Hugh 'Linen Hughie' Mckee, of Poagsburn

The pioneer's grandson, Hugh McKee, of Poagsburn, became a successful linen merchant in the latter part of the eighteenth century, and acquired from Lord Donegal the privilege of erecting a stone in the old linen market in Donegal street, Belfast, on which to buy and sell linen. This necessitated his having a stamp for marking the linen thus purchased or sold, and so he had one made from the original crest on the patent, using however the English translation of the motto. This stamp was lost, but his son John, who was killed in 1812, was one of the few men in that neighborhood to set a watch, and with it he got a seal with the family crest ; both of which are now in the possession of his grandnephew, Mr. David McKee, Oughley, Saintfield, County Down, Ireland.

This is as close an approximation to the original as we can make from the seal, which differs only in having the motto "TUEX IT NOT AGAINST ME."...

A third son of John, of Lisban, was Hugh, who purchased Poagsburn farm about 1760, where he raised a large family.

He was better known as " Linen Hughie," as he was a linen merchant in Belfast, where he owned a stone in the old market.

His oldest son was Robert, who saw the stone erected ; another was John, whose watch and seal still exist.

Still another son was the celebrated Rev. David McKee, who preached at Anuaghlone, for over sixtv years. The sons of the latter all died un-married, except David, who was Rev. Dr. John Hall's successor in Dublin when he left for Fifth Avenue, New York, and who went to New Zealand for his health a few years since, and died two years later. His family are still at Raccerton, Christ's Church, New Zealand.

The Poagsburn farm is now occupied by Linen Hughie's grandson, Robert McKee.

History of the Descendants of David McKee of Anahilt With a General Sketch of the Early McKee’s Prof. JAMES Y. McKee. 1892. PHILADELPHIA: JOSEPH D. McKee. 1892.

Hugh McKee

• BIRTH 1734 Northern Ireland
• DEATH 1813 (aged 78–79) Northern Ireland
• BURIAL First Boardmills Presbyterian Churchyard Boardmills, County Down, Northern Ireland
• MEMORIAL ID 56625081

In memorium Hugh McKee of Poagsburn, son of John and grandson of Hugh McKee who with Robert Edgar joined the army ofKing William the third in Scotland, fought at the battle of the Boyne and settled in Lisban,1690,born 1734 died 1819.

His wife Anne Warnock of Rureagh , The Ards 1745-1812. Their children,

• Ellen, 1765-1850;
• Robert, 1767-1829;
• Jane,1775 ther-1795;
• John, 1776-1812.
• Their son Hugh of Carricknaveagh 1782-1857. His wife Jane MCKee of Annahilt 1794-1859. Their children Eliza,1823-1868; Ann, 1826-1852; Rebecca, 1828-1854; William john, 1832-1882; Ellen Jane, 1835-1905; Mary, 1838-1879

Robert McKee of Poagsburn, son of James of the Ouchley, and grandson of Hugh 1811-1896. His wife Elizabeth Little 1821-1906. Their daughter Isabella McKibbin 1853-1871. Their son John McKee 1851-1931 who erected this monument, was the faithful and generous friend of first Boardmills Congregation and donor of the adjoining McKee hall. Interred in Woodlawn Cemetery, New York.