Henrietta Knox Kelsey
F, #139, (1838 - 1915)
Henrietta Knox Kelsey|b. Apr 1838\nd. 6 Nov 1915|p139.htm|William Kelsey|b. c 1800\nd. 7 Feb 1869|p140.htm|Mary Emily Knox|b. c 1800\nd. ?|p141.htm|||||||John Knox|b. c 1770|p6656.htm||||
Relationship=Grandmother of Dorothy Kollros.
Henrietta Knox Kelsey was born in April, 1838 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. She was the daughter of William Kelsey and Mary Emily Knox. She married Richard Bannon, son ofPatrick Bannon Sr. and Elenora Keenan, in 1864 in Belfast.1
Her married name was Henrietta Bannon.1 She emigrated in 1865 from Northern Ireland.2 She was named an heir in the will of William Kelsey dated November 9 in Lisburn, Down, Northern Ireland. She recieved 150 pounds sterling from the estate of her father.4 Her married name was Henrietta Campbell. She appeared in a group photo with others about 1914 in Louisville, Kentucky.
From her daughter, Rose Bannon (1964): "Henrietta Knox Cummins Kelsey was the daughter of Emily Knox and William Kelsey of Belfast Ireland. They lived on a large estate known as "Plantantion". Which was close to Belfast. They were strict Presbyterians and a news paper wasn't allowed in the house on Sunday.
"Henrietta's mother Emily Knox claimed she was a lineal descendant of John Knox The Reformer".
"Henrietta was third youngest of eighteen children's and all of them received a good educations. Henrietta was sent to a select private school in Belfast, as were her sisters before her, and was well educated.
"She had three brothers to come to America and all of them settled in St. Louis. Alexander became Mayor of St. Louis at one time, and was well thought of. Another brother Dwight was a Docter there, the third brother was Arthur, who operated a farm near St. Louis. They all married and had a family.
"When Henrietta was a young lady her brother Alexander and wife came back to Ireland on a visit, and on leaving, induced Henrietta's parents allow Henrietta to go back to America for a visit with them. She had a wonderful time, and loved America. After a years visit, her mother insisted on her to return home.
"She was home but a short time when she met Richard Bannon, who lived in America, but was on a visit to see a cousin who lived in Belfast, which was his birth place. He told his cousin he wanted to meet a nice Irish girl. Through his cousin Henrietta met him, they fell in love and wanted to get married. But her father wouldn't give his consent, on account of Richard being a Catholic.
"She had a brother-in-law in Belfast, Hugh Rea, who took her part. He was a very prominent man in Belfast, was Editor of Belfast Daily News. He said to her father, "Govenor if you want consent to Henrietta's marriage and buy her a nice trouseau I will, and she can be married in my home." Her father gave in and orders for Henrietta to buy what she needed. But her father never spoke to her from that day on.
"They were married and had left by train, the train made a stop at a station about thirty miles from Belfast, and the first person she saw was her father. He got on the train nad said "Henrietta I couldn't let you go without my blessing." He shook hands with he husband and wished both of them happiness. She never saw him again.
"After his the land estate went to her oldest brother Henderson, which was the law there, and Henrietta received 700lbs, as her inheritence.
"When Richard and his wife reached America they were remarried by Bishop of Covington Ky. who was an old friend of Richards.
"Richard business was in Lousiville, where his brother Patrick resided. The two brothers built a double brick house in west end, and drew straws to see which sid each one would occupy, and they raised their families there. Richard and Henrietta had six children, William P. was the first of the union to be born there, about five blocks from our home was St.Cecelias'[sic] church. They had a very small congregation and most of them in poor circumstances. Richard and Henrietta worked hard to help make money for the church. Even the Priest was so poor, he would come to Henrietta and ask for clothes for himself and Henrietta always helped him. When Richard came home she told hime what she had done, and Richard said 'well you didn't have to give him my best suit.'
"Richard lived till he was 65 years old, Arthur was only three years old when his father died. Henrietta was a widow for two years, and then married Bernard J. Campbell, who was half brother of Richards, and there was opposition on both sides against the marriage.
"Henrietta wasn't a business woman and taxes on the property Richard left accumulated, Bernard paid the taxes until finally the property fell into his hands. I don't believe Henrietta ever forgave him for that. Henrietta would often tease me by saying, Rose when it comes time for me to die, I'm going to have a Prodestant [sic] Minister, but I know she did'nt mean it.
"In 1914 she hadn't been well for some time and one evening she called me to her and said, Rose I want you to call Father Fallon and tell him I want to see him". I could hardly get down stairs quick enough to call him. In half an hour he was with her, heard her confession and told her he would be back the next morning to at 7:30 to give her Holy Communions. When he arrived the next morning she was dying, and he gave her last rights of the Church.
"Bernard Campbell lived till the following year, Nov. 8. 1915. Aunt Kate, Uncle Joe and Dorothy made their home with me for a year. Aunt Kate wasn't very sentimental and most things were disposed of. I filled a barrel with things I wanted. Henrietta always wanted Will to have Richard's old writing desk, which was solid walnut and so heavy it couldn't be moved. Will didn't want it so Arthur took it.
"I met by future husband in Omaha, where he was a teacher. He was a Prodestant and a very good man. We were married in Omaha by a Redemtorest Priest.
"We came down to Florida in 1924 and settled in Tampa. He died in 1945. I haven't any regrets about my life, and am ready to go when God calls me."
(Source: Rose Bannon sometime around 1960. A phototype copy of the letter was provided to D.M. DeBacker in 1992 by Ms. Betty Ann Bannon of Tampa, Florida ).1
Letter of Rose Bannon (1964).
From her daughter, Rose Bannon (1964): "Henrietta Knox Cummins Kelsey was the daughter of Emily Knox and William Kelsey of Belfast Ireland. They lived on a large estate known as "Plantantion". Which was close to Belfast. They were strict Presbyterians and a news paper wasn't allowed in the house on Sunday.
"Henrietta's mother Emily Knox claimed she was a lineal descendant of John Knox The Reformer".
"Henrietta was third youngest of eighteen children's and all of them received a good educations. Henrietta was sent to a select private school in Belfast, as were her sisters before her, and was well educated.
"She had three brothers to come to America and all of them settled in St. Louis. Alexander became Mayor of St. Louis at one time, and was well thought of. Another brother Dwight was a Docter there, the third brother was Arthur, who operated a farm near St. Louis. They all married and had a family.
"When Henrietta was a young lady her brother Alexander and wife came back to Ireland on a visit, and on leaving, induced Henrietta's parents allow Henrietta to go back to America for a visit with them. She had a wonderful time, and loved America. After a years visit, her mother insisted on her to return home.
"She was home but a short time when she met Richard Bannon, who lived in America, but was on a visit to see a cousin who lived in Belfast, which was his birth place. He told his cousin he wanted to meet a nice Irish girl. Through his cousin Henrietta met him, they fell in love and wanted to get married. But her father wouldn't give his consent, on account of Richard being a Catholic.
"She had a brother-in-law in Belfast, Hugh Rea, who took her part. He was a very prominent man in Belfast, was Editor of Belfast Daily News. He said to her father, "Govenor if you want consent to Henrietta's marriage and buy her a nice trouseau I will, and she can be married in my home." Her father gave in and orders for Henrietta to buy what she needed. But her father never spoke to her from that day on.
"They were married and had left by train, the train made a stop at a station about thirty miles from Belfast, and the first person she saw was her father. He got on the train nad said "Henrietta I couldn't let you go without my blessing." He shook hands with he husband and wished both of them happiness. She never saw him again.
"After his the land estate went to her oldest brother Henderson, which was the law there, and Henrietta received 700lbs, as her inheritence.
"When Richard and his wife reached America they were remarried by Bishop of Covington Ky. who was an old friend of Richards.
"Richard business was in Lousiville, where his brother Patrick resided. The two brothers built a double brick house in west end, and drew straws to see which sid each one would occupy, and they raised their families there. Richard and Henrietta had six children, William P. was the first of the union to be born there, about five blocks from our home was St.Cecelias'[sic] church. They had a very small congregation and most of them in poor circumstances. Richard and Henrietta worked hard to help make money for the church. Even the Priest was so poor, he would come to Henrietta and ask for clothes for himself and Henrietta always helped him. When Richard came home she told hime what she had done, and Richard said 'well you didn't have to give him my best suit.'
"Richard lived till he was 65 years old, Arthur was only three years old when his father died. Henrietta was a widow for two years, and then married Bernard J. Campbell, who was half brother of Richards, and there was opposition on both sides against the marriage.
"Henrietta wasn't a business woman and taxes on the property Richard left accumulated, Bernard paid the taxes until finally the property fell into his hands. I don't believe Henrietta ever forgave him for that. Henrietta would often tease me by saying, Rose when it comes time for me to die, I'm going to have a Prodestant [sic] Minister, but I know she did'nt mean it.
"In 1914 she hadn't been well for some time and one evening she called me to her and said, Rose I want you to call Father Fallon and tell him I want to see him". I could hardly get down stairs quick enough to call him. In half an hour he was with her, heard her confession and told her he would be back the next morning to at 7:30 to give her Holy Communions. When he arrived the next morning she was dying, and he gave her last rights of the Church.
"Bernard Campbell lived till the following year, Nov. 8. 1915. Aunt Kate, Uncle Joe and Dorothy made their home with me for a year. Aunt Kate wasn't very sentimental and most things were disposed of. I filled a barrel with things I wanted. Henrietta always wanted Will to have Richard's old writing desk, which was solid walnut and so heavy it couldn't be moved. Will didn't want it so Arthur took it.
"I met by future husband in Omaha, where he was a teacher. He was a Prodestant and a very good man. We were married in Omaha by a Redemtorest Priest.
"We came down to Florida in 1924 and settled in Tampa. He died in 1945. I haven't any regrets about my life, and am ready to go when God calls me."
(Source: Rose Bannon sometime around 1960. A phototype copy of the letter was provided to D.M. DeBacker in 1992 by Ms. Betty Ann Bannon of Tampa, Florida ).1