Harriett (Kelly) Murphy (abt. 1809)

Born about 1809 in Kentucky, United States

Ancestors

Wife of Daniel Murphy — married 11 Jul 1829 in Daviess County, Kentucky

Descendants

Biography

Harriet's family lived in the Colonies for many generations prior to her birth. Her mother was Jane Field and her mother's father was Abraham Field. We know little about Abraham; however, we do know of his illustrious family, the Fields. The Fields were involved in revolutionary activities against the British from the time of Bunker Hill, and the northern branch was involved in that famous battle. Abraham was from the southern branch. His brothers (or cousins) were John Field, Benjamin Field, and Ezekiel Field. John Field lost his life in the Battle of Point Pleasant in October of 1774 against the Shawnee and Mingo tribes. Some say this was the first battle of the Revolution. Benjamin Field marched with the 'Long Knives,' led by George Rogers Clark, in an epic campaign against the British and their Indian allies at Vincennes and Kaskaskia in 1778-1779. Ezekiel Field, with Daniel Boone and others, repelled the Shawnee attack against Bryan's Station, driving their forces to Blue Lick. Ezekiel was killed on August 17, 1782.

Harriet's great-grandparents on the Kelly side were John and Mary Kelly. We know that John was born about 1704 and died in 1783; we have no information on Mary. Their son, Harriet's grandfather, was Thomas Kelly. He married Mary Ann Kelly, whom we also have no information on.

Thomas, Harriet's grandfather, fought under General George Washington at the Battle of Brandywine. He was a private in John Chilton's Company from Fauquier County, Virginia, which was part of Col. Thomas Marshall's 3rd Virginia Regiment. He was wounded at Brandywine and entered the winter of 1777-1778 encamped at Valley Forge. Following the war, Thomas Kelly became a Baptist preacher and pursued that vocation until 1812 when it is believed he moved to Kentucky with his family. He and wife, Mary Ann, had six children; two daughters, Elizabeth and Mary Ann, and four sons, Thomas, William, Joseph, and George. George was Harriet's father. He was born about 1780 and died in 1847, a wealthy landowner in Daviess County.

The Field and Kelly families were both distinguished by their pioneer spirit; for they settled on the outer reaches of the Colonies well over a century before Harriet was born. As civilization surrounded them, her ancestors moved further west, developing farms from forests, and blazing the trail for others to follow. They were tough and independent.

Harry E. Thixton wrote a letter March 6, 1931 to aunt Lockie. In the letter he said, "Mrs. Leamon, whose husband was Mr. Murphy's cousin, told Mama that she remembers the Grandparents Kelly were buried in that abandoned grave-yard on Henderson Rd. (9th St.) where the R.R. crosses, and it is her recollection their bodies were never removed to another place. As I wrote you several months ago, we went down there but all trace is now gone." A marker now honors all settlers who were interred at that location.^[1]

Daniel and Harriet produced 11 children: John [died in infancy], Jane, George, Mary Ellen, James, Ruth, William, Thomas Marion, Elisha, Melvin, and Clinton. ^[2]

Sources

1. ↑ Grandpappy: Chronicles of a Daviess County Family, Utica, KY:McDowell Publications 2008, pages 1-3.
2. ↑ Grandpappy: Chronicles of a Daviess County Family, Utica, KY:McDowell Publications 2008, page x.

• http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=jbh&id=I14164