Wednesday, September 15, 2010

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.

3 comments:

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Harriet, I'm so glad you have that book about the Kelley family... Elijah must have been a very compassionate man to have helped that Indian... How neat a story is that!!!!!

Thanks for sharing.
Hugs,
Betsy

Unknown said...

Harriett, I have run across pictures of some of the family standing outside the Cabin. You may have seen them Let me know if not.

Unknown said...

Harriett, I have run across pictures of some of the family standing outside the Cabin. You may have seen them Let me know if not.