Fall?

With temps still in the 90's it is hard to think about Fall, however, it should be at least 10 degrees cooler by now. This is one of my Dogwood trees, it usually is pretty in the fall with the changing color and the red berries but this year it is just turning brown. Even the berries are turning brown. Not sure how much color we will have this Fall, last time I heard were 10 inches behind on rainfall.

Elijah Kelley

As far as I know there is no picture of my Great Great Grandfather, Elijah Kelley. The following information is from the Joel Kelley book. During the Trail of Tears, Elijah had an Indian friend who did not want to go to Oklahoma. Elijah with the help of his parents hid the Indian on thieir farm. The name of the Indian was long ago forgotten but he remained with the Kelley fammily and worked for them. He is buried in the Kelley family cemetery. His grave is marked only by a tall rock.
Elijah operated a lumber business and farmed. He strained himself while lifting logs and died soon thereafter. He died Dec. 23, 1875.
At the time of the Battle of Chickamauga, Elijah Kelley owned property where part of the battle took place.
Elijah did not live on the land his brother Elisha Kelley, cleared, fenced, and farmed the land. Elisha and his family were living on the land during the battle in 1863. In Oct. 1891 Joseph Kelley (son of Elijah Kelley) deeded the land to the United States Government. The land now is part of the Chickamauga-Chattanooga National Military Park, Chickamauga, Ga.  At Footnote.com I found a map of the Battle-field of Chickamauga which shows the Kelley property.
I really need to go out to the Park and get some pictures and go to the Visitor Center another thing to put on my list of places I need to do research.

Julia Jane McSpadden Kelley

Stewart Russell Kelley was the second child of Elijah and Julia Jane McSpadden Kelley, he was born May 23, 1848 and died Nov. 10, 1924. He is buried in the Kelley Family Cemetery in Bradley County, Tenn.
Stewart married Charraletha "Charlie" Woods May 2, 1884.

Above is a photo of Stewart and "Charlie" with their children and Julia Jane McSpadden Kelley.

Lizzie Kelley

Elizabeth "Lizzie" Kelley Whitten was the only surviving daughter of Elijah and Julia Jane McSpadden Kelley.

She married James Paschel Whitten in 1868 in Bradley County, Tennessee. Lizzie died Aug. 12, 1909 and is buried in the Hopewell Baptist Church Cemetery, Cohutta, Ga.

The Kelley Brothers

from the Joel Kelley book

Elijah and Julia Jane McSpadden Kelley had 10 children, three daughters and seven sons. Two daughters Polly and Nettie died young and the other Lizzie died in 1909. I'm so thankful to have the Joel Kelley book, it has many photos which I would not otherwise have. Above is a photo that was published in the Cleveland Daily Banner, Cleveland, Tenn. on Thursday, June 28, 1966.  This photo was taken in 1916 and has all seven of Elijah and Julia Jane McSpadden Kelley's sons.
It's so exciting to see a photo of my Great Grandfather and all of his brothers.

Hiram and Nancy Kelley

                        Another photo of Hiram and Nancy Kelley,
                             my Great Grandparents.

Historic Homes

The above picture is from the Saturday, June 7, 2003, Lifestyle section of the Chattanooga Times Free Press
My great grandfather Hiram Kelley was a carpenter and helped to build these homes. They were built from 1902 to 1904.

Hiram and Nancy Kelley

Continuing the journey through the Kelley family, my Great Grandparents were Hiram and Nancy Kelley.
Information from the Joel Kelley book, published in 1984.
Hiram was born Jan. 1, 1854 in Bradley County, Tennessee. Hiram died of a heart attack in Walker County, Ga. on May 30, 1928. He is buried in the Chattanooga Valley Cemetery, Walker County, Ga.

Hiram married Nancy Matilda Potts in 1877. She was the daughter of Arch R. Potts and Nancy Caroline Wolfe. Nancy was born Nov. 28, 1853 in Bradley County, Tennessee. Nancy died March 31, 1931 and is also buried in the Chattanooga Valley Cemetery.

Hiram and Nancy moved from Bradley County, Tn to Walker County, Ga. and raised their family of 10 children. Three children died at a young age. Looking through the Joel Kelley book I added up and they had 46 grandchildren. Can you imagine having that many cousins, both sides added together I only have 9 cousins.

Hiram was a carpenter, he helped build the attractive large houses that were Officers Quarters at Ft. Oglethorpe, Ga.  Many of these homes are still in excellent condition today (2010).

Nancy was a good cook and wonderful grandmother, she was loved by her many grandchildren.

                                                         
                                      Photo from the Joel Kelley book.

Tombstone for Nancy and Hiram Kelley at the Chattanooga Valley Cemetery in Walker County, Ga.