William KEY was born in Chesterfield Co, VA on 14 Oct 1761. His Rev. War pension number is R5895 VA. In his records his mother was listed as a widow. William was living in Dinwiddie Co, VA when he enlisted in Line and Sea Service. He enlisted for the first time in Apr-May 1779 for three months as a private under Captain William Lewis's Company, in Colonel Ralph Faulkner's VA Regiment. He then enlisted again in early 1780 for three months as a private under Captain Scott Coleman's VA Troops. William enlisted the summer of 1780 for six months as a Marine under Captain Cook on the schooner, Nancy. He enlisted again May/June 1781 for six months as a private under Captain Baker Pegrim's VA Co. during the siege of York.

He continued to live in Dinwiddie Co. VA for several years after the Revolution. He then lived in Warren Co, NC and/or Sussex Co VA for the next 7-8 years. He married Elizabeth GRIFFIN on 2 April 1789 in Sussex Co, VA. They had 2 children: Jensy and Ruffin. Elizabeth probably died during childbirth, for the same year as the birth of son, Ruffin Key, William remarried Elizabeth GAINES in 1794 in Halifax Co, NC in the home of John ASPLEY, who migrated to Sumner Co, TN, as well. William and Elizabeth moved to what is now Sumner Co, TN between 1794-6. TN became a state in 1796. William KEY and Elizabeth GAINES had 8 children. William's brother, Bingham KEY, and sister, Mildred KEY, moved to Sumner Co, TN as well. It is believed that a brother, John KEY, (possibly born 1765 in VA), remained in VA.

William KEY served as a Methodist minister for about 30 years at one of the earliest Methodist churches in the Bledsoe Creek Valley. The early church was called the Mabry meeting house ( a log building ) which was the forerunner for the present day Bethpage Methodist Church. In 1805 it had 11 members: Seth MABRY and wife, William KEY and wife, John ASPLEY and wife, Moses DUNCAN and wife, Mrs. Bingham KEY, Mildred KEY, and Clifton ALLEN. In 1818, Seth MABRY donated land for the church, and William KEY was one of nine trustees to receive the property, thereby becoming one of the founders.

On Jan. 4 1814, William KEY bought 187 acres of land on the Rogue's Fork of Bledsoe Creek for $500 from Edward GWINN, witnessed by John GWINN, William GWINN, and Charles B. HEBBINS. (Deed Book Vol 7 page 366). In the 1817/1819 tax polls he is shown with 128 acres of land and his brother Bingham with 40 acres. In William's will, he discusses low land lying on Rogue's fork and a tract of land purchased from Seth MABERRY (Mabry). Some land he sold to Moses GAINES and he used some to make a "small reservation" for his brother, Bingham and wife, Susan, (probably the 40 acres). At Bingham's death, this land was to be divided evenly between William's sons: Ruffin and Alfred Cage KEY.

William's land adjoined that of James FRANKLIN. In addition to preaching, William was a farmer. His will speaks of a crop of tobacco, cattle, hogs, sheep, horses, a blacksmith shop, and several slaves. The land is supposedly in possession today (according to a book by J. C. Lane) of a C. D. KEY of Bethpage, TN, William's great-grandson. The blacksmith shop was left to William's son, Thomas. Thomas KEY's heirs remember him being a blacksmith.

William KEY applied for and was allowed a Revolutionary War pension on 16 Nov. 1832. His will was made 24 Dec 1833 (a copy is in possession of Sandra A. Key), and he died on 19 Jan 1834. William's widow, Elizabeth applied for pension benefits on 4 Apr 1844 when she was about 74 years old. She died 28 Jul 1844 leaving children: Thomas KEY, Peterson KEY, Nancy DAVIS, James KEY, Alfred Cage KEY, Harriet ROBERSON, William KEY, Jr., and James Key William and Elizabeth's second daughter, Sally KEY DUNCAN (wife of Hiram DUNCAN) died in Illinois prior to 1833 leaving 7 children. Five of these children were of age in 1846.

William's brother, Bingham, also a Revolutionary War soldier (R35694) never applied for a pension. He was aged about 70 in 1832, and believed to have died about 1840. He married Susan ECKLES in 1783 or 1788? They had a son, Macklin KEY (also McLin, MacLin) who was born 1786 and was also in Sumner Co in 1846.

William's sister, Mildred, was alive and residing in Sumner Co in 1832.

Elizabeth's sister, Sarah GAINES STONE, (married 11 Jan 1808 to William STONE) was in Sumner Co TN in 1854 and referred to her father (not named). Sister Nancy GAINES and brother John GAINES both moved from Halifax Co NC to Sumner Co TN and lived near the widow, Elizabeth GAINES KEY.

William KEY, Sr b. 14 Oct 1761 Chesterfield Co VA d. 19 Jan 1834 married first: Elizabeth GRIFFIN 2 April 1789.
Children of William KEY and 1st wife Elizabeth GRIFFIN are:
Generation 2:

1. Jensy (also Jincy, Jensey) Key b. 29 May 1791 VA d. 15 May 1864 Todd Co, KY married Moses (also Mose) H. HENRY. Moses was one of the executors of his father-in-law, William Key's will. (No names of children).
2. Ruffin Key b. 19 Mar 1794 d. 7 Jan 1883 Claymore, Todd Co, KY married 1820 Mary M.? Both are buried at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Claymour Ky. 1830 Sumner Co TN census lists Ruffin aged 30-40, wife same age, one son under 5, 3 daughters aged 10-15. Ruffin was one of the executors of his father's will. Ruffin and Mary had 4 children. A Ruffin Key is listed in the War of 1812 musters: SC-5252 srv Capt. Wm. L. Alexander and Capt. Lauderdale's Co TN militia as a private.

William KEY, Sr b. 14 Oct 1761 Chesterfield Co VA d. 19 Jan 1834 married 1794 Halifax Co NC second wife Elizabeth GAINES b. 1770 d. 29 Jul 1844.
Children of William KEY and Elizabeth GAINES (not necessarily in birth order) are:
Generation 2:

1. Thomas Key b. 1802 Sumner Co TN d aft. 1850 married 7 May 1824 Martha "Patsy" ASPLY (ASPLEY) b. 1807 TN daughter of John ASPLEY and Sarah "Sally" PORTER. 1850 Sumner Co TN census lists Thomas Key as a blacksmith with property value of $150. Thomas and Patsy had 7 children.
2. Harriet Key b. 1804 Sumner Co TN d. after 1844 married after 1833 to ? ROBERSON. (Children unknown.)
3. Peterson Woodson Key b. 18 Jan 1806 Sumner Co TN d. 19 Jul 1886 married first: Mary "Polly" RIPPY 27 May 1826 Sumner Co TN, second: Martha A. MEADOR 29 May 1830 Sumner Co TN, third: Martha "Mary Ann" GAY OVERTON (her second marriage) 10 Jan. 1848. Peterson was one of the executors of his father's will. In 1850 census his farm was valued at $3,440 in the 13th district. Peterson had 12 children by his 3 wives, and three stepsons.
4. James Key b. 1810 Sumner Co TN d. 30 June 1863 Sumner Co TN married 24 Apr 1830 Sumner Co TN to Lucinda THURMOND d. 1878 (daughter of Fleming THURMOND and Martha STOVALL.) James was one of the executors of his father's will. 1850 census lists James as a farmer with property value of $4,000 in district 12. James Key's will dated 30 Jan 1863. Sumner Co TN. James and Lucinda had 9 children.
5. Alfred Cage Key (sometimes just "Cage") b. 1810 Sumner Co TN d. 26 Aug 1858 married 1 Oct 1832 Sumner Co TN Elizabeth WHITE (daughter of Thomas WHITE and Sarah "Sally" ? , sister to Amanda, William's wife below) . 1850 Sumner Co TN census lists Alfred as a farmer with property value of $500. Alfred and Elizabeth had 8 children.
6. William Key, Jr (some sources have him as William Bibb Key, Jr. -important if true, links to certain Va Key family) b. 24 Dec 1814 Sumner Co TN d. 29 Oct 1889 married abt. 1839 Sumner Co TN to Amanda WHITE (daughter of Thomas WHITE and Sally ? , sister to Elizabeth Alfred's wife, above) b. 24 Feb 1821 TN d. 10 Jan 1892. William and Amanda are both buried at Bethpage Cemetery, Bethpage TN. William Key is listed in 1836 Seminole War muster. In 1840 he had a horse-powered mill for corn and grain in Bethpage (according to book by Walter Durham). 1850 census lists him as a farmer with property value of $900. William and Amanda had 8 children.
7. Nancy Key b. 1818 Sumner Co TN d. after 1844 married 27 Jul 1830 Sumner Co TN Wilson C. DAVIS. Her children were included but not by name in her father's will as of 1833.
8. Sally Key b. unk d. before 1833 in Sangamon Co, IL married 15 April 1820 Sumner Co, TN to Hiram DUNCAN. At her death, she left 7 children, some listed as heirs in William Key's will in 1833, 5 were of age in 1846. (No names of children.)

Descendants of Ruffin Key (son of William KEY and 1st wife Elizabeth GRIFFIN) 1794-1883 Sumner Co, TN, KY
Ruffin Key b. 19 Mar 1794 NC d. 7 Jan 1883 Claymore, Todd Co, KY married 1820 Mary M? Both are buried at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Claymour, KY. 1830 Sumner Co, TN census lists Ruffin Key aged 30-40, wife same age, one son under 5 yrs. , 3 daughters aged 10-15. Ruffin was one of the executors of his father's will. ( Three of their children were married the same year: 1847!) They had 4 children:
Generation 3:
Children of Ruffin KEY and Mary are:

1. Elizabeth Key b. May 1815, TN married 31 May 1847 Todd Co Ky to Mitchell LAND (son of Henry LAND and Elizabeth STERN). They had 3 children.
   
2. Martha Key b. 21 Sept 1817, Sumner Co, TN d. 9 May 1884, Claymore, Todd Co, KY married 13 Dec 1847 Todd Co KY to Andrew Jack MUNDAY. They had 5 children.
3. Nancy Griffin Key b. 31 July 1820 Sumner Co TN d. 18 Aug 1910 Todd Co, KY married 31 Aug 1837 Sumner Co TN to Andrew Jackson RICHMOND. They had 11 children.
4. John M. Key b. 16 Feb 1826 Sumner Co TN d. 1 May 1902 Washington Co, IL married 7 Jul 1847 Todd Co KY to Mahala CARSON (daughter of Samuel CARSON and Elizabeth WAGGONER.) She died Jan 1906 Ashley, KY. Buried in Ashley Cemetery. They had 4 children.

Descendants of Thomas Key (son of William KEY and Elizabeth GAINES) 1802-after1850? Sumner Co, TN
Thomas Key b. 1802 Sumner Co TN d. after 1850 married 7 May 1824 Sumner Co TN Martha "Patsy" ASPLY/ASPLEY b. 1807 Tn (daughter of John ASPLEY and Sarah "Sally" PORTER). 1850 Sumner Co. TN census lists Thomas Key as a blacksmith with property value of $150. Thomas and Martha had 7 children:
Generation 3:
Children of Thomas KEY and Martha "Patsy" ASPLY/ASPLEY are:

1. Elisha Key b. bef. 1833 (no information- except that he was mentioned in his grandfather's will as heir to blacksmith shop after his father, which means he was most likely the oldest son.)
2. Carolina (Caroline) Key b. 1827 Sumner Co, TN married 15 Sept 1847 Sumner Co TN Edward W. KEY (father was from TN, mother from NC) b. 1823 TN. In 1850 Sumner Co, TN census, Edward is listed as a farmer with a property value of $150. They had 3 children.
3. Martha Key b. 1830. Believed to be a spinster as of 1870 census age 40 and still with parents.
4. George Key b. 1832 Sumner Co, TN d. after 1900 Sumner Co, TN married 1 Oct 1856 Sumner Co, TN to Martha A. PERRY b. 1840 Sumner Co, TN (daughter of William PERRY 1809- bef. 1880 and Catharine KEY b. 1815). George served in the Confederate States Army 44th TN Infantry, record journal ALVL Vol. 18, #4. George and Martha had 14 children.
5. William Key b. 1836 Served in CSA 44th TN Infantry Co H.
6. John Key b. 1837. Died 1863 fighting for the Confederate States Army.
7. Sarah Key b. 1838 married W. S. Spears.

Descendants of Peterson Woodson Key (son of William KEY and Elizabeth GAINES) 1806-1886 Sumner Co, TN
Peterson Woodson Key b. 18 Jan 1806 Sumner Co TN d. 19 Jul 1886 married first: Mary "Polly" RIPPY 27 May 1826 Sumner Co TN, second: Martha A. MEADOR 29 May 1830 Sumner Co TN, third: Martha "Mary Ann" GAY OVERTON b. 1820 (her second marriage - 10 Jan 1848 Sumner Co TN. Peterson was one of the executors of his father's will. In 1850 census his farm was valued at $3,440 in the 13th district. Peterson had 12-14 children, and 3 stepsons, by his 3 wives:
Child of Peterson KEY and Polly RIPPY

1. Sophie (Sophia) Key b. ? ( not listed at home in 1850 census) married Jack MALONE.

Next 7 children are assumed to be by second wife, Martha MEADOR based on dates of birth:
Generation 3:

1. Harriet C. Key b. 1831 TN (still at home in 1850 census age 19).
2. James E. Key b. 1832 TN ( not listed at home in 1850 census age 18).
3. Malvina C. Key b. 1833 TN (still at home in 1850 census age 17), married Drury Andrew WEST 18 Nov 1866 Smith Co, TN.
4. Frances A. Key b. 1835 TN (still at home in 1850 census age 15).
5. Angeline Key b.1839 TN (not listed in 1850 census, but a Martha E. Key aged 11 is? Possibly Martha Angeline? Or are they 2 separate children?)
6. William Key b. 1841 TN (in 1850 census, age 9).
7. Peterson Campbell W. Key b. 1845 TN (P. C. W. Key in 1850 census aged 5 is perhaps Peterson Campbell Woodson Key?)

Children born to Peterson KEY and Martha Ann Gay OVERTON:

1. Bailey Peyton Key b. 27 Dec 1848 (in 1850 census aged 2) married 1. Gertrude ROYAL 2. Florence YEARGIN.
2. Tennessee Woodson Key b. 1852 married John W. BLACK, had 5 children.
3. David Gay Key b. 1854
4. Joseph Miller Key b. July 1858 married Susan ?b. 1862

The 1850 Sumner Co, TN census also lists 3 children of Martha OVERTON by a previous marriage to Thomas OVERTON: Thomas Overton age 10, James E. Overton age 8 and William Overton age 6

Descendant of James Key (son of William KEY and Elizabeth GAINES) 1810-1863 Sumner Co, TN
James Key b. 1810 Sumner Co TN d. 30 June 1863 Sumner Co TN married 24 Apr 1830 Sumner Co TN to Lucinda THURMOND (THURMAN) b. ? d. 1878 (daughter of Fleming THURMOND and Martha STOVALL.) James was one of the executors of his father's will. 1850 census lists James as a farmer with property value of $4,000 in district 12. James Key's will dated 30 Jan 1863. Sumner Co TN.
James and Lucinda have 9 children:
Generation 3:

1. Dorah (Dora) Key b. 1832 married 7 Nov 1868 Sumner Co TN William H. CLAIBORNE. They had 4 children.
2. Larina Key b. 1833 ( no other information).
3. William G. Key, M.D. b. 1834 Sumner Co ,TN d. Macon Co, TN married 1856 Simpson Co, Ky to Mahala M. "Emma" HARLIN or HOLLAND, daughter of Henderson Holland/Harlin and Mary ? . They had 4 children.
4. Madison Key b. 1836
5. Robert Key b. 1837
6. Harriet Key b. 1839
7. Elizabeth Key b. 1841 married 1860 Sumner Co, TN Lewis A. GREEN. (no info. on children.)
8. James Key b. 1844
9. Lucinda Key b. 1847

Descendants of Alfred Cage Key (son of William KEY and Elizabeth GAINES) 1810-1858 Sumner Co, TN
Alfred Cage Key (sometimes just "Cage") b. 1810 Sumner Co TN d. 26 Aug 1858 Sumner Co TN married 1 Oct 1832 Sumner Co TN Elizabeth WHITE (daughter of Thomas WHITE and Sally ?, sister to Amanda, William Key, Jr's wife) 1850 Sumner Co TN census lists Alfred as a farmer with property value of $500. Alfred and Elizabeth had 8 children:
Generation 3:

1. Martha Key b. 4 Aug 1833 d. 24 Sept 1838.
2. Sarah E. Key b. 18 May 1835 d. 27 Dec 1857 Sumner Co TN married Wesley WEST. Had 10 children.
3. Mahalia (Mahala) Jane Key b. 20 Feb 1837 d. 11 July 1859 married 20 Dec 1855 to Joseph Burnice Brown MCNEAL b. 8 Mar 1835. They had 3 children.
4. Zoritha (also Euritha) Key b. 5 May 1839 TN d. 20 April 1868 Sumner Co TN married 25 June 1861 Sumner Co TN William Reed DEFREES b.14 June 1837 d. 22 Mar 1870, son of Ricely Defrees/Defreese and Elizabeth ? had child.
5. Rutha Key b. 1840 (no other info.)
6. Nancy Ann Key b. 5 Nov 1841 TN married 1. Walter OVERTON had 2 children. 2. Married George DEFREES , son of Ricely Defrees/Defreese and Elizabeth ?, on 21 June 1868 Sumner Co TN.
7. William Thomas Key b. 6 Mar 1844 TN d. 17 Aug 1876 Sumner Co TN married Mary "Mollie" E. LONG, had 3 children.
8. Lucinda Key b. 18 Sept 1848, d. 16 Dec 1871 Sumner Co TN.

Descendants of William Key, Jr. (son of William KEY and Elizabeth GAINES) 1814-1889 Sumner Co, TN
William Key, Jr (some sources have him as William Bibb Key, Jr. -important if true, links to certain Va Key family) b. 24 Dec 1814 Sumner Co TN d. 29 Oct 1889 married Amanda WHITE (daughter of Thomas WHITE and Sally ? , sister to Elizabeth above, Alfred's wife) b. 24 Feb 1821 TN d. 10 Jan 1892. William and Amanda are both buried at Bethpage Cemetery, Bethpage TN. William Key is listed in 1836 Seminole War muster. In 1840 he had a horse-powered mill for corn and grain in Bethpage (according to book by Walter Durham). 1850 census lists him as a farmer with property value of $900. William and Amanda had 7 children:
Generation 3:

1. Frances Key b. 1839 TN married William GAY
2. James Henry Key (Henry) b. 8 Aug 1840 TN d. 9 Feb 1862 Sumner Co TN. Buried at Bethpage Cemetery. On stone: "A Volunteer in Defense of his Country."
3. Cynthia (Syntha) Ann Key b. 1843 d. bef 1889 married William Griggs STALEY
4. John Wesley Key b. 1844 TN married Laura GREGORY, had 7 children.
5. Zachary Taylor Key (sometimes just "Taylor"), a farmer, b. 10 Dec 1848 d. 1927 married 28 Dec 1870 Sumner Co TN to Margaret Emmaline LONG ("Emma") b. 20 Mar 1849 d. Mar 1927. They had 9 children.
6. Martha Key b. 1852 TN
7. Sally Key b. 1854 TN

Go to Key Family Tree - Part Three

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