Thomas Key

1745 - Bef 1820  (74 years)

• Name	Thomas Key
  Birth	1745	VA
  Gender	Male
  Death	Bef 1820
  Notes	1767, Aug -- Land Grant #1489 & 0489, Cumberland County, NC Francis Tidwell received 200 acres located on Dry Creek and Horse Creek. Thomas Key and Samuel Tidwell were chain carriers. 1769, May 25 -- Deed Book 3 Page 381, Cumberland County, NC John Donahoe deeded Nicholas Newton 200 acres located on Wet Creek. Samuel Williams, Jesse Riter and Thomas Keys were witnesses. 1772, Apr 30 -- 1771-1776 Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, Cumberland County, NC Edward Cox appointed overseer of the road that leads from Thomas Donahoe's to Sandhill Smith's and have the following hands to work: Jacob McLendall, Thos. Moore, Wm. Barrett, Wm. Smith Sr., John Kees, Archibd. Gibson, Nick Newton, Richd. Dunn, Robt. Grahams, Jas. Grahams, Francis Tedwell, John Cocks, Andrew Ingram, Willm. Ingram, Joel McLendall, Thos. Kees, Jas. Gibson and Robt. Cocks. 1777 -- Tax List, Cumberland County, NC Thomas Keys listed $160 in Captain John Cox's District 1778, Jul -- 1777-1778 Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, Cumberland County, NC Thomas Kees signed the Oath of Allegiance to the state. 1783 -- Tax List, Cumberland County, NC Thomas Keyes listed $120 in Captain John Cox's District 1785, Feb 22 -- 1784-1795 Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, Moore County, NC Page 14 Thos. Key records his mark as a cross in the right and slit in ear. 1785, Oct 7 -- Land Grant #170, Moore County, NC William Grove received 60 acres located on Wet Creek adjoining his own line and Thomas Keys. Murdock Baton and Alen Morrison were chain carriers. 1790 -- Census, Moore County, NC Page 155 Thomas Keys (16+) 2M (0-16) 7M 3F 1790, Feb 16 -- 1784-1795 Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, Moore County, NC Page 255 A deed from John Keys to Thos. Keys was proven by Ezekiel Dunn 1790, Feb 16 -- 1784-1795 Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, Moore County, NC Page 257 A deed from Richard and Isaac Dunn was proven by Thos. Keys 1790, Feb 16 -- 1784-1795 Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, Moore County, NC Page 257 Ordered that Robert Pattison be appointed overseer in place of Nich. Newton and have the following hands to work: Wm. Dunn, Bar. Dunn, Nathl. Melton, Norman Matheson, Murdock McLeod, Hector McLean, Thos. Kee, Moses Kee, Wm. Kee, Alex Morrison, Jno. McAulay, Wm. Newton, Mur. McAulay, Ezk. Dun, Hector McLean, Thomas Graham and John Bethune. 1792, Feb 22 -- 1784-1797 Land Entries, Moore County, NC #426 Thomas Key entered 100 acres west of Wet Creek. 1792, Aug 29 -- Land Grant #1319, Moore County, NC Neil McLeod received 30 acres located on both sides of Wet Creek adjoining Thomas Key, William Key, Murdock Bethune, John Key and Donald McLeod. William Key and Thomas Key were chain carriers. 1793, Jan 18 -- Land Grant #479, Moore County, NC Thomas Key received 100 acres adjoining his own line. Thos. Ward and John Key were chain carriers. 1793, May 23 -- 1784-1795 Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, Moore County, NC Page 404 Ordered that a road be laid from the County line near Mr. Gardiners to the White Ponds and have the following hands to work: Lewis Gardener, David Kennedy, John Morgan, John Sheffield Jur., Jno. Sheffield Senr., William Morgan (Capt.), Peter Shamburger, William Williamson, William Smith Jur., Lewis Sowell, Everet Smith, Thos. Key, John Morgan and Danl. Manners. 1793, Aug 21 -- 1784-1795 Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, Moore County, NC Page 414 Ordered that the following hands work on the road from the County line near John Garner to the Black Ponds: John Sheffield Jur., Lewis Sowell, Joseph Allen, William Smith Jur., William Newton, John Hair, Thomas Keys, Wm. Williamson, Danl. Mainus, David Kennedy, Wm. Morgan Jur., Wm. Morgan (Capt), Geo. Cagle (son of John) and William Mainus. 1793, Dec-Jan 1794 -- General Assembly Session Records, Box 3 Thomas Keys signed a petition to form Alfordstown as County Seat for Moore County, NC. [Editor's Note: the petition failed. In 1796 the NC General Assembly established Carthage as the county seat. In 1806, it was changed to Faginsville to honor Richardson Fagin. The name was changed back to Carthage in 1814] 1794, Feb 19 -- 1784-1795 Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, Moore County, NC Page 440 Ordered that orphan Elijah Brown (age 11) be bound to Capt. William Morgan to learn the Cooper trade until he reaches full age. Thomas Key served as security. 1800 -- Census, Moore County, NC Page 69 Thomas Keas (45+) 1M 1F (16-26) 1M 2F (10-16) 3M 1810 -- Census, Moore County, NC Page 606 Sarah Kee ***unclear if Sarah is widow/daughter of Thomas (45+) 1F (26-45) 2M 2F (16-26) 1M 1833, Jul 9-Aug 13 -- Notice, Fayetteville Weekly Observer [Fayetteville, NC] Newspaper Moore County, NC - Joseph Davis and wife Ellender v. William Kees, John Kees, Vinson Kees, James Kees, Samuel Kees, Thomas Kees, Cornelius Kees and Sally Kees. Appearing that defendants Vinson Kees, Corneilus Kees and William Kees reside out of state, they are summoned to appear at the courthouse in Carthage on the third Monday in August. [Editor's Note - likely a suit regarding settlement of Abigail Key's estate. Her husband Thomas died before 1820 and Abigail died after 1830]
  Person ID	I17185	Moore County Wallaces
  Last Modified	24 Apr 2021

  
  

  DNA Tests	7 DNA tests are associated with Thomas Key
  	Test Type	Taken by	Haplogroup	Test Information
  	atDNA	Lance Edward Key
  	atDNA	K.G. Deaton
  	atDNA	K.J. Kuzminski
  	atDNA	D. Britt
  	atDNA	L.F. Cole
  	Y-DNA-111	Lance Edward Key	I-P37	Most distant ancestor: Thomas Key,   b. 1745, VA d. Bef 1820
  	Y-DNA-700	L.F. Cole	I-BY130904	Most distant ancestor: Thomas Key,   b. 1745, VA d. Bef 1820

  
  

  Family	Abigail,   b. 1750   d. 1830 (Age 80 years)  [1]
  Notes	1833, Jul 9-Aug 13 -- Notice, Fayetteville Weekly Observer [Fayetteville, NC] Newspaper Moore County, NC - Joseph Davis and wife Ellender v. William Kees, John Kees, Vinson Kees, James Kees, Samuel Kees, Thomas Kees, Cornelius Kees and Sally Kees. Appearing that defendants Vinson Kees, Corneilus Kees and William Kees reside out of state, they are summoned to appear at the courthouse in Carthage on the third Monday in August. [Editor's Note - likely a suit regarding settlement of Abigail Key's estate. Her husband Thomas died before 1820 and Abigail died after 1830]
  Children	+   1. John Key,   b. 20 Feb 1776, Moore County, NC d. 28 Feb 1850, Kemper County, MS (Age 74 years) ▻ Martha "Patsy" Davis  (Age 80 years)     2. Eleanor Key,   b. 1778     3. Cornelius Key,   b. 1774-1780     4. Sallie Key,   b. 1780     5. Vinson Key,   b. 1785   d. 4 Nov 1848, Iredell County, NC (Age 63 years)     6. Samuel Key,   b. 1788   bur. Moore County, NC at Copeland Cemetery ▻ Abigail Copeland     7. Thomas Key,   b. 1789 +   8. James Key,   b. 1790   d. Bef 28 Jan 1845 (Age 55 years) ▻ Sabilla Bellison Britt  (Age 83 years)
  Family ID	F12306	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	22 Apr 2022

  
  

• Documents » Slide Show		1767 Land Grant #1489 & 0489, Cumberland County, NC - Francis Tedwell
  		1769 Deed Book 3 Page 381, Cumberland County, NC - John Donahue to Nicholas Newton
  		1790 Land Grant #296, Moore County, NC - John Key
  		1793 Land Grant #479, Moore County, NC - Thomas Key
  		1804 Land Grant, Moore County, NC #1953 - Levi Deaton
  		1830 Land Grant, Moore County, NC #2851 - Simon McNeill
  		1778 Oath of Allegiance, Cumberland County, NC Jul 1778 signers of the Oath of Allegiance renouncing the King of England
  		1772 Road Order, Cumberland County, NC 1772, Apr 30 -- 1771-1776 Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, Cumberland County, NC Edward Cox appointed overseer of the road that leads from Thomas Donahoe's to Sandhill Smith's and have the following hands to work: Jacob McLendall, Thos. Moore, Wm. Barrett, Wm. Smith Sr., John Kees, Archibd. Gibson, Nick Newton, Richd. Dunn, Robt. Grahams, Jas. Grahams, Francis Tedwell, John Cocks, Andrew Ingram, Willm. Ingram, Joel McLendall, Thos. Kees, Jas. Gibson and Robt. Cocks.

  
  

  Histories » Slide Show		1793 Petition, Moore County, NC - New Moore County Courthouse in Alfordstown 1793, Nov 25 -- Dec 1793-Jan 1794 General Assembly Session Records, Box 3 Contains hundreds of signatures of early Moore County residents. Petition to the NC General Assembly to establish "Alfordstown" and move the courthouse there. Petition ultimately failed. Very large document, similar to a Tax List, and it may take additional time to load. Typed abstract at conclusion of the document courtesy of Central North Carolina Journal, September 1993 [Edited and published by James V. Comer]. Original documents courtesy of NC Archives.
  		1777 Tax List, Cumberland County, NC [Captain John Cox and Captain Jacob Duckworth's Military Districts only] Captain Cox and Captain Duckworth's Military District encompass present day upper Moore County [see attached map]. Courtesy of the NC Archives. Map courtesy of the Cumberland County Genealogical Society.
  		1783 Tax List, Cumberland County, NC [Captain John Cox and Captain John Hunnicutt's Military Districts only] Captain Cox and Captain Hunnicutt's[formerly Duckworth] Military District encompass present day upper Moore County [see attached map]. Courtesy of the NC Archives. Map courtesy of the Cumberland County Genealogical Society.
  		Moore County, NC DNA Project DNA Results and Analysis for Moore County families including Allen, Barrett, Bean, Brewer, Britt, Brown, Burns, Caddell, Cagle, Carpenter, Caviness, Chriscoe, Cockman, Cole, Comer, Davis, Deaton, Dunn, Furr, Garner, Hancock, Hardin, Hare, Horner, Hunsucker, Hussey, Jackson, Kennedy, Key, Kidd, Lawrence, Maness, McIntosh, McLendon, McNeill, Melton, Monroe, Moore, Morgan, Muse, Nall, Phillips, Richardson, Riddle, Ritter, Sanders, Seawell, Sheffield, Smith, Stewart, Stutts, Sullivan, Wallace, Welch, Williams, Williamson and Wright
  		1784 Petition, Cumberland County, NC - Creation of Moore County Apr 1784 - Jun 1784 General Assembly Session Records, Box 3 Folder 41 A Bill for dividing Cumberland County into two distinct Counties and for the other purposes therein mentioned. In H. Commons 3 May 1785. Read for the first time and passed by order. 13 May 1784 read the second time amended and passed. In Senate May 3rd 1784. Read the first time and passed by order. 4th May 1784 read the second time amended by consent of the Commons passed and order to be engrossed. To the General Assembly of the State of North Carolina now setting. The petition pf the Inhabitants of Cumberland County have now showeth. Whereas your petitioners living in the Upper End of the said County do labour under great hardship in attending on Courts and Other Public meetings from their remote situation from the Court House, many of whom being upwards of sixty miles there from, do Humbly pray that the said County may be Divided To Wit: Beginning on the South Side of Cape Fare River, at Chatham County line where it crosses sd. River running from thence a direct course to Coles Bridge on Drowning Creek, And so to be bounded by the lines of the Adjacent Countys as to make a Distinct County, Nevertheless on to the Boundaries your petitioners most Humbly Submiths to your great Wisdom to which they ever think themselves in duty bound to pray. Jas. Burges, Thos. Armstrong, James Dyer, Wm. Armstrong, John Armstrong, Michl. King, Charles Crawford [Capt.], Wm. Cox [Capt.], Wm. Seale, John Overton, John Overton Junr., John Phillips, Wm. Harden, John James, Elijah Bettis, Isaac Hardain, Joseph Furr, Nathl. Norwood, [torn] Hunnicutt, [torn] Dickinson, [torn] Collins, Theopilus Petty, John Hunnicutt, James Maples, Burrel Maples, Daniel Munk, Thos. Collins Jur., Ralph Davis, John Goldston, Martin Dye, Stephen Collons, George Nelson, Abraham Cole, Duncan Johnson, John Camron, Kenneth Camron, Archibald Munk, Thos. Gilmore, Kinchin Kitching, Stephen King [? very faded], Josiah Maples, Matthew Kitching, John Evans, William Kitching, John Cox, Joseph Fry, Johnathan Caddell, Richardson Feagin, John Jackson, Neil McLeod, Danl. Jones, Solomon Cox, James Wadsworth, James Hill, Jac. Caddell, Donald Makensey, George Grimes, Thomas Graham, John Ritter, Jacob Stuts, John Stuts, Eleck Autry, Frederick Autry, John Minyerd, Ritcherd Burd, Robert Burd, James Autray, Christopher Yow, John Leech, Angush Cambell, William Barrett Junior, Colin McLain, John Shufeild Junier, John Hair, Reubin Fremon, William Elmore, James Morgan, Peter (looks more like Frances) Hair, Lues Fels [Lewis Fields?], Donald McLeod, Norman McLeod, Normand McLean, Hector McLain, John Bohanan, Kenneth McDonald, Wm. Cox, Danold McKinnon [?], William Dunn, Thomas Dunn, John Keys, Moses Keyes, William [torn], Henry [torn], Bartholomew Dunn [torn but listed twice in a row ? likely Sr. and Jr.], Allan [torn ? likely Morrison], Norman [torn], Hart. Hunnicutt, John Dunlap, Benjamin Sheales, John Blanchet, William Dunn, Adam Keeling, John Blachett Junr., Robt. Davis, Willm. Martin Junr., Thos Tyson, John Carrell, Anthony Street, James Thorton, Charles Seale, Collins Hardy, Jacob Hardy, Jun., John Kenney, William Cockerham, Solomon Jones, Jacob Hardy, John Hunnicutt Ser., Thos. Maples, Jeremiah Collon, Thos. Agerton, Wm. McKinzie, Wm. Hodges, Edmon Hodges, Joseph Duckworth, Charles Campbell, Drurey Hodges, Anguish McDugal, Jason Wadsworth, James Morgin, James Caddell, Aaron Fagens, John Paitt, James Wadworth, James Muse, Duncan McIntosh, Alexr. McDonald, Anthony Mears, James Simmons, Jhon Warner, Jesse Muse, John Hurley, Thomas Seale, William Morgan, John Morgin, William Morgan Senr., Jesse Ritter, Robert Stephens, Samuel Tidwell, Ansil Melton, Nathaniel Melton, John Adkins, William Barrett, Solomon Barrett, Archibald McDonald, William Ashaly, [Jesse?] Bates, William Smith, John McLane, Richard [Nales?], Peter Shamburger, Wm. McLean, Thomas Grimes, Donald McLeod, Allan Martin, Donald McDonald, Donald McLeod, Murdock Betheun, Alexender Mckeever, John McCauly, Angush McAuly, John Kagel, Gorge Kagel, Nathan Maner, William Maner, Seth Maner, George Keringer, William Williamson, John Williamson, Robert Grimes, Nichlos Newton, Francis Tedwell, Samuel Barrett, William Smith, Nichlos Wallas, Lannard Furr, Nathan Smith, Everet Smith, Isum Smith, Henry Jackson, James Ledlow, Adam Comer, Leonard Cagel, Roger Cagel, William Constable and Peter Garner. [Editor's Note: Many of the names are faded, torn and hard to read. Some are actual signatures or marks and clearly multiple names have been signed by one individual] A Bill for dividing Cumberland County into two distinct Counties. Whereas the County of Cumberland is so extensive that it is extremely inconvenient for the inhabitants to attends courts and public meetings. Be it therefore enacted by the General Assembly of the State of North Carolina and it is hereby enacted by the Authority of the same that from and after fourth day of July next the County of Cumberland shall be divided into two distinct Counties by a line beginning at Coles Bridge on drowning creek thence a direct line to the corner of Wake and Johnston Counties in Cumberland line and all that part of Cumberland laying to the north west of the new line shall be a separate and distinct county by the name of Moor County and [be it enacted by the authority afore said] hat the lower part of Cumberland County laying south east of said line shall be a separate and distinct county and known by the name of Fayette County and be it further enacted by the Authority aforesaid that nothing herein contained shall be construed to debar the sheriff and Collector of taxes or other officers or any of them in the said county of Cumberland as it stood undivided from levying any collections or making districts for any taxes fees or other duties that may be due from the inhabitants thereof on or before the fourth day of July next in the same manner as if this act had never been made any thing herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding. And be enacted by the authority aforesaid that the Courts for the County of Fayette be held at the place where the courts of Cumberland County are at present established on the fourth Monday in January April July and October in every year and that the Courts for the County of Moore hereafter shall be held at such place within the said County as the Commissioner herein after named shall appoint on the fourth Monday in February May August November in every year and that all causes please writs actions suits plaints process precepts recognizances and other matters and things in the Court of Cumberland depending from and immediately after the first day of August next shall stand adjourned and continued from the present Court House of the said County to such place as the said Commissioners or a majority of them shall direct and appoint as aforesaid and all appearances and returns which shall be made on the days appointed by law for holding in the said court of Cumberland shall hereafter be made to the first Court that shall be held for that county wherein the cause of action arose and all suitors and witnesses bound to appear there of in the same manner as if the said court had not been removed from the present Court House any law usage or custom to the contrary notwithstanding. And be it also enacted by the authority aforesaid that Thomas Matthews, John Roberson, Willis Dickerson, Philip Alston and John Jackson or the majority of them shall be and hereby appointed Commissioner and impowered and directed to agree with workmen for erecting and building a Courthouse prison and stocks for the use of said County of Moor and for purchasing materials for that purpose and for enabling the said Commissioners to defray the expenses of said building a tax of one Shilling on every hundred pounds of taxable property within the said County of Moor as the same is established by this act and an equal sum on every unmarried man not possessed of the value of one Hundred pounds shall be levied and collected in the same manner as public taxes are or shall be levied and collected and all person who shall refuse or neglect to pay the taxes, by this Act impose upon them at the time and in the manner which is or shall be appointed by law for the payment of public taxes shall be liable to disthis [?] and sale of their property in the same manner as for non payment of public taxes and it is further declared that the said tax shall be collected by the officer or officers who is or may be appointed to collect the public taxes and such officer or officers shall give security to the said Commissioners for the faithfull discharge of his or their duty and shall be intitled to the same Commissions and liable to the same penalties restrictions process and remedy for enforcing the payment thereof as by law my be had against collectors or receivers of public monies. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid that the County Courts of Moore and Fayette shall nominate the following number of freeholders to serve as jurors of the Superior County for the District of Wilmington of which district the said Counties are hereby declared to be part that is to say for County of Boston [should be Moore] and for the County of Fayette any law or statute to the contrary notwithstanding and be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid that for running the dividing line Thomas Matthews & Jno Adkins be and they are duly appointed commissioners and imposed to lay off run and make the said dividing line agreeable to the direction of this act which said line when run by the Commissioners herein named shall be by them entered of record in the courts of the counties of which the said lines to be boundary and shall hereafter be deemed the dividing line between said counties.
  		1785 Petition, Randolph County, NC and Moore County, NC 1785, Dec 6 -- Petition, Nov 1785-Dec 1785 General Assembly Session Records, Box 1 Folder 7 Only the petition was included. No details but speculation is that it was a petition to erect a courthouse in the center of Randolph County, NC. Signers: [selected signers from Randolph County page 1 and 3] William Reader, John Graves, Evachel Hancock, John Lawley, Elisha Lawley, Uriah Wright and Nathanl. Tucker. The names listed on the second page are largely from Moore County and are listed in their entirety: Isaac Dun, William Dunn, William Smith, Bartholomew Dunn, John McAulay, Alexander Morrison, George Grimes, Bartholomew Dunn Junr., Normand McLeod, Nicolas Newton Senr., Allan Morison, Malcom McLeod, John Kees, George Ceagle [Cagle], Thomas Kees, Nathanyel Melton, William Kees, Richard Dunn Junr., Moses Keys, William Keys, Benja. Simmons, Jesse Brown, Vincent Davis, Averit Smith, William Maness, James Maness, John Shuffield Junr., David Davison, Ambrose Maness, Joseph Cockman, Wm. Smith Senr., Wm. Smith Junr., John Smith, Samuel Tidwell, John Cagle, Jacob Stutts Jur., Isom Smith, George Cagil, Thoms. Minyard, David Cagel, Nicolas Wallis, Stephen Richardson, Normand McLean, John Allin, Adam Shuffield, John Caringer, John Shuffield Senr., Isom Shuffield, Shadrack Manes, Meshach Manes, Hezekiah Dunn, James Munyard, Henry Cagle, Jacob Caringer, William Dunn, Nathan Smith, Jacob Stutts Senr., Richard Dunn Sen., John Morison, Murdoch McLeod, Hector McLean, James Bowdon, Travis Bowdon, Windsor Pearce, John Pearce, Gideon Meakins, John Caneday, Willm. Searcy, John Reade, Charles Stewart, Micaj. Hendry, John Garner, Edward Moore, Rolley Spinks, Alexd. Kanedy, David Kanedy, James Garner, Joseph Carr, Robt. Carr, John Spivey, James Mallett [?], Christopher Yow, John Spinks, Wm. Reade, Jessy Pitts, George Carringer Junr., John London [?], George Caringer Sen., Wm. Harris, Charles Grey, David Andres, John Powers, Adam Andres, Wm. Williams, Richd. Bird, James Deaton, Wm. Bird, Isaac Deaton [?], John Cagle and Elias Allred. [Editor's Note: While we can't be certain that these are in fact signers of the Randolph County petition we have been unable to locate a similar one for Moore County during the same time frame. Some of these names appear to be actual signatures while others are clearly written by the same person as other names around them. The Randolph County petition suffered from similar challenges including some signers that would be under 21 years old. Regardless, this is quite a list of northern Moore County residents during the late 1780's.]

  
  

• Sources

  [S1047] Lance Key [lkey@lipan.net]. Based on information left by Burrel Deaton, we have been able to identify James Key's parents as THOMAS KEY and ABIGAIL (?). In a handwritten note found in 1980, in a drawer of his home in Moore County, NC, Mr Deaton wrote, "My g-grandfather, TOM KEY (English) was from Virginia, a close relative of Francis Scott Key--Methodist and Whig and farmer, about 98, very musical. My g-grandmother, ABIGAIL KEY--musical and good housewife--age 80-Methodist. My grandfather, JIM KEY, Methodist, Democrat, farmer--very quiet man, age 68. My grandmother, SABILLE KEY, Methodist, very kind and considerate--good singer-85. The Deatons were not much musical, but Keys were all musical, both instrumental and vocal--All were born and raised in Moore Co., NC.