Samuel L. Kelsey

b. February 1816, d. 10 February 1878
  • Samuel L. Kelsey was born in February 1816 in Chester District, South Carolina.
  • He married Mary M. Richardson on 3 December 1845 in Perry County, Alabama.
  • Samuel L. Kelsey appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1850 in Roscoe's Beat, Dallas County, Alabama, but his wife Mary is not enumerated with him.
  • He was overseer for Thomas W. Gill, according to the 1850 census.
  • On Friday, 16 December 1859, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Raised the boddy of a house for an overseer," and on the 21st, "Some hands working about the Cabins for an Overseers house." On 7 January 1860: "Covering house for Overseer & building a chimney," and on the followng day, "Worked on Kitchen & Smoke house for overseer." On 16 January, "Worked on Cabins for overseer," and on the 23rd, "Finished overseers house."
  • On Monday, 30 January 1860, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Sent two wagons for Mr. Kelsey and moved him to the plantation for the purpose of Overseeing."
  • Samuel L. Kelsey and Mary M. Richardson appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1860 in Montgomery County, Texas, with 6 slaves and 2 slave houses, on the property of Greenwood plantation.
  • He was a farmer, according to the 1860 census, and was known to have been employed as overseer of Greenwood plantation at that time.
  • On Tuesday, 4 December 1860, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Killed 8 hogs in the evening 1570 lb, one previously for Mr Kelsey 167 lb."
  • On Saturday, 22 December 1860, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Settled with Mr Kelsey and gave him my Note $475.31."
  • He joined Capt. S. D. Wooldridge's Danville Mounted Riflemen on 4 May 1861, but was over age for CSA service.
  • On 10 February 1862, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: Give Sam L. Kelsey note for $335.37, J. T. Boulton Note eight Dollars, 10 of the above. Note for my account, the balance 142.17 was part of note to S. L. Kelsey and took up my Note for 475.31 given to Mr Kelsey December 22nd 1860.
  • The following appeared on 17 March 1868 in Flake's Bulletin: Appeals from Registration Decisions. Headquarters Fifth Military District, New Orleans, La., March 13, 1868. Special Orders No. 57. [Extract.] I. The following appeals from decisions made by boards of registrars of the last revised registry in the State of Texas, having been forwarded to these headquarters, are hereby decided and announced as follows: . . . 5. J. D. Cunningham, Walker county, rejected because he was a county commissioner, an office under a general law of the State, and as such applicant would not be entitled to registry if he had afterward engaged in rebellion, etc. But in the absence of proof of the fact he would be entitled to register. The report of the board of registrars stated that "he was rejected by a former board for the reason that he was a county commissioner, and present board rejects him without examination." This decision was wrong. The applicant is entitled to registry if it is shown that he did not "afterward engage in insurrection," etc. 6. John J. Davis, Richard Bass, John Hill, Samuel L. Kelsey, Green H. Wood [sic], all of Walker county, rejected by the board. These cases are similar in principle to the case of J. D. Cunningham, above cited, and the same action will be taken therein. . . .
  • Samuel L. Kelsey and Mary M. Richardson appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1870 in Huntsville, Walker County, Texas, and one male Prussian domestic servant.
  • Samuel L. Kelsey died on 10 February 1878.
  • His wife Mary M. Richardson became a widow at his death.
  • He was interred at Waverly Cemetery, Waverly, Walker (later San Jacinto) County, Texas.
  • For an account of his service with the Danville Mounted Riflemen, a Montgomery County unit of the 17th Brigade, Texas State Troops, see his profile in Karen McCann Hett's Danville Mounted Riflemen.
  • Last Edited: 27 May 2013

Family: Mary M. Richardson b. circa 1827