The maternal line of the McKie family of Cambridge, New York, traces to Phineas Whiteside, born June 31, 1716, in county Tyrone, Ireland, died in the town of Cambridge, Washington county, New York, 1793. He came to the American colonies about the year 1736 with his brother, landing at Philadelphia, and making settlement in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. He was a man of education and maintained a private school, which he taught until he moved from the state. He was Protestant in religion and probably a Covenanter, if the fact that he was associated with John Culbertson, may be taken as evidence. John Culbertson was a Scotch Covenanter and missionary. In 1764 or 1766 he came to Washington county on a mission to the Secession church. He was accompanied on this long and perilous trip by Phineas Whiteside, who made permanent location in West Cambridge. He purchased a tract of fourteen hundred acres which he cleared in part and cultivated. The war of the revolution prevented his getting title to the land which he held on perpetual lease at a rental of one shilling per acre. The land was not held in "fee simple" until 1877, when it was purchased. As his sons came of age he gave them each two hundred acres of land. The homestead he erected is still standing and owned by a descendant, Mrs. Catherine Hobson. He was a very patriotic man and during the war of the revolution espoused with fervor the colonial cause, subscribing one thousand pounds to aid the colonial government. He also exerted himself in behalf of some soldiers who were being tried for desertion. He defended them with much skill and restored them to their commands. His wife at her death left one hundred pounds for the erection of a church in the locality, other members of the family contributed enough to complete it. It has always been known as the "Whiteside church." He married Ann Cooper, while yet a resident of Pennsylvania. Children, the sons all settled on farms in the town:
- John, of further mention;
- William, married Lois Freeman;
- Peter, married Ann Robertson;
- Thomas, married Betsey Cramer;
- Edward, married Ann French;
- Ann, married Thomas Cochrane;
- Oliver, married Susanna Pendergast.
(II) John, son of Phineas and Ann (Cooper) Whiteside, was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, 1752. He came to Washington county with his parents in 1764 or 1766 and became a prosperous farmer of the county. He married Margaret Robertson. Children:
- Elizabeth;
- Phineas, married Abigail Hunt;
- Thomas J., married Sophia Morse;
- Ann, married Peter McMurray;
- Robertson, married Maria Pendergast;
- Catherine, of further mention.
(III) Catherine, youngest child of John and Margaret (Robertson) Whiteside, married John McKie. Children:
- John, Jr., was major of the Twenty-second Regiment, New York Infantry, organized June, 1861, later was commissioned lieutenant-colonel; unmarried.
- William, of further mention;
- James, married Annie Whiteside.
(IV) William, eldest son of John and Catherine (Whiteside) McKie, was born in West Cambridge, Washington county, New York. He married Minerva, born in West Arlington, Vermont, daughter of Samuel and Mina (Andrews) Buck. Child,
- Kate M., now resident of Cambridge, New York.