When Lydia Sovain was born in November 1794 in Botetourt, Virginia, her father, Abraham Sauvain, was 53, and her mother, Lydia Halpayne, was 49. According to verbal family history (source: Betty Keatley) Lydia might have been part Native American. Betty believed her grandfather, John to be part Native American and since all other parents can trace their ancestors back to Europe. Written record from the Smith-Riffee Collection describes Lydia as a “small, dark woman”
Lydia Sovain married James Jesse Keatley in Monroe County, Virginia (now West Virginia), on May 2, 1808, when she was 14 years old. When Lydia wed James Keatley, the guardian who consented to the marriage was Harmon Sifford in Montgomery Co. VA.
They had 10 children in 31 years as listed in order of birth: John, Harriet, Nancy Jane, Joseph, Wilson, Emily, Henry, James, Mary Ann, and Adeline Burke.
She died on May 10, 1869, in Mercer, West Virginia, at the age of 74, and was buried in USA.