Marty and Karla Grant

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Samuel Mackey (1730/40-1831) of PA and Burke Co., NC

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Samuel Mackey might be my 6 times great grandfather. I haven’t proven my connection to him yet.

The Mackey surname has several common variants including: McKay, McKee, McKey, etc.

Samuel Mackey was born ca 1730/40 per his age on the 1830 census which listed him in his 90s. His earlier census entries support him being born before ca 1755, so that fits.

I don’t know where he was born, though Ireland or Northern Ireland immediately come to mind as prime options. I know he was in Pennsylvania later in life, but I don’t know if he was born there or immigrated there. I don’t know what section of Pennsylvania he lived in though one undocumented online tree shows him from Lancaster Co., PA. I did a cursory search for him but found nothing to prove he was there. I did find a man of that name there later than ours should have been. I could easily have missed something though. I did find a Samuel Mackey in Chester Co., PA along with a John Mackey, and quite a few other Mackeys, McKee, McKey, etc. No idea if any of them are ours though. More research is definitely needed.

I don’t know who his parents were.

In The Mackeys by Beatrice Mackey Doughtie, 1957, she has a section regarding John Mackey, a probable brother of our Samuel, stating he was born in Ireland, came to America with brothers William and Thomas and other members of the family (not named). They moved to Philadelphia and soon afterward Chester County, PA. Then to SC, then to NC.

The above could be entirely accurate. Unfortunately, she didn’t include Samuel in her very large, very useful book.

There were three Mackey men who arrived in Burke Co., NC earlier than Samuel did, but they were associated with him. They could be his siblings, but that isn’t proven. They definitely knew each other, so related somehow. They include John Mackey (c1726-c1795), Thomas Mackey (no dates, supposedly died in SC) and William Mackey (no dates, also supposedly died in SC).

Both John and Thomas Mackey were in the area as early as 1778 when they entered land on Silver Creek joining Thomas Wilson (a name that will come up again later). Samuel Mackey seems to have joined them in the 1780s judging by his children’s birth places. I didn’t see any indication that William Mackey lived in Burke unless he’s the one there on the 1820 census.

There is also Alexander Mackey (Sr) of Albemarle Co., VA and Rutherford Co., NC who is another potential sibling, though I could be way off on that. Alexander is also my ancestor on another branch of my family. One of his daughters, my ancestor Martha Mackey Grant (1750s-1850) wound up very, very near the Samuel Mackey family in Burke Co., NC in the 1820s, which is why I think they could be related. That proximity could be a coincidence of course.

I haven’t yet discovered the name of Samuel Mackey’s wife. They would have married prior to ca 1775 in Pennsylvania. It’s also possible he was married more than once.

Their youngest known child was born ca 1785 in Pennsylvania, so they moved to North Carolina between 1785 and 1788.

On 4 Mar 1788, Samuel Mackey made a deposition in Wilkes Co., GA regarding horses from Burke Co., NC.

Samuel Mackey being duly sworn on the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God deposeth that he started from Thomas Mackey’s about December 1784 with three horse creatures to go to David McCluskey in the State of Georgia which said Creatures he carried to John Scotts where this deponent met with John McDonald & with him travelled to Mr. Millers where John Mackey came up with this deponent & said McDonald with two other horse Creatures & that they then travelled in Company to or near Dimond Hill in South Carolina the said John Mackey then left this deponent & said McDonald who travelled on to Georgia with the creatures he started with & one of those bought by John Mackey & that there was but five creatures with those that this deponent & John Mackey rode, one of which was a sorrel mare belonging to this deponent & the other four belonging to John Mackey one of which was a black horse two bay mares & one grey mare which was folded said John Mackey’s property & he believes was then four or five years old this deponent further says that he came to David McCluskey’s in the State of Georgia in Company with said John McDonald & farther this deponant saith not. Sworn to before me this fourth day of March 1788 at McCluskey’s Fort. Signed Jno Moore, J. P.

(Burke Co., NC Court Records 1788-1790.)

John Mackey then made a similar deposition. He did add that they left Mr. Millers in Rutherford Co., NC as a starting point.

Samuel and John were back in Burke Co., NC not long after making that deposition.

In 1789, Thomas Willson sued Samuel McKay and James McKay for trespassing. They were found not guilty on 21 Apr 1790. This is probably Samuel’s son James who was nearly 20 at that point.

Samuel is listed on the 1790 census in Burke Co., NC in the 13^th company very near those I suspect of being his brothers. Samuel is 3 houses from John, and 4 from Thomas. James is about 34 houses away, but in the same company. I believe that’s John’s oldest son. There was also a Hugh Mackey, but in a different company. Samuel’s “next door” neighbors were John Hughes and David Tomson,

1790 Census, Burke Co., NC

My analysis (who each person *might* be):

2m 16+ (bef 1774)               1. Samuel Mackey (1730/1740)

                                               2. James Mackey son (bef 1774)

1m -16 (1774/1790)            John Mackey (1774/1780) son

6f (before 1790)                  1. Wife? (Bef 1765)

2. Ann Mackey (1770/74) daughter

3. Martha Mackey (c1780) daughter

4. Jane Mackey (1780/90) daughter

5. Mary Mackey (c1784) daughter

6. Ripley Mackey (c1785) daughter

On 14 Sep 1795, John Spears, John Hughes and Samuel Mackey signed an “appearance bond” with Sheriff John McGimpsey guaranteeing that Spears would appear in court October next. All three bondsmen signed. This document contains Samuel Mackey’s original signature. (Burke Co., NC Court Records 1794-1796.)

On 29 Jul 1795, in Burke County court, Samuel is mentioned in a confusing record:

On motion of Wallace Alexander atto & attc of Samuel Mackey agt to Morgan Constable for failure of making return of Execution agt the estate of Saml Hughey decd moved the court he be fined according to act of assembly - laid over by court on attc of Jo. Morgan, Deft.

I’m not sure if Samuel was the one fined or someone else was.

In Sep 1797 Burke County court, Samuel Mackey, and others, were ordered for jury duty in January 1798 term.

On 31 Jan 1799, John McGimsey made a land entry in Burke Co., NC of 400 acres described as joining Thomas Bell, Samuel Mackey, “the mill tract” and another 400 acre entry for John McGimsey. It also mentions Paddys Creek where it seems Samuel Mackey resided.

Paddy Creek rises in the mountains near the present McDowell / Burke line when Black Fork and Yellow Fork merge. It then flows generally southeastward for about 6 miles where it empties into Lake James, which was Catawba River back in Samuel’s day. Much of the run of the creek is parallel to the Burke / McDowell line. I don’t know where his land would have been exactly as the pre-1865 Burke county deeds are lost.

In a court document dated July term 1799, it was certified that Samuel Mackey attended court as a juror four days which required traveling 30 miles.

On 29 Apr 1800, John McGimpsey made another land entry, this one 150 acres, joining Samuel Mackey, and Benjamin Moore.

I was unable to locate Samuel Mackey on the 1800 census. He was not listed in Burke Co., NC nor elsewhere as far as I could determine. He either moved away for a short period or was just missed this time around. Much of the family of his likely brother John moved to Williamson Co., TN by 1800. I checked the tax lists there (1800-1805) for that year and found several of them, but not Samuel, so he didn’t go there. I did find a Samuel McKey on the 1804 tax list in Wilson Co., TN. I don’t know if that is ours or not. That same man, I believe, was still there in 1806 as Samuel Mackey and again in 1807 as Samuel Mackey. He wasn’t a landowner on any of the lists. Ours was probably still in Burke during this time and just missed on the census somehow.

James Mackey (bef 1755) is listed on the 1800 census in Burke. He might be Samuel’s brother, but I have no proof of that. There is also a George Mackey (1755/74) listed. It was alphabetical so I don’t know if the two were neighbors or where they might have been residing within the county, which was much larger then than now.

In July 1801 court, it was ordered that James Connelly, Thomas Tagret, William Cuthbertson, Samuel Mackey and all others who live on Paddys Creek above Cuthbertson be added to the overseer of the road from the ford of Linville past Wagelys to the head of Paddys Creek.

On 17 Nov 1801, the court ordered any lawful officer to bring James Mackey in upon a charge of debt against him by Thomas Coleman. On 12 Dec 1801, James Mackey was found guilty and appealed. Samuel Mackey was his security (bondsman). I don’t know if this is his son James or his possible brother James.

Samuel was in court a few other times, jury duty, road overseer, etc., but I didn’t get all those records.

Samuel is listed on the 1810 census in Burke Co., NC. There is also a James McKee (bef 1765) who I believe is not the same one there in 1800 and 1790. This James lived in what is now McDowell Co., NC. He is not listed near Samuel. Samuel is near William Cuthbertson (listed as Culberson here) and Thomas Taggert whose names were on a road order with Samuel, showing they really did live in the same area. Benjamin Wise was also close by.

1810 Census, Burke Co., NC

Page

Name

M0-9

M10-15

M16-25

M26-44

M45+

F0-9

F10-15

F16-25

F26-44

F45+

FPC

Slaves

337

Samuel Mackey

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1

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1

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2

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1

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My analysis (who each person *might* be):

1m 45+ (bef 1765)               Samuel Mackey (1730/1740)

1m 10-15 (1794/1800)       Son? Grandson?

1f 45+ (before 1765)           Wife? (Bef 1765)

2f 16-25 (1784/1794)         1. Martha Mackey (c1780) daughter

2. Jane Mackey (1780/90) daughter

On 2 Feb 1819, Simeon Burleson made a land entry for 100 acres on Mine Creek near the mouth joining David Baker and his own land. The survey was made 28 Jul 1819 by Joseph Dobson, Deputy Surveyor for Robert Logan, Esq, Surveyor. The chain bearers were William Deton and Samuel Mackey. Joseph Dobson was Samuel’s nephew by marriage, as Joseph was married to John Mackey’s daughter Mary Mackey.

Samuel is on the 1820 census in Burke with many of the same neighbors from 1810 such as Benjamin Wise, William Cuthbertson. In addition, his sons-in-law William Wilson, Robert Wilson and Fielder Norton surrounded him. James Askew, who became Executor of his estate, is also nearby.

1820 Census, Burke Co., NC

Page	Name	M 0 - 9	M 10 - 15	M 16 - 17	M 16 - 25	M 26 - 44	M 45 +	F 0 - 9	F 10 - 15	F 16 - 25	F 26 - 44	F 45 +	F P C	S l a v e s
25	William Wilson	1	1	2	3	1	~	~	1	~	~	1	~	~
25	Robert Wilson	1	2	1	1	1	~	4	1	~	1	~	~	~
25	Samuel McKey	1	~	~	~	~	1	~	~	~	1	1	~	~
25	Fielder Norton	2	1	1	1	~	1	2	1	1	1	~	~	1

My analysis (who each person *might* be):

1m 45+ (before 1775)         Samuel Mackey (1730/1740)

1f 45+ (before 1775)           Wife? (Bef 1765)

1f 26-44 (1775/1794)         Martha Mackey (c1780) daughter

Samuel is in Burke for the 1830 census, next to son-in-law Fielder Norton. There is a woman in her 60s in the household, i.e. born ca 1760s. Is that Mrs. Mackey? If this is her, she is too young to be the mother of the oldest children in this family, suggesting Samuel was married more than once. There is also a 30 something female (1790s) who is probably Martha, who never married, though she was actually born ca 1780 per her 1850 census entry. Then again, one never knows which record is more accurate.

1830 Census, Burke Co., NC

Page

Name (Males first row, females on second)

0-4

5-9

10-14

15-19

20-29

30-39

40-49

50-59

60-69

70-79

80-89

90-99

100+

161

Saml McKay

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~

~

~

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1

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1

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~

~

~

1

~

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1

~

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My analysis (who each person *might* be):

1m 90-99 (1730/1740)       Samuel Mackey (1730/1740)

1f 60-69 (1760/1770)         Wife?

1f 30-39 (1790/1800)         Martha Mackey (c1780) daughter

1f 0-4 (1825/1830)              Granddaughter?

In January 1831 court, the Last Will and Testament of Samuel Mackey, deceased, was presented in court by James Askew, a witness and qualified as one of the Executors. At the same time, Ripley Norton and Martha McKey renounced their executorships of the same. Note how the surname is spelled two different ways in the same document, Mackey and McKey. (Burke Co., NC Court Minutes 1830-1834.)

Unfortunately, the Will itself was destroyed along with most of the other Burke County records during the Civil War. However, it is quite fortunate that court records survived, for there was much litigation about the estate, which names the heirs several times over.

The estate records make no mention of a widow, so Mrs. Mackey must have predeceased Samuel.

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Children

Samuel and his wife (or wives) had seven proven children as named in Burke County court and estate records. All of them were probably born in Pennsylvania.

There are numerous documents in the estate, but the heirs are named as:

∙           William Wilson in right of his wife Ann

∙           Michael Trout* in right of his wife Jane (* Michael Trout is frequently written clearly as Michael Grant, but the surname is indeed Trout.)

∙           Ripley Norton

∙           Martha McKey

∙           Fielder Norton in right of his wife

∙           Robert Wilson in right of his wife Mary

∙           James McKey

∙           John McKey

A list of heirs of Samuel McKey in his estate papers is dated 24 Mar 1838. On the back, John H. Pearson, Sheriff, stated that James Mackey, John Mackey and Robert Wilson & wife Mary are not residents of the state. We know that Robert and Mary Wilson and John Mackey had moved to Missouri by then. I don’t know where James Mackey had gone.

 

1.         James Mackey (bef 1774-aft 1838). Lived out of state in 1838. No further information at this time.

2.         John Mackey (1774/80-1843) married 1) Unknown, 2) Rebecca —. To Washington Co., MO by 1830, Polk Co., MO by 1840.

3.         Ann Mackey (1770/74-1842) married William Wilson in 1799. These are *possibly* my ancestors. They remained in Burke Co., NC.

4.         Martha Mackey (c1780 PA-aft 1850). Never married.

5.         Jane Mackey (c1780/90-aft 1850) married Michael Trout (often mis-rendered as Michael Grant). They lived in Burke until 1830s, then to Union Co., GA where he died ca 1850.

6.         Mary Mackey (c1784 PA-c1850/54) married Robert Wilson ca 1800. In Burke until mid or late 1830s when moved to Gasconade Co., MO, later Polk Co., MO.

7.         Ripley Mackey (c1785 PA-aft 1850) married Fielder Norton (perhaps as his 2^nd wife). Resided in SC, Burke Co., NC and McDowell Co., NC.

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For Family Group Sheet and other notes see my database pages for Samuel Mackey.

Revised: March 2, 2026

Copyright © 1996-2026 Marvin A. Grant, Jr. All Rights Reserved.

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