Elizabeth Key ( or perhaps Kaye ) was born in 1630 in Warwick County , Virginia . Her mother was a Negro Indian slave and father was Thomas Key , a white Englishman who was a plantation owner and a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses , representing Warwick County ( today 's Newport News ) . Thomas Key 's white wife lived across the James River in Isle of Wight County , Virginia , where she owned considerable property . Born in England , the Keys were considered pioneer planters as they had come to Virginia before 1616 , remained for more than three years , paid their own passage , and survived the Indian massacre of 1622
Indian massacre of 1622
Indian massacre of 1622
Elizabeth Key Grinstead