Second Generation

3. Johannis KELLS⁴ was born before 24 February 1741 in Claverack, Columbia Co., NY. He died about 1799 at the age of 58 in Claverack, Columbia Co., NY. He was baptized February 24, 1741, in Linlithgo Reformed Church. Sponsors were Teunis Oosterhoudt and Eva Konyn.

He was noted in Capt. Jeremiah Hogeboom's Compnay in 1767 (Report of the State Historian, Vol. II, p. 863). The will of Johannes Kells of Claverack, yeoman, was dated March 13, 1798 and probated January 16, 1799 (Columbia County Will Book B). See the Surrogate's Office for a copy.

According to Trevor McClean, John Kells, recorded as Johannes Kells in the records of the Dutch Church at Claverack, emigrated to America about 1750 (this conflicts with information that he was the son of Hendryk Kells, who was already here, unless he came over from Scotland with Hendryk/Heinrich/Henry).

In the 1790 Census, he was listed as living with his wife, four children under 16, and five slaves. He was reputedly born in Scotland in 1740 and died in America in January 1799. His will, dated March 13, 1798 and filed in the Columbia County Court House, Hudson, NY, and probated January 16, 1799, disposed of a large farm, flour mill, saw mill, etc. Sons included Hendrick, Johannes, Jacob, Peter, Abraham, and Philip. Executor was brother in law Christ. Hagedorn.

In the French and Indian Wars, there were several possible family members in the Company of Soffrines Deychert 20 March 1757: Adam Kills, Philip Kills, Peter Kills. Nicklass Kills is listed as a delinquent.

John is mentioned in Vol. 1, p. 19, The Claverack Tax list, with value to be taxed 1000 pounds.

"Will of Johannis Kells of Town Claverack Co. Columbia NY Yeoman 13 March 1798: To my sons Hendrick and Johannis all my Real estate or Farm where I live in consideration they my sons Hendrick and Johannis pay yearly to my widow Elizabeth 1/3 of produce and income of Real Estate or Farm; also said 2 sons 225 pounds each of them pay to my 3 sons & 2 daughters Jacob, Peter, Abraham, Maria, & Elizabeth To my son Philip 10 acres land, inconsideration son Philip pay 50 pounds to my above 5 ch'n Jacob, Peter, Abraham, Maria & Eliz. To my widow Elizabeth 1/3 household furniture during her life. Remainder of Personal Estate to all my ch'n, viz. Hendrick, Johannis, Philip, Peter, Jacob, Abraham, Maria & Elizabeth. appt. my sons Hendrick, Johannis, & Philip and my brother-in-law Christopher Hagedorn Exrs. This day written Johannis Kells. From Abstracts of Wills, Administrations and Guardianships in NY State 1787-1835, pp. 144-145.

Robert A. Kells, "Kells Family History," New York, abt. 1920, p. 11: "The first representatives of the family known to have come to America are claimed by their descendants to have been of Scotch or Scotch-Irish ancestry. John Kells, also recorded as Johannis Kels in the records of the Dutch Church at Claverack, Columbia County, New York, came to America about 1750. In the census of 1790, he was listed as living at Claverack, NY, and that he had a wife, four children under 16 years, four over 16 years of age, and five slaves. He died about 1799..." "The records of the New York State Historian show that John Kells enlisted in the British Army, Capt. Thos. Torrey's Co., Suffolk Co, LOng Island, 4 May 1758; and Daniel Kells in Capt. John De Garmo's Company, Albany, NY, 24 Dec 1763." p. 12.

Johannis KELLS and Maria Elizabeth Ennes ENDERSON were married on 20 December 1763 in Linllthgo Reformed Church, Livingston, NY.⁵ Maria Elizabeth Ennes ENDERSON, daughter of Johan Heinrich ENNERS and Anna Maria BEST, was born on 3 October 1744 in Lurians Kill, NY.⁶ She died on 17 February 1816 at the age of 71 in Claverack, Columbia Co., NY.⁷ She was baptized at Teerbosch, sponsored by Herm. Pest and Mar. Liese Rehrich (Loonenburg Lutheran Churchbook). She appears in Dutch Reformed Church, Claverack, records as Emerson and Everson. She was referred to as Elizabeth and Lisabeth in Claverack church records, as well as Ennis and Enderson.

Lurian's Kill doesn't exist. It could be "Lurenkill," a litle known name for Wawarsing, a place in Ulster Co.

Or was her name Elizabeth Hagedorn, who survived him? Conflicting information. A John Kells enlisted in the British Army, Captain Terry's company, Suffolk County, Long Island, on May 4, 1758. CD401 - New York Marriages - has Johannes' wife as Elizabeth Anderson.

According to the Claverack Reformed churchbook, Elizabeth joined June 29, 1765 (per Arthur Kelly). She apparently later joined the Churchtown Lutheran Church, where the churchbook has her communing 17th Trinity 1802.

Mrs. Elizabeth Kells, 71, d. February 17, 1816, in Claverack (The Northern Whig, Hudson, 2-27-16). She would have been born abt. 1745, assuming no errors.

In the 1790 Census, Johannes Kells is listed with 5 males over 16, 2 males under 16, 3 females, and 5 slaves. Jacob Kells is listed next to Johannes with 1 male over 16, 1 male under 16, and 2 females.

The 1800 Census lists an Elizabeth Kells, head, with a household of 1 male 25-44, 1 female 25-44, 1 female 45+, one other free person, and two slaves. She is probably the widow of Johannes Kells, who died about 1797 and left a will (note to obtain). The families of sons Peter, Hendrick, and John are listed next to Elizabeth and presumably lived close by.

There were a number of Ennes' in Ulster Co, NY.

Johannis KELLS and Maria Elizabeth Ennes ENDERSON had the following children: