Connection made with Kelley Family

The process of researching the details of Ann Fowler McAfee's life started last summer after a trip to Columbus and an afternoon spent at COSI (Center of Science and Industry).

After returning back to Chicago and doing extensive web searches on Alfred Kelley as well as contacting the the Columbus Main Library, I discovered detailed stories about the Kelly's written by Darlene Kelley. We made contact almost exactly a year ago and she in fact was the person who supplied me with the photos of the Kelley Cleveland homestead as well as the Kelley home in Lowville, NY.

All of our communication has been via email, and it was not until yesterday that we had our first phone conversation. I sent her a copy of the press release that went out from the Ohio Historical Society and she replied with well wishes and her phone number. I called her. We had a lovely conversation. She shared with me that the family was shocked to learn that "Ann" was black.We talked a bit about Mary Seymour Kelley's wedding letter.

Darlene was kind to say that she wished she could attend the event but due to her health would be unable to travel. In lieu of being able to join us, I offered her the opportunity to share a few words with the family about her thoughts about the Kelley-Tyler family connection and this is the email I received last night:

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As a representative of the Kelley family I have been asked to write a few words in recognition of the Tyler Legacy project, which I feel honored and privileged to have been asked to do so. My representation is through Judge Daniel Kelley and Jemima ( Stow ) Kelley, the Father and Mother of Alfred Kelley and brother Thomas Moore Kelley. Thomas Moore Kelley being the youngest living brother of Alfred Kelley.


Alfred Kelley, the second son of Daniel and Jemima ( Stow ) Kelley, was born at Middlefield, Connecticut., Nov. 7, 1789. In 1789 his father removed to Lowville, N.Y., where Alfred attended the common schools and was four years a student at Fairfield Academy, from which institution he received a curious diploma bearing the date Sept 9, 1807, addressed " to all whom these presents shall come." and reciting that " Alfred Kelley, has been a member of this Academy, four years, that he has sustained a good moral character and made laudable progress in acquiring the knowledge of the Arts and Sciences, and is according recommended to the attention and employment of a generous public."

In 1807, he entered the law office of Judge Jonas Platt, of the Supreme Court of New York, where he remained until 1810, when he came to Cleveland, Ohio, on horseback in company of his uncle, Judge Joshua Stow, of Conn and with others. At the time of their arrival, Cleveland contained three frame ad six log houses. Its population that year was 57 people.

Alfred Kelley was admitted to the bar on November 7, 1810, and on the same day, being his twenty-first birthday, was appointed by the court to the office of prosecuting attorney, in which office be held by sucessive appointments until 1822. 

In 1814, he began the construction of a stone house on the bluff overlooking Lake Erie, a short distance easterly from the old light house. To it he brought his wife and Ann Fowler in 1817.

On August 25th, 1817, Alfred Kelley married Mary Seymour Wells, oldest daughter of Major Melancthon Woolsey and Abigail ( Buel ) Wells of Lowville, New York. A letter from the young bride to her mother, dated from Cleveland, Ohio, October 29th, 1817, show the graphic journey from Lowville, to Cleveland with a stop over at Niagra Falls. It seems that accompanying the bride and groom were several people, Ann Fowler and Sarah (? )
It is assumed that both were a wedding present from Major Welles, to his daughter and new son in law, knowing that Ohio was a beginning state and would be making new laws regarding freeing of slaves and indentured servants.

With Alfred being a prosecuting attorney, he knew that Alfred would go far in the making of Ohio's new laws.

" The Journey "
" I write you my dear mother, from Buffalo after our arrival. Alfred endeavored to obtain a passage in some vessel to go directly up the lake, but the wind was unfair and there was only one vessel bound for Cleveland, which was loaded very full of families who were moving. We thought best to wait a few days in hopes the wind will change and expecting some vessel from Cleveland would come in. In the meantime we visited the falls, left Ann and Sarah at the public house in Buffalo, where Ann was so well contented, we could hardly persuade her to leave there.

[ the letter goes on to describe the falls and lodgings. ] We returned to Buffalo on Sunday. The wind changed during the night, so all the vessels went out that were ready. Monday we learned that the Eagle, a vessel belonging to Cleveland, expected to go up the lake in six or seven days. Alfred thought if we waited so long to take a passage, the wind might again be unfavorable and as his business required his immediate return, we concluded to come by land. Sarah, Ann and myself, particularly me, felt very much disappointed and very low spirited to think of jolting over the road six days longer, but the event has proved that Alfred knew much better than we did, what was proper to do. We traveled over the most awful roads you can hardly conceive of. I had no idea that roads could be so intolerable. The first day we rode nineteen miles, stayed at a tavern, which was so crowded with movers, who spread their beds so thick on the floor, you could not step without stepping on someone. The next day early we started again, rode some distance on the beach around the points of rocks in the water, where the waves dashed over the backs of the horses. Should have rode about four miles on the beach and in the lake, had the lake been calm, and by that means avoided the four mile woods between Buffalo and Cataraugus, which road is terror to all who move into this country. Sarah and I walked four miles that day. Alfred drove the carriage and by crooking about, avoided the main traveled road and got safely through without even breaking the carriage.

We saw several wagons stuck in the mud, children crying, women discouraged and etc. We can only, however, say we have seen some of the hardships of a new country, but are fortunate to have not experienced them. The counrty through which we traveled is very new, some excellent land, very good looking farms, a great many fruit trees everwhere along the road. We reached here just a week from the day we left Buffalo.

Alfred's house is very pleasantly situated. I think it is pleasantness in town. We were received very affectionately by all the Kelley family, particularly the old gentleman.( Daniel Kelley )."

The rest of the story I am sure has been well told of Ann Fowler. The Kelley family was a kind and understanding family and worked publicly to change the laws that created the great history of Ohio. Through the Legislature and Senate, Alfred Kelley worked hard, closing his public career as a member, from Columbus, of the State Senate of 1857. At the end of his term in the Senate, he was the oldest member of the legislature, as, in 1814, he was the youngest. His death occurred December 2, 1859. It is said of him that few persons have ever lived who, merely by personal exertions, left behind them more numerous and lasting monumets of patient and useful labor. probably Ohio owes more of her material development to him than to any one citizen, she has ever had.

Mary Seymour ( Wells ) Kelley, died May 19, 1882.

The children of Alfred and Mary Kelley were as follows and were raised along with Ann Fowler.

Maria; b. July 15, 1818; d. Mar 21, 1887
Jane; b. Feb 20, 1820; d. Oct 16, 1897
Charlotte; b. Apr 8, 1822; d. Oct 4, 1828
Edward: b. Apr 23, 1824; d. July 28, 1825 Adelaide; b.June 28,1826; d.Sept 25,1826 Henry; b. Sept 18, 1828; d. Aug 20, 1830 Helen; b. April 3, 1831
Frank; b. Mar 9, 1834; d. Oct 6, 1838 Annie; b.Aug 6, 1836; d.
Feb 26, 1888
Alfred; b. Sept 8, 1839
Katherine; b. Sept 30, 1841.
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Thank you for including me in your great celebration. You are a family I am sure that Alfred and Mary Kelley would be very proud of-- I know that I am!
Darlene E Kelley