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Letter, Patrick Kelly To Bridget Kelly
Identifier:
140170.22Description:
Letter belonged to the donor's grandfather, Captain Patrick Kelly. who served in the 14th Michigan Infantry. He enlisted 2/13/1862 as a Corporal and received multiple promotions getting promoted to Captain 3/14/1865. He was mustered out of Federal service 4/10/1865.Date:
December 14 1864Materials:
Handwritten, Paper, InkCurrent Location Status:
On ExhibitCollection Tier:
Tier 2Source:
Gift Of Mr. Thomas KellyRelated Entities:
Patrick Kelly (Civil War soldier) (creator)Patrick Kelly was born in Ireland on March 15, 1843. In 1850, his family immigrated to the United States, settling in Livingston County, Michigan. In 1856, they moved to Grand Rapids. In Grand Rapids, Kelly became a carpenter and worked in the trade until he enlisted in the Fourteenth Michigan Infantry on September 13, 1861.
Originally a color-bearer in the Fourteenth, Kelly was quickly promoted to second lieutenant in 1862, and first lieutenant in 1863. His promotions were credited to his “meritorious conduct and bravery before the enemy.” In 1865, he was promoted again to captain. At the Battle of Averasboro in North Carolina, Kelly suffered a skull fracture from a musket ball.
After the war, Kelly returned to Grand Rapids and bought a 160-acre farm six miles east of the city. Before the war he had married Bridget Cluen, to whom he often wrote during his service. When he returned, they had nine children, in addition to the son Bridget gave birth to while her husband was away. Captain Kelly became involved in local politics after his service, serving as commissioner, justic of the peace, and deputy oil inspector over the remainder of his life. He also served as a keeper to the Ionia prison.
In 1903, Patrick Kelly died on his family farm of appendicitis. He was buried in Saint Andrew’s Catholic Cemetery. Bridget Kelly (is related to)
Bridget Clune Kelly was born in Roscommon, Ireland and immigrated to the Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1857. According to History of Michigan, Volume 3, Bridget married Patrick Kelly in 1860.
When her husband enlisted in the Fourteenth Michigan Infantry in 1861, she maintained communication with him through letters.
Bridget is buried with her husband in Saint Andrew’s Catholic Cemetery in Grand Rapids.