Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 5.djvu/76

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VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY

of Prussia. He died without issue. His younger brother. James, became a field marshal in the service of Peter the Great of Prussia, afterwards serving with the same rank in the Prussian army. After many signal services he was killed at Hoch- kirch in a battle with the Austrians under Marshall Daun in 1759. A superb monu- ment was erected to his memory in Berlin by order of the King of Prussia. This field marshal, James Keith, never married but the coming of Rev. James Keith to Virginia, also the latter's connection with the Pre- tender's cause coincides with the flight of James Keith from his native land to the ser vice of the Russian Czar, leading to a svip- position that they were closely related. The Scottish family bore arms : "Argent ot! a chief three pallets or gules." Crest: "On a wreath, a stag's head erased, proper and attired with ten tynes." Supporters: "rwo stags proper attired as crest. Motto : Ver- itas vincit. (Truth Conquers).

The founder of this branch of the Keith family in Virginia was Rev. James Keith. a native of Scotland, who, involved in the rebellion in favor of the Pretender, was forced to flee from the country. He came to Virginia but later returned to England for orders. He again came to Virginia, settling over Hamilton parish in Fauquier county, continuing over that parish until 1758. He was also minister over the Epis- copal church of Williamsburg. He married Mary Isham Randolph, a descendant of William Randolph, of Turkey Island, the founder of the famous Randolph family of Virginia. A daughter of Rev. James Keith married Colonel Thomas Marshall, of "Oak Hill," Fauquier county, Virginia, the family seat of the Marshalls for many generations. Chief Justice Marshall was a son of Colonel Thomas Marshall and both father and son were soldiers of the revolution. After the division of the parish of Hamilton, Rev. Keith served until his death all that region now embraced in Fauquier county. He left many descendants, one of his sons was for many years clerk of courts for Fairfax county, Virginia, another, Thomas Keith, married Judith Rlackwell and had a son, Isham Keith, grandfather of Lucien Keith, of Warrenton, Virginia. Isham Keith was a cousin of Chief Justice John Marshall. Thomas-Keith, father of Isham Keith, was a soldier of the revolution. Isham Keith mar-

ried Julia Chilton, a daughter of John Chil- ton, a captain of the Continental army, killed at the battle of Brandywine. Colonel Thomas Marshall, father of Chief Justice John Marshall, was also a relative of the Chilton family, of Virginia. Isham and Julia (Chilton) Keith had a son, Isham, a farmer of Fauquier county, Virginia, born September 9. 1833, died in September, 1902. He was a member of the Black Horse Cav- alry and later served in the Confederate army under Colonel Mosby. He married Sarah Agnes, daughter of William and .^nn Gordon Blackwell, who also had two sons, James G. Blackwell, of Richmond, Virginia, and W'illiam (2) Blackwell. of Prince Wil- liam county.

Lucien Keith, son of Isham and Sarah Agnes (Rlackwell) Keith, was born in Fau- quier county, \'irginia, now a lawyer of the bar and mayor of \\'arrenton, Virginia. He prepared for the profession of law, was admitted to the Virginia bar at Fairfax Court House in 1882, and at once began practice. He is a member of the Fauquier County I'ar Association, the Fauquier Club, the Presbyterian church, and a Democrat in politics. He was elected mayor of Warren- ton. in September, 191 1, served two years, and in September, 1913, was re-elected. Mr. Keith married, July 14, 1908, Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel and Charlotte (Haber- tcn) Sharpless. of the well-known Sharpless family of Chester county, Pennsylvania.

Francis F. Marbury. Like his father, Francis V. Marburv has devoted many years of his life to railroad enterprises, although the work of the son began with practical construction and took him beyond the bor- ders of his country to the semi-civilization of Central America. The connection of the name with railroading ceased in 1900. when Mr. Marbury entered the field of real estate in his native city, contracting as well other business alliances. The parallel between father and son might be here continued, but the similarity that exists will appear in its i^roper consecution.

Francis F, Alarbury, grandfather of Fran- cis F. Marbury, married a Miss Blacklock. and was the father of Frank A. ; Leonard, of \'irginia ; W illiam Henry, of whom fur- ther : Alontgomery. Thomas, Elizabeth and Maria.

William Henr\- Marburv, son of Francis