The Families of Clarion County, Pennsylvania - William Kelly & Mary Ann McDonald

This is the third post in the Families of Clarion County, Pennsylvania series. The series features family stories and photographs submitted to The Clarion County Historical Society for a family history book that unfortunately was never published. 

Mary Ann McDonald, daughter of Irish immigrants David McDonald and Bridget Dunn, was born 1834 in Farmington Township. The History of Clarion County Pennsylvania records David McDonald in the list of early settlers of Farmington Township. 

The 1850 United States Federal Census recorded Mary Ann living with her parents and seven siblings in Farmington Township. Her father David was recorded as a farmer. The birth location of her parents and older brother James was recorded as Ireland. The local school teacher, John Toomy, was also recorded living in the household. 

Mary Ann McDonald married William Kelly who was born about 1830 in Ireland. The date of their marriage is unknown – but they were likely married prior to the birth of their first child in 1854. The 1860 United States Federal Census includes two references to Mary Ann. The first reference is her father’s household in Farmington Township. 

Family of David McDonald and Bridget Dunn

recorded in the 1860 United States Federal Census

The second reference to Mary Ann McDonald is in the household of her husband William Kelly. William is recorded living in neighboring Washington Township. The household included William, Mary Ann and children David M. Agnes C., James and Andrew. 

Family of William Kelly and Mary Ann McDonald
recorded in the 1860 United States Federal Census

The following children are recorded from the marriage: 

1. David M., son, born 1854. Death unknown. 
2. Agnes C., daughter, born November 1875. Death unknown. 
3. James, son, born Jan 1857. Marriage to Mary Ann Haggerty. Death unknown. 
4. Andrew, son, born 1860. Death unknown. 
5. Joseph, son, birth unknown. Death unknown. 

On July 1, 1863 William Kelly was recorded in the U.S. Civil War draft records. He was recorded as 33 years old, married and working as a laborer.

Both Mary Ann McDonald and William Kelly were most likely deceased prior to 1870 as they were not enumerated in the 1870 United States Federal Census. The majority of the Kelly children were living with their McDonald relatives in the summer of 1870 when the United States Federal Census was recorded. Agnes was living in the household of her uncle, Michael McDonald. James was living in the household of his aunt Bridget McDonald married to Thomas C. Haggerty. Joseph Kelly was living with his grandparents David McDonald and Bridget Dunn. 

The Last Will and Testament for Mary Ann’s father David McDonald was recorded February 16, 1871. May Ann was not included in the will but there are references to the Kelly children: “to my grandchild now David [Dan] Kelly James Kelly Agnes Kelly Joseph Kelly and Andrew Kelly each to fifty cents” 

The 1880 United States Federal Census records Andrew and Joseph Kelly living in the household of their uncle James McDonald. 

The 1888 Civil War Pension files indicated that David M. Kelly was a minor dependent to his uncle Andrew McDonald.

Mary Ann McDonald McDonald and William Kelly’s death and burial location are currently unknown.

Mary Ann McDonald and William Kelly are my 4th great aunt and uncle. Mary Ann is the sister of Michael McDonald my 3rd great grandfather. Michael is the father of Robert Alphonsus McDonald my 2nd great grandfather. Robert is the father of my great grandfather Loraine McDonald. Loraine McDonald is the father of Mary Eugenia McDonald my paternal grandmother.

Author: Michelle M. Murosky

References:

1. 1850 United States Federal Census. Source Citation: Year: 1850; Census Place: Farmington, Clarion, Pennsylvania; Roll: M432_767; Page: 193B; Image: 392. Record for David McDonald. Line 42. 

2. 1850 United States Federal Census. Source Citation: Year: 1850; Census Place: Farmington, Clarion, Pennsylvania; Roll: M432_767; Page: 193B; Image: 392. Record for Bridget McDonald. Lines 1-10. 

3. U.S., Civil War Draft Registrations Records Source Citation: The National Archives in Washington, DC; Washington, DC, USA; Consolidated Lists of Civil War Draft Registration Records (Provost Marshal General's Bureau; Consolidated Enrollment Lists, 1863-1865); Record Group: 110; Collection Name: Consolidated Enrollment Lists, 1863-1865 (Civil War Union Draft Records); NAI: 4213514; Archive Volume Number: 2 of 4 

4. 1860 United States Federal Census. Source Citation: Year: 1860; Census Place: Farmington, Clarion, Pennsylvania; Roll: M653_1095; Page: 144; Image: 148; Family History Library Film: 805095. Record for David McDonald. Lines 10-19. 

5. 1860 United States Federal Census. Source Citation: Year: 1860; Census Place: Washington, Clarion, Pennsylvania; Roll: M653_1095; Page: 681; Image: 687; Family History Library Film: 805095. Record for William Kelly. Lines 1-6. 

6. 1870 United States Federal Census Year: 1870; Census Place: Farmington, Clarion, Pennsylvania; Roll: M593_1326; Page: 441B; Image: 204; Family History Library Film: 552825. Record for David McDonald. Lines 22-28. 

7. 1870 United States Federal Census Source Citation: Year: 1870; Census Place: Farmington, Clarion, Pennsylvania; Roll: M593_1326; Page: 441A; Image: 203; Family History Library Film: 552825. Record for Michael McDonald. Lines 22-29. [Note recorded as Michael McDowell] 

8. 1870 United States Federal Census Source Citation: Year: 1870; Census Place: Farmington, Clarion, Pennsylvania; Roll: M593_1326; Page: 440B; Image: 202; Family History Library Film: 552825. Record for T C Hagerty. Lines 35-40. 

9. 1880 United States Federal Census. Source Citation: Year: 1880; Census Place: Farmington, Clarion, Pennsylvania; Roll: 1117; Family History Film: 1255117; Page: 154A; Enumeration District: 069; Image: 0313. Record for James McDonald. Lines 14-21. 

10. A. J. Davis, History of Clarion County, Pennsylvania with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers (Syracuse, N. Y.: D. Mason & Co., 1887), Clarion County Historical Society, Chapter 35 History of Farmington Township. Chapter LIII History of Farmington Township Page 515 

11. Pennsylvania, Last Will & Testament of David McDonald. February 16, 1871 

12. National Archives and Records Administration. U.S., Civil War Pension Index: General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2000. Original data: General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. T288, 546 rolls. Record for Andrew McDonald, Roll number T288_299.