James and Sarah Key lived in Botolph Alley, Billingsgate, London in the fishmarket area.
They came to Australia around 1831.
James Key was employed as a gardener by The Australian AgriculturalCompany on their estates around Stroud and Dungog.
It has not been possible to prove how the family came to Australia but asearch of A.A.Co.records show their ship "Frederick" brought 25gardeners, 222 sheep,7 horses and stores from Portsmouth ,Englandarriving on 23rd November,1827.
It was also common for the man to migrate first and after demonstratinghis work suitability,his wife and family were given passage later.
Perhaps James was one of the 25 gardeners arriving in 1827 with Sarah andfamily following in 1831.
The family settled at "Thalaba" near Dungog in The Hunter Valley.
Daughter Mary Ann married James Duffy in 1839 and Ellen,aged 16 marriedthe convict overseer of cattle for the A.A.Company,William Hazelgrove on1st September,1840 at Dungog.
William Hazelgrove died at The A.A.cattlestation near Gloucester on 7thJune,1847.
There were no children.
Ellen then married Thomas Page on 29th November,1847 at Dungog.
For whatever reason,this union was doomed,as Ellen eloped two monthslater with the discharged convict William Spatch who worked on the Dungogproperty "Melbee" owned by D.F.McKay.
They went to the Glen Innes district.
Elllen's parents James and Sarah followed soon after and James wasemployed on the station "Clauvaulx"" when Sarah died on 16th May,1858.
In 1858 James received a grant of 77 acres of land adjoining StonehengeCreek which he named "Plainview".
Daughter Ellen,William Spatch and family joined him.
James Key died at "Plainview" on 5th June,1875 aged 87.