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I am looking for an ancestor: David Mckee ( b. abt 1762 in Armagh) May have been known as Rev. Mckee of Annaghlone  His father was also David, born in Downpatrick abt. 1734.

Sunday 30th Apr 2023, 03:22AM

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  • Your ancestor looks to have been a Presbyterian Minister, born in Co Down, not Armagh. My history of congregations of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland says, of 1st Anaghlone Presbyterian church:

    “On 2nd Dec 1800 the Secession Presbytery of Down received a petition from 54 people in the townland of Ballyardbrin, asking to be received under the care of the Presbytery as a distinct society. No objection was received from neighbouring Drumgooland, Glascar and Ballydown, and the prayer was granted. In 1803 this congregation was united with Rathfriland 2nd, also recently erected.

    The first Minister here was Mr David McKee (licensed Down 1798) a Saintfield man and a cousin of Rev Dr Samuel Edgar of Ballynahinch. Mr McKee was ordained on 4th April 1804. He carried on a classical school at Anaghlone and his most famous pupil was Captain Mayne Reid, the novelist, who dedicated one of his books to his old preceptor. Mr McKee played a prominent part in the cause of Total Abstinence, being reputed to be the first person in Europe to advocate it. A sermon of his on the subject was republished by the General Assembly Committee on Temperance in 1930. He died on 10th Dec 1867. His son David became Minister of Boyle in 1864, and his daughter married the Rev Dr Wright, author of The Bronte’s in Ireland.”

    Rev McKee’s will is on-line on the PRONI wills site, and mentions his farm in Ballynaskeagh, Co. Down, and his wife Rebekah. Abstract here:

    The Will of Reverend David M'Kee late of Ballinaskeagh County Down Presbyterian Minister deceased who died 12 January 1867 at same place was proved at Belfast by the oaths of Rebecca M'Kee of Ballinaskeagh (Loughbrickland) Widow and David Mulligan of Lisnasliggan (Loughbrickland) Farmer both in said County the Executors.

    Griffiths Valuation of 1863 records the McKee farm in Ballynaskeagh. It was plot 30, a 45 acre farm with a flax mill and some labourers cottages.  Today that property is on the modern Ballynafern Rd, and still looks to be a farm, judging by Google Earth.

    The Presbyterian Historical Society in Belfast may have a little more information on his life.  http://presbyterianhistoryireland.com

     

    Note: Re the Brontes in Ireland, though the 3 famous sisters are principally associated with Haworth in Yorkshire where they were born, their father had been a curate in Co Down, where their brother was born. Hence the Co Down interest in the family.

    Elwyn, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘

    Sunday 30th Apr 2023, 10:29AM

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