John McGee was probably born in Ireland, and likely was of Scots ancestry, though one account states he was a commissioned officer in the British Army and originally belonged to the Church of England. Legend has it that he came with his family to America, and that his mother died on the voyage and was buried at sea. John began receiving land grants in North Carolina in 1749, and at the time of his death owned more than 5,000 acres comprised of 9 plantations. This was in Anson County in 1749, then it became Orange and Rowan in the 1750s, became Guilford in 1771, and Randolph in 1779, after John's death.

John McGee married twice. By his first marriage, possibly to Elizabeth Ridge, he had two children: Samuel McGee (c.1752-c.1809, m. Rebecca Busick) and Ann "Nancy" McGee (1753/4-1832, m. Judge Robert Lindsay, 5th great grandparents of the writer). By his second marriage to Martha "Mattie" McFarlane (c.1735-1820), he had five children: Jane/Jean McGee (1760-1835, m. John Welborn), Susannah McGee (1761-1843, m. Elisha Mendenhall), Rev. John McGee (1763-1836, m. Martha Johnston), Rev. William McGee (1768-1817, m. Anna King), Andrew McGee (c.1770-1819, m. Esther McMinn).

John McGee was a very prosperous land owner, merchant, and inn keeper. He bequeathed nine plantations to his children, and left property to the Presbyterian Society. Some years after his death, his widow, Martha McFarlane McGee, married William Bell, who was the first Sheriff of Randolph County, when that county was formed in 1779. As "Mrs. Mattie Bell," she became rather famous as a spy during the Revolutionary War.

Two of John McGee's sons became ministers, John was a Methodist, and William was a Presbyterian. They are said to have had a large part in inspiring the wave of religious revivals that swept through Tennessee around 1800, and they preached together at large camp meetings and revivals.