Person:John Key (24)

Advisory on John Key

There are conflicting opinions on the family of John Key and subsequent generations. Some sources claim that this John Key was "John Waller Key", but that appears to be in error, and apparently has confused this John Key with his son, John Key, Jr., who may have married (as his first wife) a Miss Waller, perhaps a daughter or relative of Col. John Waller, Gent. of Spotsylvania County, Virginia.

Some sources claim that this John Key was born in 1690, but with a probable marriage date of around 1712 or so (within 2-3 years), it appears he clearly was older. Most sources seem to place his birthdate as "Dec. 1682", but the source of this date is undetermined. Additional research (with primary records) is needed to resolve any conflicting opinions.

Records of John Key in Virginia

From Spotsylvania County, Virginia Records:

• John Key was granted a patent on 350 acres of new land in Spotsylvania County, Saint George's Parish, beginning at Colonel John Waller's on the east side of a branch of Duglass' Run to John Taylor's land on September 28, 1728. Recorded in Patent Book 12 on page 328

• July 7, 1731. John Key of St. Geo. Par., Spts. Co., to Henry Lewis of same Par. and County. £35 curr., 350 a. in St. Geo. Par., Spts. Co.--granted sd. Key by pat. Sept. 28, 1728. Charles Barrett, William Taylor, William Wombwell Cliff. Octr. 5, 1731. Martha, wife of John Key, acknowledged her dower." ; Spotsylvania County Records;Author: William Armstrong Crozier; Call Number: F225.V57x vol.1.

From Louisa County, Virginia Records:

• 15 Jun 1742 Deed of Gift: John Key to Mary Dalton, both of St. Martins Parish, Goochland, VA: For the fatherly love and good will I bear until my well-beloved daughter, Mary Dalton, wife of Robert Dalton...tothe only proper use and behoof of Mary Dalton and the heirs of her body lawfully begotten forever. (I give) a tract of land in St. James Parish, Goochland Co, on the W. side of the Little Mtns., part of a 350 acre patent granted 10 Jan 1735. Lines, Edwin Hickman. Wit: H. Wood, John Sorrell, William Perry. Signed: John Key ...Goochland Co. Va Wills & Deeds 1734-1742, p 558 LOUISA CO. VA

About John Key

- -Cavaliers & Pioneers, Patent Bk. 10, p 164 29 Mar 1705 Ambrose Libscomb, et AL sued for possession of land against others, including John and Martin Key, orphans. William Ford, their guardian, opposed on their behalf. The court ruled in favor of the Key boys. This occured in St. George's Parish. The land was described as being at Cohoke Swamp, and was same as given to their father, Martin Key, by his grandfather, Martin -Palmer in C & P Patent bk 8, p 342. Henry may be the son of John Key, Jr and his first wife but John would have been 15-16 when he was born. John Key's upper and lower plantation is listed in Historic Roads of VA, Albemarle County. -Road Orders 1783-1816. Historic Homes of Charlottesville, pp 60, 62.Had patents for nearly 1200 acres on the west side of the South West Mountain. His home was where William Minor now resides in 1901. Albemarle Co in VA by Edgar Wods, pg 245 Tony Key <tonica2@netzero.net>

Father: Martin KEY b: 1670 Mother: Elizabeth FORD Marriage 1 Martha TANDY b: 1692 in Spotsylvania County, VA Note: Information on this family from John K. Legate. Married: Children Martin KEY b: 1715 Henry KEY Mary KEY John KEY b: 1731 in Goochland County, VA George KEY

1.   Family Search.

   John Sr. KEY B: 1696 Of, Albemarle, Virginia D: 1764 , , Albemarle, Virginia M: Aug , , Va to Martha TANDY

2.   Rajordan/Official History of Elbert County, 1790-1935 [Elbert County, Georgia]
   Page 475.

   1 - John Key came to America with William Penn.
   2 - John Key, b. 1682, d. 1767, m. Martha Tandy.

3.   Ancestry.com. Public Member Trees: (Note: not considered a reliable primary source).

   https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/44405729/person/390149146479/facts