South Carolina Pioneers
Members Library



Keith of Scotland, Virginia, South Carolina & Forsyth County, Georgia


The progenitor of the family in Scotland was Cornelius Keith, born 1689 in Loch Lomond, Scotland, died ca 1742 in Brunswick Countym, Maryland, married Elizabeth Johnston.

Cornelius Keith, the son of Cornelius Keith and his wife, Elizabeth (Johnston) Keith, was born 1715 in Loch Lomand, Scotland, and died 1803 in Pickens County, South Carolina, buried in the Oolenoy Baptist Church Cemetery in Pumpkintown. He must have had two wives, the first wife was probably Juda Holder, because he had a son, Lemuel Keith, born ca 1735. He was married second in 1741 in Brunswick County, Virginia to Juda Thompson (born 1715 in Virginia) and by her had issue, Juda Thompson Keith, born 1741 in Roanoke, Virginia, died 1805 Pickens County, South Carolina and Cornelius (listed below). He was married third to Mary Bohannon and by her had issue: John W., George, William, Asa, Duncan, Sarah, Naomi, Connie, Washington and James Keith. Issue of Juda and Cornelius.

Cornelius Keith, son of Cornelius, was born November 1743 in Roanoke, Brunswick County, Virginia, and died 13 June 1820 in Pickens County, South Carolina, buried in the Oolenoy Baptist Church Cemetery in Punpkintown. He was married in Roanoke, Brunswick County, Virginia in 1769 to Mary Lafoone (born 1749 in Lunenburg County, Virginia, died 13 February 1846 in Pickens County, South Carolina, buried in the Oolenoy Baptist Church Cemetery). Cornelius was a Colonel during the Revolutionary War. Issue:
  1. Sarah Keith, born 1797 in Pickens County, South Carolina.
  2. Joel M. Keith, born 16 March 1799 in Pickens County, South Carolina, carpenter. Wife, Mary, born 1805 in South Carolina. They were residents of Forsyth County, Georgia. Issue:
1. Absalom B. Keith, born 1837 in Pickens County, South Carolina.
2. Nancy A. Keith, born 1842 in Forsyth County.
3. Sarah C. Keith, born 1844 in Forsyth County.
4. Joel M. Keith, born in Forsyth County.
  • Matthew Keith, born 17 January 1801 in Pickens County, South Carolina.
  • Mary E. Keith, born 27 January 1803 in Pickens County, South Carolina, died 20 June 1850 in Pickens County, South Carolina.
  • Lemuel H. Keith, born 14 January 1805 in Pickens County, South Carolina, died 22 March 1871 in Jefferson County, Alabama, buried in the Central Cemetery, Argo, Jefferson County.
  • Virginia Keith, born 25 December 1806 in Pickens County, South Carolina, died 1806.
  • James Allen Keith, born 30 May 1808 in Pickens County, South Carolina, died 1872, buried in the Central Cemetery, Argo, Jefferson County, Alabama.
  • Jane Keith, born 1 November 1810 in Pickens County, South Carolina, died 25 May 1881 in Argo, Jefferson County, Alabama, buried in the Massey Cemetery.
  • Rebecca Keith, born 16 June 1813 in Pickens County, South Carolina, died 27 December 1893 in Lawrence County, Alabama, buried in Mt. Springs Baptist Church Cemetery.

    • Cornelius Keith
    Grave of Cornelius Keith, Oolenoy Baptist Church Cemetery, Pumpkintown, South Carolina.

    Pickens County, South Carolina Deeds:

    Deed Book C-1, pp. 456-7. This Indenture made 13 Nov 1837 between P. Alexander, Esquire, Sheriff of Pickens County and John Allen of the District aforesaid: Whereas, William Allen, deceased, was in his life time and at the time of his death lawfully seized of the estate of inheritance to him and his heirs of a certain tract of land containing two hundred and fifty acres on the waters of Oolenoy in the district of Pickens sold by my predecessor William D. Sloan, then Sheriff of Pickens District, and that the said William Allen died intestate or it is said and whereas upon the death of the said William Allen the said plantation above mentioned and to be hereinafter more described descended to Abner Russel, Abner Chastain, James Allen, John Allen, heirs of Ambrose Reid in right of his wife, heirs of Abraham Powell in right of his wife, William L. Robinson, Hugh Allen, Cornelius Keith, heirs of John Capell and Abigail Allen (widow) and John Allen.

    And whereas, Abner Russell and James Allen did on or about the 31 Aug 1835 made application to the court in said district to yours, under the directions and provisions of an Act of the General Assembly of the State in case made and entitles an Act to give jurisdiction to the Judges of the Court of Ordinary throughout the State to order the sale or division of real estate not exceeding a certain value directed to Abner Russel, Abner Chastain, John Allen, heirs of Ambrose Reid in right of his wife, heirs of Abraham Powell in right of his wife, William L. Robinson, Hugh Allen, Cornelius Keith, heirs of John Capell and Abigail Allen (widow) legal heirs and representatives of the said William Allen deceased requiring them to appear before the Court of Ordinary on the first Monday of February 1836 to show cause if any why the real estate of William Allen deceased should not be divided or sold. Dated 4 Jan 1836. Note: The property was sold 13 Nov 1837.

    pp. 212. I, Joel M. Keith of Pickens District State aforesaid for the sum of thirty dollars paid by David Lay of Pickens District State aforesaid all that tract of land containing 210 acres lying on waters of Mossey Creek adj. lands of Alexander White. To David Lay as long as he lives and to Nancy Reed to his or her assigns against my heirs. Dated 25 Jan 1833.

    Sources: (1) 1850 Forsyth County, Georgia Census; Oolenoy Baptist Church Cemetery, Pickens County, South Carolina.