| June, 2000 | SUMMER ISSUE | Vol. L, No. 2 |
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Reflections by Suzanne Kelsey Hall As I pull off the road beside the old weathered stones I feel a peacefulness. The spot is shady and quiet. A perfect place for souls to rest. I have come here to feel the history and to clean away the years of dirt and grime. Armed with cleaning supplies I approach the stone of our ancestor, William. His stone andothers, which I have come to clean, have been replaced. Time and weather have worn the old stones down, broken and cracked them. As I set to my work cleaning I reflect on the incredible man buried here and the life he led. William, the Father of our family was born in 1600 in England. he and others who had different religious beliefs were forced to flee England for Holland and eventually the Massachusetts colony. William arrived in the colony at the age of 32. He was a part of Reverend Thomas Hooker's Company. They as a body were ordered to locate in New Towne now known as Cambridge. William was only granted a small piece of land upon his arrival, but by March 4, 1635 he was declared a freeman. I don't believe that I know anyone in this age that doesn't have any debts at the age of thirty five. Though life was much simpler it still must have been difficult to earn money and pay off debts. Hooker's Company was unhappy with their Cambridge location and asked for permission to move elsewhere. The General court reluctantly gave them leave to go. Hooker and his company were not expected to leave the Massachusetts colo9ny, butt he court was not specific enough and liberties were taken. In October of 1635 William and the other Courageous Adventurers set ut on a scouting mission to Suckiaug (now Hartford) to find and locate the spot for their future settlement. InJune of 136 William with his family and 50 other families in Hooker's Company left for the Connectivut River Valley to found that new community now known as Hartford. It was not an easy trip. It took two weeks to travel over one hundred miles. Others though the settling of Hartford would be dangerous because of Indians and the Dutch, whom considered the land their for theuse. William and Hookers company were bladly willing to take such risks for their own personal freedom of worship. At 35 William was a man of importance. He was granted land upon arrival because of his participation in the scouting party. In 1652 William had a "working shoppe", he also owned a house lot plus acres of pasture land. He must have been considered honest and trustworthy because he was chosen to serve the town by "Watching, Warding and Trayning." This would have included protecting the town from outsiders as well as poolicing the town. Around 1658 he was released from these duties. In 1663 the Legislature decided that a settlement was needed at the mouth of the Hammonasset river. William, his sons Daniel and John, daughter Abigail and probably his wife moved to what is now Clinton and Killingworth with fifteen other families. Whether it was a wanderlust or just an opportunity to choose neighbors more to his liking is unknown. William at the age of 63 was willing to give up a comfortable positiion as a prominent member of Hartford to start another community in Clinton. He became a a representative to the Colonial Court in Hartford. William lived a long and full life dying at the age of eighty. The lichen and moss covered stones are resistant to cleaning. As I finish my task I think of what a tough job it was. Yet when I look at William'slife I see that my idea of tough doesn't even register on a scale with his. The father of our family gave up his own family in England to follow his beliefs. He served his needs as well as the needs of others as a representative of his community. He lived a long and prosperous life filled with history making decisions. he has given life of over 58,788 descendants. I feel that I am living my life to the fullest by giving of myself, yet will I leave a mark on history? Not likely. As I drive away leaving the clean wet stones to dry my thoughts turn once more to Our William. I am proud to be the descendent of this incredible man. On this the 400th anniversary of his birth I salute him! May his sould rest in peace. |
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This year's Reunion will be held September 8th, 9th and 10th, 2000. In the Clinton, Old Saybrook CT areas. Your Hosts will be your Executive Board. Friday, September 8th - 3PM start checking into the Hotel. Our lodging will be provided by The Comfort Inn, 100 Essex Road, Old Saybrook, CT 06475. Telephone 860-395-1414 FAX 860-388-9758 (sorry, no 800# because of group rates). The Hotel features an indoor heated swimming pool, saunas, business service, fitness center, microwaves, refrigerator. Coffee available in the lobby, continental breakfast. When making reservations be sure to mention that you are with The Kelsey Kindred Group for our group rates. The group rates are $75.00 plus 12% room tax for a total of $84.00 per night per room (no limit on persons in room). ROOM RESERVATION DEADLINE FOR THE GROUP RATE IS AUGUST 15, 2000. Friday, 6PM - Registration and Get Acquainted Eve will be held in the Kindred Hospitality Room. Finger Foods and other snacks will be created and served by Krista Carter, who did a beautiful job in Corning. Genealogy Volumes will be available for research, sale and order. Other items for sale will be T-shirts, Golf Shirts, Caps, COA Appliques, mugs, lapel (or tie) pins, Coat of Arms for framing, Coat of Arms decals and videos of past reunions. Kindred scrapbooks, photo albums and other items will be on display and videos of previous reunions will be shown. Please plan to participate in our "show and Tell" and please share any stories of interest related to the Kindred or Genealogy. Saturday, September 9 - 8:00 AM - Meet in the lobby of the Hotel for guided bus tour of Kelsey and other historical sites in Clinton including the Indian River Cemetery where many of our ancestors were buried. Bus tour rates: Adults $5.00 Children under 12 free. LUNCH is available at the "Ship to Shore" restaurant off the lobby of the Hotel. Saturday, 1:30 PM - Depart on the Essex Steam Train. Leaving the station at 1:30 the train and boat trip will take about 2-1/2 hours. You'll ride in a restored 1920s vintage steam train from Essex through spectacular splendor along a century old route to Deep River where we will board a multideck riverboat and cruise up the Connecticut River viewing many sights of interest with commentary along the way. Rates: Adults $13.50 Children (ages 3-11) $7.50. Saturday, 5:00 to 5:30 PM - Group photos to be taken outside the Hotel. 5:30 to 6:00 PM - Happy Hour with Cash Bar in Ship to Shore Restaurant. 6:00 PM - Dinner to be held in the dining room in the Ship to Shore Restaurant. Annual Business Meeting and Awards to follow and then we are sure that you will be enjoy an area favorite DJ, Michael John, who will entertain you as well as provide your favorite music. Dinner Menu - A Choice of Prime Rib, Stuffed Chicken, Baked Scrod with salad, vegetable, rolls and dessert all for $18.00 (tax and tip included) per person. Lobster Bake - Salad, Steamers, Lobster, Cor on on the Cob and Potato will have to be at market price (pay at the door) due to the fluctuation of market prices for steamers and lobsters. Children under 12 years choice of: Chicken Tenders and French Fries. $4.95 or Mac and Cheese $3.95. Dinner Reservations Deadline is Aug, 15, 2000 Sunday, September 10 - 10:00 AM - Church Service at the First Congregational Church (our common ancestor, William Kelsey, was a founder) in Clinton (Rt. 1 - opposite the Town Hall) is at 10:00 AM. Members to meet in front of the Church, then enter and sit as a group. 12 Noon - Annual Picnic will be held at the Clinton Town Beach at the foot of Waterside Lane. Donations would be appreciated. Directions: Take Rt. 9 south to I-95 South (toward New Haven) get off at exit 63, Clinton, take right at end of ramp, follow Rt. 81 south to Rt. 1, take left at light. Waterside Lane will be the 3rd street on the right. (Commerce, Morgan Park and then Waterside). Directions: To the Comfort Inn - From Hartford on I-91 south, take Rt. 9 to Exit 2, at the end of the ramp turn left and take the first right. 1/2 mile to Hotel. From New Haven on Rt. I-95 take exit 69 onto Rt. 9, take exit 2 at end of ramp, turn right. Hotel 1/4 mile down the road. From New Londodn on I-95 take exit 69 onto Rt. 9 and get off exit 1 and turn right at end of exit ramp. To the Valley Railroad Co. in Essex (860-767-0103) take Rt. 9 north and get off exit 3. At end of ramp take a left go under Rt. 9 and Station will be on the left. |
| New Member | Line of Descent |
| Beattie, Patricia Kelsey, Wakefield, RI | Stephen |
| Ferris, Shirley Stevenson, Denver, CO | Stephen |
| Jonas, Mark Pickering, Sanford, FL | John |
| Kelsey, William Edward III, St. Louis, MO | John |
| Lamirand, Linda Summers, Holly Hill, FL | John |
| Rice, Beverly Thomas, Martinsville, VA | John |
| Swain, Frances Amelia, Holyoke, MA | John |
| Walker, Richard Howard, Saginaw, MI | Stephen |
| Pending: Jacobs, Timothy L. Moodus, CT | Stephen |
| Kelsey, Garry John, Clayton, Ontario, Canada | Assoc |
| Kelsey, Ronald Dean, Flint, MI | Assoc |
| Correction of February Listing Kelsey, Susan Elizabeth is from Ojai, CA not OR |
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