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William Kelly (New York state senator)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

William Kelly
Member of the New York State Senate from the 8th district
In office
January 1, 1856 – December 31, 1857
Preceded byRobert A. Barnard
Succeeded byBenjamin Brandreth
President of the New York State Agricultural Society
In office
1854
Personal details
Born(1807-02-04)February 4, 1807
New York City, U.S.
DiedJanuary 14, 1872(1872-01-14) (aged 64)
Torquay, Devon, England
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse
Elizabeth Parr
(m. 1843)
Parent
  • Robert Kelly (father)
ProfessionPolitician, merchant

William Kelly (February 4, 1807, in New York City – January 14, 1872, in Torquay, Devon, England) was an American merchant and politician from New York.

Life

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He was the son of Robert Kelly (died 1825) who came to New York City from Ireland in 1796, and became a prosperous merchant. William and his brothers John and Robert (1808–1856) also became merchants. John died in 1836, and the next year William and Robert retired with ample fortunes.

In April 1843, he married his step-sister Elizabeth Parr (Elizabeth's mother had been his father's second wife).

He was President of the New York State Agricultural Society in 1854, and a member of the New York State Senate (8th D.) in 1856 and 1857.

At the New York state election, 1860, he ran on the Douglas Democratic ticket for Governor of New York but was defeated by the Republican incumbent Edwin D. Morgan.

He was a trustee of Vassar College; and of the University of Rochester.

Ellerslie

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In 1750, the "Ellerslie," land in Rhinebeck, Dutchess County, New York, was the farm of Hendricus Heermance. His daughter, Clartjen, married Jacobus Kip. The farm passed to the Kips by inheritance, and was in 1814 sold to Maturin Livingston, son-in-law of Gov. Morgan Lewis. Livingston built a mansion on it, and in 1816 sold the property to James Thompson, who named the estate "Ellerslie." In 1841, it was sold to William Kelly, who increased the acreage to nearly eight hundred, and greatly beautified the estate. Kelly engaged in agricultural and philanthropic pursuits. The estate subsequently came into the possession of Gov. Levi P. Morton.[1]

References

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Sources

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Party political offices
Preceded by Democratic nominee for Governor of New York
1860
Succeeded by
New York State Senate
Preceded by New York State Senate
8th District

1856–1857
Succeeded by