The following information was assembled from numerous sources and cannot be used directly as proof of Qualifying Service or Lineage.
It is considered a research aid and is intended to assist in locating sources that can be used as proof.
State of Service: MD
Qualifying Service: Patriotic Service
Birth: 1701 Death: bef 26 Jun 1787 / Cecil / MD
Qualifying Service Description:
Signed Oath of Allegiance
Additional References:
Peden. Rev War Patriots of Cecil Co, MD. pg 67
Anne Gates. Some Mackey Settlers Along the Mason-Dixon Line, pg 233
James Mackey is assumed to be buried here along with many other members of the Mackey family. However, the grave remains unlocated.
Directions to Cemetery / Gravesite:
Author: David Edward Cook
James Mackey P-332651
Anne Copley in her book, Some Mackey Settlers Along the Mason-Dixon Line writes, “…many early Mackeys settled in the area along the Mason-Dixon Line in Chester County, Pennsylvania and Cecil County, Maryland in a circle of about 30 miles centered on the point where the States of Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania meet.”[i] Indeed, this seems to be the case with James Mackey.
James Mackey’s estimated date of birth is about 1701. A disposition Land Commission Book T.K. 1751-1775 (Cecil County) dated 17 May 1773 gives his age as 72 years.[ii] (Note: a second land disposition indicates James Mackey was about sixty years of age, 6 December 1765.[iii] However, the former appears more precise.) James Mackey recorded his Last Will and Testament at Cecil County, 26 June 1787, suggesting he died at Cecil County soon after.[iv]
By far the best secondary source of information on James Mackey is located in Anne Gates Copley’s Some Mackey Settlers Along the Mason-Dixon Line. Using original source material, she reports that James first appears in a deed for 150 acres called “Mt. Pleasant,” dated 7 March 1731, which he bought from Robert Maccay (McKay), the Quaker (not a relation). He also appears in a deed dated 5 May 1732, in which he bought 100 acres of “Hopewell” from Stephen Hollingsworth, Robert Holly and Robert Mccay, the Quaker.[v] The lands adjoin and are located west of Fair Hill, Maryland.
Anne Copley similarly researched James Mackey’s wife. James does not mention her in his Will and she is presumed to have predeceased him before 1787. Her family name was Lawson, and was a sister of John Lawson. John mentions his niece, Catherine Mackey, daughter of James Mackey in his Will.[vi]
Cecil County census enumerations and tax records mention James Mackey multiple times. The 1740 Maryland Early Census Index for Cecil County lists James McKey as residing in Milita Foot Company Township.[vii] He appears in the 1746 Tax List for Millford Hundred, Cecil County.[viii] The 1783 Supply Tax lists James Mackey as residing in the Third District (North Millford and East Nottingham Hundreds.)[ix] The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution considers the latter to be a patriotic service.
James Mackey also performed patriotic service by signing an Oath of Allegiance at Cecil County, 2 March 1778. Justice Richard Bond administered the oath.[x]
[i] Copley, Ann Gates, “Some Mackey Settlers Along the Mason-Dixon Line,” 1998, Baltimore, Pg. 1.
[ii] Disposition – land resurvey, James Mackey, Land Commission Book, T.K. 1751-1775, 17 May 1773, Cecil County, Courthouse, Elkton, MD, as cited in Copley, Ann Gates, “Some Mackey Settlers Along the Mason-Dixon Line”, Pg. 233, 278.
[iii] Disposition – land resurvey, James Mackey, Land Commission Book, T.K. 1751-1775, 17 May 1773, Cecil County, Courthouse, Elkton, MD, as cited in Copley, Ann Gates, “Some Mackey Settlers Along the Mason-Dixon Line”, Pg. 179.
[x] Ash, Mollie Howard, “Cecil County Maryland signers of The Oath of Allegiance,” 1940, Pg. 4.
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