John Keeling was born around 1818 in NC or TN, the son of William and Mary "Polly" Cook Keeling. William was born ca 1772 in VA and Polly was born ca 1789 in VA. John's brothers and sisters were Nancy b. 1809 NC, Benjamin b.1812 NC, Delpha b. 1815, William b. 1817 NC, Fanny b.1820, Wright b. 1823 TN, Anna b. 1826.
According to Sandy Keylon, John's brother, William, settled in Fulton or Izard Co. , AK after the Civil War.
Roane Co. TN Marriage Records indicate John Keelon married Susan fuller March 8, 1844. At this time John would have been around 29 and Susan about 18. The marriage was performed by William Deatherage, The bondsman was William Keelon. Fathers or other close relatives customarily acted as bondsmen in this era, therefore William is probably John's Father. According to the average age of John's wife, Susan, given in the 1850 and 1860 TN censuses, Susan was born between 1827-1829.
Roane Co. , TN Death Certificate # (28861?) for John Keeling's son Samuel B. Keylon , lists name of Father as John Keylon, birthplace of Father-TN, maiden name of Mother-Susie Fuller, birthplace of Mother-TN, Informant-Ida Keylon (Samuel's daughter), rt. 1 Erie, date of death Oct.28, 1930.
The 1850 Roane Co. , TN census of the 20th subdivision and in the town of Kingston lists John 32, b NC, Susan 23 b. TN, James 6, William 4, and Angeline 2. All children born in TN. This completes the John Keeling family as of 1850.
According to the 1860 census of Roane Co. , TN, John Keeling 45, born Virginia, post office -Ten Mile Stand, also listed in John's family in 1860 are Susan 31, b TN, James 15, William 13, Angeline N. 11, Harriet J. 9, Alexander 7, Samuel B. 4, Elijah M. 4 and John H. 1. All John and Susan's children are listed as born in Tennessee. According to Donald Davidson's book, The Tennessee, a stand was a combination tavern/ hotel.
The 1870 Roane County, TN Census Vol. II, page 20, lists John's brother Wright Keylon 47, farmer, b. TN, Father and Mother born TN. Mary Keylon 46, wife. Their children are, Henry 21, Josiah 16, William 14, Susan 6 and Mary A. 4.
Roane County, Tennessee General Index to Deeds 1801-1860, book K, pg. 332 lists Wright Keelen as Grantee, William Jolly as Grantor, warranty deed.
Roane County Tennessee Chancery Court case filed June 5, 1873, Thos. Keelon (John's Grandson by Benjamin Keylon) versus Charles Walker. Charles walker contends that he contracted with Wright Keelan around January 1869 to care for Wright's Father, William Keelan.
Charles says that William's children, Wright, William, Delpha, Fanny and John Keelan conveyed William Sr.'s farm to him (Charles) as payment for William's care. Charles contends that he fulfilled the bargain until William Keelan died.
Charles then maintains that because of the improvements he has made to William's farm, plus food, firewood and personal assistance he provided to William for three years (actually less than two.) that he is now entitled to the farm in payment for his services, as per the original agreement.
The preceding court case reveals several facts about the Keelan family. Charles Walker says William told him that he, William, was one hundred ten years old. William deeded his land to Benjamin and Wright on the condition that they care for he and Polly for the remainder of William and Polly's lives. William died around Nov., 30, 1871. William's wife, Polly, died before him, and about a year after William had deeded his farm to Benjamin and Wright, but the court case doesn't give her date of death.
William Keeling's farm was in the ninth civil district of Roane Co. , TN, in the first range West of the (--?--), second township, fifth section and a (portion?) of the South East and South West quarters, containing about one hundred fifty-three acres and not one hundred sixty as claimed in the Keelan's court case. (Size of farm per Charles Walker.)
According to a Monroe Co. , TN death certificate, Susan Keylon died at postal route "Sweetwater 7" on Dec. 10, 1916 at the age of ninety years and four months, born 1836 (1826 according to stated age of ninety.) occupation-housewife, single, white, female, born TN, Parents not known, no physician in attendance, informant- D. Pumphrey or Humphrey of "Sweetwater 7." Despite the incorrect date of birth given, this could well be John Keeling's wife because the age at death corresponds to the birth date of John's wife.
The book Roane County Cemeteries lists Keylon, Susan b. 1836, d. Dec. 10, 1918, unmarked, Luminary Methodist Cemetery. Coincidentally, this Susan's birth year is the same as the Susan who died Dec.10 1916 in Roane County. This is probably John's wife, Susan Fuller Keeling, since Luminary seems to have been the cemetery/church of choice for some Keylon families of later generations. This Susan's birth date corresponds with that of the Susan on the Monroe County Death Certificate listing for Susan Keylon. Perhaps Susan died while visiting friends.
The 1880 Roane Co. , TN census lists, family #96, dwelling #97, John Keylon 62, occupation-farmer, born TN, Father and Mother born VA, Susie Keylon 54, wife, born TN, Mother and Father born VA.
Also, in the 1880 Roane Co. , TN census, family #97, dwelling #98 (next door to John Keeling) are William Keylon 34, occupation-farmer, born TN, Mother and Father Born TN, Margaret Keylon, Wife, born TN, parents born TN, Samuel 8, son, Jeanie 5 daughter, Milton 1, son. William is the correct age to be John's son and probably is since he is living next door to John.
Nearby in dwelling #94, family #95 of the same census is Samuel Keylon 23, occupation- farmer, Born TN, Parents born TN, Nannie Keylon 19, wife born TN, Parents born TN, Franklin M., Son 1.
Also, listed in the 1880 Roane Co. TN census is Elijah Keylon 23, occupation-farmer, born TN, parents born TN, Rebecca 19, Wife, born TN, parents born TN.
The book titled Tennesseans in the Civil War Part II, lists Keelin, John 23rd Infantry, Federal. It is not know at this time if this is the John Keeling of this biography.
Cherokee Wars, microfilm roll/vol. 1 #866, pg. 249 lists William Keelin, Pvt. , TN Mounted Volunteers. Tennessee Volunteer Soldiers lists Wm. Keelin, Pvt., Tennessee Mounted Volunteers, Co.(1?) Morrow's, Lindsays's Regiment. Since the Cherokee Indians were removed to the West between 1836 and 1838, this is probably John's brother, William.
Most older people of the Ten Mile community in Meigs Co. , TN agree that the center of old Ten Mile was in the vicinity of where Old Ten Mile/Euchee rd.. crosses Ten Mile Creek. There was a store and post office near the creek, and on its East side, as late as the nineteen forties.
After crossing Ten Mile Creek, the Old Ten Mile rd.. continued and turned to the North, Immediately passing the rock quarry on the right and the old Earl Bostic home on the left, about a mile from the quarry. Gilmer Massey was Earl Bostic's nephew. Gilmer was told, by an older man who once helped remodel the Bostic house, that they found Indian arrow heads embedded in the outer log walls of the original structure. The Old Bostic house and the commonly accepted center of Old Ten Mile would have been about twenty miles from Kingston, TN. via Ten Mile Road, which once ran from Kingston to Euchee.
Ten Mile Stand could have been located in the old Bostic home or in the center of the Ten Mile Community. This location was about twenty miles from Kingston. Twenty miles was probably a hard days journey by stage coach or horse and wagon in the old days, this and abundant water made this area well situated for a hotel/tavern (stand). Tennessee Post Offices and Post Master Appointments by D. R. Frazier, indicates Ten Mile Stand Post Office was located in Meigs County, TN from 5/3/1836-1/10/1906.
James Marion Keylon says the old timers gave Ten Mile Creek that name because they figured it was about ten miles long.
The Keeling name is in abundance in early Virginia censuses but no immediate connections have been made to date. The 1790 VA census for Princess Anne county, lower precinct of the Eastern Shore lists a John Keeling as head of house hold consisting of four whites and twelve blacks. This is not our Tennessee John Keeling since he wasn't born until ca 1815. The VA John is undoubtedly a relative to TN John since John seems to have been an extremely popular Keeling name.
Capt. Lemuel Cornicik's 1785 VA tax list of the lower precinct of the Eastern shore lists a William Keeling as the son of John. William is the head of a family of eleven.
The lower precinct of the Eastern Shore of Princess Anne Co. , VA is approximately where present day Norfolk, VA is located. More specifically, the lower precinct would have been in extreme South East VA where the VA and NC border one another.
An article entitled Keeling Coat of Arms in Hazel Kraft Eilers' book, At the Sign of the Crest, states, "Early American records of the Keeling family of Virginia are found mainly in Princess Anne and lower Norfolk county from which Princess Anne Co. was founded in 1691."
" Thomas Keeling, the Progenitor of this branch, was one of one hundred five persons that Adam Thoroughgood persuaded to come from England to settle in the colony of Virginia. Thomas, whose age was between 20 and 25, arrived in the ship Hopewell in 1628."
"Thomas married Anne, whose surname is unknown, between 1612 and 1628. Between the years 1635 and 1651 Thomas was granted one thousand acres of land on the Eastern shore of the Lynn Haven River for the transportation of various persons to Virginia. He served as vestryman in Lynn Haven parish in 1640. A vestryman being one, who is involved in administering the church affairs of a parish. Thomas served as commissioner in 1658 and was known as Lieutenant Thomas Keeling. Thomas died in August of 1655.
It isn't known if Thomas was the Captain of the Hopewell or what his involvement was in transporting "various persons to Virginia." Thomas evidently came from seafaring stock, because Collier's Encyclopedia, Vol. 5, pg. 423 mentions the Keeling Islands, which were discovered by William Keeling in 1609. The Keeling Islands are located in the Indian Ocean South of Sumatra.
The Keelings were prominent down through the years and were substantial property and slave owners. A 1785 reconstructed tax list for Princess Anne Co. , VA, lists a William Keeling as owning fifty-three slaves.
Burke's American Families With British Ancestry illustrates the Keeling coat of arms as follows; Scaling ladders are draw from the sinister chief to the dexter base. Plainly stated, the coat of arms appears as a shield upon which three scaling ladders are drawn diagonally, above, and separate from the shield. A griffin or lion sits on its haunches with raised right fore paw resting on a vertical scaling ladder. At the bottom of the shield are the words "Honeur Sans Reproche" (Honor above reproach). Several Keeling coats of arms are to be found in Burke's General Armory.
An article in the Norfolk Virginia Pilot by Louisa Venable Kyle, describes three of the oldest brick homes in America. " One of these homes is called "Ye Dudlies" and was built by Adam Keeling on the Eastern shore of the Lynn Haven River in or about 1647."
"Descendants of Thomas Keeling lived on this land and in Ye Dudlies until 1884 when the heirs of Solomon Keeling sold the estate."
"For generations the name Keeling was on the list of vestrymen at historic Eastern Shore Chapel. (In Princess Anne Co.?) There are a number of Keelings in and around present day Norfolk, VA."
According to the dictionary of English Surnames, the Keelings originally came from the North East coast of England near Berwick on Tweed. The Tweed River empties into the North Sea and is near the border separating England and Scotland. The name Keeling is thought to have been derived from a small type of cod fish called The Keeling. This leads to speculation that the Keeling forebears may have been ardent fishermen, who specialized in the catching of Keeling Codfish.
According to the Dictionary of Welch and English Surnames, Keeling is the local of Keelin, it is suspected that Staffordshire, Cheshire, and Lancashire Keelings are of local origin but the exact spot can't be located.
During the life of John's children the name Keeling became Keylon. Since many of these early families could neither read or write, they were unable to offer the correct spelling of their names. Census takers, tax collectors etc. tended to phonetically spell the names of those they dealt with, resulting in the Americanization of many immigrant family names. The Keylon version of Keeling is much in evidence in East TN today.
The 1900 Rhea Co. , TN Census lists Elexander (Alexander?) Keylon, Parthenie Keylon and Susan Keylon age 74. This is most likely John's wife, Susan, living with her son, Alexander.
The 1900 Roane Co. , TN census, family #211, dwelling # 212 lists Lijah Keylon, born July 1855 TN, age 44, Becca born May 1861 TN, age 39. Their children are Ollie b. Sept. 1880 TN, Ross b. July 1883 TN, Alice b. Dec. 1888 TN, Bessie b. Aug. 18?3 TN. Lijah is most likely John's son.
Another of John's sons is also listed in the same census. S. B. Keylon 43, born TN, Father and Mother born VA, married 22 years. Nancy J. Keylon 39, born May 1861 TN, Father and Mother born VA. Nancy's maiden name was Ellis. Their children were Ida b. Dec. 20, 1879, Bert b. Aug. 17,----, Leonard b. May --, 1876, Cora b. July 10, 1889, Robert b. April 9, 1891, William b. Oct.4, 1895, Clyde b. Oct. 1, 1898.
A 1930 newspaper article records the death of John Keeling's son. "Samuel B. Keylon 73, died at his home in Shilo (Shilo is on TN rt. 72 between Paint Rock and Loudon, TN) Oct. 29, 1930 after an illness of several months. He had been a member of the Shilo Baptist Church for a number of years. The deceased is survived by his widow, Nancy J. Keylon, four sons, Bob, Bert, and Leo-nard of Los Angeles, Calif. and Will Keylon of this place ( Shilo); two daughters, Mrs. Ida Sensaboy, of Paint Rock, and Mrs. A. P. Huff of Lawnville; one brother Lige Keylon, of Rockwood; one sister, Mrs. Rucker, of this place. Funeral services were held by Rev. T. O. Drake. Interment was in the Bethel cemetery."
Jerry R. Godsey says, "one of Benjamin Keylon's sons was Thomas George Keylon b. Aug. 3, 1846 in Roane County, TN, d. Oct. 1920 in Putnam County, TN. Benjamin's wife was Sallie Walden."
Cherokee Wars, microfilm roll/vol. 1 #866, pg. 249 lists William Keelin, Pvt. , TN Mounted Volunteers. Tennessee Volunteer Soldiers lists Wm. Keelin, Pvt., Tennessee Mounted Volunteers, Co.(1?) Morrow's, Lindsays' Regiment. The William Keelin mentioned here is probably the son of John Keeling. William would have been about nineteen at the time of the Cherokee removal between 1836 -1838.
The Dictionary of Welsh and English Surnames, states that, " in 1272 Henry De Lahey was granted for all his services all that land which William Keelin and William his son formerly held, and which reverted to the grantor by the felony of William De Keylon."