Helen Key powerloom weaver¹

Parents:

• (Child) Birth*: Helen Key powerloom weaver was born on 24 June 1855 at East Denside, Monikie, Forfarshire, Scotland, ; 1855 births in the parish of Monikie in the county of Forfar; Key, Helen not present, female, 1855 June twenty-fourth 7h 10m pm; East Denside Parish of Monikie Forfarshire; father William Key farm servant aged 44 years born Monifieth; married 1838 Monifieth, 3 boys and 3 girls living 1 boy and 1 girl deceased; mother Elizabeth Key ms Mires, her 9th child, aged 35 years, born Marykirk; informant William Key father; registered 1855 July 11th at Monikie William Alexander registrar.²
• She was the daughter of William Key farm servant and Elisabeth Myers.
• (Bride) Marriage*: Helen Key powerloom weaver married John Bews coal salesman on 31 December 1880 at Barries Land, Monifieth, Forfarshire, Scotland, ; 1881 marriages in the parish of Monifieth in the county of Forfar; ref 1; 1880 on the thirty-first day of December at Barries Land Monifieth after the publication of banns according to the forms of the Church of Scotland; John Bews farm servant bachelor, 25, 168 South Road Lochee, John Bews ship carpenter Alison McGregor factory worker; Helen Key powerloom weaver, spinster, 25, 214 Perth Road Dundee, William Key railway surfaceman Elizabeth Key ms Myres; signed J G Young, wit George Bews, Margaret Hardie; regsitered 1881 January 3 at Broughty Ferry Robt Morrison registrar.³
• (Deceased) Death*: Helen Key powerloom weaver died on 8 December 1924 at 43 Peddie Street, Dundee, Forfarshire, Scotland, , at age 69 cert held : 1924 deaths in the district of St Mary & St Peter in the burgh of Dundee; Helen Bews married to John Bews coal merchants labourer; 1924 December eighth 4h 25m pm 43 Peddie Street Dundee, f, 69 years, William Key ploughman (dec) Elizabeth Key ms Myres (dec); cardiac valvular desease 3 months as cert by William Kinnear MD; John Bews widower.

• (Witness) Marriage: She witnessed the marriage of David McDonald and Sarah Key on Wednesday, 30 August 1876 at Monifieth, Forfarshire, Scotland, ; 1876 marriages in the parish of Monifeith in the county of Forfar, rref 55; 1876 on the Thirtieth day of August at Monifieth after banns according to the forms of the Church of Scotland; signed David McDonald widower gardener domestic servant aged 43, residing Broughty Ferry, parents Alexander McDonald farmer (dec) and Christina McDondlad ms Adams; signed Sarah Key spinster domestic servant aged 29 residing Broughty Ferry, parents William Key signalman Caledonian Railway and Elizabeth Key ms Myres; signed S G Young signed Wm Sutherland & Hellen Key witnesses; registered 1876 August 31st at Monifieth Gilbert C Smith assist reg, William Smith registrar.⁴
• Married Name: As of 31 December 1880, her married name was Bews.
• Newspaper Article*: Helen Key powerloom weaver and John Bews coal salesman were mentioned in a newspaper article At Monifieth on the 31st ult., by the Rev J G YOung DD, John Bewes, to Helen, youngest daughter of William Key. on 4 January 1881 at Monifieth, Forfarshire, Scotland, .⁵
• (Witness) Newspaper Article: Helen Key powerloom weaver and Margaret Key, James Todd, Sarah Key, David McDonald, George Key, Ann Gibson Ford, John Bews coal salesman, Ann Key and William Key missionary were mentioned in a newspaper article about William Key farm servant and Elisabeth Myers on 17 December 1888. GOLDEN WEDDING - Mr William Key and Mrs Key, who have resided in Monifieth for about 20 years, celebrated their golden wedding on Saturday evening. The aged couple had with them on the occasion three daughters with their husbands, and one son and his wife, together with thirteen grandchildren. The company spent a very enjoyable evening in a manner appropriate to the interesting event. It may be mentioned that Mr Key is in his 82nd year, while Mrs Key is 72 years of age, and both are hale and hearty. Besides the above mentioned members of their family, they have a daughter in America, and a son engaged as a missionary in China who together have eight children. Mr and Mrs Key have twenty-three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.⁶
  

Census & Directory Entries

Member of Household	7 April 1861	They was listed as a member of the household of William Key farm servant and Elisabeth Myers in the 1861 census at North Powrie Farm Cottage, Murroes, Forfarshire, Scotland, . Helen Keay, daug, 5, Forfar Monikie; William Keay, head, mar, 57, ag lab, Forfarshire Monifieth; Elisabeth M Keay, wife, mar, 43, Kincardinshire Marykirk; 2 children in school; 2 rooms with windows.7
Member of Household	2 April 1871	She was listed as a member of the household of Robert Wynd in the 1871 census at 2 Session Street, Dundee, Forfarshire, Scotland, . Helen Key, serv, 17, servant, Monikie; Robert Wynd, head, 55, grocer, Inchture; wife Jenate, 43, Murroes; 2 sons under 10 both b Dundee.8
Spouse	3 April 1881	She was listed in the household of John Bews coal salesman in the 1881 census at 204 Lochee Road, Dundee, Forfarshire, Scotland, . John Bevis, head, 25, carter, Lochee; Helen Bevis, wife, 25, Monikie.9
Spouse	5 April 1891	She was listed in the household of John Bews coal salesman in the 1891 census at 95 Peddie Street, Dundee, Forfarshire, Scotland, . John Bews, head, 35, coal salesman, Lochee; Ellen Bews, wife, 35, Monikie. Lizzie Myres Bews, Alice Cochrane Bews, Helen Key Bews and Williamina Key Bews were also listed in the household.10
Spouse	31 March 1901	She was listed in the household of John Bews coal salesman in the 1901 census at 118 Kincardine Street, Dundee, Forfarshire, Scotland, . John Bews, head, 45, coal salesman, Lochee; Ellen Bews, wife, Monikie. Lizzie Myres Bews, Alice Cochrane Bews, Helen Key Bews, Ann Gibson Bews and Alison McGregor were also listed in the household.11