Valentine (1828-1882) Kelley and Rosana Eldredge (1826-1911)

Valentine and Rosana were my great-great-great grandparents from Dennis Port, Mass. Valentine was born in Harwich, 14 November 1828, the son of Oliver Kelley and Priscilla Chase.

Probably Valentine Kelley

Rosana (sometimes spelled Rosanna/Roxanna and last name sometimes spelled Eldridge) was also born in Harwich, 4 December 1826, the daughter of James Harding Eldredge and Rosanna Wixon. Rosana’s birth is not recorded in Harwich Vital Records, but is given in her 1866 baptism record and her obituary.

Probably Rosana Eldredge Kelley

Valentine and Rosana were married by Rev. Lothrop of the West Harwich Baptist Church on 11 March 1852. On their marriage record, Valentine is listed as 23, a mariner, and Rosana was 24.

Rosana’s father James owned land on what is now Main Street in Dennis Port. When Rosana married, he had a half-Cape home moved to the property for them to start their lives together. It stayed in the family until 1991. It is currently located at 280 Main Street. (The house being moved to the property is according to their descendant Natalie Chase who lives across the street.)  Natalie also owns Valentine's family bible, which records many family birth, marriage and death dates.

Old photo of Valentine and Rosana's home

Valentine and Rosana's house in the 1990s

They had five children: Ella Frances, Oliver, Mary Ann, Rose Emma, and Valentine Elsworth. Imagine seven people living in that tiny house?! I descend through their daughter Mary Ann who married David Kelley.

You can see what I previously wrote about Valentine Elsworth Kelley here and Mary Ann Kelley here.I will write more about Valentine and Rosana’s other children in separate entries.  

Valentine is listed as a mariner or seaman in the 1855 and 1860 census. In the 1863 Civil War draft registration he is listed as a sailor.

Rosana was later a member of the Reorganized Church of the Latter Day Saints. Valetine was not a member, but his name appears once in the Dennis Port RLDS records on 7 Feb 1879: "Charges being made against Bro. N.C. Eldredge as to his dishonest dealing with Valentine Kelley. The matter was investigated satisfactorily and Bro. N.C. Eldredge was released and acquitted from the charge.” N.C. is probably Valentine’s brother-in-law Nathan C., Rosana’s brother.

In an 1880 map of Dennis, V. Kelly is listed with N. Eldridge next door. N. Eldridge could be Nathan C., living in what was his father’s house.

Valentine is mentioned as deceased in his father's 1884 estate settlement, which named Oliver's next of kin.

On 8 October 1882 Valentine died in Dennis. He was 53 and died of cancer. He was listed as a laborer on his death record. Rosana died 18 Mar 1911 aged 84 yrs 3 mos 14 dys.  Rosana lived as a widow for over 29 years. They are buried side-by-side at Swan Lake Cemetery in Dennis Port. 

Valentine and Rosana's gravestones at Swan Lake Cemetery, Dennis Port

Barnstable Patriot, 17 Oct 1882, page 3:

Deaths

In Dennis Port, 8th inst., Mr. Valentine Kelley, aged 53 years, 10 months, 24 days.

Barnstable Patriot, 31 Oct 1882, page 2:

Brief Locals

The widow of Valentine Kelley has received a dividend from the Citizen's Mutual Aid Association of West Harwich and Dennis Port.

RLDS Church newsletter, the Saints Herald, 3 May 1911:

"Kelley--Rosanna Kelley was born December 4, 1826, at Harwich, Massachusetts. She united with the church September 26, 1866, at Dennisport. Baptized by Thomas Gilbert. She passed peacefully away March 18, 1911, after an illness of only one week with pneumonia. She leaves three children, many grandchildren and friends to mourn. Sermon by Elder I.B. Ames, at her late home. Interment at Swan Lake Cemetery."