Fifth Generation

65. Robert KELLS was born on 23 October 1834 in Hudson, Columbia Co., NY. He died on 29 October 1909 at the age of 75 in Pittsfield, Berkshire Co., MA.⁶³ He was buried on 1 November 1909 in Kells Plot 31, Indian Ridge, PIttsfield, Berkshire Co., MA. He's listed as a son of William and Mary Kells in the 1850 Census, age 15, a farmer like his father, living in Hudson, NY, with the rest of the family. There are no other Robert Kells in the 1850 Census for Columbia Co., nor in New York. There is no Robert Kells in Columbia Co., nor in NY, nor of the right age in the whole US in the 1860 Census. His wife-to-be, Esther Lisk, 17, is living with her family in Hudson Ward 3 in the 1860 Census.

Robert and Esther were married by Rev. John W. Beech of Hudson. Robert is listed in Hudson City Directories as having a saloon and living at 38 Columbia in 1866-67; as having a shop for fruit, oysters, etc. at 68 Warren and ice cream at Promenade Hill, home 72 Warren in 1873. In 1874, it was Kells and Scott, fish, apples, etc., at 68 Warren, while Robert lived at River View House, 1 West Warren. By 1876, the shop was Teal and Kells, fish, oysters, fruit, etc., run by John F. Kells and John M. Teal at 70 Warren. John F. Kells lived at 12 N. First. Robert had a brother named John. In 1873, John Kells was in partnership with Dederick in a fish, fruit, etc. store at 200 Warren. In 1881 John's shop was at 213 Warren. By 1885, John was listed as a clerk.

In the 1870 Census, he's listed as a huckster, 34, living with wife Esther, 28, William S., 6, Herbert G., 8, and Maud L., 4, in Hudson Ward 4.

Robert Kells, 45, born in NY, living with wife, Esther W. Kells, 34, born in NY, and daughter Maud L. Kells, 15, born in NY, in 1880 Census living in Pittsfield, Berkshire Co., MA (National Archives Film T9-0521, page 350D). Also in the household were Mary Hields, 21, MA, and Patrick A. Sullivan, 20, NY. In the 1882 and 1883 the family is living at 13 Summer and in 1884 at 13 Francis St., Pittsfield, including Robert, Herbert, and William.

Robert Kells, 46, born in Schodack, NY, shown as living at 6 First Street, Ward 3, Pittsfield, in 1888,

"Robert Kells, the West Street Market Man, has built a large cooling room in connection with his market, and it is the nicest and best arrangement of its kind in Berkshire..." 23 Aug 1883. Robert, dealer in fish, fruit, oysters...4 West St.

"Mrs. Robert Kells has bought the S.V.R. Daniels Place on Jubilee Hill for $15,000 and will occupy it as a fist class boarding house..." 27 Sep 1883. 13 Francis St.

Robert Kells, 46, was registered as a voter in Pittsfield in 1890. He was listed as being born in Schodack, NY. His residence May 1 was 6 First St., PIttsfield. His residence on day of registration at 13 Perkins St. He is listed as a merchant at 4 West St. He was in business with E.M. Miller -- fish market and fruit dealers.

Robert Kells was SNG, member of Osceola Lodge, No. 125 IOOF (on September 3, 1884).

In the 1886 City Directory for Pittsfield, Robert is listed as living at 13 Francis; in 1887 boarding at 12 South; in 1888 rooming at 4 West, by 1901 living at the US Hotel with son William S. In 1900 Census, Robert Kells, boarder, born November (not September) 1836, age 63, born in New York, father and mother born in New York, working in fish market. Was his wife still alive? She's not listed with him in 1900 Census nor separately listed. Also boarding at the same place was William S. Kells, his son, born August 1863, a salesman, listed as married, but no wife listed.

He may have sold or lost his partnership with E.M. Miller at 13 West Street in March 1892. The business is listed as E.M. Miller, Wholesale and Retail Dealer in Oysters, Fish, Fruit, etc. The 1900 Census lists him as a fishmonger.

In 1903, he's listed as living at the US Hotel and having a fish and vegetable market at 106 West. His son, William S., is a clerk at 106 West. In 1904 Robert is listed as removing to Providence; his son William as removing to Ohio.

His obituary in the Pittsfield Evening Sun of November 17, 1909, reads as follows: "Robert Kells, aged 72 years, died in the Odd Fellows home at Worcester Thursday night and the funeral will be held from the Mortuary chapel Sunday afternoon at 8 o'clock. Interment will be in the Pittsfield cemetery. That would have him born in 1837 vice 1834. His tombstone has him born in 1836.

Born in Hudson, NY, Mr. Kells came to Pittsfield in 1875 and operated a wholesale and retail fish and vegetable market on the corner where the Wendell Hotel now stands. While in business here he resided in Prospect Villa which he purchased from S.R.V. Daniels and he lived there many years.

The deceased was a charter member of Osceola Lodge, IOOF, and also a charter member of the Mohegan Lodge, IORM... He removed to the IOOF home about three years ago...

He is survived by one son, William S., and a daughter, Miss Maud Kells, both of Detroit, Michigan."

He was 71 years, 11 months, 24 days old when he died, according to Pittsfield records. He died of arteriosclerosis.

Note: assuming the accuracy of Pittsfield records, that would have had Robert born in 1837. The 1870 Census had him 34, born in 1835, as does the 1880 Census. The 1900 Census had him 63, born in 1836. There's a problem here. There's conflicting information as to whether he was born in Hudson or Schodack, NY. I haven't found any information that had him living in Schodack except the 1890 voter registration and a newspaper clipping, paper unknown, reporting his death.

Robert KELLS and Esther Wright LISK were married on 24 December 1860 in Hudson, Columbia Co., NY. Esther Wright LISK, daughter of Solomon LISK and Lodema WAIT, was born in May 1845 in Hudson, Columbia Co., NY.⁶⁴ She died in 1905 at the age of 60. Esther was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1883. George L. Howland and his daughter, Josephine, were also members of the Church in 1883.

Per Pittsfield regulations, Esther had to apply for a certificate to engage in business. Married Women's Certificates, Pittsfield, MA, dtd. March 24, 1885, p. 112. "My husband -- Mr. Robert Kells. I propose business...that of keeping a boarding house and of buying and selling all kinds of personal property at #13, Francis Avenue, known as Prospect Villa..."

No record of her death has been found, nor any record of her after the 1880's.

Newspaper clipping of Robert's death in 1909 calls her Lish, but have been unable to find any Lish's in Hudson.

Notes toward her origin:

There were a Solomon Lisk, b. 1817, and Lodema Lisk living in Hudson with children: William, d. August 12, 1841; Margaret Ann, d. November 24, 1849 (born November 14, 1848), stillborn dau. d. April 19, 1851, ). Lodema died May 7, 1852, 30 years old. Caroline D, dau. of Solomon and Angenette, d. September 1, 1858 (b. April 17, 1857). Angenette b. 1827. Angenette (sometimes spelled Ann Jeanette) was Solomon's second wife.

In 1850 Census, Samuel Lisk, 31, b. 1819, born in NY, painter, Lodema Lisk, 30, b. 1820, born in NY, two daughters: Esther, b. 1842 in NY, and Cornelius (?), b. 1844 in NY. Joseph Lisk died February 16, 1828, age 31. This Esther appears to be our Esther Lisk.

In the 1860 Census, Solomon Lisk, 43, wife Angenette, 32, daughters Esther, 17, (born 1843), dress maker, Elizabeth, 15, (born 1845), Mary L, 6, Edward H., 4, and Annie L., under 1, along with Francis Bathrick, 19, tailoress, and Esther Wright, 37. Esther Wright had a personal estate of $1200. The 1850 Census had an Esther Wright, 27, (b. abt. 1823), Joseph Wright, 30?, painter, b. VT, and a Mary Wright, 1, b. NY, in Milton, Saratoga Co, NY.

It's not clear why Esther Wright would have come to live with the Lisks, nor why Solomon and Lodema would have named a daughter Esther Wright Lisk. Lodema's mother's maiden name is not known and could have been Wright, but otherwise, it is difficult to imagine a relationship. Another possibility: Esther Wright, b. abt. 1823, could have been a Wait, sister to Lodema, b. 1820.

The 1850 Census had an Esther Wright, 67, born 1783, living with B. O. Wait, a cartman, 47, and wife Margaret, 46, in Catskill, Greene Co., NY. That Esther Wright could have been the mother of Margaret Wright. B. O. Wait could have been the father of Lodema, but there is no record showing that.

Esther and Skinner Wright had a dau., Sarah, baptized at Linlithgo reformed church 4 Feb. 1793. Perhaps this family yielded a daughter or grandaughter, Esther Wright, born abt. 1823.

In the 1870 Census, Solomon, 52, Angenette, 43, Mary, 16, apprentice to tailor, Edward, 14, Anna L, 10, and Ida F, 8. James Crawford, a house painter from Ireland, was living with them, possibly an apprentice to Solomon.

1880 Census lists Solomon Lisk, 63, born in NY, wife Angenett Lisk, 53, born in NY, and three children, Edward H., 24, born in NY, bookkeeper, Anna L., 19, born in NY, dress maker, and Ida F., 18, born in New York (4th Ward, Hudson, Columbia, NY). National Archives Film T9-0821, page 337B.

Edward, 1858 (Edward listed in 1900 Census for Hudson, NY, b Nov 1856, wife Bertha E born Sept 1872, married 1897, mother Anna b. Dec 1825 living with them.

Hunch about Esther's mother: There were Wrights living in Hudson, Claverack, and environs: Andrew, Charles, Daniel, Davis, George, H.D., John, Langdon, Sereno, Walter, and William, according to the Hudson paper. No record of an Esther marrying. Thomas m. Caterine Patterson, 1803, Claverack Reformed Church; Davis m. Elizabeth Petri, 1836, Linlithgo Reformed Church.

Robert KELLS and Esther Wright LISK had the following children: