Michael and Mary Kelly, Adams, New York

Michael Kelly was born 1823 in Askinfarney, County Wexford, Ireland, the son of John Kelly and Polly Minchin. His wife was Mary and she was born about 1830 in Ireland. I have no idea when or where they married. Census records indicate that their first child was born 1853 in Canada.

William Minchin's journal gives no information about Mary:

Michael born in 1823 died in Adams village NY about 1867 he left 4 boys and 1 girl.

I first find them in Adams, Jefferson, New York on the 1855 State census, page 217. Dwelling 147, family 161; log home.

• Michael Kelly, age 33 b Ireland, resident 2 years
• Mary Kelly, age 25 b Ireland, resident 2 years
• John Kelly, age 2 b Canada, resident 2 years
• Ann Kelly age 11/12 b Jefferson, resident 11/12

Still in Adams, Jefferson, New York in 1860, pages 74-75, family 638. None of the children had attended school in the last year. Missing is daughter, Anne.

• Michael Kelly, age 38 born Ireland. Laborer. Personal Estate $50.
• Mary Kelly, age 27 born Ireland. Housework. Could not read or write.
• Johny Kelly, age 6 born N. C. [NC= North Canada?]
• James Kelly, age 5 born N. Y.
• Phillip Kelly, age 2 born N. Y.
• M. A. Kelly, female, age 7/12 born New York.

I can only place one Michael Kelly in Adams, NY in the 1860's so it seems likely he was a Civil War soldier.

New York State Militery Museum and Verterans Research Center.
Rosters of the New York Artillery Regiments during the Civil War

TENTH ARTILLERY

K E L L E Y , M I C H A E L . - Age, 38 years. Enlisted, September 6, 1862, at Adams; mustered in as private, Co. D, Third Battalion, Black River Artillery (later Co. L, Tenth Artillery), December 27, 1862, to serve three years; transferred to Co. G, Battalion, June 23, 1865; to Co. G, Sixth Artillery, July 19, 1865; also borne as Kelly.

William Minchin's estimate that Michael died about 1867 is in error as Michael was listed on the 1870 census, Adams, Jefferson, New York,  page 53, dwelling 497 (appears as Killer or Keller) Listed just before, dwelling 496, is Michael's sister, Anne.

• Michael Kelley, age 40 born Ireland. Day Laborer. Real estate $800, Personal estate $100. Both parents of foreign birth. US citizen.
• Mary Kelley, age 33 born Ireland. Keeps house. Both parents of foreign birth. Could not write.
• John Kelley, age 17 born Canada. Works on R. R. Both parents of foreign birth. Attended school within the year.
• James Kelley, age 13 born N. Y. Farm Laborer. Could not read or write.
• Philip Kelley, age 12 born N. Y. At home. Attended school within the year.
• Mary, age 10 born N. Y. School. Attended school within the year.
• William, age 8 born New York. School. Attended school within the year.
• George, age 3 born N. Y. School.

Michael must have died between 1870 and 1880 as he is not listed with the family in Adams, Jefferson, New York; page D12, families 122 and 123. Also missing is daughter, Mary. Michael was survived by five sons rather than four.

• Philip Kelley, age 24 born N. Y.. father born Ireland, mother born France. Laborer on R.R.
• Anna M. Kelly, age 21 born N. Y., parents born Ireland.
• Mina Kelly, age 2 born New York
• Nettie, age 1 born New York

• Mary Kelly, age 45 born France, parents born Ireland. Could not write.
• John Kelly, age 25 born Canada. Blacksmith.
• James Kelly, age 22 born NY. Carpenter.
• George Kelly, age 21 born NY. At school.
• William Kelly, age 18 born NY. Laborer.

Michael's headstone does not show any dates. Adams Rural Cemetery.

There are no other stones near his so if this is the family plot the other graves a re unmarked.

Mary may have supported herself with real estate. I found this:

Jefferson County Journal, June 21, 1887, page 5

Mrs. Mary A. Kelley has purchased the Crandall house and lot near the cheese factory on Liberty street. Consideration $463.

Which led me to this map from 1888 found at Historic Map Works.Mary owned three properties on the south side of Liberty St. The property mentioned in the newspaper clipping is on the north side of the street and shown as belonging to her son, William.

By 1900 Mary was living alone in Adams, Jefferson, New York; page B12, dwelling 326.

• Mary Kelly, born Aug 1830, age 69, widow. She had borne 7 children, only 3 still living. Ireland, Ireland. Ireland. Immigration 1858, resident 41 years.

Jefferson County Journal, January 8, 1901

Died
Kelly – In Adams, Jan 4. Mrs. Mary Kelly, age 72 years.

Mrs. Mary Kelly died at her home on Liberty street, Thursday. The funeral was held from her late residence Saturday, Rev. John Richards officiating. Internment at Rural cemetery.

I have previously written about the Heirs of Mary A Kelly. Her three surviving children were James, Philip and George.