Mary Kelly1

b. 10 July 1813, d. 29 September 1905
Birth10 Jul 1813 Mary Kelly was born on 10 Jul 1813.2 
Marriage She married James Robinson, son of John Robinson and Elizabeth Edmiston.3,4 
Cens-185021 Aug 1850  In 1850 they were enumerated living in Washington County, Virginia, with 3 children: Harvey (9), Parker (5) and John (1).5 
  Mary's 1900 census entry suggests she and James had a 4th child who did not survive.6 
Widowed1857  James died in Nov. 1857. 
Cens-186012 Jul 1860  Three years later Mary was recorded as the head of a household that included her three sons. She was noted as owning land worth $5,000 and personal property worth $1,000.7 
  Mary's two oldest sons, Harvey and Parker ("Smith"), both fought with Company F of the 63rd Virginia Infantry during the Civil War. Although both men survived the war, they each spent considerable time hospitalized because of illness. 
Cens-187027 Sep 1870  By 1870 Mary's land had increased in value to $2,520; her son Harvey returned home after the war to help her with the farm. Three Pafford children were also enumerated with Mary in 1870: M.V. (5), R.J. (3) and Samuel (1). Martha Widener (28) lived with Mary and was employed as a housekeeper.8 
  The 3 Pafford children (Mary V., Rachel J. and Samuel Kelly) were children of Mitchell Wesley Pafford and Martha (Kelly) Robinson who lived not far from Mary. In late 1872 or early 1873 Mitchell and Martha moved to Texas with the children.9 
ChildDeath1875  Mary's youngest son John died in 1875. He was about 26 years old. 
  In 1877 son Harvey married Jean Kelly. 
Cens-18801880  Son Parker, who worked as a shoemaker, lived with Mary in 1880. Their residence was in the Glade Spring district of Washington County. A 17 year old servant helped with household chores.10 
ChildDeath1897  Parker died in 1897. 
Cens-19007 Jun 1900  At the turn of the century, 59 year old Mary was enumerated living with son Harvey and his wife Jean. Mary's entry indicated that she was the mother of 4 children, but only 1 was living.6 
Death29 Sep 1905 Mary died on 29 Sep 1905 at age 92.2 
Burial She was buried at Old Glade Spring Cemetery in Washington County, Virginia.2 

Research Comment:

Why were there young Paffords living with Mary Robinson in 1870? Was there a Robinson connection via Mary's deceased husband James Robinson (Mitchell Pafford's mother was Rachel Robinson)? Or a Kelly connection through Martha (Kelly) Pafford?

Related Links and Images:

Other interments in Old Glade Spring Cemetery

Family

James Robinson b. 2 Oct 1796, d. 18 Nov 1857
Children
Last Edited12 Sep 2013

Citations

  1. [S2268] Research of Tom Colley, Hanceville, Alabama; Mr. Colley cites the Washington Co., VA death register entry for Harvey S. Robinson, d. 22 Jun 1915, 78y/3m/10d, s/o James Robinson and Mary Kelley.
  2. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 186. Stone reported to read: Mary Robinson, 10 Jul 1813-29 Sept 1905.
  3. [S2146] Jack Hockett, Washington Co. VA Will Book 14 1856-1859, abstracted, p. 37; will of James Robinson from Washington Co. Will Bk 14: 210, dated 7 Nov. 1857 and proved 28 Dec. 1857.
  4. [S2268] Research of Tom Colley, Hanceville, Alabama; Mr. Colley cites the Washington Co., Virginia Death Register entry for James Robinson: d. 18 Nov 1857, age 62y, consumption, consort of Mary Robinson, reported by wife.
  5. [S367] James Robertson [Robinson] household, 1850 U.S. Census, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., District 67, p. 107 (stamped), dwelling 609, family 609, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Feb. 2012. Household includes: James Robertson [Robinson], 53, farmer, owns land worth $1,200; Mary 36; Harvey 9; Parker 5; John 1; all b. VA.
  6. [S634] Harvey Robinson household, 1900 U.S. cens., Washington Co., Virginia, pop. sched., Glade Spring District, ED 108, sheet 7A (p. 67 stamped), dwelling 108, family 113, viewed online at Ancestry.com, May 2009, image 24 of 84. Household includes: Harvey Robinson, 59, b. March 1841, marr 25 yrs, dry goods merchant, b. VA; Jean, wife, 49, b. Apr 1851, marr 25 yrs, no children, b. VA; Mary, mother, 86, wid, b. July 1813, mother of 4 children, 1 living; b. VA; Frank, boarder, 36, b. Apr 1864, b. VA; Minnie Sheffield, 23, servant, b. June 1876 VA.
  7. [S234] Mary Robertson [Robinson] household, 1860 U.S. cens, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Western District, p. 101 (original script), dwelling 729, family 706, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Feb. 2012. Household includes: Mary Robertson [Robinson], 46, owns land worth $5,000, pers. prop. of $1,000; Harvey, 19, farmer; Smith, 14; John, 10; all b. VA.
  8. [S635] Mary Robinson household, 1870 U.S. cens, Washington Co., Virginia, pop. sched., Glade Spring township, p. 32 (original script), dwelling 258, family 264, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Feb. 2012. Household includes: Mary Robinson, 50, keeping house, $2520/$350; H.S, 29, male, farmer; M. V. Pafford, 5; R. J., 3, female; Samuel, 1; Martha Widener, 28, housekeeper.
  9. [S635] N.[sic]W. Pafford household, 1870 U.S. cens, Washington Co., Virginia, pop. sched., Glade Spring township, p. 71 (stamped), dwelling 250, family 256, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Feb. 2012. Household includes: N.[sic]W. Pafford, 33, carpenter, owns land worth $1,500, pers. prop. of $200; M.A., 32; W.F., (m), 9; all b. VA.
  10. [S163] Mary Robinson household, 1880 U.S. Cens., Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Glade Spring District, ED 94, p. 14B, dwelling 121, family 122. Mar. 2012. Household includes: Mary Robinson, 63, wid, keeping house; Smith, 34, son, sgl, shoemaker; Ann Moore, 17, servant; all b. VA.