William McKee (abt. 1821 - 1868)

Born about 1821 in County Waterford, Ireland

Husband of Frances (Shearman) McKee — married 13 Apr 1848 in Waterford, County Waterford, Ireland

Descendants

Died 18 Dec 1868 at about age 47 in Campbelltown, New South Wales, Australia

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Jeanette O'Hagan [send private message]

Biography

Birth and Origins

Rev. William McKee was the son of Alexander McKee (Miller in Waterford). He was born 1821^[1]

Early Life

He was educated at educated at the Royal Belfast Academical Institute.^[2]

Marriage and Family

He married Fanny (Frances) Shearman daughter of William Shearman of Greenvale on 13 April 1848 at Waterford, Ireland

"Fanny, daughter of the late William Shearman, of Greenvale, oounty Kilkenny, Esq., to the Rev. William McKee."^[3]

Marriage record: On 26 April 1848, William McKee (of full age, Presbyterian minister, of Bridge Street, Waterford, son of Alexander McKee, Miller, deceased) married Frances Shearman (of full age, Lady, of Bridge Street, Waterford, daughter of William Shearman, Miller, deceased) at Registry Office, Waterford. Witnesses: Sarah (?or Frank) Shearman & George Shearman. ^[4]

They had children:

• Hannah Hammet McKee b. c. 1850
• Emmerson Shearman McKee b. 1852 d. 1854
• Alexander Rae McKee b. 1852 d. 1873
• Emily Elizabeth McKee b. 1855 d. 1875
• Mary Patterson McKee Glasson b. 1855 d. 1934
• Barbara Innes McKee b. 1858 d.1941
• William Livingstone McKee b. 1862 d. 1862

Emigration Australia

In 1848, he emigrated with his wife from Ireland to Australia, arriving at Port Phillip on 6 October 1848^[5]

Occupation

Presbyterian Minister

When he and his family arrived in Sydney in 1849, he was offered of a vacancy at St Andrew's at Port Macquarie.

He was then called to Campbelltown and inducted into St. Davids and inducted on on 18 May 1853. Rev. McKee worked tirelessly in undertaking his pastoral duties for the town and surrounding areas, which included Liverpool, Appin, Camden, Picton, Bargo and beyond. He introduced church music and mixed choirs to services. ^[6]

The Sydney Freeman (and was repeated in Irish papers) that on 8th July a meeting at Campbelltown Court House met to address the suffering people of Donegal with many in attendance. "The Rev W . McKee spoke at considerable length, and with great feeling on the wretched and miserable condition of this hardy, industrious, but persecuted race of peasantry, who, he said, deserved our utmost endeavours to relieve them, irrespective of creed or country." Mr Leary proposed helping them by 'bringing them out to this country'. "The Rev T Roache then proposed, and Mr Doyle seconded, the next proposition:—' That the following gentlemen be a committee to carry out the objects of this meeting, viz—Rev T Roache ; Rev William McKee; Dr Bell, J P ; Mr Leary, J P; Messrs Doyle, Shea, Heaney, Chippendale, Hammond, O'Grady, _Bursill, Keighran, and Clifton, with power to add to their numbers.' They also collected a 'subscription' towards aiding the people of Donegal. ^[7]

As his family grew he incurred financial problems, with debts accruing and mortgages taken out. The strain resulted in a drinking problem. He was given a warning in 1866 and then, in 1867, he was suspended from all ministerial functions and spent the next twelve months under the Rev. Geike in Bathurst. He was then recommended to be reinstated to his duties at Campbelltown, though he died two months late.^[8]

Death and Burial

William died 18 Dec 1868 (aged 47) in Sydney^[9] at Campbelltown, NSW, Australia and was buried St. David's Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Campbelltown, Campbelltown City, New South Wales, Australia along with his infant sons Emmerson Shearman, William Livingstone and Alexander Rae^{[10] [11]}

Inscription on Gravestone

"Rev William McKee
Died 18th Dec 1868
Aged 47
And his infant sons
Emmerson Shearman
and
William Livingstone
and
Alexander Rae." And on the bottom "Eldest Son died at Junee
19 May 1873 ?20 years^[12]

"Ecclesiastical.— The Rev. William McKee, formerly Presbyterian Minister at Campbelltown, and lately officiating at Aberdeen and Scone, died in Sydney, on the 18th instant."^[13]

Sources

1. ↑ Andrew Allen, The History Buff, Campbelltown Library, 28 November 2016, http://campbelltown-library.blogspot.com/2016/11/reverend-mckee.html , acc 29 Feb & 15 May 2020
2. ↑ Allen, Campbelltown Library page, ibid
3. ↑ Leinster Express 1831-current, Saturday, April 29, 1848; Page: 4, Irish Newspapers online, State Library of Queensland, acc 29 Feb 2020
4. ↑ Irish Civil Records, Date of Birth 1848, Group Registration ID 3186617, SR District/Reg Area Waterford, https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/marriage_returns/marriages_1848/09359/5389287.pdf, acc 29 Mar 2020
5. ↑ Allen, Campbelltown Library page, ibid
6. ↑ Allen, Campbelltown Library page, ibid
7. ↑ Nation 1842-1897, Saturday, October 30, 1858; Page: 3, Irish Newspapers, SLQ, acc 29 Mar 2020
8. ↑ Allen, Campbelltown Library page, ibid
9. ↑ Death, NSW BDM 1542/1868 (Parents not stated)
10. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #187813755 Campbelltown, Campbelltown City, New South Wales, Australia
11. ↑ Allen, Campbelltown Library page, ibid
12. ↑ FaG photo, https://images.findagrave.com/photos/2018/120/UNCEM_2605180_bb3a6100-6c74-4c06-8b78-a3edb6cf2950.jpeg , acc 15 May 2020
13. ↑ The Newcastle Chronicle (NSW : 1866 - 1876) Tue 29 Dec 1868 Page 3 LOCAL ITEMS., Trove, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/111330364