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The biographical sketch of Benjamin Kelley (a descendant of the immigrant ancestor) tells the traditional family story:

"Benjamin Kelley was of Irish extraction, and the name was originally written O'Kelley. His grandfather was the only child of Irish parents, and was born on the Ocean, as his parents were emigrating to America. The parents settled in Virginia, and the child grew to manhood, married, and raised a large family. His father returning to Ireland to see after his estate, was supposed to have been lost at sea, as his family never heard from him afterwards."

Source: "A History of Kentucky Baptists, from 1769 to 1883, including more than 800 Biographical Sketches, by J. H. Spencer, the manuscript revised and corrected by Mrs. Burrilla B. Spencer. In Two Volumes. Vol. II. Printed for the Author, 1886," p. 314.
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My Kelley ancestor was James, a brother of Benjamin Kelley; both served in the Revolutionary War. In January, 1778, Benjamin Kelley was captured at the Blue Licks, near Fort Boonesborough, Kentucky, with Daniel Boone.

Twenty-seven men were taken captive by the Shawnee Indians. The chief was Simon Girty, white renegade. Benjamin Kelley was adopted by an old squaw as her son; she helped him escape six years later.

Both James and Benjamin Kelley moved to Kentucky in the early 1800s and many of their descendants were born in Kentucky.
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Read more about Benjamin - See: Related Files on this website:
Draper Manuscript and the Kelley Family
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 The Kelley Family of Virginia
Updated October 3, 2008
Paula Kelley Ward
PO Box 47131
San Antonio, TX 78265-7131
United States
chachalady@sbcglobal.net

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Family Photos

  • George Washington Kelley 1794-1878 (29 KB)
    George Washington Kelley, b. 9 March 1794, Amherst County, VA, d. 17 November 1878, Floyd County, VA, son of James Kelley and Elizabeth Sledd. George served in the War of 1812: 13th Regiment Kentucky Militia; enlisted at Hardinsburg, Breckinridge County, Kentucky. His father, James Kelley, b. 1758 Bedford County Va, served in the Revolutionary War. George was a Primitive Baptist preacher and married many couples in Franklin County, VA. George married Sarah Jane Webster 17 December 1819, at Pigg River, Franklin County, Va. They had eight children: Elizabeth, Benjamin F., Anne Eliza, Joseph P., James L., George W., William D., and Moses G.
  • Joseph Pedigo Kelley 1829-1862 (173 KB)
    Joseph P. Kelley, b. 1829, Franklin County, VA, d. 12 December 1862, Floyd County, VA, son of George W. Kelley and Sarah Jane Webster. Pvt. Joseph Kelley, of Floyd County, VA, enrolled in Co A, 24th VA Inf Reg on March 12, 1862, at Floyd Court House. He participated in the Battle of Seven Pines/Fair Oaks on May 31, 1862 and was sent to Staunton Hospital. Most likely, he became very ill. He was at the hospital until October 31, 1862 and died on December 12, 1862, at home in Floyd County, VA. Joseph married Sarah Catherine Payne 24 December 1849 in Floyd County, Va. They had six children: Sarah Elizabeth, George Louis, Homer Hansford, John Benjamin, Jefferson Lafayette, and James Marion.
 

Related Files

  • Draper Manuscript & The Kelley Family (28 KB)
    This letter, dated April 15, 1852, is from Carter J. Kelley, a grandson of Benjamin Kelley, to Lyman C. Draper. Spelling, grammar, and punctuation have been transcribed as written in the original letter. Source: Lyman Copeland Draper, The Draper Manuscripts, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin: Microfilm Series C, Vol. 24, pp. 124-134
 

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