The leading theory as to the origins of McKeever line is based solely upon family lore. What little we know as to Samuel McKeever's origin is clouded by records pointing in multiple directions. For example, several different sources place his birth in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland, or just as America.
The other troubling aspect is that his married children, Amy, John, Pamelia, and Edward, in separate correspondence to their 2nd cousin (by their mother's mother and Eaton connections) George Chandler in 1890 all omit any details other than Samuel's birth, marriage and death dates.
No record exists of him having crossed the atlantic, and McKeevers are sparse in the US at the time of his birth. In later life, he was a master tradesman, an augermaker, and had several men apprenticed to him, including his oldest son, John Andrew Duncan McKeever. It would stand to reason that Samuel would have had to been apprenticed early on in life. Whether a record of such exists is another story. Some states carried such records in Deed Books, but I have not made an in-depth search of the Chester, New Castle and Cecil tri-county area of yet.
Lore has it that John A. D. McKeever was named after a forebear of Samuel's, either his father or grandfather, that his name was Andrew Duncan McKeever, and that his arrival in the US was 1774-75.
Several possibilities are out there. The first is a Duncan MacIver/McKeever, who crossed in 1774 at the age of 28, with a John, a son, the age of 9, arriving from Argyll, Scotland. If this possibility were so, one generation may still be missing and is unproven. This combination would fit with the name story, if spread to have been named after several forebears.
In 1810, there is a John McKeever in Edgemont Township, Delaware County, who appears with small children in the following spread: 1 2 0 1 1 2 0 0 1 0 0
Two girls and a boy under 10, two boys 10-16, one male 26-45, one female 26-45 and one male 45+.The mother would still have been of child-bearing age in 1814. Essentially a middle aged couple with five children, and an older adult male in the househould, a father or father-in-law. If this were Samuel's family, he'd have been the baby. Perhaps this could be the same John who crossed in 1774. Perhaps it could be the son of the 1774 John. Still, all speculation and no proof.
Fresh on 1-14-2007:
From Chester County Poor School Children Index for 1810 - 1842:
http://dsf.chesco.org/archives/cwp/view.asp?a=3&q=627476
| Year | Last Name | First Name | Middle | Prefix/Suffix | Township | Children | Spouse | Race | Comments | Book | Page | Tax Only | Relationship |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1837 | McKeefer | Upper Oxford | Margaret (10), Alexander (8), Archibald (6), Sarah (5) | Yes | |||||||||
| 1833 | McKeever | Lower Oxford | Eliza (10), Margaret (8), Alexander (6), Archibald (5) | 1833 | 69 | No | |||||||
| 1834 | McKeever | Lower Oxford | Elizabeth (11), Margaret (9), Alexander (7), Archibald (6) | 1834 - 1836 | No |
Samuel would be 9 years older than the Elizabeth in these listings. First evidence of McKeever in Oxford area prior to 1840. The one thing it does show is each of these children being siblings. The spread of those children does not match that of William and Sarah (Harlan) McKeever, Alexander (son of Isaac) and Lydia (Cause) McKeever or John (b. 1799-1800 in Del) and Susan (?) McKeever. Chester tax records may shed some light on who the head of household was, if there was a McKeever there.
I don't have any further info on those three families other than the above. A few other names appear in the area about that time, but none of them linked to Samuel.
|
Their children (Surname McKeever):
3. Amy Emma (b. 16 Jul 1840), teacher, 1860 4. John Andrew Duncan (b. 13 Feb 1843), apprentice, 1860, Augermaker, 1870 5. Pamelia Jane (b. 1 Mar 1846) 6. Elmer (b. 30 May 1848 , d. 10 Apr 1850) 7. Edward Irvin (b. 1 Jul 1850), Minister 8. Franklin Garrett (b. 2 Dec 1852), Minister 9. Samuel Chandler (b. 27 Jul 1855).
Letters from the five married siblings to their cousin, G.A. Chandler in 1890 confirm above dates. Samuel's 1879 Obituaries and associated clippings spell the name four different ways for the same event: McKeever, McKeiver, MacKeever, MacKeiver. See copy of Obit from the Oxford Press, 25 Jun 1879. Also, an obit from the Daily Local News, West Chester, dated 6-23-1879 The leftmost death notice for his wife Elizabeth below is from the same paper. Elizabeth's funeral was on 9 Apr 1879 at Samuel's home in Kennett Square, Pa. No reference is made to place of burial. Oxford Press Obit also makes reference to service to defend the country against the rebellion in fighting at Conowingo. This service appears to be bridge guarding with the Andrews Company of the Volunteer Pennsylvania Militia during September 1862.
Short descendant chart for Samuel McKeever
1840 London Grove Township, Chester Co, Roll 454, p265a, line 13 Samuel McKeever 0 0 0 1 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 ... (7 Total, 1 employed agriculture) Translation: 1 Male 15 and under 20 1 Female under 5 2 Male 20 and under 30 1 Female 10 and under 15 1 Male 40 and under 50 1 Female 20 and under 30 This is likely the right Samuel, even though hitherto I have been unable to produce which people match the ages above. Samuel and Elizabeth each would have been in the 20 and under 30 category, and their first daughter, Pamelia Ann, would have been the female under 5. This leaves the following unaccounted for:
1 Female 10 and under 15 1 Male 15 and under 20 1 Male 20 and under 30 1 Male 40 and under 50Elizabeth's father Robert Lockard was still alive (d. 1843), but would have been age 53-54, outside of the above spread. Likewise, her younger unmarried siblings don't match exactly either. William P.E. Lockard, married 1852, was 13-14. Sarah Ann Lockard, married 1845, was 18-19. David Lockard, married 1842, would have been 23-24, possibly matching. These are all close enough to still be possibilities, as the spreads are only as good as what the head of household supplied the census taker. On the other hand, Samuel & Elizabeth's children's recollection of their grandparents yields only the maternal set. Is this just that they did not know the paternal set? Robert Lockard dies when Amy Emma is only three, yet all the children know that side of the family. This is another of the confusing aspects of this line. In all the writings, there should be some reference to Samuel's parentage. Even the family bible starts with Samuel & Elizabeth. Of course, this could simply imply that Samuel was not the eldest son, and that a new bible was started for them. Samuel shows in East Nottingham Township in the 1850 census, and also 1859's tax list. By 1860, he is shown in Lower Oxford. 1870 finds him in Wilmington, Del., where he appears to remain until returning to Chester County in 1876, this time to Kennett Square. 1876 Daily Local News clip on Samuel returning to Kennett Square from Wilmington. He also appears in the 1877 tax list for Kennett Square. |
She died at 205 W 7th Street, Wilmington, Del on 10 Mar 1916. (There is some waffling on place of birth- some census say Del, some Pa; death record says born Delaware. Her husband preceded her in death. Witnesses to her 1881 marriage record include sister Pamelia and her husband Morris Williamson, brother S.C. McKeever, and (presumably) sister-in-law Joey W. McKeever. Her address is given as 610 E. 6th Street in Wilmington.
Their child:
They resided in Wooddale, New Castle, Delaware in 1890, per letters from A.E. Jackson to
cousin G.A. Chandler, 1890.
She was buried beside her husband at Red Clay Creek Presbyterian Cemetery, New Castle County, Del. on March 14, 1916. Her brother Samuel was informant for her death record.
Coming soon-- scanned images of these letters.
(There is some waffling on place of birth- some census say Del, some Pa.)
He was a private in Co. H, 97th Pennsylvania Infantry from 7 Oct 1861 to 9 Dec 1863.
Their children (Surname McKeever):
Marriage Notice 12-5-1865 from the Village Record
They lived at 207 Maryland Ave in Wilmington, Del in 1890. Full list of children and birth/death dates from letter from J.A.D. McKeever to his cousin, G.A. Chandler, 26 May 1890. No death dates indicate alive as of 1890 letter.
1880 he resided in Lower Oxford; in 1870 in Pennsbury, in 1860 & 1850, listed with his father. He is apprenticed in 1860 at the age of 17, and is listed as an Augermaker in 1870 and 1880.
The Civil War Pension file contains his widow's application dated July 16, 1908 and received on July 24, 1908, and supporting documents that state his death being 10 July 1908. It also has Elizabeth residing at 819 Jefferson Street, Wilmington, Del as of the same date in 1908.
The pension file also contains an 1898 questionnaire, filled out by John A.D. McKeever on 4 June. It acknowledges a marriage certificate and church record existing of their marriage, and of their four children still living at that time, Harvey W. (Age 30), Amy E. (28), Anna (26), and Pamelia J. (19).
There is also a record of death that shows John A.D. residing at 402 Montgomery Street, Wilmington, and shows him interred at Silverbrook Cemetery, and confirms the date of 10 July 1908. His gravestone at Silverbrook confirms this.
1900 finds John and Elizabeth with son Harvey W. and grandsons Walter J. and Harvey W. at603 Shipley Street, Wilmington, Del, Vol 2, ED 15, Sheet 10, Line 40 of the 12th Census. This listing also has John A.D. born in Delaware.
Their Children (Surname Williamson):
They had a 200 arce farm in Malvern P.O., Chester Co, Pa, in 1890.
Pamelia and Morris are buried at the New London Presbyterian Cemetery. Her obit references seven surviving grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. (This means more work, as only 11 of her great-grandchildren (living 1938) are currently detailed in these pages...)
7. Rev. Edward Irvin McKeever (1) was born in Oxford, Pa, on July 1, 1850. He was a
baptist minister, having attended Crozier Theological Seminary. On
November 30, 1876 he married Josephine Hobson Way, b. 8 Dec 1856, Kennett Square, Pa, d. 28
Dec 1930, McKeesport, Pa. She was the daughter of Caleb Pugh Way and Priscilla Hobson.
He died in Brownsville, Fayette Co, PA on 13 February, 1913. They are both buried together at
Union Hill Cemetery, Kennett Square, Pa.
Their children (Surname McKeever):
They resided in Woodstown, NJ, in 1880, where he was pastor at Woodstown Baptist Church; in West Conshohocken, Montgomery Co, Pa, 1884, as pastor of Balligomingo Baptist; Aberdeen, S.D., 1888; Oil City, Pa, in 1890; Greenwich, N.J., 1893 and 1896; Wayne, Pa. (Radnor Township, Delaware Co) in 1900.
Known Weddings performed by the Rev. E. I. McKeever
8. Rev. Franklin Garrett McKeever (1) was born in Oxford, Pa. on 2 Dec 1852. He attended
Brown University, both undergraduate and masters, and received an honorary Doctor of Divinity
. On 3 Feb 1885, he married Clara Frances Butts, b. 26 Dec 1862. She was the daughter
of Charles Ford Butts and Sarah Green Pettingill. He died on 1 Dec 1922. A photo
appears in his obituary from the Providence, R.I., Journal, 2 Dec 1922.He attended the Rochester Theological Seminary. He was pastor at Medina, New York, at First Baptist in New London, Connecticut for many years, and the Jefferson Street Baptist Church in Providence, Rhode Island, and later at the Second Church in Newport, Rhode Island. He travelled abroad to England and Scotland in 1897 and 1903. He was the book reviewer for the New York Examiner for many years. It is not known when his wife died, but she was alive at his death, according to his Providence Journal Obituary of 2 Dec 1922. This obit mentions the Eaton ancestry, but its only mention of his father's side is that he was of scotch descent.
He resided at 10 Carroll Street, Providence Rhode Island, in 1890.
|
Their children (Surname McKeever):
He resided, unmarried, at 113 Linden Street, Wilmington, in January 1881. He is noted as being unmarried in 1890 by letters of his siblings to their cousin George Allan Chandler that year. A supposition is that Anna Lawrie was the daughter of Robert & Mary J. Lawrie of Oil City, Venango County, Pa. An Anna S. Lawrie matches our Anna's birth year with said family in the 1870 and 1880 censuses for Oil City, and it is known that brother E.I. McKeever was pastor in Oil City in 1890, which is before Samuel C.'s marriage date. (Anna's maiden name is from daughter Blanche's 1925 marriage certificate in Wilmington, Delaware).
They resided at 905 Jackson Street, Wilmington, De, in the 1900 census (Vol 3, ED 28, Sheet 15, Line 41).
They resided in 2210 Washington Street, Wilmington, Del, in July of 1908, as per his affidavit in his brother's pension case. (Source of signature). He resided at the same address in both the 1910 census and the 1920 census, (Vol 5, ED 109, Sheet 6, Line 26). 1900, 1910, and 1920 list him, his wife, and daugbters Blanche and Mary.
In Wilmington, Del, on Jan 24, 1904 he married Mary A. Watts, b 1872 in Va, daughter of Benjamin and Pamelia (Carney) Watts.
Children by Mary (1) (Surname McKeever):
Census records from 1900 have Harvey Sr, Walter, and Harvey Jr. living with Harvey Sr.'s father, John A.D. McKeever. 1920 has brothers Walter and Harvey, Jr. together along with Walter's family.
Probably Amy Emma after her father's sister. Alive June 1898 per her father's response to a Veterans Questionnaire.
Alive June 1898 per her father's response to a Veterans Questionnaire.
Probably Pamelia Jane after her father's sister. Alive June 1898 per her father's response to a Veterans Questionnaire.
Their children (Surname Nieweg):
Both are referenced in her mother, Pamelia Jane (McKeever) Williamson's letter to her cousin, G. A. Chandler, 1890, as residing at Lincoln University at Oxford Pa. In 1920, they resided at 3222 Powelton Ave, Philadelphia. 1900 has them next to her parents in East Nottingham Township, Chester County.
Named after two of her mother's brothers. It is noted in a letter from his mother, P.J. (McKeever) Williamson to her cousin, G.A. Chander, dated 19 May 1890, that he was a clerk in the offices of the Pennsylvania Railroad at Frazer, Chester County, Pa. He was also unmarried in 1890.
He is the informant at Morris' 1916 death, and was living in Coatesville, Chester County. He was living in Lancaster county at his mother's death in 1938.
Their Children (Surname Marten):
In a letter from her mother, P.J. (McKeever) Williamson to her cousin, G.A. Chander,
dated 19 May 1890, it is noted that she was unmarried and living in Wilmington, Del,
at that time. Her sister Ida's 1944 obit has her living in Cleveland, Ohio at that time.
1920 places them at 7701 Sagamore Ave, 20th Ward, Cleveland. Niece Edna M. Ayars is with them in the enumeration.
Their Children (Surname Ayres):
In a letter from her mother, P.J. (McKeever) Williamson to her cousin, G.A. Chander,
dated 19 May 1890, it is noted that she was unmarried and living at home at that time.
By 1900, she was married to Thomas M. Ayres and both were listed with her parents.
in 1910, and 1920, her parents are listed under her family. Luella is the informant on her mother's 1938 death record, and spells Ayars on that document. Her first name is listed as Lulu on her mother's 1938 obit.
In a letter from her mother, P.J. (McKeever) Williamson to her cousin, G.A. Chander,
dated 19 May 1890, it is noted that she was unmarried and living at home at that time.
An index for "Register of Deaths for Chester County," volumes 1-3 (1893-1907) appear
to indicate that she died on 4-17-1895, unmarried, in East Nottigham Township of "catarrh of the stomach".
It has an Eva M. Williamson at age 19 as of that 4-17-1895, which matches obit and gravestone. She is buried at New London Presbyterian Cemetery, to the left of her parents.
Their Child (Surname McKeever):
Way #6406
Their children (Surname Houck):
Way #6407
They are buried in Richland Cemetery, Dravosburg, Pa, with her
parents and her two sisters who died young.
Their children (Surname McKeever):
Coming soon-- Full text from a 1990 article in the McKeesport Daily News, written by David Sallinger,
MDN Entertainment Editor at the time. "Piano and music theory teacher, songwriter (along with brother
C. W. McKeever, he published gospel music as long ago as 1919), tenor voice with the YMCA Male Chorus,
he was also choir director at the city's First Reformed Church and organist at Central Presbyterian
Church, Brownsville. And magician."
Way #6409
Their Children (Surname McKeever):
Harvey, Jr. is referenced in WWI civilian draft registrations as being from Wilmington. The WWII draft cards (fourth series) confirm
his middle name and birth date.
1920 census with his Brother Walter on Taney Street, 32nd Ward, Philadelphia, has him as a Railroad worker.
Apparently, there are two John Bernard Niewegs in Chester County around the turn of the century. I've uncovered some information on the other one, only recently being able to disprove a link to the above John Bernard. It appears that the other is brother to this one's father.
John is referenced in a letter from his grandmother, Pamelia (McKeever) Williamson, to her 2nd-cousin, George Allen Chandler. This provided his date of birth; He was with his parents in 1900 in East Nottingham Township, Chester County.
Their Child (Surname Nieweg):
Was living in Aberdeen, Maryland, at his mother's death in 1944. Some suggestion name could
have been M. Warner.
Child by Jane (Surname Nieweg):
Edgar died 9 April 1941. He is buried at New London Presbyterian Cemetery.
Their Children (Surname Schaeffer/Schaffer):
Nina and her family are living with her parents in 1920, but there is indication (date confirmed by recent data from Lynn Thomas) that she died in January 1930.
Their Children (Surname Nieweg):
They resided in Media, Pa for many years.
Elmer died 10 April 1979 in Nether Providence Township, Delaware County, Pa, and was buried at New London Presbyterian Cemetery on 14 April, 1979.
Her residence was at 1344 Paxson Ave, Philadelphia, in 1944 at death of her Aunt Ida.
The possility has occurred that her married name might have been Ghillingham, though she is listed as wife of Howell Dillingham in Ida's obit.
Their Children (Surname McKeever):
All of the children are still living, as are several grandchildren.
Their children (Surname Finney):
Marge died on 24 Feb 1988, and George on 16 Mar 2001. Their children are still living, as are several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Their children (Surname Fry):
They are still living, as are their children and grandchildren.
46. Ernest T. (b. 1902-1903)
47. Albert W. (b. 1907-1908)
24. Luella Williamson (5)(1) was born
on 27 Jul 1873. She Married Thomas M. Ayres about 1896.
48. Edna M. (b. Mar 1898)
49. Anna (b. Nov 1899)
50. Pamelia (b. 1903)
25. Eva May Williamson (5)(1) was born
on 2 Sep 1875.
27. Rev. Caleb Way McKeever (7)(1)
was born 18 Mar 1878 in Kennett Square, Pa.
m. 21 Sep 1902 Winifred Wellman (21 Jun 1878-Sep 1977) at Pavilion, NY,
by his father, Edward Irvin McKeever. He was also a baptist minister.
Caleb died 4 Feb 1945 in Pavilion, NY.
51. Julia, m. a Cline
Julia living at Father's death per obit.
28. Bertha Souder McKeever (7)(1)
was born 2 June 1880 at Woodstown, NJ. She married Lawson Edward
Houck (b. 3 Jan 1881, d. 2 Nov 1939) on 25 Dec 1903 at Duquesne, Pa, ceremony performed by her father, Edward Irvin.
Bertha died 14 Apr 1966 at the Castle Shannon Baptist Home. They are both buried with her
father at the Union Hill Cemetery, Kennett Square, Pa.
52. Lawson Edward, Jr. (b. 19 Oct 1905)
53. Anna Josephine (b. 3 Apr 1911)
31. Harold
Irvin McKeever (7)(1)
was born in Greenwich, NJ on 24 July 1896. He married Larelda May Young, (22 May 1894-30 Mar 1972), in Pittsburgh on 30 Sep 1919.
She was the daughter of William Fleming Young, Jr., and Hanna Armenta Verner of McKeesport.
He was Manager
of Purchases for the Union Switch & Signal division of Westinghouse Air Brake Co.
After retirement, he taught music at Bergstrom's. He died in McKeesport, Pa on 2 February, 1972.
54. Harold Irvin, Jr (b. 25 Sept 1922)
He was known to have published music with his brother, the Rev. Caleb Way McKeever, as early
as 1919. He was the director of the orchestra at McKeesport's First Baptist Church for many years
in the 20s and 30s. The McKeesport Daily News had a nice article on his work in 1990.
55. Larelda Marjory (b. 4 Feb 1924)
56. Louise Laird (b. 19 Feb, 1927)
33. Blanche L. McKeever (9)(1) was born in Wilmington, Del on 21 June 1893. She married Sandy Duket in Wilmington on Aug 19, 1925. She died in Green Bay, Wisconsin in Nov 1994. Sandy was the son of Stuart H. Duket and Grace Rappe.
34. Mary E. McKeever (9)(1) was born in Wilmington, Del in Nov, 1894.
35. Walter J. McKeever (12)(4)(1) was born in Wilmington, Del. in 1891. He married Mable ? , b. 1893-4.
57. Alfonso (b. 1912-3)
Brother Harvey is living with them at 1836 Taney St, 32nd Ward, Philadelphia, 1920. Both are listed as Railroad workers.
58. Walter J., Jr. (b. 1914)
36. Harvey Williamson McKeever, Jr. (12)(4)(1) was born in Wilmington, Del. in 1892.
38. John Bernard Nieweg (21)(5)(1)
was born on 13 Oct 1888 at Lincoln University in Oxford, Chester County, Pa. He died January 26, 1902.
39. Morris Warner Nieweg (21)(5)(1)
was born Nov 14, 1890 and died March 24, 1960. He married Anne Fairlamb in 1924.
59. Clinton Fairlamb (b. Aug 11, 1937)
41. Edgar Samuel Nieweg (21)(5)(1)
was born March 1894. He married (1) Jane A. Knight, b. 1892, d. Jun 19, 1922. She is buried at New London Presbyterian. He married (2) Sarah Mahan in October, 1926.
60. Edgar (b. 1922, d. 1922)
Child by Sarah (Surname Nieweg):
61. John Edgar (Jack) (b. Oct 28, 1928)
42. Nina Nieweg (21)(5)(1)
was born Apr 1896 in Chester Co, Pa., and died January 1930. She married Lee Schaeffer, b 1886. (some suggestion Lee's given name was Levi M. Schaffer, and that he died 1943)
62. Bernard (b 5 Jan 1918)
63. Esther (b. 1919)
64. Marion
65. Edgar
66. Lee
67. June
68. Ida
44. Elmer T. Nieweg (21)(5)(1)
was born 28 Oct 1908 in Philadelphia, Pa. He married Nettie Santucci, b 7 Aug 1910, d. 20 Feb 2000.
69. Dorothy Nina (b. 6 Jan 1944)
70. Eileen Ida (b. 6 Aug 1946)
48. Edna M. Ayres (24)(5)(1)
was born May 1898 in Chester Co, Pa. She married Howell Dillingham.
52. Lawson Edward Houck, Jr., (28)(7)(1)
was born on 19 Oct 1905.
He married Singe Johnson on 25 Aug 1935. They had no children.
He died 17 Sep 1965.
53. Anna Josephine Houck (28)(7)(1) was born on 3 April 1911. She married
Albert Harold Heinrich. They had one child:
71. Albert Harold Heinrich, Jr. (b. 3 Nov 1935, d. 5 Sep 1953 in a plane crash)
Anna died from complications of childbirth. She died on 4 Nov 1935.
54. Harold Irvin McKeever, Jr, (31)(7)(1) was
born in McKeesport on 25 September 1922. On 1 July 1943 he married Lois Jean Nelson (b. 20 Mar 1924, d. 26 Jun 1982,
both McKeesport). She was the daughter of Martin Uno Nelson and Edna Mae Strahl of McKeesport.
72. James Irvin
73. Robert Glenn + (The author of this page is of this line)
74. Gary Wayne
75. Nancy Lou +
76. Richard Martin
77. Ronald Harold
78. John Edward +
55. Larelda Marjory McKeever, (31)(7)(1) was
born in McKeesport on 4 Feb 1924. She married, 6 Oct 1945,
George Edward Finney, Jr., b.
18 Apr 1920,
son of George Edward and Mary Ellen (Fullerton) Finney of McKeesport.79. George Edward. III
80. Margie Lou +
81. Linda May +
56. Louise Laird McKeever, (31)(7)(1)
was born in McKeesport, Pa,
on 19 Feb 1927. She married Walter Thomas Fry, b. 9 Apr 1920, on 27 May, 1946.82. Walter Thomas, Jr.
83. Donald Allan
84. Diana Louise +
A recent thanks to Lynn Thomas for some additional descendants from the Nieweg area.
Census Sources
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robmckii@aol.com
Last modified: 17 January 2007.
