The Republican journal., 1888-02-23
kerry family Memorial.

Paper Read before the Maine Historical Soci-
city by Joseph Williamson.
Tn behalf of Edward A. Kelly, Esq, of Bos-
ton, herewith present to the Society memo
rial volume of his family. comprising the de-
pendants OF John Kelly, of Newburv, Massa-
chu>ctt>. who came to that town from Eng
land. in 1875.
Many of these descendants settled IN New
Hampshire, but a few of the seventh and eighth
generations have resided in Maine. Among
them was Albert Livingston Kelly, late of
Winterport, formerly Frankfort, where for
! sixty Years lie was prominent ard much re-
spcctc,l citizen. His father. Hon. Israel W.
| Kelly, held various public stations. Icing sue
ce>>i,cly sheriff, judge. and United States mar
sla and his mother. the daughter Of Rev. Eli
iiah Fletcher. and sister of the first wife of
Daniel Webster, was regarded as one Of the
most intellectual! women the State had rroduc-
cd. Their home aboundcd in hospitality. Among
lis frequent visitors we've Ezekiel Webster, the
older brother Of Daniel. Judge Richard FLEET
= cher. Hen. Thomas W. Thompson. with whom
beth The Web>ter> read law and other listin
gui>lcd men oi the day. Surrounded by such
Influences. the early life Of the subject OF this
ed to the elder Webster. whose wise counsel
and advice largely contributed to shape his flu
! ture career.
At the age of fifteen. Young Kelly entered
yarmouth College. being taken there by his
friend Mr.. Webster. lie graduated in lSoi. his
class numbering forty-five members. of whom
| the last survivor was the Rev. William Clark.
u. d., who died in 1887. at the age of eighty
eight years. lie took high rank as a scholar,
and his proficiency in Greek was Ion. remem-
bered by his contemporaries.
! Upon leaving college, he commenced the stu
dy of law with the Hon. Stephen Longfelow.
OF Portland, where he continued for three
Years; then and ever afterwards enjoying the
esteem and confidence of that eminent man.
The intimacy which he formed with Mr.. Long
! fellow family constituted a source OF improve
!ncnt and pleasure that he always delighted to
refer to. During the last year of his residence
+ in Portland. lie received what WaS then regard
o a> high honor for young man; an invita-
4 tioh from the municipal authorities to deliver
+ the Fourth of july Grafton. The service was
performed in a manner that elected the highest
praise. "Mr. ke!ly's Grafton" said the Port
land Advertiser of July 18th. 1925. ''has been
published at the request OF the Secctmen. and
Is for sale ii the several bookstores. 1t is sell
sbc. well written Grafton, ahounliny in Just
reflections and sound principles: an! will be
read with pleasure as well by those who heard
it delivered. as by others who had not that OPP
/ po:tlu,iiy.'
soon after his admission TO the bar csir-
! acne Na'a'rN 1911 Il !AWHcf occurred AT Frank
fort. hy the heath of rhiio II. W ashburn. Esq .
/ who had ra,iircl there for several Years. and
/ Mr.. kchI determined to avail himself OF it.
I lie established himself there in September. 1925
i'l> predecessor Aad acted Is agent for MessrS.
.,i'fi .h"rHu'Ae' iaVia sears ana william
4 prescott, OF H">ton. rr>hiuarE owners Of that
portion Of the Waldo Patent known as 1.-The
/ Ten nroprietors' Land and that important
| trust was also filled by Mr.. Kelly. His bust
y! = soon became extensive, ana he occupied a
! nigh position among his associates. \ fanil-
| iAii!N win the la" OF real estate. which i'll
iho>c Gays OF po>sc>>oTy claims and uncertain
f"unRailes formed an important branch OF the
| Profession. caused Wide demand upon him.
An"tt 1910 having obtained an interest IN the
'ahi> n'ider MS management, he retired from
! practice and devoted himself TO his private es-
/ tai&. l!toen years or activity had severely
faxed ms health winch mad never been firm.
/ III TACT. from carly manhood, his mental cncr-
~ was superior to his physical strength. To
one acquainted only with the former, who once
expressed surprise that ne had not entered po-
= li"'I NE ana e>ta"lishcd a reputation which
Honi,' have been easily attained. MIR. kelly re-
! pied that his constant inilrmities precuded any
eNerilon not absolutely required for the wants
9! those depehdent upon INN. "ut while these
"l>rot'fA-einehts Tor many Years restricted him
70 comparative secu>lon. they did not destroy
a lively interest in ali that pertained to the pub
lie welfare. \ sense Of duty occasionally i'm
| PEELED him to discuss local questions. in which
M words were Of weight and influence. lie
wrote upon general subjects for the press. and
@ratllcl his fellow citizens with lectures be-
! fore the village lyceum. One of the latter.
i upon The influence OF Mothers was much
aiihirto. ahh received commentator from
new >paper. IN Which portions of it appeared.
! ll"heNer h" addressed the public, il was with
and grace OF gesture: His dicton resembled
that of Washington Irving. whose works he
/ i'ad 50 olten READ rs 10 ne able TO quote whole
passages OF NE SketcE.book from memory.
| D"forous m dress, dl@lihcd IN department. lie
appeared alike at home and abroad as a natu-
raj sentlcmaii-an American Sir Charles Gran
Olson. ill his words and actions conformed
! to the rules OF good taste. Entirely iDdeper-
Gent 81 pubic OPINION he was perhaps eNcltl-
siNc; hut never assuming. An almost lntuitlvc
ana correct Ju1%c of character, he drew good
men toward himself, but the bad he would
! never tolerate.
In Inc iuli possession OF his mental faculties.
i MI. Kelly dicd at v Interpret, on the eShte enth
| OF August. lSS1. being the day following the
elghty-third anniversary of his birth. His
WHOM. Il laughter oil TIE late aldo Pierce.
i->i.. OF Frankfort: to whom he was married
! III i>-3 and 'iNe children survive him.
hen Mr.. keiley relinq'iished legal business
II WAS taken 10y his younger brother. Webster
helity. ESD. Who resided in Maine for nearly
twenty Years. He was born at Salisbury. y.
H.. III loo4. ard graduated at Dartmouth Col
/ jr9e III ~ Opening frs! an office in Frank
t Tort, ae subsequently practiced in Belfast and
Bangor. leinHNng from The latter place to
i'">!oh III lSal. lie rose rapidly in his pro-
| 'c>>lpn. and occupied prominent position at
The iai* OF Waldo and Penob>cot counties.
where he was highly regarded for his integrity
! anu professional abllity. lie was man
sihgulariy modest in the estimation OF his own
| power, which TACT prevented his becoming
more known TO the public. 1t was only in the
circle of his Immediate friends and clients that
ne coui! be properly appreciated. They knew
| MS purity 0! heart. his warm attachment and
'delity 10 those lie regarded. his capacity and
calm ability in advising and leading them
through the intricate difficulties of business.
He was a ine scholar. well read in his profess
sion. and when aroused by the consciousness
| OF the justice of an oppressed clients claim,
would address Jury III his behalf with Won
| dcrtul ticafneSs. power and cloquencc." Mr..
Kelley died S'id'iehly in New Hampshire July
., 1919. at tie age OF fly-onc. after successfully
condurthg ali important case. He married
Mss l-ucilia 5. PIERCE. sister of lis brothers
wife. Who with their children reside in Boston.
y daughter of the latter. Grace Fletcher, is
said to bear a striking resemblance to the wife
of Daniel Webster, for whom she was named.
Webster and the mother of the brothers Kelly
were sisters. The great statesman always
manifested warm affection for his nephews-in-
law and then sister. Mrs. Ellen Kelly Pierce.
wife of Charles ii. Pierce. Esq, n well known
lawyer of Wlnterport. where She resided from
ls3. until her death in 1853. During his Maine