The MacInnes Clan goes back to the very early Scotch ancestry and is reported
to be one of the oldest Clans in Scotland. The McInnis Clan gets its name
from MacAonghais, meaning Son of Angus. There were three brothers who came to
Scotland from Ireland in the 6th Century. They set up a Kingdom of Dalriada.
The McInnish Clan were inhabitants of Morvern a peninsula on the western shore
of Scotland. They were known as the keepers of the Kinlochaline Castle.
This fortress was known as Castle an Im (Castle of Butter).
         
Dubh Chal, butter maid saved all the money she earned from churning butter
for ten years. With this money she had a castle built. There are two
 versions of the story. One she paid for the construction of the castle and two 
that she only paid for the design of the castle with her butter earnings. Either way
as a result of her efforts a castle was built at Kinlochaline in Morven.
The design of the castle was unusual. Most castles were overrun when the main
door was beaten in and the attacking army came in and killed everyone. This
castle was built without a main door. Entrance was gained by climbing ladders
to the upper floors and the ladders were pulled up if the castle was attacked.
This made the castle invincible for many hundred years.
Finally a much superior army were able to breach the walls and slaughter the
occupants. The last Chief of the Clan McInnes and his five sons were killed 
by McDonald, Lord of the Isles.
         
After the castle was overrun and most of the clansmen killed, A small group
in five boats made their way to the Isle of Skye and joined the McKinnon Clan.
They were Skilled Archers and became the official Archers for the McKinnon Clan and taught archery to others of the Clan.


 Others McInnish drifted up the mainland and spread out. In the
Scottish Church records prior to 1680 only a few McInnish are found. By 1750
there were a large number by that name.
        
What was the cause of Daniel McInnish and his wife Mary Willie to come to
America is still unknown. It is probably related to the Reverend William
Willie coming to be the minister of the Abemarle Parish of the Episcopal
Church in Surry, Virginia. The relationship of Mary to Reverend Willie is
also unknown. He could be her father, uncle, brother,or cousin. Under the laws
of inheritance in Virginia at that time since Rev Willie served as
administrator of their estate, he was some relative.
         
In the estate inventory were some shoemaking tools and 7 lasts along with
three books, 1 Psaltery, 1 Testament, and one Childs Guide showing that
Donald was educated and probably a cobbler. He also lived on land that would
support a horse, 9 head of cattle, and 27 hogs.
They arrived prior to 1740 and had several children, all of whom died except
Donald and Sarah. On October 16, 1751 Mary gave birth to twins. One was
stillborn and one died the next day. Mary died November 2, 1751 and Donald
died two days later on November 4, 1751. They were all buried in the same
grave. There may have been a Flu epidemic or other infection that accounted
for their deaths. (Yellow Fever has also suggested).
     
There was a court order that "The Church Wardens of Abermarle Parish bind out
Sarah and Donald McInnish, Orphans of Donald McInnish, deceased according to
Law". When Donald was Christined October 3, 1742, his godpaents were William
Willie, Peter Hawthorn, and Elizabeth Willie. In 1738 Albemarle Parish was
created from those parts of Lawne's Creek and Soutwark Park Parishes that lay
southwest of Blackwater River. The remaining parts of Lawne's Creek and
Southwark were united into Southwark Parish. The entire area of Albermarle
Parish was incorporated into Sussex County when it was formed from the
southwest end of Surry County in 1754.

J. R. McKinney, Descendant of Jesse McKinney: Jesse McKinney Lineage
To view additional J. R. McKinney research data link to:
 http://www.gencircles.com/users/jmckinny/1/data/1