Michael Kelly, of the Island of Conanicut.
The island of Conanicut is situated in Narragansett bay. It has a total length of about nine miles and a width of from one to two miles. It is just within the bay from the Atlantic ocean.
Beaver Tail light on its extreme southern point overlooks the sea, and that portion of the island’s coast frequently resounds with the thunder of the breakers. Indeed, most of the island’s shore is exposed more or less to the billows driven in by old ocean.
The island derives its name from Canonicus, an Indian sachem who formerly resided there. It is, of course, a part of the state of Rhode Island and is comprised in the town of Jamestown. The latter was incorporated in 1678 and named in honor of King James II, then heir to the throne which he ascended two years later. Conanicut is about midway in the bay between Newport, Middletown, and Portsmouth on the east, and North Kingstown and the old District of Narragansett on the west. The first purchase of land on the island by whites was made of the Indians in 1657 by Benedict Arnold and William Coddington.
Michael Kelly[[9]] figures as a freeman in 1667. His wife’s name was Isabel. In 1669, he had become prominent on the island. Michael has been especially fortunate in that, so far as known, no one has ever had the temerity to label him “English” or “Scotch.” In 1669, he and two others were commissioned by the “Councill” to prepare the inhabitants against possible surprises or attacks by the Indians. The order for this action bears date of August 26, and reads thus:
“Whereas, there are severall out plantations in this Colony, which are not included in any towneship, and they being as lyable or rather more lyable to danger and invasion than where there is more strengh; and the Councill seeing it incumbent on them to provide for their safety, doe heerby order that the Conservators of the Peace at Pettaquomscut, Narragansett or Acquidneesitt or Block Island, and such persons as the Councill shall appoint on the Island Quononicutt, [Conanicut], doe assemble the inhabitants of each of those places and consider among themselves what may bee most suitable for their defence and preservation against any mission or insurrection of the Indians, and forthwith to put it in execution; and that a copie of this order bee sent to the first Conservator of the Peace in each respective place, and the persons appointed for Quononicutt.”
Two days later the following entry appears in the records:
“The persons appointed to execute the Councill’s order of the 26th inst., for the Island of Quononicut, are John Homes, John Remington and Michaell Kelly.”
The fact that Kelly was one of those selected indicates that he must have been a man of considerable influence at the time. In the will of ex-Governor Brenton, probated in 1674, mention is made of “Michael Kaly,” who was no doubt the same individual here described. The following extracts are taken from the will:
“To daughter Sarah Brenton, a farm in Conanicut, in possession of Michael Kaly with house, etc.... To Michael Kaly, 100 acres on Merrimack.... To Michael Kaly, ⅔ and to his wife, ⅓ of £15 due from land granted him at Pattacomscott.”
In 1680, Kelly was taxed £5, 18s. 7½d. He died in that year. It is not known that he left any descendants.