There is no absolute proof that Gilbert McKeithan was the son of Thomas McKeithan and Deborah, but there is a great deal of circumstantial evidence. Alexander McKeithan also appears to have been a son of Gilbert McKeithan, but again there is only strong circumstantial evidence. It can be proven that Dougald McKeithan d ca 1750 SC was the father of Thomas McKeithan. Thomas was also dead by 1750. His widow Deborah had remarried James McRee.

Dougald of SC was NOT the same as Dougald McKeithan d 1750 Bladen Co, NC, son of Donald McKeithan the 1739 immigrant - although Dougald of NC's will mentioned land in SC. Dougald of SC held land on the Black Mingo as early as 1725. See http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~fcharper/mckeithan.... Take the link to the new file.

There are some indications that the SC and NC McKeithans were related, but no proof.