Historical Rosters Database

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Thomas Key Phelps

Roster ID 2982
This is a summary. Contact the Archives for additional biographical information.
First Name:Thomas
Middle Name:Key
Last Name:Phelps
Suffix:
Affiliation:Class of 1867
Biography & Genealogy:Thomas Key Phelps, Class of 1867; New Market Cadet. Genealogy: Born- September 21, 1847, on family plantation "Keyton" in Bedford County, Va. Father- Thomas Jefferson Phelps; Mother- Malinda Perkins Key. Pat. Grandfather- Thomas Phelps; Pat. Grandmother- Nancy Carter. Mat. Grandfather- Captain Thomas Key; Mat. Grandmother- Docia Preston. Marriage: To Elizabeth Moulton, 1870. Children- 1st: Thomas Hammond; 2nd: James Key; 3rd: William Richard; 4th: Wilbur Moulton; 5th: Sarah; 6th: Hattie May; 7th: Lucy; 8th: Ruth; 9th: Margaret Elizabeth; 10th: Ella Docia; 11th: Laura. VMI Record: Matriculated March 1, 1864. Participated in Battle of New Market (cadet private, Company D) on May 15, 1864. Remained a cadet until Corps was disbanded following evacuation of Richmond, April 1865. Honorary Graduate. Career: Operated family farm "Keyton" in Bedford County; involved in public service in the county. Died: December 27, 1925, in a Roanoke, Va. hospital. Buried Key-Phelps Cemetery, near Body Camp, Bedford Co., VA. [photo courtesy Jim Rucker]

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About the Database

The database currently includes the names of all enrolled students (both graduates and non-graduates) from VMI's opening in 1839 through the World War II era. In addition, you will find biographical and genealogical information, including a summary of military service during the Civil War, for many individuals who attended in the 19th century. The database also includes some historical Faculty and Board of Visitors members, as well as U. S. Army students sent to VMI for training during World Wars I and II. The latter groups were not VMI cadets. For further information about an ancestor listed in the database, please contact the VMI Archives. We can check the complete record, let you know if other information available, and provide copies of original documents. This database is for historical research. We do not release information about living individuals.

VMI Archives
Virginia Military Institute
Lexington, VA 24450
archives@vmi.edu
540-464-7516