October 14, 2011.
JAMES ELSIE KELLY and ARSENITH NEWMAN by John Austin
My great grandparents were James Elsie Kelly (1861-1935) and
Arsenith Newman Kelly (1865 - 1954). They had a farm on the NC/VA
line on the road to the island. James was originally from Wash
Woods. He was in the life saving service until he married
Arsenith. She tried living on the bank, but was unnerved by the
isolated conditions. They moved back to the Newman farm -
something James Elsie said he regretted for the rest of his life.
All I know of James' family is his father William Kelly (1834 - 1865), and his mother Virginia Ann Morse (1834 - ??). His grandfather William Gregory (1798 - ??) came from Ireland, and married Mary Murden in Norfolk in 1818.
All I have on Arsenith is her father Peter (1822 - 1919) was listed as a voter on Knotts Island in 1867. His wife was Sally White (1832 - 1919). I believe Sally was related to Vinson & Luke White, but the connection is vague.
My mother was Nancy Kelly Austin. Her mother was Beatrice Mae Kelly (she went by Mae Kelly). Her father and grandfather were named John Ansell. Their farm was located in Hickory, VA, a mile or so east of the Ruritan building.
My mother says the addition on the right was added after the Kelly's sold the place. There used to be slave quarters in the back. It had a large chimney and stairs to the second floor on the outside of the building. In the 1930's it was used to store drying onions. The house used to be open under the footings - my mother remembers sheep under the house.
My aunt, Shirley Kelly Petty, remembers getting up at 4AM with grandfather Kelly who loaded a pony cart with sheep and took them to the rail head at Munden Point. The engineer was married to one of the James Kelly's daughters. They took the sheep into Norfolk to sell at the market on Water Street. Shirley's stories from her summers at the farm also mention taking all night walks with young cousins who lived nearby.
There were Sunday visits by sailboat to kin on Bell Island and Currituck Courthouse. My mother's father, Raymond Kelly, as a child was supposed to have tested an early parachute design by pitching the Corolla Light keeper's cat from the top of the light. He was caught by the keeper and made to retrieve the cat who had sailed several miles down the beach. The cat was not pleased to see him.
THE KELLY FAMILY BIBLE from Melinda Lukei.
In possession of Thelma L. Walker of Norfolk, Va.
MARRIAGES
James E. Kelley and Arsenath A. Newman were married July 14th by Elias Williams, J.P.
Mary Edith Kelly daughter of James E. Kelly and Arsenath his wife was married to Otley Halstead Walker on August 2, 1911
Annie Virginia Kelly daughter of James E. Kelly and Arsenath his wife was married to Thomas McKinly Bishop on November 24, 1912. Bishop died January 1919 Annie married William R. Gray on September 4, 1924
Bessie Elva Kelly daughter of James E. Kelly and Arsenath his wife was married to Rodger Ervin Elliott January 3, 1920, Elliott died March 29, 1943
Raymond Lee Kelly son of James E. Kelly and Arsenath his wife was married to Beatrice Mae Ansell on October 19, 1920
Shirley Louise Kelly daughter of Raymond L. Kelly and Mae his wife was married October 5, 1940 to Leo Edmundson Carper, Divorced, married George L. Petty, Jr
Nancy Carlin Kelly daughter of Rymond L. Kelly and Mae his wife was married to George William Austin, Jr June 10, 1950
BIRTHS
James E. Kelley the son of William Kelley and Ann his wife was born on Monday the 18th of April 1861
Arsenath A. Kelley the wife of James E. Kelley and the daughter of Peter Newman and Sallie his wife was born Wednesday May 1st 1865
Horace G. Kelley the son of James Kelley and Arsenath his wife was born Monday Dec 5, 1887
Mary E. Kelley the daughter of James E. Kelley and Arsenath his wife was born Wednesday July 17th 1890
Annie V. Kelly was born August 17th 1892 the daughter of James E. Kelly and Arsenath his wife
Bessie Kelly the daughter of James E. Kelly and Arsenath his wife was born March 2nd 1895
Raymond Lee Kelly the son of James E. Kelly and his wife Arsenith was born Tuesday February the 20th 1900
Thelma Lee Walker the daughter of Otley H. Walker and his wife Edith was born Wednesday May the 29th 1912
Morris McKendree Bishop the son of Thomas M. Bishop and his wife Annie was born January 28, 1914
Ann Virginia Morse the mother of James E. Kelley was born Dec. 19th 1840
Shirley Louise Kelley the daughter of Raymond Lee Kelley and Mae his wife was born Dec 2nd, 1921
Raymond Lee Kelly, Jr the son of Raymond Lee Kelley and Mae his wife was born Jan 4, 1924
DEATHS
Horace G. Kelley the son of James E. Kelley and Arsenath his wife departed this life February 22, 1888
James Elza Kelly Husband of Arsenath Ann departed this life Sunday March 2, 1947 age 85 years 10 months 14 days
Raymond Lee Kelly son of James E. Kellay and Arsenath A. Kelly departed this life October 31, 1952 age 52 years 8 months 11 days
Arsenath Newman Kelly wife of James Elza Kelly departed this life, Saturday April 3, 1954 age 88 years 11 months 2 days