Rebecca "Jane" Elizabeth Kelley 1847 - 1937
"Rilda" Hopkins 1859 - 1919
Excerpts from Joel Kelley Family book, by Paul and Alba Smith, September 1984 (Note: Joel Kelley was a brother of William Kelley, Sr. Joel Kelley and William Kelley, Sr. are believed to be sons of Richard Kelley, who was living in 96th district of Union County, S. C. at the time of William Kelley's birth in 1758.) William Kelley, Revolutionary War Veteran Pension Application State of Tennessee, County of McMinn. On this 6th day of June 1833 personally appeared in open Court, before the Justices of the County Court of said county, William Kelley, a resident of said county and state, aged about 75 years who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated. That he entered the service of the United States in Union County in the State of South Carolina some time he thinks in the spring of the year 1775 as a volunteer in a foot company to march against the Cherokee Indians. His officers were Lt. John Covis, Capt. James Stein, Col. John Thomas and General Williamson. Marched to Keowee River in the Cherokee Nation, had a skirmish with the Indians on the head waters of Keowee. Marched to an old fort on Keowee River near which place had another skirmish with the Indians, then marched to a place called the Sunken Towns, from there to the head of Little Tennessee River where they met with the North Carolina troops. Left them and marched to mouth of Valley River. Met with the Indians and fought a battle with them on a creek, the name is not recollected. Marched to a place called Frog Town. From there returned home and was dismissed by his Capt. James Stein but got no discharge after having been in service six months.
Some time in the summer or fall of the year 1776 he was drafted in Union County, State of South Carolina, his officers were Capt. James Stein and Col. John Thomas. Marched into the frontiers of Georgia for the purpose of surprising the Creek Indians. Returned into South Carolina home and was dismissed by his Capt. Stein but got no discharge after having served one month and ten days.
Some time in Spring of 1779 he was drafted for three months in Union County, South Carolina, his officers were Capt. James Stein, Lt. Col.Wm. Warford. Joined the North Carolina troops under General Lincoln. Marched to Stone where they had a battle with the British. Was dismissed by his Capt. James Stein. Got no discharge after having been in active service marching through different parts of the states for three months and twenty days.
Some time he thinks in the fall of the year 1781 he was drafted in Rutherford County, State of North Carolina, his officers were Capt.Jacob Vinsant and Col. Porter. Was stationed on the frontiers of North Carolina where Col. Eustis took the command. Remained there three months guarding the frontiers and was dismissed by his officer but got no discharge.
He served four times as above stated under the officers above named, the first time six months, the 2nd time one month and ten days, the 3rd three months and twenty days and the 4th three months. All the different terms he was a private foot soldier.
He was acquainted with General Lincoln and Williamson and Henderson and with the officers he has named in his declaration above. He was not acquainted with any of the regular officers, never having served with any regular troops except at the battle of Stone when and where he had not time to become acquainted with the officers of the revolution. He was born in Ninety Six District afterward called Union County in South Carolina where he lived until after he had served three tours in the revolution then moved to Rutherford County, North Carolina where he lived when he served his fourth term after that moved to Spartanburg County, South Carolina, then to Pendleton S. Carolina from there to McMinn County, Tenn. where he now resides and has resided for nine years. He was born on the 11th day of July 1758. He has seen a record of his age in an old family Bible belonging to his father which is lost. He states that he has no documentary evidence nor does he know of any person whose testimony he could procure who can testify to his service in the Revolutionary War. He is not acquainted with any clergyman (now living in his neighborhood) nor is there any living in the county with whom he is acquainted well enough to certify as to his character favorably and his belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution. He is acquainted in his present neighborhood with Joel Kelley and Jessi Mayfield who can certify as to his character favorably and their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any state.
Sworn to and subscribed the 6th day of June 1833. ( Signed) William Kelley
We Joel Kelley residing in the county and state afore said, and Jessi Mayfield residing as afore said, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Kelley who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; and we believe him to be 75 years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn to and subscribed the 6th day of June 1833. (Signed) Jessi Mayfield, Joel Kelley
And the Court do hereby declare their opinion, after investigating the matter, and putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Joel Kelley who has signed the preceding certificate, that he and Jessi Mayfield who has also signed it, are resident as they there in state, and that their statement is entitled to credit. (signed): A. C. Robeson, J. McMullin, Sam Workman, Justices of the Court.
Daniel "Dan" Marion Hopkins 1886 - 1958
