From: "Jim Kelly" <[email protected]

Old-To: "Sue Davis" <[email protected], "Pat Bocek" <[email protected],

"Pam Fulbrook" <[email protected],

"Norman Franklin" <[email protected],

"Minnie HILLIS REAGOR" <[email protected],

"Margaret Chambers" <[email protected],

"Lisa" <[email protected], "Gayle Stephens" <[email protected],

<[email protected],

"Carolyn Smotherman" <[email protected],

Cousins,

Below is a message I sent to a woman who was kind enough to send me some information about the Kellys of Madison Co., Alabama. I thought I would send it on to you because, who knows, someone out there might recognize some of these names. I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have about this. And I'm happy to share any information any of you might want.

Jim.

_____________________________________________

Kathy,

Thanks for your reply. I am really happy to have all that information that

you sent. Thank you. Most of that information was new to me, but I did find

it helpful.

After looking at the information you sent, I feel your John Kelly is not the

father of my Henry Kelly. They are probably in some way related, but I feel

that one less John Kelly on my list of possibilities is a good thing!

I know that Henry Kelly, who was born in South Carolina in 1796, is the son

of John Kelly because Henry was in the War of 1812, but was too young to

receive the bounty for his service. His father, John Kelly received it.

Since Henry enlisted at Huntsville in October 1813, I thought that John, who

died there in 1818 was worth researching.

Here's my theory. I know John is the father of my Henry. I feel Nelson Kelly

is the father of my John.

Nelson Kelly was born in Sussex Co., VA. ca. 1730. He married Elizabeth

Jeffries in Stafford Co. in 1751 and died in Bedford Co., TN. in 1815.

In 1790 there is one Kelly family in Sussex Co. This is John Kelly (I have

no idea, don't ask.).

Another clue I have is that my great grandfather is Samuel Odum Cleveland

Kelly. His daughter told me the names Odum and Cleveland are both family

names, but I've never found out where they come in. However....after a brief

(?) stay in Fairfax Co., VA., Nelson Kelly ended up in Wilkes Co., NC. This

is where he lived when he served in the Revolution. On the 1782 tax list of

Wilkes Co. are listed Larkin Cleveland, John Kelley, Jeremiah Cleveland,

John Cleveland and Nelson Kelley.

In 1790 Laurens Dist (Old 96) in South Carolina are found Reubin Kellogg,

Thomas Kellogg and Nelson Kellogg. This is actually Nelson and his sons. Is

my John living somewhere else (back in Sussex Co., VA???) or still unmarried

at home???

In 1800, Laurens Dist., SC. are Nelson Kelley, Peter Kelley, Thomas Kelley

and Ruebin Kelley. Also, six of the seven John Kellys in South Carolina that

year have a son in the household of the age to be my Henry. (Big help there,

huh?)

By the way, in both 1790 and 1800, there are Clevelands nearby. There is

also a Larkin Cleveland.

There is a John Kelly who is said to have been the first settler on Kelly's

Creek, which is on the Lincoln-Giles County line in Tennessee, just north of

Limestone Co., Alabama. He and Joseph Kelly record their marks on 27

February 1810. (John is first found there 26 April 1809.)In this same area,

there is a Caperton Kelly mentioned several times. I noticed that name in

the information you sent. Joel Kelly was also in the area. Assuming these

are all the same John Kelly, in Lincoln Co., he was a Justice of the Peace,

a lawyer and even owned a tavern. On his inventory, which was made in

Lincoln Co., TN. on 7 May 1818, he is listed as John Kelly, Sr. Among the

several books he owned was a Bible. (What I wouldn't give to find that!)

Names mentioned in this inventory are a hundred dollar note on Charles

Cavenaugh and Joseph and Nancy Kelly, the administrators. Eli Garrett had a

hand in seeing that the estate was settled. (Nelson Kelly's son William

married into his family.

In Bedford Co., TN., the first name listed on the church register of Newhope

Baptist Church, dated 1 April 1809 is Nelson Kelly. Reuben is there, too

along with several Kelly women. There is a later list of church members

dated 2 November 1811, but the list was added to and there is no way to know

when each name was listed. On this list are: Nelson Kelly who is listed as

dead. (He died in 1813.) Reuben Kelly is also listed as dead. (He died in

1815.) Beside John Kelly, it says "Escd." Beside his wife, who is just

listed as "and wife" is written "dead". Later, beside John Kelly is written

"restored".

I find a Larkin Cleveland all the way to Alabama, too. I can't help but feel

he fits in somewhere.

Now, to answer your question about the siblings of my Henry, in Limestone

Co., AL. is found the will of Thomas Kelly, who died in 1833. The will was

written 2 October 1833 and it was probated 14 October 1833. His widow,

Elizabeth was still living. Thomas' daughter, Matilda had Robert Austin, Jr.

as her guardian in 1835. She married William Wilkerson in 1836 in Limestone

Co.

Thomas' daughter, Louisa was the key. In 1835, Robert Austin, Jr. was her

guardian, but in 1837, her uncle, Henry Kelly was her guardian.. She married

Lorenzo D. Cox in 1838 in Limestone Co. Thomas' other children are Elizabeth

and John (of course!). I don't know what became of them. Joseph is linked

with Henry's family, too and John, who was in Limestone Co. in1820, is just

thought to be his brother. I guess it's possible that this is John Sr., but

if the John Sr. who died in Lincoln Co. in 1818 is Henry's father, then this

is more than likely his brother.

Oh, and I forgot to mention that Henry Kelly was in Capt. Charles

Cavanaugh's company in the War of 1812. (Remember that name from John Kelly

of Lincoln Co.?)

My biggest problem with John Kelly of Lincoln Co. being the father of my

Henry is this. Nelson Kelly always signed his name with an X. Henry Kelly

seems to have always done the same. John Kelly could read, write, was

possibly a lawyer and a justice of the peace. Would a man that educated come

from someone who could not write and have children who could not? I know

illiteracy was common in those days, but one man being educated doesn't seem

to fit (at least not in my mind). Please, feel free to set me straight on

this point!

Henry Kelly and his first wife, who is unknown, only had one child that is

known, my great-great grandfather, John Nelson Kelly. (There's that name

Nelson--and John--again!) He was born in Alabama ca. 1822. His mother was

living in 1830, but died in Limestone Co. AL. soom after that as Henry Kelly

moved to Giles Co.,TN. where he married his second wife, Mahaly Smith in

1835. His third wife, the mother of John Nelson Kelly's first wife, was Mrs.

Luvicy Hunter, the widow of Jesse Hunter who died in Limestone Co. AL. in

1824. She was Cherokee and is known in my family by her Indian name, "Flower

Hunter".

I hope this isn't too confusing. I am sure I left something important out,

so if you have any questions, please ask. Again, thank you for the

information you sent. I know I will be able to put it to good use. And if

you have any clues for me after reading this, please pass them along.

Thanks for your help,

Jim.