62d Pennsylvania Volunteers
HISTORY OF THE LIFE OF JOHN MATTHEW EZEKIEL MCKEE
Prepared by Dr. William E. Howard III
62d Pennsylvania VolunteersHISTORY OF THE LIFE OF JOHN MATTHEW EZEKIEL MCKEEPrepared by Dr. William E. Howard III |
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John Matthew Ezekiel McKee was born February 1, 1833 in Strabane, Co. Tyrone (Near Londonderry), Northern Ireland. (Ref.2 and 43). His family was of Scottish origin and his father was a druggist in the town and a member of the Church of England, being a Warden of the Parish in which he was residing. McKee was baptized in the Strabane parish church as an infant. He was confirmed at the age of sixteen in the Cathedral of Londonderry by the late Bishop Ponsonby, Bishop of the Diocese of Derry and Raphoe, the predecessor of Bishop Higgins, who had that position in April 1866. He had been a Sunday School teacher in his parish church prior to emigrating to America. He said that he had a strong desire since his childhood to emigrate to the United States. His education had been an English one, with only a slight knowledge of the Latin and Greek languages. (Ref 43)
In a letter to Cecil Frances McKee Bacon, Martha B. (This is Martha Bates, see below) wrote on November 5, 1923 from 374 Clinton Street, Brooklyn, NY: "Your grandmother's favorite brother was called John. When your grandfather suggested calling your father for his two grandfathers, Matthew and Ezekiel, your grandmother said, 'Call him for my brother, John and you can tack on as many other names as you like!'" (Ref.1)
September 8, 1848: Anna Hamilton, future wife of McKee, is born at Maymore, St. Johnston, County Donegal, Ireland.
Early 1850s (?): McKee was for a few years a reporter on Tyron Constitution published in Londonderry, Ireland. (Ref.1, 42, 46).
Fall 1857: McKee came to US. (Ref.25 and 43). His obituary says that he came to the US in 1856 (Ref 46 which conflicts with his own description - see later) In an affidavit filed on behalf of Anna H. McKee's pension, William Bates (age 68 in 1916, hence b. abt 1848) and Martha Bates (age 54 in 1916, hence b. abt 1862) say that they are cousins of John McKee and lived in the same vicinity in Ireland in their youth. They were living in New York City, Kings Co. in December 1916. They said that John McKee came to America when he was about 20 years old. (Ref 2). He actually arrived in the Fall of 1857 at the age of 24 (Ref 43).
1857-1859: Spent two years in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. (Ref.1) According to a letter from McKee to Bishop Whittingham in 1866, he wanted to enter into a course of study that would take him into the Episcopal Church in America. He undertook a course of study in Philadelphia under the direction of the Rev. Dr. Hare in the Fall of 1859 but left because of health problems, according to a letter to the Bishop. Dr. Hare advised him to regain his health before going any further. Hare was a member of the Standing Committee of Pennsylvania and had McKee's application for Holy Orders, which he withdrew when he left. (Ref 43)
[Note - it is not completely clear whether McKee was first in Philadelphia under Dr. Hare (as his obituary states (Ref 46) or whether he had first come to the Virginia Theological Seminary. He had Donnell relatives (on his mother's side) living in Pennsylvania.]
1858-9: Entered Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, VA (Ref.1,5). McKee came to seminary from Pennsylvania. He was a preparatory student in Virginia in 1858-1859 and his name was spelled Mackee (Ref 3). At that time the seminary had a preparatory department (abolished 1890) for young men who wanted to go into the clergy but had no college or other equivalent training -- they needed further education before attending the seminary and advancing to the priesthood. Many students would go to seminary - McKee was only there one year. The seminary was closed after May 24, 1861 because of the beginning of the Civil War. During the war some professors (e.g., William Sparrow and Joseph Packard) conducted seminary work at the closed seminary and in the Shenandoah Valley. During the Civil War and shortly afterwards, the seminary was an Army convalescent hospital.
1860 Census taken June 10, 1860: J.M.E. McKee, age 27, is living in Penn Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, presumably in a lodging house of landlady Mary Parker (spelling uncertain), age 40 and her 19 year daughter, with two servants, a male age 15 and female age 17, both born in Scotland and one male, age 10. McKee's place of birth looks incorrect for it lists Indiana, but he is listed as a P[rotestant]. E[piscopal] minister. (Ref.39). It is not clear why McKee returned to the Philadelphia area after attending the Virginia Theological Seminary. The statement in his obituary that he was at the Seminary until the outbreak of the Civil War appears to be incorrect (Ref 46).
At outbreak of Civil War, returned to Pittsburgh and enlisted in 62nd Pennsylvania and was in Army of the Potomac until the end of the war. There is a strong presumption that he had relatives in Clarion Co., PA because he enlisted in the Civil War from Rimersburg, Clarion Co. (Ref.1)
National Archives: John M.E. McKee is listed as a private in Company E, 62nd Pennsylvania Infantry [Microfilm No. 554; Roll 81]; Besides the above unit, he is listed as having served in Co. K. US VV Infantry and E33 PA Infantry Gen. Serv. USA. Details follow:
July 4, 1861: Enlists at Rimersburg, PA (Ref 2 and 44), which is in Clarion Co., PA, about 50 miles NNE of Pittsburgh. Enlistment is for 3 years. Is mustered in as a Private on July 25, 1861 at Pittsburgh by Thomas Kerr. He joins Company E, 33rd Regt, 62nd Pennsylvania Infantry. The organization was taken in wagons to Kittanning, and from there traveled by rail to Pittsburgh where it was mustered in as a company on July 25, 1861. (Ref 51) On or about December 31, 1861 he was in Company E, 62nd Regt, Pennsylvania Infantry where he remained through October 1862. Lists his occupation as student and clerk and born at Stabane, Tyrone Co., Ireland. (Ref 2)
September 1861: McKee's regiment, with a total enrollment of about 1571, is encamped in Virginia and after six months of drill, discipline and field duty, confronts the enemy at the Siege of Yorktown. (Ref 28) He is listed as engaged in the Battle and Siege of Yorktown in 1862. (Ref 44)
May - June 1862: After the siege of Yorktown, the regiment moves up the Peninsula. It is then in Griffin's Brigade, Morell's Division, Fifth Corps. and it fought at Gaines' Mill and then at Malvern Hill (Ref 28).
May 27, 1862: McKee is listed as engaged in the Battle of Hanover Court House, VA on this date. (Ref 44)
June 24-26, 1862: McKee is listed as present at the skirmish near Mechanicsville, VA. (Ref 44)
June 27, 1862: McKee is listed as engaged in the Battle of Gaines' Mill, VA (27 killed, wounded or missing) on this date. (Ref 44)
July 1, 1862: McKee is listed as engaged at the Battle of Malvern Hill, VA (21 killed, wounded or missing) on this date. (Ref 44)
August 29, 1862: McKee is listed as engaged at Battle of Bull Run (Second Manassas), VA on this date. (Ref 44)
September 17, 1862: McKee is listed as present at the Battle of Antietam on this date. (Ref 44)
October 6 or 16?, 1862: McKee is listed as present at the skirmish near Mechanicsburg, VA on this date. (Ref 44)
November 20, 1862: Was detailed on special duty as clerk at Corps Headquarters, 62nd Regiment, Pennsylvania Infantry (Ref 44) where he remained until July 1864 when he was mustered out at age 29. Notations state that the detail was by order of Major General Sykes. From November 1863 this was referred to as the Fifth Army Corps. His obituary said that he was with the 5th Army Corps headquarters. There are notations that pay was due for the period Sept-Oct 1863 until he was mustered out - apparently $9.63 for clothing. (Ref 2)
December 1862: Regiment fought at Fredericksburg, VA with 13 killed, missing and wounded. (Ref 28)
July 1863: At the Battle of Gettysburg, the division was commanded by General Barnes. It fought in the historic wheat field and suffered 45 killed, wounded or missing. (Ref 28)
Winter 1863-1864: The regiment passed the winter quietly in winter quarters. (Ref 28)
May 6 - June 18, 1864: The regiment entered upon the bloody campaign with hard fighting in the Wilderness (14 killed, wounded or missing) and about Spotsylvania (30 killed, wounded or missing). The regiment engaged the enemy in actions at North Anna, Totopotomoy, Bethesda Church (9 killed, wounded or missing), Petersburg, and engaged in gunboat service. During its active service, the Sixty Second Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry was always in the Second Brigade, First Division, Fifth Corps, Col. Jacob B. Sweitzer commanding the Brigade during most of the time, after the original commander, Samuel W. Black was killed at Gaines's Mill. (Ref 28)
April 27, 1864: McKee is at a camp near Licking Run, VA in Co. E, 62nd Regt. Pennsylvania Volunteers. Listed as a private, 29 years old, blue eyes, 5 ft. 9 in. tall, occupation as student. He apparently is due pay of $100 for September to October 1863. (Ref 44)
July 13, 1864: Mustered out at Pittsburgh, PA (Ref 2). There were a total of 17 officers, 152 enlisted men killed, and a total of 89 men who died of disease, accidents, in prison, etc. The regiment was present at Hanover Court House, Seven Days, Manassas, Antietam, Shepherdstown, Rappahannock Station, and Mine Run.
February 22, 1865: Volunteers for one year at West Chester, PA (Chester Co.) at age 32. There is a notation that probably means First Army Corps - Hancock's. His volunteer enlistment shows him born in Tyrone, Ireland with occupation as clerk. Had blue eyes, light hair, light complexion, height 5 ft 8 1/2 inches. Was mustered into the First Army Corps (Volunteers) on Feb 22 at West Chester, PA, and credited to 63rd Sub-district in the Town of East Pikeland, in Chester County, 7th Congressional District of PA. (Ref 2)
March 12, 1865: $300.00 special bounty and $33.33 bounty paid that date.
March 22, 1866: Mustered in.
April 20, 1865: Remarks in Company Muster Roll: Sergt. Appt. April 21/65. S.O. 31 from less (?) HdQts Camp Stoneman D.C. On daily duty at ordnance office Camp Stoneman.
April 21, 1865: Date of muster noted on Company Muster and Descriptive Roll.
April 1865: On duty - Div. Ord. Dept.
May 12, 1865: Special Orders No. 59 from Headquarters Camp Stoneman shows Sergeant John M. E. McKee, Co. K, 5th Regt, 1st A.C. is relieved from duty in the Ordnance Office of the post and directed to "report for further duty to Captain H. L. Ryse, AAAC at these HdQtrs."
May 1865: Absent on detached service Ord. Dept.
May 25, 1865: Special Orders No.8 from Headquarters, 2nd Brig, 1st Div, 1st A.C., Camp Stoneman DC, says "the following named enlisted man is hereby detailed for duty as clerk in the HdQrs 1st Army Corps and will report in person to Capt Finley Anderson A.A.G. without delay."
May 26, 1865: Special Orders No. 71 from Headquarters, Camp of Organization, Camp Stoneman, DC, says "Sergt. John M.E. McKee, Co.K, Fifth Regiment, 1st A.C. is hereby relieved from duty as Clerk, at these Headquarters, and will report so soon as practicable, to his regimental commander."
May to Sept 1865: Absent on detached service as clerk Ord Dept HdQts Dept of Washington per G.O. 129 HdQts Dept of Washington.
August 23, 1865: Special Orders No. 205 from Headquarters, Department of Washington, says "Sergeant John M. E. McKee (Co. K 5th USVV) is hereby relieved from duty as Clerk at these Headquarters and will at once rejoin his Regiment for duty."
August 23, 1865: From Old Capitol Prison to Lt. Sewell, A.A.A.G.: "Sir, The clerk McKee whom you recently ordered to report to me has forwarded an application for a furlough. Before I take any action in the matter I should like to have him relieved, as he will not suit. If possible please have a man detailed as a clerk for this prison in place of Sargt McKee, Very Resp. Your Obt Servt, Geo. Weest, Capt and Supt O.C.P."
August 25, 1865: From Old Capitol Prison, Washington by Geo Weest, Captain (9VRC?) "requests Sergeant McKee be relieved from duty at this prison."
August 31, 1865: From HdQrs, Co. K, 5th USVV, Fort Schuyler, N.Y.H. (?) to So(?) A. Chamberlin, Adjutant, 5th U.S.V.V., Fort Richmond, N.Y.H.?: "Sir, In obedience to instructions from HeadQuarters 5th Regt. U.S.V.V. I have the honor to report that 5th Sergeant John M.E. McKee Co. K, 5th Regt U.S.V.V. who was on duty as Clerk at HdQrs, Department of Washington has not reported to his Company in accordance with Special Order No. 205 dated HeadQuarters Department of Washington Aug. 23rd, 1865. I am very respectfully, Your Obedt. Servant, Geo W. Stoddard, 2d Lt - Comdg; Co. K, 5th Regt U.S.V.V.
Sept and Oct 1865: Company Muster Roll: Remarks: Deserted Washington DC Oct. 2/65. Not borne on Sub rolls of Co Sec Include M.O roll.
October 2, 1865: In Company Descriptive Book: Remarks: Deserted Washington DC.
Oct 1865: Loss Oct 2, 1865 Washington - Deserted. Book Mark: 3376-13-1876.
October 31, 1865: Descriptive List of Deserters dated this date has him deserted on October 2, 1865 at Washington DC, with a description of him, when and where enlisted and duration of enlistment. Book mark 3346-B-1846.
March 3, 1866: Letter to Office Coms'y of Musters; Mid Mil Department of Baltimore MD, Bvt Lieut Col. Wm B. Lane, Chief M.O. Eastn Div Penn; Philadelphia PA. "Sir - The papers in the case of Sergt J.M.E. McKee, Co K, 5th U.S.V.Vols who was sent from Washington DC to Philad@ for muster out, have been referred to this office. He should be directed to report to Bvt Lt Col R. M. Brinton Ap't Comsy (?) Musters in your city, to whom his papers have been transmitted for muster out of service. I am, Very Respectfully Yours, H. W. Wharton, Major US Army, Comsy Musters; Mid Mil Dept."
March 6, 1866: Roll dated Philadelphia, PA; Bounty paid $366.66, due $33.34. Remarks: M.O. in conformity with instructions contained in Cir No 55 dated War Dept. A.G.O. Washington DC Dec 9/65 and in obedience to instructions from, Chief Mustering Officer Middle Mil Dept dated Baltimore MD March 3/66. Due soldier for clothing not drawn since Feb 1/66 $9.91 Book Mark 3376B1876 - Charge of desertion is removed. (Ref 2)
By April 1866: McKee has apparently moved to Georgetown, Washington DC, and probably associates himself with St. John's Church (O Street and Potomac Avenue) or St. John's Chapel (33rd Street, near P Street). In 1854 a Mission was started in a frame building on the canal near Wisconsin Avenue for the benefit of sailors on the waterfront. These devoted laymen, together with students from the Virginia Theological Seminary maintained services. St. John's members build and furnished Grace Church, with the entire cost borne by St. John's for some years, but later it passed under the control of Christ Church. In 1866 it became an independent parish. The Rectors of St. John's Church, Georgetown Parish included Rev. N. P. Tillinghast (1848-1866). (Ref 36)
April 17, 1866: McKee applies to Rt. Rev. William Rollinson Whittingham, Bishop of the Maryland, for admission to candidacy for Holy Orders in the Diocese of Maryland. His references include C.E. Rittenhouse, Esq., President of First National Bank of Commerce, Georgetown, Professor M. Yarnell of Washington Observatory and others who were Sunday School teachers. (Ref 25)
April 27, 1866: A fascinating letter from McKee to Whittingham, giving his history and reasons for joining the military during the Civil War (Ref 43). His parents were of Scottish origin and his father was a druggist, residing in Strabane, and was a church warden of the Parish in the Church of England. McKee was baptized in the Church of England in the parish school of Strabane. At age 16 (about 1849) he was confirmed in the Cathedral of Londonderry by the late Bishop Ponsonby, Bishop of the Diocese of Derry and Raphoe, the predecessor of the present Bishop Higgins. He said he wanted to come to the United States from early childhood. He arrived in the US in Fall 1857. He had an English-type of education with a slight knowledge of Latin and Greek. In Fall 1859 he came to pursue studies under Rev. Dr. G. Emlen Hare of Philadelphia but he had an "attack of nervous debility" and suffered from a non-acclimation to the American climate. Because of this, he withdrew his application for Holy Orders. He then sought restoration of his health. He volunteered as a soldier in the 62nd Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers and was in the Army of the Potomac during the first three years of the Civil War. He then got a clerical appointment in the War Department while the war was still going on, but he decided to rejoin the Army for another year. He again returned to a clerical appointment in the War Department. In April 1866 McKee resided in Georgetown and was a Sunday School teacher in the parish of Rev. William Tillinghast and Rev. Brown. As a reference to write, he names the Rector of the parish in Strabane, Co. Tyrone, Ireland, where he spent his early life and where his father resided before he was born, Very Rev. William Alexander, a graduate of the University of Oxford, Dean of Emly. (Ref 25). John Leslie Hamilton writes (Ref 34) that his sister told him that her mother (Eliza Ellen McCracken) had told her that "John McKee probably worked in St. Columb's Cathedral, Londonderry, when the Bishop of Derry and Raphoe was Rev. William Alexander. He would have known the Bishop's wife, Cecil Frances Alexander, who was an outstanding person, and because of this named their first child after her." (Ref 34)
May 7, 1866: Letter from Hare to Whittingham says that he cannot recall the facts, but he advised McKee to abandon his view to the ministry but he cannot recall why. (Ref 25)
June 1867: St. Barnabas Mission, an old frame chapel, to be St. Mary's was opened for first service in the second Sunday of June.(Ref 35)
September 1867: St. Barnabas Mission's name was changed to St. Mary's. It's first rector was Rev. Rowe Hobbie. He was succeeded by McKee in March 1870. (Ref 35)
December 11, 1867: Letter to Whittingham from Robert Reyburn M.D., Brevet Lt. Col to Surgeon-in-Chief, DC and Associate Professor of Anatomy, Georgetown Medical College who refers to McKee's application for ordination as Deacon. (Ref 26)
December 16, 1867: Rev. R.W. Lowrie writes to Bishop Whittingham from 344 9th Street that McKee wants to work gratis in ministerial work among the Freedmen (blacks who had moved to Washington after the Civil War and needed relocation and reacclimation as freed slaves). He advises that McKee be ordained. McKee is then living at 349 19th Street, near the corner of I Street in Georgetown. Lowrie recommends admission to Sacred Order of Deacons. (Ref 25)
December 16, 1867: Letter from McKee to Bishop Whittingham notes that Lowrie wants McKee to be ordained as pastor of the colored church at 6th and N streets, NE. Was working in the Accounting Branch of the Quartermaster General's Office in DC. Notes that various church denominations are vying to administer to colored people moving to DC after the war. (Ref 25)
December 17, 1867: Letter from Bishop Whittingham to McKee says that he is mistaken with regard to his candidateship for Holy Orders. (Ref 25) (Note: Discussions with F. Garner Ranney indicate that Whittingham was high church, wanted only ministers who were well educated, was a strong Northern sympathizer, and was not in sympathy for people associated with low church views. He was also not in sympathy with places like the Virginia Theological Seminary on doctrinal grounds because they had low-church tendencies. He may also have felt that they did not educate preparatory school students to a proper level for the priesthood. This brought him into conflict with dedicated, but relatively uneducated people like McKee who had not completed a required course of study, passed qualifying examinations, etc.)
December 18, 1867: Letter from McKee to Bishop Whittingham who tried to explain his point of view. He wanted to work for the church without remuneration, using his government salary to live on. At this point he is a resident of the Parish of St. John's, Washington and still wants to take Deacon's Orders. (Ref 25)
December 25, 1867: In a letter from Lowrie to Whittingham, he recommends McKee for a commission as Lay Reader. (Ref 26)
December 27, 1867: Letter to Whittingham from McKee submits papers for commission as Lay Reader. Asks for appointment as Deacon in the Spring of 1868. (Ref 25)
January 16, 1868: Letter to Whittingham from McKee noting that on December 30, 1867 he received license as Lay Reader. He explains his rationale for enlisting in the war. He notes that at the end of the first three years of the war he got an appointment in the Pay Department of Washington at $1200 per annum, and then reentered the Army. At the end of the war, he received a clerical appointment in a bureau of the War Department. (Ref 25)
By May 1868: Commissioned as a Lay Reader in the Parishes of Incarnation and St. John, Washington, DC (Ref 6). The Parish of the Incarnation was organized on 7 October 1867, the Rev. Randolph W. Lowrie, Rector. (Ref 7)
June 8, 1868: Certification that on April 17, 1866 the following nominators recommended McKee as a candidate for the Sacred Order of Deacons: N.P. Tillinghast (Rector), ?? Cooke, Rittenhouse, John Marburg, Jr., and M. Yarnall. (Ref 25)
June 16, 1868: McKee in a letter to Whittingham encloses a certificate with signatures. (Ref 25)
June 17, 1868: McKee acknowledges to Whittingham the latter's contention of too much informality in McKee's letters. McKee asks to appear before the Standing Committee to present his case. (Ref 25) (Note: The Standing Committee was like a judicial Board that approved the process for becoming deacons and priests and adjudicated arguments among the clergy, including the Bishop)
June 25, 1868: Whittingham had told McKee in an earlier letter that candidates must be sufficiently trained. McKee concurs with the process suggested: (1) admission as candidate for Holy Order; (2) dispense with two years of candidateship; and (3) admit to Deacon Orders in September 1869. (Ref 25) (Note: This appears to be McKee's suggestion rather than Whittingham's)
August 6, 1868: The Rev. John Vaughan Lewis was elected at St. John's Church in September 1865 and served until 1880 when he resigned. (Ref 36, p.83) There is a letter from Lewis to Whittington telling him that McKee is going to Europe for a few weeks. (Ref 26)
September 9, 1868: In a printed notice, members of the Standing Committee of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Maryland certify McKee is qualified to exercise the Ministry. (Ref 26)
October 5, 1868: McKee replies to a letter from Whittington dated apparently September 10. He was admitted as a candidate to Holy Orders on September 10, associated with St. John's Home at $500 per annum plus a contribution from St. Mary's of $500 per annum. He said he would give up his other job. He pushes for ordination, with his application predated to his original application in April 1865, but appears to realize that there may be a problem with this. (Ref 25)
October 25, 1868: Augustus Jackson, Rector of St. Paul's Parish, Washington DC, delivers to the Bishop a testimonial that McKee be admitted to the Sacred Order of Deacons. (Ref 26)
November 10, 1868: McKee in a letter to Whittingham encloses a testimonial from Rev. A. Jackson and a paper from Rev. John Vaughan Lewis. (Note: This looks like a rather curt letter for its day.) (Ref 25)
November 13, 1868: McKee acknowledges a letter from Whittingham on November 12. He is hoping for Standing Committee concurrence for admission to Deacon's Orders. He pushes for ordination at a big church because it would impress the congregation. (Ref 25)
November 16, 1868: McKee apologizes for the tone of his previous letter and pushes for examination. (Ref 25)
November 17, 1868: In a printed notice there is a testimonial that McKee is worthy to be admitted to the Sacred Order of Deacons. (William Pinkney was a signator) (Ref 26)
1868-1869: pp 36-37: Well before 1868, the Home and Mission House and St. Mary's Chapel for colored Episcopalians sponsored by the Washington Convocation were preoccupying the attention of St. John's. The Home was first located on K Street at Connecticut Ave, and was a missionary undertaking "for the poor of the First Ward, irrespective of denomination or color." It was a bi-racial charity with no sectarian strings attached, with St. John's making themselves responsible for it. In 1869 Gen. Oliver Otis Howard, head of the federal Freedmen's Bureau, pledged $100 a month "in aid of charities and for purchases for the Home...." ..... "When young John M. E. McKee became its 'agent' at the end of 1868, he spoke of 'his labors in this field of usefulness...[as] cherished privileges' but he failed to spell out the exact nature of those labors." The services of the mission soon became too expensive for St. John's vestry to endorse and two years after its inception, the vestry said that it could no longer be the corporation, that it would handle the real estate of the Home, but the Board of Managers would have to raise the money to run it. The rector was indignant and assigned his assistant, Mr. McKee, to the task of acting as agent. The earnest young agent informed the diocesan Convention that the rector's "hearty support... and the practical sympathy and cordial cooperation he [McKee} has realized from liberal-souled parishioners of St. John's " kept the Home in operation, but obviously on a hand to mouth basis. In Spring 1869 a gift of land at E and 21st Streets donated by a parishioner for "the Home and Parish School" promised to permit the erection of "a suitable temporary building. The vestry exchanged the lot for one on 16th Street near the church, and there in a small house the Home carried on its work until 1876." (Ref 4, pp.36-37)
20 December 1868: Ordained Deacon by the Rt. Rev. William R. Whittingham, Bishop of Maryland, at St. John's Church, Washington, the only candidate for the diaconate ordained at that time. (Ref 8 and 37, p.674). Note: This date is probably correct, but a more specific date for his becoming a deacon is given in Bacon family records as August 31, 1871. (Ref 1,26, 46) . Asst. St. Johns 1868-1871.(Ref 32)
March 22, 1870: Upon the recommendation of members of the Washington City Convocation, Whittingham appointed McKee to officiate in St. Mary's Chapel as an independent mission and to license him to preach in such missionary work, effective March 26. (Ref 26). St. Mary's resulted through the efforts of Rev. John Vaughan Lewis and Rector Charles Hall of Epiphany Church who sought out its location and building in 1866-67. Hall went to Secretary of War Stanton who donated the chapel attached to the Kalorama Hospital. The chapel was taken down and carefully rebuilt on land offered to Dr. Lewis by Mrs. Catherine Pearson, a parishoner of St. John's. (Ref 35, p.12ff)
March 26-28, 1870: On March 26, McKee received a license to preach and an appointment. He writes to Whittingham on March 28 to ask if he can preach outside Washington. (Ref 25)
March 30, 1870: In reply to a letter from Whittingham on March 29th McKee notes to Whittingham that Whittingham's language gave him a painful surprise - a sting. (Ref 25)
December 1868-Easter 1870 (April 17): "The Rev. John M.E. McKee, since his ordination as Deacon has been officiating in St. John's, Parish, Washington, with special charge of the coloured [sic] congregation at St. Mary's Chapel." (Ref 9) His official title was Assistant Minister, St. John's. (Ref 10)
March 21, 1870: Rev. John Vaughan Lewis, Rector of St. John's writes to Bishop Whittingham, with a note at the top saying "Please read this before you talk with McKee."
Washington DC: My dear Bishop, Mr. McKee told me today that he was going to see you tomorrow and as I have no certainty that I can anticipate his visit by mail, I send this by him. The situation is as follows. McKee is restless and I am in a position to dispense with his assistance and if after Easter, I begin my new work of doubled service, must dispense with his services - as I cannot provide for two assistants and he cannot do the work that I shall then require to be done.I have constantly kept before him the fact that he held his present position by my appointment and that, if I am defeated and ousted at Easter, he goes too. (Ed note: Lewis is in trouble with his congregation who will vote him in or out of office that Easter) That much I thought justice to him required. At the same time I have endeavored in every way in my power to persuade him to go to work at study to prepare himself for priests orders and, I am sorry to say, without effect. He can't study. It is not in him. He never will, in my opinion, be able to claim priests orders. I am equally convinced that, in some way or other, in some Diocese or other, he will creep into them. He evidently chafes under his inability to preach and evidently thinks that I have some power, if I would use it, to get him licensed to preach. And I cannot disabuse him of the concept. He intimated to me recently that I could sign a certificate for him (and get another Presbyter to join me) that he come under the "extraordinary ability" canon and get the dispensation for him from Latin and Greek, but I cannot in conscience, sign such a paper. At the same time I can solemnly declare that I believe him to be a man of considerable general leading, of very great natural shrewdness and of remarkable ability in some very necessary points. He has done a work for St. Johns Home in this Parish that I might have searched five Dioceses to find a man to do as well, without success. I have every reason to believe that he preaches usefully and acceptably at St. Mary's under the name of catechizing. Of course, I never hear him for when I am present I feel bound to preach.
I do think, and it is a very deliberate and carefully considered thought with me, that he is a man who is entitled to every consideration that the Canons might allow, and a man whom the Church ought to retain and encourage and use. His present desire is to be so placed in charge of St. Mary's Chapel that he can give his whole time to it, and not be compelled to tender assistance at the Parish Church.
It is on many accounts a very desirable thing that his wish should be gratified.
He has made himself personally very unpopular in St. Johns, partly by his slovenliness of person for he is very careless in such matters, but much more by his utter want of knowledge of the little proprieties of good breeding. You can have little conception of the extent to which he errs in this last respect, not of the battle that I have had to fight for him nor of the lectures that I have given him about it. It is this that makes it advisable that he should discontinue his services at St. Johns Church. I feel that I cannot defend him much longer. The particular work on the Parish, for which I wanted him, the Home work, he has done and done splendidly. It is finished, and no longer needs his attention, though if he were acceptable otherwise, I could employ him continuously in it. It can get on without him. St. Mary's Chapel does need a man to itself, and I do not know where it can get a man so well qualified, all things considered, to take charge of it as McKee is. I am willing to continue him in the position of a subordinate within my Rectorship and to give him virtual independence for that work at St. Mary's. I suggest that if you can feel justified in doing so, you might consent to his wishes which he will explain more at length than I have done. Sanction his virtual independence of me while saving my jurisdiction for any emergency that may arise (and I am not at all sure that he will avoid emergencies) and license him to preach, if in no other way at least to preach sermons approved by me, and so gratify his ambition to discourse out of his own head and heart.
It seems to me that if there is any elasticity in our Canons, this is a case to call it into use. McKee will not be satisfied to remain a dumb deacon and he will never, I fear, qualify himself under the Canons to receive the usual deacon's license, or to take priests orders. If his reasonable ambition in this matter can be satisfied, St. Mary's will profit by it, and he will profit by it, and the Church will profit by it, at least negatively, that he will not be so anxious to press into the priesthood and, I think, positively, by humoring an honest, hard working, and in many respects very capable man, in order to get out of him all the work that he is capable of rendering. Rome could use that man. I could use him but for the Canons. I hope you, with your better knowledge of Canons and your prerogative of discretion, can hit upon some plan to meet his case and save his innocent pride and at the same time take away the occasion of an unlawful ambition from him. It is possible that if he were released from his somewhat onerous duties at St. Johns Church and Home and had only St. Mary's to look after he might go to work at study and become tolerably well qualified for Priests Orders. I have written hastily, but it is after much cogitation. I am sure that the man is too valuable to discourage, although I am equally sure that he is not competent to stand entirely alone at present, but needs a Rector. I have written as frankly as I could, that you might understand the situation in its most necessary bearings. I think I have done McKee no injustice, and have done justice to you, and, if so, that I have done my duty. It is simply this, in a nutshell. You cannot trust McKee too far. He is not reliable, and his unreliability is not moral. He is as honest and true a soul as you can find, but it arises from want of knowledge, of every kind of knowledge, except that which is intuition, and his intuition now is very keen and sharp. But he must be trusted to the verge of considerable risk or he might wrong himself and wrong the Church, and do damage generally. 'Liberari animam meaui.'
May 3, 1870: McKee writes Whittingham asking for a confirmation service for 10-12 colored candidates to be held at St Mary's. (Ref 25)
1870: William Pinkney becomes CoAdjutor (Assistant Bishop) under Whittingham and succeeds him in 1879. He was rector of St. Matthew's Parish from 1836 to 1857, and Pinkney Memorial Church, Hyattsville was named after him. (Ref 36)
June 1, 1870: McKee confirms the details of the invitation to Whittingham. (Ref 25)
June 20, 1870: McKee confirms the date of confirmation to Whittingham, as next Wednesday evening at 8 pm. (Ref 25)
March 29, 1871: The Rev. T.A. Starkey writes to Whittingham from the Rectory Church of the Epiphany, 1334 New York Avenue, Washington DC and says that McKee will prepare for examination and finds himself in accord with Whittingham with respect to McKee." (Ref 26)
Easter 1870 (April 17)-May 1871: Officiating only in the Mission of St. Mary's Chapel, Washington, DC, the chapel having been canonically separated from St. John's, and McKee resigning his position as Assistant Minister at St. John's. (Ref 11). A modern summary of what has happened at St. Mary's Episcopal Church from its founding until February 1999 can be found in Ref.30.
April 9, 1871 (Easter Sunday): Apparently McKee gave some type of exhortation to his congregation of blacks that did not go over well with them, with some young people leaving.
April 28, 1871: Rev. John Lewis to Whittingham stating that he is anxious about McKee and St. Mary's. "I do not doubt that McKee has been very patient and self-sacrificing nor can I doubt that he has been very injudicious in some matters. I shall try to do what I can to heal the breach… but if it should seem advisable to transfer McKee to another post, I am satisfied that for the present and until some position movement can be made looking to the erection of a suitable building, in a (suitable) location, St. Mary's might better return to its old position as a Chapel of St. John's and that I should work it through a Deacon." He implies that the Rector of St. John's ….."would be more likely to command the respectful deference of those somewhat turbulent spirits - than any "Missionary" who can be sustained in independent effort. McKee's great mistake, though a good hearted one, has been in letting himself down socially to those people, I think. It is more necessary for a man to stand on his dignity with them, than even with any other class of poor people." (Ref 26)
May 3, 1871: Letter from Rev. Lewis (St John's) to Whittingham. "I am sorry that you cannot settle the St. Mary's trouble because Johnson has appealed to the Assistant Bishop (this I know positively but privately). I am quite unwilling to have it take that course and shall rather interfere myself to settle the matter in some summary way. I think my jurisdiction in the premises is clearer than that of the Assistant Bishop. Johnson, who seems to lead the movement among the malcontents is a very plausible man and may be all that he professes. But he is evidently bent on bringing things to a head there as rapidly as possible.. Starkey says that McKee is studying now. Better late than never." (Ref 26)
May 5, 1871: Starkey writes Whittingham, saying that McKee gave an address to his congregation on Easter Day, read by Rev. Jones who was there and heard it. Asks whether a meeting of the Study Committee has been held and asks how soon McKee may expect his examination. (Ref 26)
May 9, 1871: Rev. Lewis writes to Whittingham: "If I and my Vestry certify that McKee is worthy to be admitted to the Sacred Order of Priests 'Section XIII, Canon 7, Title 1, do we pronounce upon anything but his piety, good morals, and orderly conduct? Do we not leave the question of his attainments to be settled by his examiners?" (Ref 26)
May 11, 1871: Letter to Whittingham from McKee encloses testimonials. He notes his current commission as Missionary under the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese. Anticipates a meeting of the Standing Committee. Suggests that his examiners do their examining in DC and not in Baltimore, if convenient to them. (Ref 25)
May 11, 1871: Lewis writes to Whittingham that he "can well certify to McKee's personal character and to his intellectual acuteness and shall do so with good cheerfulness." (Ref 26)
May 22, 1871: A petition is presented by a black church member named Johnson, complaining that McKee said that while blacks had powers in the municipal world, they did not have power in the Episcopal church. The Bishop is asked to remove McKee whose "usefulness has ceased." (Ref 26). Another source (Ref 35, p.14ff) notes that a letter was written by John Ross Davis, an original founder of the mission, to Pinkney asking his help to find a minister of African descent for St. Mary's.
May 22, 1871: Starkey writes to Whittingham. Apparently Whittingham has written a letter to Starkey that Starkey says he has made no use of. He wants to wait and then call a meeting. Lewis says that these men are writing to Whittingham to state their case and he will wait to hear from Whittingham. Notes that the case at St. Mary's is embarrassing. McKee's position has not been a very agreeable one and yet he has managed very tenderly. "One or two men, who did nothing - only come to service occasionally, are angry because (as I really think) they cannot rule… Is it right and is it for the welfare of this congregation that (the congregation) should learn, in its infancy, the bad habit of dictating to the clergy?" He believes that Lewis would like it (St. Mary's) to be back under his jurisdiction but he has not said anything to McKee. He says that he is just letting Whittingham know how things are.
May-August 1871: McKee leaves St. Mary's during this period and is succeeded by Rev. John A. Graves who is, in turn succeeded by Rev. Alexander Crumwell on June 15, 1873 who was invited by Bishop Pinkney to take charge of the work on that date. Crumwell left in November 1880 to accept a call to St. Luke's Episcopal Church and most of St. Mary's congregation migrated with him.. Crumwell was the third black to be ordained by the Episcopate of the American church. McKee will return again as Assistant Rector in 1885- September 1893. (Ref 35).
August 27, 1871: Letter to McKee from George Martin, Emmanuel Church, Anacostia Parish, DC acknowledges his willingness to become their pastor. They offer him a rent-free residence and a term appointment of one year from September 1, 1871. McKee was its first permanent Rector, from September 1871 to September 1872. (Ref 25 and 38, p.217) Emmanuel Church was a small brick church building erected in 1870 and was replaced with an edifice whose cornerstone was laid in the autumn of 1891 by Bishop Paret. The Emmanuel Mission was a colored mission in Anacostia, 1887 to about 1903, when the name "Chapel of St. Philip the Evangelist" was adopted and the mission was placed under the Bishop of Washington. McKee was again Rector from September 1876 to September 1885. (Ref 38, p.217)
By 1 September 1871: McKee was transferred from the charge of St. Mary's Chapel, Washington, DC, to charge of Anacostia Parish, District of Columbia. (Ref 12) Emmanuel Church in the Anacostia Parish is at 13th and V. Streets, S.E., Washington, DC. (Ref 36, p.30) His predecessor was Rev. J. A. Graves who officiated from March 27, 1870 for about one year (and succeeded McKee for about one year at St. Mary's in 1873 -- Ref 36). The following year, McKee stated that he had agreed to take the parish for one year. He left 1 September 1872. (Ref 13). McKee returned again to Anacostia Parish in 1876 and served until September 1, 1885 -- a rectorate in all of ten years. There was no Parish report in 1873.
November 24, 1871: From McKee to Bishop Whittingham who reports the expansion of the church, noting that his residence is next door to the church. He is buying lots to build on. McKee is concerned with his admission to the Priesthood and asks about it.
December 6, 1871: From McKee to Whittingham. Expresses concern about the Bishop's possible hesitation about his admission to the Priesthood. He advises the Bishop to contact William Pinkney "who sees a great deal of me and my work," and asks that he consent to delegate the duty to him. (Ref 25)
December 18, 1871: From McKee to Whittingham. Does he want to delegate to Pinkney a confirmation? (Ref 25)
January 15, 1872: McKee becomes a member of Masonic Lodge Anacostia No.21. No further information available in DC Masonic Lodge files. (Ref.50)
February 21, 1872: Letter from Starkey to Whittingham saying that he had had a long and serious conversation with McKee about the great necessity of preparing himself for an examination in Latin and Greek before his ordination into the Priesthood. Tells him that McKee is thoroughly persuaded of Starkey's friendship and that he has finally acceded to his views. McKee said it was difficult to study and run a parish with no financial support - only a house. Starkey says that it is a case for the Society for the Increase of the Ministry and that he could prepare for a not severe examination in a year to 15 months -- asks if something can be done for him. (Ref 26)
May 14, 1872: McKee writes Whittingham asking why a circular letter was sent to him. (Ref 25)
August 3, 1872: McKee informs Whittingham that his one year at Anacostia is coming to an end and that the vestry will not support him further beyond his house which they rent for him at $14 per month. McKee tells Whittingham that the Adjutant General and Surgeon General of the Army are old friends and that the Secretary of War has created a chaplaincy for him at the Freedman's Hospital at $1200 per annum from July 1, 1872 when the hospital became a military one at the closing of the Freedmen's Bureau. It is a civil chaplain's position. He has had a leave of absence from July 1 to September 1 to complete his work at the vestry in Anacostia. The new job is near Howard University at the north end of 6th and 7th streets, outside of Washington. There are 300-400 colored patients there in the wards, mostly old, infirm and illiterate. Heretofore the religion was wholly Congregational. His office is on the main floor. He notes that the position is still under the Bishop. (Ref 26)
1 September 1872: McKee accepted an appointment as Hospital Chaplain of the Government Hospital near Howard University, Washington, DC. (Ref 14) Date of resignation from this post is uncertain. Details of his work as Hospital Chaplain appear in his Clerical Reports of 1873-74 and 1874-75, but not in subsequent reports, leading to the conclusion his ministry as Hospital Chaplain ended by May 1875.
January 29, 1873: Rev. Pinkney writes to Bishop Whittingham that McKee is about to renew his application for dispensation and that it should be considered. He says that McKee will do well in the work of the Priesthood with above average usefulness and a heart of more than usual fervor. He has a high opinion of his willingness to work, his self-sacrifice and capacity to work. (Ref 26)
February 21, 1873: The Standing Committee informs Whittingham that they have agreed to the dispensation to McKee, Deacon, from his knowledge of Latin, Greek and Hebrew. (Ref 26)
February 23, 1873: There is a handwritten letter to the Examining Chaplain from William Pinkney notifying them that he has received the counsel of the Standing Committee of the Diocese and he grants to McKee candidacy for Priest's Orders. There is a dispensation that waives the requirement for Latin, Greek and Hebrew languages and other branches of learning and requests that the chaplain examine him under the canon on all points not excluded by this dispensation. (Ref 26)
May 22, 1873: To Whittingham from McKee who sends him a clerical report and asks if he is eligible for a seat in the (annual) Convention. (Ref 25)
July 1, 1873: McKee writes to Whittingham telling him that he expects to make a "short visit to the British islands this summer" and asks for a commendatory letter. (Ref 25)
1873: Returned to Ireland and was ordained to the Episcopal priesthood in Londonderry, Ireland (Ref 1). Ascended to the priesthood in 1873 - by the Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, Ireland (Ref 3). His obituary states that he was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop William Alexander of the Diocese of Londonderry and Raphoe (Ref 46 - see August 15, 1874).
By May 1874 - Ordained a priest. The Bishop of Maryland stated in his annual report, "The Rev. John M.E. McKee received admission to the Holy Order of Priesthood from the hands of the Bishop of Derry, while on a visit last summer to his relatives and friends in Ireland." (Ref 15) The Journal of…Maryland gives no further clues regarding the reason for his wait to be ordained a priest, nor the reason the ordination was done in Ireland.
The Diocesan Office of the Rectory of Derry & Raphoe have not been able to come up with any information regarding the ordination of McKee. The Rev. Sam Barton writes "There are records of records of ordinations around the period in question, but, and in this case it is a very large but, they only exist in respect of clergy ordained for the particular parish in which they were ordained to serve. It would appear that J.M.E. McKee did not have a licence to officiate in the Diocese of Derry or Raphoe therefore he does not appear in the Diocesan Registers. Furthermore the diocese does not maintain records of Episcopal correspondence (these would have been kept by individual bishops) so I cannot help in this matter either." (Ref 31)
If McKee had had a family in Ireland, it would make sense that he would have returned there to be ordained as a priest, according to remarks by Julia Randle. In an affidavit filed in support of the widow's pension for Anna H. McKee after John's death, s close family friend, Marie Van Hook Smith (wife of Middleton Smith and married by McKee) said that McKee's trip to Ireland was not an extended one, and was simply a brief visit.
Stories in the Bacon family (Ref.1) and an affidavit in the National Archives (Ref 2) indicate that when he returned to the US after being ordained in Ireland, McKee was asked to chaperone Miss Anna Hamilton of Maymore, St. Johnstown, Co. Donegal, a farm near a village near Londonderry. They were married on October 14, 1873 by a minister, Rev. John Purvis, who was Rector of St. James Church in Poquetanuck, Connecticut, on board the Scottish steamer Olympia (Ref.33), belonging to the Anchor Line, going from Glasgow to New York. Her siblings said that Anna Hamilton left Maymore on October 1, 1873. There is an affidavit from the minister of St. James who says that a record of the marriage is in the church register. (Ref 2)
In the passenger list of the Olympia, the Rev. J.M.E. McKee, age 34, is listed as a clergyman and he had a cabin. Four passenger listings down from McKee, also in a cabin, were Rev. J. Purvis (age 55) and his wife (age 50). Eighteen listings down from McKee was Miss Annie Hamilton, age 24, no occupation, from Ireland. (Ref.40)
There are Hamilton descendant family stories that Ann Hamilton was going to America to help keep house for her relatives who were living here (James Hamilton). Another story was that she was travelling to the US because she was engaged to someone who was meeting the ship in New York.(Ref.41)
Came back to DC in 1873 upon his return from Ireland. (Ref 1 and Ref 2). This date of arrival in Washington looks firm.
May 11, 1874: Letter from McKee to Whittingham in which McKee says "you do not look upon me as newcomer in this Diocese, unknown and untried." He had indicated a desire to have a seat at the approaching Convention to be held at St. John's. Says the Rev. (Meyer) Lewin would support it. (Ref 25)
1872-75: McKee was a Chaplain at the US Hospital in DC. (Ref 3).
August 15, 1874: McKee's first child was born, Cecil Frances McKee. She was probably named for Cecil Frances Alexander, the wife of William Alexander, the Bishop of Derry and Raphoe. McKee had been ordained by Bishop Alexander in 1873.
By May 1874 - By May 1875: Rector, St. James Parish, Washington, DC. (Ref 16). Rev. Mr. Graves was a deacon at St. James, officiating at odd times. (Ref 36, p.80) St. James' Parish dates from 1873 and had St. James' Church in it at 8th Street near Massachusetts Avenue, N.E. Its first Rector was Rev. James Walters Clark (July 25, 1882-April 1925). A gothic stone church, it opened and was dedicated March 1884, and was completed November 1886. It was an advanced type of churchmanship, called "Anglo-Catholic", with a claim of adherence to the full Catholic faith and practice of the church. (Ref 38, p.222-223)
October 24, 1874: McKee appeals to Whittingham for permission to raise funds in the District for an inexpensive chapel for St James Parish. (Ref 26)
May 24, 1875: McKee sends Whittingham his report as Rector of St. James' Parish and US Hospital Chaplain. (Ref 25)
August 1, 1875: McKee was enlisted in the General Service USA and was assigned to duty in the Adjutant General's Office, War Department, and was discharged July 31, 1880 at Washington DC by expiration of service as Private. Reenlisted August 1, 1880, at Washington DC in same organization and was honorably discharged August 11, 1882 at Washington DC by order of the Secretary of War, a Private, not reported sick on any rolls. Prior service in Co. K, 5th Regt, Hancock's Corps. (Ref 2)
Mid 1870s: St. Mary's Chapel fared better during the mid-1870s than the hospital-orphanage or the Mission House, chiefly because the Negroes who made up the congregation were at once devout and independent of spirit..... McKee, who administered to them for several years while he served as agent for the Mission House, observed that men predominated in the congregation, a situation rare in any white church in Washington. Their responses to the services were so whole-hearted that Bishop Whittingham spoke of the lift of the spirit he felt when he visited the chapel. (Ref 4, p.44)
Late 1870s: St. John's Home and Mission House slowly faded into the background. Its functions were never clearly delineated and tended with time to overlap and then be submerged by those of newer parish organizations. As the initial faith in the feasibility of bi-racial institutions wore thin at the close of the Reconstruction Era, any charity that sought to combine help to white with help to colored people was doomed. St. Mary's succeeded as a Negro chapel; the Orphanage survived its financial struggles as a white institution. The assistance which the Mission House, with collaboration from the Freedmen's Bureau, offered Negroes in the 1860s when McKee announced that the charity recognized no color line apparently became in the late 1870s part of St. Mary's program, while the white orphanage was the beneficiary of much of the residual resources of the Home and Mission. (Ref 4, p.45)
February 17, 1876: McKee's second child was born -- William Pinkney McKee. There is little doubt that he is named after William Pinkney, who is then assistant Bishop and probably a mentor of McKee.
September 1876: McKee is recalled to Anacostia Parish, DC, and served as Rector until September 1, 1885. (Ref 17, 18, and 38, p.217)
1879: Bishop Whittingham dies. He has been Bishop for 39 years since 1840. William Pinkney becomes Bishop and is in that position until 1883. He is succeeded by William Paret who is in that position from January 8, 1885 until 1911.
February 15, 1879: McKee's third child is born -- Violet Hamilton McKee.
June 14, 1878: McKee sends in a report of the suburban parish of Anacostia. His address was 240 14th St. NW, Washington DC. (Ref 26)
1880: McKee is Pastor, Emanuel Church, living at 809 22nd NW. (Ref 45)
October 31, 1884: McKee writes to Rev. William Paret, Bishop, a letter of congratulations on his election as Bishop, mentioning the regards from himself, his wife and his "three little ones." (Ref 26). He is listed as living at 809 22nd Street, NW, Washington DC, until 1906. (Ref 45)
September 1, 1885: McKee leaves Anacostia Parish and is succeeded by Rev. Isaac Peck in 1886, who appears to have served a short time. There is no report of the Parish in 1887. (Ref 36) McKee becomes a non-parochial clergyman living in the District of Columbia. (Ref 19)
1885 - No later than May 1894: Assistant Minister, St. John's Parish. (Ref 20 and 32)
1881-1887: In 1881 when the congregation of the Chapel of the Holy
Communion asked to be set off as a separate parish, Dr. Leonard
thought the plan unwise. Instead, St. John's vestry purchased the
property and renamed the institution St. John's Chapel. Mr. McKee,
who had served as agent for the Mission House a decade before, now
became rector, and the chapel absorbed the functions of the older
secular organization and the chapel was transformed into a
small-scale "institutional church" such as advocates of the Social
Gospel were introducing into New York, and Chicago and Columbus ,
Ohio. Charles Pyne took charge of the chapel in 1887. Meanwhile,
St. Mary's Chapel underwent a metamorphosis. From time to time the
dedicated Mr. McKee added to his other duties a certain amount of
supervision at St. Mary's. (Ref.4, p.53)
*******************
St. John's and Trinity Parishes:
"It is expedient to divide Washington Parish and St. John's
Parish..... to form a third parish..... of all that part of St.
John's east of 7th Street and all that part of Washington Parish west
of North and South Capitol Streets and North of I street South.....
to Trinity Parish." - Register Trinity Church 1848-1897.
October 31, 1890: John M.E. McKee appears in front of a notary public, age 57, a resident of DC and swears to his enrollment as private on July 4, 1861, that he was discharged on July 13, 1864, that he is particularly unable to earn a support by manual labor by reason of abscess in left ear, causing perforation of tympanum, resulting in deafness (not due to vicious habits) - also nasal catarrh. He had a date of filing as an invalid of November 3, 1890 (Class Appl. No. 924941; Certificate No. 687360, filed in DC) He was living at 809 22nd Street, Washington DC and lived there until 1906. (Ref 38)
May 19 and 20, 1891: The War Department verifies his military record and calls for his statement under oath.
May 21, 1891: McKee writes, subscribes and swears before a Notary Public as to his service.
June 1, 1891: McKee is examined by a physician and states " I am totally deaf in my left ear and quite so in my right. I suffer also with nasal catarrh." He is found to have a pulse rate 72, respiration 18, temperature normal, height 5 ft 8 1/2 inches, weight 135 lbs., age 58 years. The physician writes "Deafness and catarrh: - The throat is congested. Nasal passages now only slightly inflamed. Eustachian tubes and pervious. Left tympanum is perforated and dry. Right tympanum normal. External auditory mentus red and moist as if secreting pus. With left ear he cannot hear watch even on pressure. With right he hears ordinary conversation and watch at 10 inches. He has no other disability. The result was that he was entitled to a 4/18 rating for catarrh and 10/18 for total deafness of left ear.
June 26, 1891: Bureau of Pensions, Department of the Interior asks for McKee to swear that he had military duty since March 6, 1866 in a Call No.3.
June 29, 1891: McKee writes: " In reply to Call No. 3 the undersigned has the honor to state that since March 6, 1866 he has not served in the Army or Navy, except as General Service Clerk in the Adjutant General's Office of this city, from August 1, 1875 to August 12, 1882, for which latter service no surgical examination was required. Respectfully, (signed)."
November 21, 1891: The application was approved for $12 per month beginning November 3, 1890 (Ref 2)
1892-September 1892: Rev. J.M.E. McKee served the Chapel at St. Mary's. He succeeded W.L. Burwell (May 1889-May 1891) and was followed by Rev. Oscar Lieber Mitchell (Vicar from November 1894 to 1928). There is a picture of Cecil Frances McKee, organist and daughter, in Ref. 35, page 24, with the All-Boy's Choir of St. Mary's, probably taken during his tenure there.
1893: St. Matthew's Chapel of Washington Parish (Half and M Streets, S.E.) was build and dedicated. Associated there first as Assistant Rector was Reverend J.M.E. McKee who was succeeded by Rev. Walden Myer. (Ref 36,pp.106-107)
September 5, 1893: A determination to the Chief of the Bureau of Pensions indicates that they believe that McKee is not notably disabled under the Act of June 27, 1890 and that he should be dropped from the rolls.
October 4, 1893: McKee was informed by the Bureau of Pensions, Department of the Interior that "it appears from medical evidence on file in this Bureau that you are not notably disabled for earning a support by manual labor under Act of June 27, 1890, from the effects of catarrh and deafness of left ear." They suspended payment of his pension on Certificate No. 687,360 pending an answer by McKee under oath within 60 days.
October 31, 1893: McKee declares that he believes he is entitled on account of "the disabilities for which pensioned. Also pleurisy, rheumatism and lumbago, contracted on or about March 16, 1892 and subsequently at various times." That said disabilities are not due to his vicious habits and are to the best of his knowledge and belief of a permanent character. He requests an immediate medical examination.
March 24, 1894: McKee is examined and states, in addition to items cited on October 31, 1893, that he has soreness in left side at times when he breathes, has rheumatism in back of legs with occasional numbness of right arm. Has occasional attacks of lumbago. Doctor examination shows pulse rate of 70, respiration 17, temperature 98.4, height f ft. 8 1/5 inches, weight 140 lbs., age 61. There is an extensive medical written description which says that his heart action, size, position and sounds are entirely normal.
By May 1894 (Ref 21) - January 1904 (Ref 22): Assistant Minister, Washington Parish, Washington, DC. (Ref 32 and 37)
June 14, 1894: In Certificate No. 687360 McKee is informed by the Commissioner of the Bureau of Pensions that his medical record does not show that he cannot do manual labor. Inside of 30 days he is asked to file any evidence that will show the extent of his incapacitation and they threaten to drop his stipend without that evidence.
Early July 1894: McKee writes the Commissioner of Pensions, saying that he had a good physician to examine him. He complains that he did not think it fair to treat the old soldiers of the late war who have been faithful and true to their flag as objects of suspicion by taking away from them their little pensions which they have honestly earned and he requests that his pension be allowed to stand.
November 28, 1894: McKee was examined as an Applicant for Revision No. 687360, getting a surgeon's certificate.
December 28, 1894: Physician reports that McKee has pulse rate of 72-80, respiration 18, temperature normal, 5 ft 8 1/4 inches tall, weight 145 lbs., age 61. Totally deaf left ear, membrane tympani perforated. Cannot hear loud conversation at any distance. Catarrh: Nasal and pharyngeal catarrh of a moderate severity. Rheumatism: Right shoulder crepitates. Sensation slightly impaired in entire arm. No pain complained of at this time. No atrophy, thickening of tissues or contraction of tendons. No evidence of disease of chest, heart and lungs normal. No other disability. No evidence of vicious habits. Muscles small and flabby. Nutrition fair. Claimant could only do very light (underlined) labor.
1895: A new diocese of Washington was formed, separating the Maryland Diocese from the Washington DC Diocese. The first Bishop was Henry Yates Satterlee, appointed in 1896 who was succeeded by Bishop Alfred Harding (1908-1923) when Satterlee died on February 22, 1908, aged 65. The new diocese comprises Washington DC, and the counties of Montgomery, Prince George's, Charles and St. Mary's in Maryland (Ref 35, page 4ff)
June 4, 1898: McKee is sent a questionnaire in which he makes the following statements:
Wife's full name:: Anna Hamilton McKee, nee Anna Hamilton.When, where, and by whom were you married:: St. James Protestant Episcopal Church, Poquetanuck, Connecticut. October 14, 1873, at Sea, off New England Coast, by Rev. John Purves, Rector.
What record of marriage exists? Marriage Certificate, and it is to be presumed a record of the wedding on the Register of the St James Church, Poquetannock, Conn. Never previously married.
Have you children living? Cecil Frances, born August 15, 1874; William Pinkney, born February 17, 1876; Violet Hamilton, born February 15, 1879.
1900: McKee buys a grandfather clock (H.Muhr's Sons, Philadelphia) whose works come from England and whose cabinet was American-made. This clock passed to his son-in-law, William Elmer Bacon after his death, to his daughter, Ann Hamilton Bacon after his death in 1974, and then to William Eager Howard III after Ann Hamilton Bacon's death in December 1995. It was restored by the Vienna Clock Shop, Virginia between September 1996 and September 1997.
October 1, 1902: Cecil Frances McKee, daughter of J.M.E. McKee, marries William Elmer Bacon at St. Paul's Church, Washington DC.
November 1, 1903: William Elmer Bacon, Jr., grandson of J.M.E. McKee, is born in Washington DC.
January 1904: Left Washington Parish "for a temporary rest." (Ref 23). From then until his death, he was listed as non-parochial clergyman of the Diocese of Washington (although in noting McKee's death, the Bishop of Washington termed him "General Missionary." (Ref 24).
April 12, 1904: McKee declares for an increase in pension. He was getting $6.00 per month, so his appeal in 1894 was apparently not successful in keeping his $12 per month.
He states that he has total deafness in the left ear and impaired hearing in the right ear, with rheumatism affecting various parts of the body. He states that he was not in the military prior to July 4, 1861 and not after August 12, 1882. He served in Co. E. 62nd PA Inf from July 14, 1861 to July 13, 1864 and in Co. K, 5th US Vet. Vols from Feb 22, 1865 to March 6, 1866; also in Genl Service, War Dept., from Aug 1, 1875 to Aug 12, 1882. He was living at 809, 22nd St. NW, Washington DC.
July 30, 1905: John M. E. McKee (clergyman) and his wife Anna arrive back in the US on the passenger liner "Parisian" (Ref 49), having visited Maymore and departed from Londonderry, Ulster, Ireland, UK en route to Washington DC with at least $50 in their pockets. They both purchased their own tickets but did not have a ticket to Washington. His age on arrival is listed as 72 years, 5 months and hers as 57. Both could read and write and both were of Scotch-Irish ancestry, US citizens in good health; neither were ever in prison, polygamists, anarchists. (Ref 48). As for the timing of their trip - both parents had died. John's youngest sister, Harriette had died on 20 Dec 1903; his oldest sister, Maria (Marian) died 30 March 1905 and his second oldest sister, Elizabeth, would die on 10 March 1906. They may have returned to Maymore to see John's remaining sisters and possibly to arrange for their burial - all three sisters are now buried together in the new Strabane cemetery and WEHIII visited their grave in August 2000 during their trip to Maymore.
June 1, 1906: Frances Bacon, granddaughter of J.M.E. McKee, is born in Washington DC.
1906: McKee moved to 1634 S. Street, NW, Washington DC, living there until his death in 1916. (Ref 38)
1907-1913ff: Assistant, St. Thomas Parish, Washington. (Ref 32)
February 12, 1907: In a Declaration for Pension, McKee lists his residence as 1634 S Street, NW, Washington, DC.
March 2, 1907: Record shows that his service record was confirmed.
March 22, 1907: Approval obtained to increase his pension from $12 per month to $15 per month, commencing February 12, 1907.
February 1, 1908: In Declaration for Pension, McKee, age 75, appears to reiterate his personal information for his pension. Rate is increased to $20 per month, commencing February 3, 1908.
October 2, 1909: Ann Hamilton Bacon, granddaughter of J.M.E. McKee, is born in Washington DC.
May 16, 1912: In Declaration for Pension, McKee, age 79, appears to reiterate his personal information for his pension. Approved on June 25, 1912.
July 2, 1912: Bureau of Pensions increases his rate to $30 per month, commencing May 16, 1912.
November 9, 1913: "A cornerstone was laid by Bishop Harding in St. Matthew's Parish, assisted by Reverend J.M.E. McKee, a member of the Bishop's staff. Rev. J.M.E. McKee has conducted services in the morning twice a month, which has been of great assistance to the rector, who conducted services twice a month in the evening." (Ref 36. p.128)
1914: McKee is listed as a clerk in the Adjutant General's Office. (Ref 45)
1914-1916: Many years spent in Anacostia Parish, but for two years preceding his death on November 11, 1916, McKee was engaged in work with the Cathedral Chapter. (Ref.1)
March 19, 1915: McKee filled out another questionnaire similar to the one mentioned in the June 4, 1898 entry. His responses are the same but he refers to his daughter, Cecil, now as Mrs. Cecil Frances Bacon and he says he has the marriage certificate of the clergyman who married him and Anna.
April 20, 1916: McKee draws up and signs his will. His estate goes to his widow, his Howard watch goes to his grandson, William Elmer Bacon, Jr., and his executors are William Elmer Bacon, son in law, and his widow, as joint executors. (Ref 47)
Saturday, November 11, 1916: The Rev. John Matthew Ezekiel McKee died at his home at 11:15 pm after an illness of 10 months. (Ref.1,46). His death certificate says that his primary cause of death was senility (duration 5 months) and the immediate cause of death was exhaustion (duration 7 days). His age at death was listed in his death certificate (Record 232,937; Burial Permit 232,937) as 83 years, 10 months, and 11 days. (Ref 2). He was a resident of Washington DC for 43 years.
Monday, November 13, 1916: There is an entry in the Bishop's Journal for this date saying that he "called on Mrs. McKee to express my sympathy on the death of her husband, Rev. J.M.E. McKee." (Ref 37)
Tuesday, November 14, 1916: Morning funeral at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church at New Hampshire Avenue and V Street, NW., at which Bishop Harding of the Diocese of Washington officiated, assisted by many of the clergy (Ref.1). He is buried in Rock Creek Cemetery. Undertaker was Joseph Gawler's Sons, then at 1732 Penna Ave N.W. His Howard pocketwatch and chain was bequeathed to his grandson (?), Wm Elmer Bacon. His wife and son-in-law, William Elmer Bacon, were named as executors. (Ref 1). Jane Sydney Skinner Bacon writes " (We have a Howard watch which has) no engraving on it and we do not (know) from where it came. It is a slight possibility that my Dad, Elmer, inherited it in some way, and mother ended up with it." (Ref 27). There is an entry in the Bishop's Journal for this date -- "At 10:30 am in St. Andrew's Church assisted by a goodly number of the Clergy, held the Burial Service for the late Rev. John Matthew Ezekiel McKee, "A Faithful Minister of Jesus Christ." (Ref 37). In the Bishop's Address of that year, his Necrology reads "The Reverend John Matthew Ezekiel McKee, General Missionary, ..... commended ..... to me and to the Church in this Diocese, by (a life) of singular devotion, self-sacrifice and humility. (He has) left behind an unexampled record of faithful service through many years, though hindered by much suffering and weakness of body." (Ref 37)
November 15, 1916: On this date McKee's son, William Pinkney McKee informed authorities of his death in a letter that is in his file material at the National Archives (Ref 2).
November 18, 1916: McKee's widow, Anna H. McKee filed for a widow's pension (Class Appl. No. 1086327; Certificate No. 823491, filed in DC). [Microfilm T-288; Roll 304] (Ref 2), Her pension started on November 18, 1916 at $12 per month. On June 4, 1928 it had increased to $40 per month.
November 29, 1916: McKee's will is filed in the District of Columbia. (Ref 47)
March 5, 1932: Anna Hamilton McKee, widow of Rev. J.M.E. McKee, dies in Washington DC. She is buried with her husband in Rock Creek Cemetery, Washington, DC.
Note: During 1895, the Diocese of Maryland was divided, and the parishes and churches in the District of Columbia, Charles County, Maryland, Montgomery County, Maryland, Prince George's County, Maryland, and St. Mary's County, Maryland, became the Diocese of Washington. Beginning in 1896, all records concerning those churches will be found in the Diocese of Washington.
Suggestions for additional research:
Careful reading of the Southern Churchman, 1868-1916, for possible
references to his work.
Prepared by:
Dr. William E. Howard III
1653 Quail Hollow Court
McLean, VA 22101-3234
703 532-8975
wehoward@sigmaxi.org
Updated: August 21, 2002
This page maintained by John R. Henderson (jhenderson@ithaca.edu), Lodi, NY.
Last modified: 26 August 2002
URL: http://www.ithaca.edu/staff/jhenderson/pa62d/mckee.html