A little-used resource is the Coroners' Reports of South Carolina that cover the period 1800 to 1900 for six counties, including Fairfield County and Kershaw County, where my family lived. One of those reports concerns Littleton Kelly, one of the sons of John Kelly Sr. of Fairfield County, South Carolina.
On 25 February 1832, Littleton Kelly's farm was in the middle of a winter storm. So much sleet, probably what we would call freezing rain, was falling that great tree limbs and trees were falling. Hearing the retort of breaking tree limbs, Littleton Kelly stepped to the door of his house to survey the danger. It was shortly before noon. Littleton noted that a large pine tree nearby was loaded with sleet. Then he realized the tree was falling toward a small slave house. He only had time to call out, "Take care" before the tree fell and crushed the small building. Littleton immediately ran toward the building and began pulling the timber walls apart in an effort to reach the inhabitants. He was aided in this by William Freeman who was visiting that day. When they reached the inhabitants, Littleton realized that Charles and Phebe were "breathless." Their skulls had been crushed in the disaster. Another unnamed slave woman was with them, but her injuries were minor, and she survived.
Charles and Phebe were removed and taken to Littleton's kitchen to shelter their bodies from the inclement weather.
The following day, an inquest was held at Littleton's house to determine if Charles and Phebe had died accidentally and not through any other means.
Littleton's wife Jane was one of the people who provided a deposition for the inquest.
Her deposition relates basically the same story as the depositions of William Freeman and her husband, Littleton. It also reveals, that like many women in this time period, she was not literate.
Littleton Kelley and family removed from Fairfeld County, South Carolina to Hinds County, Mississipi before 1839. Jane died in 1838 or early 1839.
I have family from Mississippi , last name kelly. I assume this was a given last name as I am a decedent of slaves. Could you help with this
ReplyDeleteI might be able to help. What are of Mississippi, and what were their names?
DeleteI meant area of Mississippi!
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