The earliest known member of the McKinny families of Southwest Wisconsin is thought to be John McKinney of Rockingham Co., NC. The first recording we have of him is that he was given a State of North Carolina Land Grant #1197 (from Book B). This was issued by Ralph Gonell, Entry officer of Claims for Land in the County of Guilford to John McKinny on 9 Jan 1779 for 200 acres of land situated on Little Rock House Creek in Guilford County. This area of Guilford Co. became Rockingam County in 1785. Rockingham Co. borders Virginia and is in Western North Carolina. We know that many Scotch Irish people settled in this part of North Carolina. We assume from this that it is very probable that our John McKinny was of Scotch Irish descent.
John McKinny, Sr. There were a number of John McKinnys who served in the Revolutionary War from the State of North Carolina. It is possible that our John McKinny got a land grant for this service but there were other reasons for giving land grants than participation in the war. It is difficult to tell how many McKinnys did serve in the war as the spelling of the name wasn't always the same and some men served several sessions. This is an area that needs more research.
The land grant states: "Surveyed the 8th day of September 1783 for John McKinney 400 acres of land according to the annexed plan situate on the waters of Little Rock House Creek on the Dan River, Guilford County, North Carolina. Beginning at (trees were used to locate corners of land) to a grub in Mary Elliott line, thence S to vacant land croping Little Rock House Creek, etc. Signed by, Joshua Smith Dated November 8, 1784."
It is most difficult from these old land descriptions to tell just exactly what the shape of a piece of land actually was. It undoubtedly was not a perfect rectangle but perhaps it was close. We would gather from this description that the land is located on the north side of Little Rock House Creek. The Little Rock House Creek is a very short creek that flows from the east to the west into the Dan River. It is located in the midpart of Rockingham County, North Carolina just to the north of the County Seat of Wentworth. Little Rock House Creek is now called Roach Creek.
Both John and his wife Margaret made wills in Rockingham Co. The Clerk of Court in Wentworth, the County Seat, states that they are unable to locate the original wills and that all they have for all of their wills made from 1772-1804 is a condensation of the will. The following are given:
McKinney, John - will dated 21 Sep 1791. Wife Margaret. Children: John, Susanie, Sarah, and Elizabeth. Exrs. wife Margaret and son John. Wit. Robt Gallaway. Will his X mark Elliot. Livanh (?) her X mark Robeson. Signed by mark. Note: on 29 Nov 1791 Robert Gallaway made oath in open court that he wrote the will of John McKinny and that the sd McKinny mentioned to him that he already had given what he intended to his two daughters Mary Nelson? and Cathren McKinny. Will probated November 1791.
McKinny, Margaret - Will dated 30 Mar 1799. Dau. Sarah McKinny, Granddaughter Betsey Baker McKinny. Executors: Sarah McKinny, David Scales, Andrew Robertson. Witnesses David Scales, Sarah (her mark X) McKinny. Singed by Mark. No date of Probate.
Little else is know about this couple but two of their children, John and Elizabeth have been researched by several individuals.