In 1888, William Robert Keay immigrated from Dundee in Scotland to the city of New York, eventually settling on Staten Island where we worked for 12 years as a landscape gardener. In 1899 he, his wife, and seven children moved to Lowville, in Lewis County.
He took a job as head gardener for Charles R. Scott, an underwriter for Equitable Insurance who had purchased a historic home, and “spent about $70,000 re-modelling the house, adding immense verandahs, generally changing the Colonial appearance of the place, adding elaborate stables, greenhouses and gardens.” When Scott died in 1902, his estate was sold to Congressman Charles L Knapp and his head gardener, William Keay, moved on to open his own florist business in the village.
The Naturalization Act of 1906 passed on June 29 and took effect September 27 as a reaction to the lack of uniformity among what was then a variety of state-level naturalization processes.
In 1908 the Lowville Journal and Republican headline read: “WANT TO BECOME CITIZENS Several Applicants for Naturalization Papers, Failed Because of Lack of Qualifications for Citizenship.”
Justice Watson M. Rogers held a special term for the naturalization of aliens in Lowville, Monday, the story reported, adding:
“Six applicants for citizenship appeared, only one of whom was accepted and admitted. It is said that some of the questions asked the candidates would puzzle a great majority of ‘well informed’ citizens, and they appeal to us as being rather arbitrary and uncalled for.
“The first case taken up was that of William Robert Keay of Lowville. After Justice Rogers had questioned Mr. Keay at some length the case was postponed until the special term of Supreme Court to be held at the courthouse in this village October 2nd, to enable Mr. Keay to become better informed concerning the United States government.”
Four more applicants were summarily rejected. Only Valentino Martone of Lowville passed the exam that day, supported by his witnesses William H. Osborne and William Neiderberger, residents of Sackets Harbor, in Jefferson County, NY. Martone took the oath of allegiance, admitting him to citizenship.
Fortunately there was a happy ending to William Robert Keay’s journey to naturalization.
His Certificate of Naturalization, dated June 8, 1909 in Lowville, described him in clinical terms: Age, 45 years; height, 5 feet, 6 inches; color, white; complexion, light; color of eyes, blue; color of hair, black; visible distinguishing marks, none. It was signed Lester B. Parker, Clerk of the Supreme Court.
William Keay died just short of six years later in 1915, having spent nearly 30 years – more than half his life – in the United States. His obituary stated:
“Mr. Keay was a man of fine character, quiet and unassuming in his demeanor. He was honest in his dealings, and upright in conduct. He was in possession of a fund of quaint humor and Scottish lore which made his conversation one of much interest to both friends and chance acquaintances.”
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William Keay and Jeannie Glass Keay, Lowville NY.
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