I. McKee, born June 28, 1837 died Aug. 11, 1904, "A loved one from us has gone, A voice we loved is stilled, A place is vacant in our hearts, Which never can be filled." MARTHA ANN BARNES My great-grandmother Martha born Oct. 27, 1852 and my grandmother "Jennie," born Oct. 27, 1893 are listed in the 1910 census of Silverdale, Kansas. Jennie 16 years old and living with her mother, 57. In the census of May 18 1910, Marthia A. (the handwriting looks like it could be an A or an S.) McKee, was a widow, her daughter Martha J. (Jennie) (the letter could have been a V.) and her son Greery (?), aged 26 were enumerated. Her oldest son, Daniel L. McKee, who also lived in Silverdale listed only one parent on the 1910 census in the column as to parents place of birth. Later in life my mother listed in the family bible the names of the McKee she remembered: Daniel L., Drewry Taylor (Drury), Anna L., Vienne, Nora, Iverson and Martha. (Iva McKee was born Sep. 9, 1889 and buried Sept 7, 1890 at Fall Creek Cemetery (Strickler.) My mother did not remember Daniel I. but rather the name Daniel L. McKee, but did remember Martha Ann Barnes as a family name. At the end of December Martha Ann became sick. On Dec. 30, 1928 Doctor I. C. Roberts of Fayetteville, AR. performed a physical examination and diagnosed Martha with Pneumonia. She died four days later at the age of 75 years, 6 months, and 16 days. She had only been living on South College Ave, for the last eight month. The Fayetteville Daily Democrat on Sat. Jan. 7, 1928 printed her obituary. "Mrs. Martha McKee is buried at Strickler. Funeral services for Mrs. Martha McKee, who died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. T. J. Pearson, Tuesday, (Jan. 3, 1928) were held Thursday morning at the residence on South College, Rev. Burl Dodd officiating. Burial was in Strickler Cemetery." "Mrs. McKee was born June 17, 1852 in Tennessee. Her husband D. I. McKee passed away 23 years ago. Surviving, beside the daughter here are three sons, G. C. McKee, Caney, Kansas; D. L. McKee, Arkansas City, D. T. McKee, Silverdale, Kansas; and two other daughters Mrs. J. W. Davis of Enid, Oklahoma and Mrs. G. W. Wood, Poolville, Oklahoma, none of whom was able to be here for the funeral. The grave at Strickler is marked with a poured 12 inch square concrete marker with the M.A. McKee scratched/ lettered into it while the concrete was wet. The Arkansas State Certificate of Death Registration District NO. 635 File No. 1317 Primary Registration District 2379 listed Martha A. McKee of So. College Ave, but only residing at this address for 8 months. Her birthplace is listed as Tennessee. It showed death caused by Pneumonia. James C. born 1875 in Texas 1880 census. No other records.