KELLEY, ROBERT was born of Celtic parents in
England, and at an early age enlisted in the British army and served as
a soldier for many years. On that eventful June day, in 1815, he was, with
his regiment, in the battle of Waterloo, fighting under Wellington, and
participated in the gallant charge that routed the French army under Napoleon.
He afterwards came as a soldier to Quebec and after serving his
full time was discharged from the army. Some years before coming to America
he married Mary Ann Needham, and upon his discharge from the army settled
with his family at New Ireland, P. Q. There were born to them a large family
of children.
Thomas W., son of Robert and Mary Ann, was born at New Ireland,
May 1, 1831, and in early years commenced the battle of life so peculiar
to that section. Many and interesting were the stories he would tell of
his experiences, camping out, in hunting, fishing, logging, and piloting
parties through the Canadian forests.
He married Nancy A., daughter of John and Jane Ranney of Wheelock,
Vt. They had five children, Henry E., married and living in Indiana; E.
Lillian, now in Boston; Emma J., deceased; William E., of Kirby, and one
who died in infancy; also an adopted daughter, Annie Wallace Kelley. About
forty years ago Mr. and Mrs. Kelley moved on to the farm in Kirby which
has been the family home ever since.
Mr. Kelley has held the office of constable and collector several
years, lister a few years, and other public positions, always to the satisfaction
of the people.
Mr. Kelley died January 2, 1903, seventy-one years of age.
Mrs. Kelley and William E. own and keep the old home farm.
Source:
Successful Vermonters, William H. Jeffrey, E. Burke, Vermont, The Historical
Publishing Company, 1904, page136.
Prepared
by Tom Dunn, May 2006
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