First Generation

2. James P O'Kelly^1,2 (Kelley or O'Kelley) was born between 1734 and 1738.^1,3  

The family records that follow are of Rev James P O'Kelly and his descendents.  Do not accept this connection as proven fact.  This is based solely on Peter Jefferson Kernolde's claim in his Book titled "Lives of Christian ministers: over two hundred memoirs" where he states that Rev John P O'Kelly, Rev James O'Kelly, and Rev "Franky" Francis Dean O'Kelley all descendants of Thomas O'Kelley and Elizabeth Wyers are descendents of Rev James O'Kelly. Because Kernolde does not tell his reader how these three ministers are related to Rev James O"Kelly, we can not just assume that Kernolde was correct in his conclusion he may have only been repeating popular folklore.  If you are a traceable male descendent of Rev James O'Kelly it is possible to join the Kelley Kelly DNA project and learn where Rev James O'Kelly's family originated and if he is from our O'Kelley line as so many suspect.  Like many others I believe he is of our family, I think his year of birth and residence in Mecklenburg Co Virginia at the same time that my 5th and 6th grandfather lived in Mecklenburg makes it likely he is of our family.

Author W. E MacClenny in his 1910 book about Rev James tells his readers he believed James was born and lived the early part of his life in Ireland.  Because living in Ireland using the O' before his name would have been difficult, it is likely if he was born in Ireland he was born and lived as James Kelly and if he was educated this was the name he attended an educational institution.  He likely came to America as a young man or youth as James Kelley and did not return the O' to his name until after our Revolutionary War. MacClenny tells us that James had a hate for the English which was a natural attitude of native Irish suggesting that Elizabeth Meeks was likely also Irish born and was part of the Scots Irish because one doesn't  have a hate for English and marry a woman with deep English roots.  MacClenny also suggest that James's high born status on both his paternal and maternal side suggests he may not had to do physical labor once he was in America.  MacClenny tells us that James was a Champion fighter and fiddle player both Irish qualities often found in his peers.  I believe that Rev James's year of birth makes it likely he was a younger brother to William Kelley my 6th great grandfatherm or  a first cousin. Rev James moves to Mecklenburg just a few years after 1782 when the census was actually made and it is likely he visited in the home of my grandfather many times. 

I have investigated MacClennys claim and can not prove or disprove his claims but because the penal laws were in force in Ireland when James was born, I think it is unlikely he was born in Ireland, I suspect he was the great grandson of Thomas and Honora Kelly and he was born in Henrico Co Virginia and that is likely how he came to know Thomas Jefferson and Patrick Henry as they originated from near the same place close to the James River.   MacClenny also tells of some who claim that Rev James was born in Mecklenburg County Virginia and it is certainly possible but it would have been Brunswick Co at the time of his birth but both the Kelleys and Deans of my family moved from Henrico south into Lunenburg Co which was formed from Brunswick Co and the southern portion later became Mecklenburg  Lunenburg Co.

In the time that Rev James lived, ministers were often wealthy, those of the state church received a portion of the mandatory tithes but ministers of the non state churches also received considerable "offerings" and thus also gained wealth.  Ministers were the rock stars of their generation, they were the only form of entertainment and as such those ministers who were most entertaining were the most popular.  From the descriptions of Rev James sermons it is likely that many were drawn to him, so it is also likely a great many O'Kelleys were named in his honor.  We see this continued today with Mega Church services more like a Rock Concert than the traditional church service.

Research Needed - if you live near Elon University there is a collection about Rev James O'Kelley housed there and in folder 6 item 13 there is a reference that James may have had a brother named John.  We need to confirm what the reference actually states.  The location is:

Elon University 2550 Campus Box Elon, North Carolina

Interesting Rev James O'Kelley Facts:

1. The wills indicate Rev James O'Kelly could read and write but Elizabeth was not able to read and write and she made her mark.  Reportedly Dr James M O'Kelly a great grandson wrote, “IT IS SAID THAT JAMES O’KELLEY HAD A GREAT MANY MANUSCRIPTS IN HIS HOME AT THE TIME OF HIS DEATH, AND NO DOUBT THEY WERE VALUABLE DOCUMENTS, BUT HIS WIFE HAD LIVED IN THE CONTENTION ABOUT CHURCH GOVERNMENT SO LONG, AND HAD HEARD SO MUCH ABOUT IT, THAT AFTER HIS DEATH SHE SAID SHE WANTED PEACE FROM THE QUESTION, AND SO SHE COLLECTED THESE MANUSCRIPTS AND PUT FIRE TO THEM IN ORDER THAT FURTHER CONTENTION MIGHT BE AVOIDED.”  Source 
2. Rev James was reportedly anti-slavery but the 1820 Census indicate that both he and his son William owned four slaved each.  He may have owned them to keep the families together.  Having a good master in 1820 was often better than being free solely because a free black could be enslaved over the flimsiest excuse.
3. Rev James may have outlived three of his sons.  William died in 1820 and no further mention is made in the records of James r and Thomas.
4. John who was likely second born have lived away from his family as records for a John O'Kelly who is given as a teacher is found in Charlestown, may have married late, and died without any children.
5. The 1820 Censes show Rev James and William living near or next to each other as William appears on the line above James.
6. The male line of the Rev James P O'Kelly appear to be few in number, there were very few male heirs that survived their birth and to date I have found only a couple living. 
7. Rev James was near forty years of age when he began his ministry.  Almost nothing is known of him before his ministry.
8. He reportedly was a friend of Thomas Jefferson and Patrick Henry, he Jefferson name appears often in the name of descendants..
9. Most all written works spell his last name with a single "e" but his gravestone which was put up about 20 years after his burial displays his name with two "e"s.  I doubt he every signed his name with two "e".
10. Maybe the most startling revelation is none of Rev James O'Kelly's children, grandchildren, or great grandchildren appear to have become ministers in the church he created.  If book author Peter Kernolde was correct in his claim then three of his Rev James great nephews embraced his beliefs two to three decades after his death. 
11. Rev James was between the ages of 21 to 24 when he married Elizabeth who was 15 and she was 19 when she gave birth to William but I suspect they may have married at least two years later than believed.   We have no date of birth on John but I think it is likely he was younger than William because he married later and lived longer all indications he may have been born many years after William but because Williams birth Year is known and many believe he was second born that the marriage year was created to accommodate John..  MacClenny theorized that John was the eldest because he was listed before William's heirs in Rev James's will but I am certain he was listed first because he was living and the heirs of William would be listed second to that of a living son.  It was the custom of the native Irish to name the first born son after his paternal grandfather and the second born son born son after his maternal grandfather and the third born after his father. 
12. Harold O'Kelley quotes MacClenny describing him as "had the temper and temperament of the Scots Irish" which I take as meaning he wasn't always an easy person to be around.
13. Rev James O'Kelley DAR Ancestor #:A085955
14. W E MacClenny makes the claim on page 17 that in his early life James was a "Champion fighter" and a fiddler.  Irish were very fond of fiddle music and their Knights were called Champions and they loved to fight.  MacClenny also tells us that upon his conversion at about the age of 39 James laid his fiddle on the fire and burned it.
15. If Rev James was associated with Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson he would have been a rock star to those who knew him.  He is likely the source for the name James in our early family.

The Life of James O'Kelly  by W E MacClenny - Select pages relating to his ancestry and genealogy.
Elon University James O'Kelly Collection
1977 Booklet by Descendents of Rev James O'Kelly provides additional documentation for four sons.

Rev James O'Kelly, in 1775 was a Minister. He broke with Methodist and formed the Christian Church in 1792 in Chatham CO, NC. James appeared in the census in 1820 in Chatham CO, NC.⁴ showing he owned 4 slaves (see below).

He died Oct 16, 1826 and was buried in Chatham CO, NC.6  Rev James gravestone bears O'Kelley as his last name but it is reported the monument was erected in 1854 in a time when the O'Kelley spelling of our name was well established.  MacClenny wrote in 1910 that there were no dates on his marker Peter Jefferson Kernolde displays a photo of this marker on the front of his book and one can clearly see the dates were not there so they were added sometime later.  Kernolde on page 33 of his book displays the inscription except he misspells the last name as O'Kelly and it is clearly engraved O'Kelley. Family Pedigree of Rev James O'Kelly 1820 United States Federal Census Name: James Okelly County: Chatham State: North Carolina Enumeration Date: August 7, 1820 Free White Males - 45 and over: 1 Free White Females - 45 and over: 1 Number of Persons - Engaged in Agriculture: 1 Slaves - Males - 14 thru 25: 1 Slaves - Males - 45 and over: 1 Slaves - Females - 14 thru 25: 1 Slaves - Females - 45 and over: 1 Free White Persons - Over 25: 2 Total Free White Persons: 2 Total Slaves: 4 Total All Persons - White, Slaves, Colored, Other: 6

Will of James O'Kelly; pg. 125 (384), of Vol. B, (1818-1833) Chatham Co., NC Wills Microfilm # C.022.8001, NC State Archives In the name of God Amen, I James O'Kelly of Chatham, State of North Carolina being in soundness of mind, do constitute this my last will and testament cordially and solemly according? to the true and honest intentions of these premises. First as to my and body and soul God being the former of my body and the father of my spirit I surrender them at his call. My body to the earth from whence it came and soul to God who give it in full assurance of a resurrection and comfortable hope of acceptance. As to my temporal property it is my will to dispose of it as follows - Item. I give and bequeath unto my son John O'Kelly five dollars and what he has already received to him and hi heirs forever. Item. I give and bequeath unto the Heirs of my son William O'Kelly, deceased ten dollars and what they have already received to them and their heirs forever. Item, I give and bequeath unto my dere and loving wife Elizabeth O'Kelly after my last debts are paid every cents worth of property of every kind horses Hoggs Cattle Sheep household and kitchen furniture plantation utensils Monies Bonds note of hand to the Cash --- ? of property at her own disposal forever If a free man hath a right to doe what he will with his Own. I constitute this my last will and testament. Moreover I appoint John Moring Sr. Executor to this my last will and testament in witness whereof I have set my hand and assigned my seal this twenty sixth day of April, 1826 Jas. O'Kelly Test. John Moring Jr. Willis Moring Proved November Session 1826

James O'Kelley and Elizabeth Meeks were married on 25 June 1759 in Surry CO.³ They³ lived Surry Co VA in 1760. They lived in Mecklenburg Co, VA in 1785–1797.³ James and Elizabeth³ lived in Chatham CO, NC in 1797.³ They³ lived source in Chatham CO, NC in 1797. Webmasters comment:  I suspect the 1759 marriage date given by Elon University was manufactured by a researcher based upon John being older than William and William was born in 1863.  I have found no records for the marriage and I suspect they were likely married in 1762 making Elizabeth 17.  I think William was the first born son.

Elizabeth Meeks was born between 1740 and 1744 possibly in Surry Co.³ She signed a will on 4 September 1832 in Chatham CO, NC.⁷  She died in 1833.³

 

Will of Elizabeth O'Kelly pg. 249,250 (445) of Vol. B, (1818-1833) Wills of Chatham Co., NC Microfilm # C.002.8001, NC State Archives
In the Name of God Amen I Elizabeth O'Kelly of chatham county and state of North Carolina, Being in soundness of mind do constitute this my last will and Testament cordially and solemly, according to the true and honest intention of these premises. First as to my body and soul God being the former of my body and the father of my spirit I surrender them at him will my body to the earth from whence it came and my soul to God who gave it in full assurance of a resurrection and a comfortable hope of acceptance. As to my my temporal property, it is my will to dispose of as follows to wit, Item, I give to Dinah Pilgrim two hundred dollars as (I?) rather leave  Note - (Dinah Pilgrim was one of the slaves) it in the hands of my Executor to put it out on Intrust for her to live on as, he sees she stands in need of. Also, I lend her a pare of cards and wheal one big trot pail and pigins and tubs flat irons coffee mill a half dozen little plaits (plates) two dishes a case of knives and forks two basens and net trunks sugar bon? (bowl?) and coffee pot, during her natural life and at her death, if any be left it is to come back after paying those for the trouble they will be at for keeping her and be divided as I shall now name.	Item, I give to my son John O'Kelly one dollar and what he has already received to him and his heirs forever. Item, I give and bequeath to Josiah Atkins one dollar and what he has already received to him and his heirs forever after my just dets are paid it is my will and desire that ll my property moneys in hand notes and a accounts be divided equally between Mary E. O'Kelly, John McCauley, Franklin O'Kelly, Leslie O'Kelly heirs one share, Lucinda Anderson William J. O'Kelly, James T. Barbee Thomas J. Fowler Vilina B. O'Kelly Mary T. Bilbo and Molsey Massey, If a free woman has a wright to do what she pleases with her own. I constitute this my last will and Testament Moreover I appoint Franklin O'Kelly Executor to this my last will and Testament In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand affirmed my seal this September the 4th, 1832 Alfred Moring Henry Moring Elizabeth O'Kelly (X her mark) The foregoing last will and Testament of Elizabeth O'Kelly decd, was duly proven in open court at May Term 1833 by the Oath of Alfred Moring a subscribing witness thereto and ordered to be recorded whereupon Franklin O'Kelly the Executor therein named appeared in open Court and was duly qualified.

The wills of both James and Elizabeth make it clear that John was somehow outside the family circle.  James appoints John Moring Sr as the executive of his will and Elizabeth also skips John and named her grandson Franklin as her executive.  John received from his father five dollars and from his mother one dollar with the bulk going to William's widow and her adult children. John's children are not remembered by the descendants of William so clearly there is more to the family of Rev James O'Kelly than is known.

James O'Kelley and Elizabeth Meeks had the following children and since I have no dates of birth I have used the naming custom in the time they were born to arrange their order:

+10	i.	William Jefferson O'Kelly.  Contrary to what many believe, William was likely the eldest son.  I base my belief on the naming customs of the Irish where normally the first born son is named after the paternal grandfather, the second son after maternal grandfather and the third after his father.  We know much about William, he being the eldest he would have held such a place in the family.  We know very little about John, he being a secondary son of less importance that seems natural but we also know nothing about the other two sons which may also be an indicator that William was the favored first born.  According to W E MacClenny William was named after his paternal grandfather, William O'Kelley something the Irish reserved for the first born son.  I suspect the only reason William is believed to be younger than John is because of MacClenny's statement about the order of the sons in Rev James O'Kelley's will but William isn't actually listed in his father's will as a person, his name is used in place of naming each of his heirs so it seems natural the sole living son would be listed first and children of a deceased son listed second.  William died first and John married late all indications that William could be the oldest and John may have been much younger than William.  I am unaware of any evidence that supports William was second born?
+11	ii.	John O'Kelly.
+12	iii.	James O'Kelly Jr 23  born probably about 1766 or 1767.   Alethea Jane Macon reported in her book that James Jr. paid a poll tax with Rev James and brother William in Virginia as late as 1786.
+13	iv.	Thomas O'Kelly23  born 1771