Abel Kelsey

Fourth great-grandparent – 1 of 64 in this generation

(1802 – 1877)

Abel was born in Killingworth (Clinton), Connecticut on 16 September 1802, just a day before Eliza Jane Chapman, his future wife, was born in Westbrook! His parents were Zina Kelsey and Hannah Stannard. At the age of 23, Abel married Eliza Jane Chapman in Clinton, Connecticut. Abel and Eliza had the following children:

1. Nancy Matilda Kelsey, b. 25 Jul 1827
2. Jane Eliza Kelsey, b. 5 Feb 1831
3. Imogene Augusta Kelsey, b. 25 Mar 1836
4. Henry Hubbard Kelsey, b. 26 Jan 1845

He appears in the 1830-1870 censuses in Clinton. In 1830, there were 2 females under the age of 5 residing with him. This puts his 2nd daughter’s birthdate in question. The source for Jane Eliza’s birth is Connecticut, U.S., Deaths and Burials Index, 1650-1934, but there are two trees on Ancestry.com that give an 1830 birth year.  In 1840, there are two additional men residing with them. The two are likely to be relatives but were not named in the 1840 census. 

Abel’s wife Eliza died in 1845 when she and Abel were both 42. Abel was left with 3 daughters, ages 17, 14 and 9, and a newborn son. In the 1850 census, Abel is found living by himself. All four of the children were living nearby with their uncle Leander Kelsey, age 55, who was identified in the census as “deaf and dumb.” In 1860, Abel, his brother Leander, and his son Henry, were living together in Clinton. In 1870, Abel was still living with Leander. His daughter, Imogene, was with them, apart from her husband and children. Abel’s son Henry, along with his new wife and young children, were living nextdoor.

Abel died in Clinton on 31 January 1877 at the age of 74 and was buried in Indian River Cemetery, Clinton. Note: first cousin to ancestor Philo Kelsey.