According to family records, the Fife’s family originated in Fifeshire, Scotland. Three known brothers, William Fife born 1720, John Fife, born 1721, and Matthew Fife emigrated to County Tyrone, Ireland and lived on a farm at Archill, about twenty-two miles from Londonderry. Both John and William Fife left Ireland and immigrated to America, eventually purchasing land in Upper St. Clair Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.
A primary source for Fife family history is a booklet of descendants which was compiled around 1890 for a family reunion by Joseph Vance and published by John V. Murphy. The original document was among the family keepsakes of another descendant and had been used for DAR applications. John V. Murphy photocopied the original and indexed the names. Histories of Upper St. Clair Township in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania and Bethel Presbyterian Church also have provided much of the early Fife information.
It is interesting to note that there were a number of marriages between first cousins within the Fife clan in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. My own line originates with such a union and so I decend from both William Fife (Sr.) and John Fife (Sr.) the two brothers who immigrated to America and eventually settled in Upper St. Clair Township.
Known Fife children from Scotland:
WILLIAM FIFE born 1720 in Fifeshire, Scotland died 1799 Upper St. Clair Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania married JANE UNKNOWN.
JOHN FIFE born 1721 in Fifeshire, Scotland died November 19, 1800 in St Clair Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania married MARGARET WRIGHT.
Cousin Cherie Atkinson Clark has done alot of research on the Fife's. Check out her Fife Home Page!
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