Kelly-Anderson Family Papers, 1794-1941
Held by The Filson Historical Society
Creator: Kelly-Anderson Family
Title: Papers, 1794-1941
Rights: For information regarding literary and copyright interest for these papers, contact the Curator of Special Collections.
Size of Collection: 0.33 cubic feet
Location Number: Mss. A/K29
Biographical Note
The Kelly and Anderson families lived in Scott County, Kentucky. James Y. Kelly, (b. 1765) immigrated to Kentucky from Virginia and in 1792, along with his wife Nancy née Neal (1766-1819), was one of the earliest documented settlers of Scott Co. In 1899 his descendant William S. Kelly (b. 1876) married Sue Anderson (b. 1877) and their son James H. Kelly (1900-1982) became a successful business man in Kentucky. He invested in Stearns Coal and Lumber Co., which later became the Stearns-Kelly Coal Company, as well as the early transportation industry.
The part of the collection related to the Anderson family begins with Meredith Anderson (b. 1808), a farmer & justice of the peace in Scott Co., Kentucky. He was the grandfather of Sue Anderson, who married into the Kelly family in 1899.
Scope and Content Note
The Kelly-Anderson Family collection consists of correspondence, genealogy, and financial and legal records from the two families.
The majority of the collection relates to Meredith Anderson (1808-), a farmer & justice of the peace in Scott Co., Kentucky, but also includes information on Reuben (b. ca. 1798), Hugh Sutphin (1838-1914), William, John, and Everitt Anderson.
The Kelly materials include manuscripts belonging to James Y. Kelly (b. 1765), one of the earliest settlers of Scott County, Kentucky who emigrated from Virginia. The collection includes his papers as well as the papers of his father-in-law Daniel Neal (1735-1804) and Kelly’s descendents. Of note is a letter received from his brother John in Fauquier County, Virginia. The letter was written 4 October 1813 and describes the impact of the War of 1812 on life in Virginia, specifically detailing a skirmish with the British after they raided area farms and stole slaves and supplies.
Separation Note: A small trunk, knife and sheath, and leather wallet were separated from this collection and transferred to the museum.
NOTE: Folders 1 and 4 of this collection have been digitized. See PDFs linked in the folder list below.
Folder List
Folder 1: Kelly family Papers, 1794-1930 (Click to access PDF)
Folder 2: James H. Kelly Papers, 1828-1941
Folder 3: Anderson family, 1846-1896, undated
Folder 5: Meredith Anderson financial and estate papers, 1840-1890
Folder 6: Meredith Anderson financial and estate papers, 1844-1893
Folder 7: Meredith Anderson deposit books, 1870-1887
Folder 8: Miscellaneous receipts, notes, indentures, 1857-1888
Folder 9: Ephemera
Subject Headings
Kelly-Anderson family
Madison, James, 1751-1836 – Public opinion
Washington, George, 1732-1799 – Public opinion
County attorneys – Kentucky
Frontier and pioneer life – Kentucky
Migration, Internal
Slavery – Virginia – Fauquier County
Transportation
Whiskey
Kentucky – History – Civil War, 1861-1865
Kentucky – Politics and government – 1861-1865
Scott County (Ky.)
United States – History – War of 1812
