He became prominent in the organization of the first A. R. Church in Pittsburgh, one of its first trustees, and one of the original incorporators; as contractor and builder, he erected the first Church edifice for the congregation.

Thomas McKee who was born in the Tuscarora Valley, left home as a young man to find his livelihood elsewhere, as did most of his brothers. He removed to the western part of Pennsylvania and settled in Pittsburgh. He soon found suitable employment there and by 1810 considered himself ready for matrimony. He undoubtedly had made many trips back to his home, in the Valley where he had kept in touch with a young lady named Sarah Smith, daughter of Rev. Thomas Smith the local pastor. On 11 April 1810 they were married, the family Bible stating he was of Pittsburgh and she was of Tuscarora Valley He returned to Pittsburgh with his bride where they spent the remainder of their lives. All nine of their children were born in Pittsburgh, and it is interesting to note that all except Annie Elizabeth were named after one of their aunts or uncles. It is not known what profession Thomas McKee pursued, but it is more than likely he was in the iron manufacturing or coal business. There is a letter in possession of the compiler, dated 12 May 1833 written by his son Thomas to his son John in Philadelphia, which gives some information about the family. Thomas was 20 at the time and living with his parents in Pittsburgh, John was 23 and had been in Philadelphia for about two weeks, a city in which he eventually settled. John was either visiting Mrs. G. E.. Weir at 360 Arch Street, or using her home as a mail address. It is believed that this Mrs. Weir could have been the third wife of Silas Ebeneezer Weir, the 10th child of William Weir #118, but who was not listed in the family Bible, or his second wife, Martha Henry whose date of death was incorrectly recorded as 1814. At any rate she must have been a close relative.

In the letter mention is made of his father (Thomas #28) as having missed the 8 PM stage on Thursday, but made it on Friday because he (son Thomas) went down first "and kept them in play until he came." He was going to Tuscarora Valley, and originally intended driving his own horse and buggy over there, but the horse became lame and was sold for $35, so he took the stage. Mention is also made of a Margaret who intended going with him, but when they had to go by stage she couldn't raise the fare and hence could not make the trip, and was very disappointed. It is not known who Margaret was, most likely a relative, Thomas #28 had a sister Martha, but no Margaret could be found in the immediate McKee or Smith families. In the letter Thomas tells John to tell Aunt Lizzie he will answer her letter as soon as possible, and also asks for the address of Aunt Weir as he heard she had moved.