Cornelius Keith, born in Loch Lomond, Scotland, was of royal lineage. A 1715 Scottish Royal Seal dating from 1010 A.D. is associated with him. He was the original pioneer of the Oolenoy settlement, started about 1743, married Juda Thompson, and reared twelve children. One son was Colonel Cornelius Keith, a Revolutionary war hero whose wife was Mary Lafoone.