Celeron passed down below Pittsburgh and took notice of writings on a large rock. After coming ashore nearby he sent his men to examine the writings. The men reported back that the writings were "nothing more than English names written with charcoal."(1) Historians believe that Celeron had his men inspect what would become McKees Rock.
Forward to 1764. As compensation for his services while in British employ, Alexander McKee applied to General Henry Boquet for a land grant. On November 25, 1764, Boquet gave McKee a grant for approximately 1400 acres beginning at the mouth of the Shertee Creek.(Chartiers) French pronunciation (Char-tee-aa). Alexander McKee was named White Elk by the Indians.
The actual words are: "By Henry Boquet, commanding his Majesty's forces in the Southern District, permission is hereby granted to Alexander McKee to occupy and build upon the land at the mouth of Shertee creek, on the south side of the Ohio. In consideration of which, he is to pay five shillings yearly, if demanded, and also to be subject to such regulations as his Excellency, the Commander-In Chief, may order for the good of his Majesty's service. "Given under my hand, at Fort Pitt, this 25th day of November, 1764. "Henry Boquet, Col. Commanding." A later survey of the land included an area of about fourteen hundred acres.
Alexander McKee was later forced to flee because of his allegiance to the crown. He was labeled a Tory as all those others who did not support independence from England. Alexander left behind his land to his brother James whom McKees Rocks is named from. Alexander and his brother James owned other land in the Western Pennsylvania Area, some from their own industry and some that belonged to their father Thomas who was a very well known and respected Indian Trader from the Harrisburg area on the Susquehanna River who ventured into Western Pennsylvania.
Later, Alexander became very well respected in Canada above Detroit, he died there in 1799. Much has been written about these McKee's and their exploits. For our history we will try and concentrate on James McKee and his heirs and their influence on the McKees Rocks area.
Stowe Township. "Named from Judge Stowe, was taken from Robinson Township in 1869. There were no churches in Stowe previous to 1854. In that year the little Catholic chapel was built a mile and a quarter from the mouth of the creek, and on its bank. Rev. Lucas Bastenely first preached in it. This and a Lutheran church, on the Middletown road, near land owned by James Allen, are the only churches in the township." (3) Note: Other sources indicate that Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church was built in 1853 which would make it the earliest church in the future Stowe Township. See (5) of bibliography. St. Mary's church information indicates that the church was organized in 1852. St. Mary's did not come under the Catholic Diocese until 1855. The first location (of three locations) was on Creek Road.
The Chartiers Coal Company and its Chartiers Creek Railroad was incoporated by Act of the Pennsylvania Legislature March, 3, 1850 and was later sold at auction in 1855. The railroad was the earliest in McKees Rocks. Some historians say that this railroad was the first in Pennsylvania that was built to take coal to the market. McKees Rocks was sometimes called Coal Harbor because the coal from the mines in Thornburg and other local mines was brought down to the Ohio at the mouth of the Chartiers Creek in McKees Rocks. The tracks went from the mouth of the Chartiers Creek over to the village of Remington.
Alexander McKee, son of James McKee was heavily invested in the Chartiers Coal Company and almost lost his life whenthe two locomotives, the John Thompson and the Alexander McKee were involved in a fire when the locomotive house caught fire in April 1853.
"The first post-office was established about 1861, not far from the Catholic church. James Bryan was the first Postmaster and still continues in the office, which is called Chartiers, and is the only one in the township." (3)