Martha Elizabeth Keys1,2

b. 2 October 1846, d. 15 February 1902
FatherRev. James Robinson Keys1,4,5 b. 24 Feb 1817, d. 8 Apr 1886
MotherMary Buchanan Edmondson3,4,5 b. 10 Apr 1823, d. 2 Feb 1851
Birth2 Oct 1846 Martha Elizabeth Keys was probably born on 2 Oct 1846.6 
  There appears to be some confusion as to whether Martha was born in Virginia or Tennessee. Her marriage record and the 1880 and 1900 census use Tennessee. Her obituary states that she was born at Antioch in Washington County, Virginia [Antioch is in Johnson County, Tennessee]. And the 1850 and 1860 census entries use Virginia. Her date of birth is also somewhat in question. Her obituary uses 2 Oct. 1846 but the 1900 census uses July 1846.1,6,7,8 
Childhood  However, it is clear that Martha spent the bulk of her childhood in Johnson County, Tennessee, where her father was a school teacher.7,8 
Moth-Death2 Feb 1851  Martha's mother died in 1851, at which time Martha was only 4 years old. Her paternal grandmother appears to have lived with the family and was no doubt instrumental in raising Martha and her brother Andrew [2 other brothers died young]. 
  In 1861 Martha's father married for a second time. He also returned to Virginia where he founded the Liberty Hall school in Washington County. Martha spent several years there as an assistant teacher.6,9 
LegateeJan 1862  Martha's maternal grandfather, Andrew Edmondson, died in 1862. He remembered his granddaughter Martha Keys in his will, leaving her a horse, saddle and bridle.10 
Marriage22 May 1872 or 31 May 1872 She married Thomas White Hughes on 22 May 1872 or 31 May 1872 in Washington County, Virginia.1,11 
 It appears that Martha and Thomas spent the first few years of their married life in Tennessee as their first 2 or 3 children were born there [daughter Lula was born in Johnson County, Tennessee in 1875]. 
Occupation  When Martha's father, Rev. James Keys, retired as principal of Liberty Hall Academy in Washington County, Virginia, in 1878, Thomas assumed the role of head of the school. Thomas was himself a minister, having graduated from the Union Theological Seminary in New York.12 
Cens-18804 Jun 1880 In 1880 Martha and Thomas were enumerated in the Holston district of Washington County. Thomas was 48; Martha was 33. Three children were also recorded: Mary (7), Lula (6) and Charles (3).13 
  Another son, Robert Lee, born in late 1878, had died in 1879. 
  In 1891 William J. Edmondson assumed the leadership role at Liberty Hall. He and Martha were second cousins.12 
Cens-190023 Jun 1900  Although 2 additional children were born to Thomas and Martha after the 1880 census and were enumerated with them in 1900 there appear to have been other children who died young. The 1900 census asked each married woman how many children she had given birth to. Martha's record listed her as the mother of 8 children, 5 of whom were living. Thomas was 64 and employed as a farmer. The couple's son Charles was also living at home and working as a salesman.14 
  In addition the household that June included daughter Lula [enumerated as Louise] who would marry 3 months later. She died in 1902. 
Death15 Feb 1902 Martha died of consumption on 15 Feb 1902 in Liberty Hall, Washington County, Virginia, at age 55.6 
Burial17 Feb 1902 She was buried on 17 Feb 1902 at Rock Spring Cemetery in Washington County, Virginia.6 

Related Links and Images:

Other interments in Rock Spring Cemetery

Family

Thomas White Hughes b. Dec 1835
Children
ChartsDescendants of John Edmondson and Martha Moore
Last Edited31 Mar 2011

Citations

  1. [S6] Thomas Colley, Washington Co. VA Marriages 1853-1880, p. 174. Transcription reads: Thomas White Hughes, 40y, sgl, b. state of Missouri, res. Washington Co., VA, school teacher, s/o James & Nancy Hughes AND Martha E. Keys, 25y, sgl, b. Tennessee, res WCV, d/o James Keys; marr 22 May 1872 by James Keys.
  2. [S1288] Letter, George Keys to Bob ____, May 18, 1994. George listed Martha's names as Mary Elizabeth, however all other records for her (census, grandfather's will, marriage entry) use Martha.
  3. [S851] Andrew Edmondson will (recorded 1862), Washington Co., Virginia Will Book 15: 302. The will was written 22 Nov. 1861 and recorded 28 Jan. 1862. John B. Edmondson and Sampson C. Patterson took the oath of executors and posted bond in the amount of $12,000 with Mathew H. Buchanan and William King their securities; the will names Andrew's grandchildren, Martha and Andrew Keys.
  4. [S1288] Letter, George Keys to Bob ____, May 18, 1994. George cites the bible of James Keys as his source.
  5. [S1344] Notification re the estate of Jean Buchanan, dec'd, The Journal Virginian, Oct. 11, 1962.
  6. [S1703] Memoir - Obituary of Mrs. Pattie E. Hughes, undated & unidentified newspaper clipping.
  7. [S1283] James Keys household, 1850 U.S. cens, Johnson Co., Tennessee, pop. sched., District No. 2, p. 7 (stamped), dwelling 16, family 16, viewed online at Ancestry.com, June 2005, image 3 of 12. Enumeration includes: James Keys, 33, school teacher, owns real estate: $3,000, b. TN; Mary B., 27, b. VA; William H.S., 5; Martha E., 3; Andrew E., 1, all b. VA; Frances Keys (f), 56, b. NC; John Keys, 23, student, b. VA; Andrew Cole, 23, student, b. VA; John W. Cole 20, student, b. VA.
  8. [S1285] James Keys household, 1860 U.S. cens, Johnson Co., Tennessee, pop. sched., Taylorsville, p. 14b (stamped), dwelling 173, family 78, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Jul 2005, image 4 of 4. Enumeration includes: James Keys, 43, teacher, real estate: $4,800, pers. prop $800, b. TN; Martha E. 13, b. VA; Andrew E., 11, b. VA; Frances, 66, b. NC; Hardy M. ____, 21, Methodist Clergyman, b. NC.
  9. [S622] Martha Keys, "Questions," e-mail to Diana Powell, 25 Jul 2005.
  10. [S851] Andrew Edmondson will (recorded 1862), Washington Co., Virginia Will Book 15: 302. The will was written 22 Nov. 1861 and recorded 28 Jan. 1862. John B. Edmondson and Sampson C. Patterson took the oath of executors and posted bond in the amount of $12,000 with Mathew H. Buchanan and William King their securities.
  11. [S1703] Memoir - Obituary of Mrs. Pattie E. Hughes, undated & unidentified newspaper clipping. Obituary uses 31 May 1872.
  12. [S23] "Liberty Hall School" in Families of Washington Co. and Bristol, VA, 42. Source for article cited as Washington County News, 16 April 1981, Big Farewell Party For Famed Old School - Washington Co. News, 10 Nov. 1965.
  13. [S165] Thomas W. Hughes household, 1880 U.S. Census, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Holston district, ED 100, page 7C (p. 244 stamped), dwelling 54, family 54, viewed online at www.Ancestry.com, March 2007, image 7 of 54. Household includes: Thomas W. Hughes, 48, school teacher, b. MO, father b. VA, mother b. TN; M.E., wife, 33, b. VA, father b. TN, mother b. VA; Mary N., dau, 7, dau, b. TN; Lula M., son, 6, b. TN; Charles, son, 3, b. TN.
  14. [S634] Thomas Hughs household, 1900 U.S. cens., Washington Co., Virginia, pop. sched., Holston district, ED 114, sheet 15B, dwelling 274, family 276, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Apr 2007, image 30 of 34. Household includes: Thomas Hughs, 64, b. Dec. 1835, marr 28 yrs, b. MO, parents b. MO, farmer; Marthy E., wife, 5_, b. Jul 1846, marr 28 yrs, mother of 8 children, 5 living, b. TN, parents b. TN; Louise, dau, 25, b. March 1875 TN; Charles, son, 23, b. Jan. 1877 VA, salesman; Oltie M., dau, 18, b. May 1882 VA; Frank J., son, 13, b. May 1889 VA.
  15. [S8] Hockett and Hunt, 1891-1902 Marriages of Washington Co. VA, p. 89. John G. Preston, 30, s/o Samuel and Cassie Preston, farmer & stock dealer AND Mary N. Hughes, 22, d/o T.W. & Pattie Hughes; marr 17 Oct. 1895.
  16. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 99. Stone reported to read: Robert Lee Hughes, s/o T.W. & M.E. Hughes, d. 23 Oct. 1879, age 10m 5d.