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Rabit Cages
03:36 AM on January 20, 2010
Your site keeps getting better and better! Your older articles are not as good as newer ones you have a lot more creativity and originality now keep it up!
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hmsresolute
06:38 AM on January 12, 2010
Great new postings! Thanks Martin and Peter! One of Henry Kellett's brothers was named Orlando, wasn't he? That is not as common a name as Henry, so it could point to a family connection for you, Martin.
Peter, I really appreciate your posting, and the offer to send on copies of the items you have about RESOLUTE. When I first "discovered" the RESOLUTE story I was at Mystic Seaport's research library, and they had several copies of the small book you referred to in your message. This was my first contact with some of the details of this remarkable story and it increased my appetite to learn more. The library offered to sell me one of their copies! And I still have it in my library. Ironically, my husband bought a copy of the same article regarding the Congressional notes about RESOLUTE, which include the president's speech. What is the likelihood of that?
Regarding the Kellett relationship with Ireland: The Kellett family that owned and lived at Clonacody, near Fethard, County Tipperary was the branch of the Kellet family to which the RESOLUTE captain belonged. These Kellett's bought Clonacody in the late 1700's, and were landlords of an extensive estate, which included a small village. They were a transplanted Protestant British family. and, since they were not among the hated absentee landlords so vilified during the Famine, I hope they would have been doing what ever they could to take care of the poor families that lived on their estate during that horrible time. The Kellett's owned Clonacody until the early 20th century, when the present family bought it.
Peter: can you tell me where you live? If you want to send this information in a more private way, you can email me directly at RWYCresolute@hotmail.com. This will let me give postage information when giving you the price for the book. I will happily make a presonal dedication to someone who has been so free with offfers to share research!!
Peter, I really appreciate your posting, and the offer to send on copies of the items you have about RESOLUTE. When I first "discovered" the RESOLUTE story I was at Mystic Seaport's research library, and they had several copies of the small book you referred to in your message. This was my first contact with some of the details of this remarkable story and it increased my appetite to learn more. The library offered to sell me one of their copies! And I still have it in my library. Ironically, my husband bought a copy of the same article regarding the Congressional notes about RESOLUTE, which include the president's speech. What is the likelihood of that?
Regarding the Kellett relationship with Ireland: The Kellett family that owned and lived at Clonacody, near Fethard, County Tipperary was the branch of the Kellet family to which the RESOLUTE captain belonged. These Kellett's bought Clonacody in the late 1700's, and were landlords of an extensive estate, which included a small village. They were a transplanted Protestant British family. and, since they were not among the hated absentee landlords so vilified during the Famine, I hope they would have been doing what ever they could to take care of the poor families that lived on their estate during that horrible time. The Kellett's owned Clonacody until the early 20th century, when the present family bought it.
Peter: can you tell me where you live? If you want to send this information in a more private way, you can email me directly at RWYCresolute@hotmail.com. This will let me give postage information when giving you the price for the book. I will happily make a presonal dedication to someone who has been so free with offfers to share research!!
Reply
Martin Roy Kellett
02:16 PM on January 10, 2010
In response to John Peter Kellett's most interesting summary on the Guestbook.
Though Family Trees are not high on my list of priorites (I prefer to go fishing) I now have more than a passing interest in this matter -after being "hooked"
by an email enquiry by Lady Diana Holderness to the Fetard Forum back in March 2004 seeking information about possibly distant relatives.
After much deliberation and meanderings (mainly on my part) I could find no documentary verification whatsoever about anything at all - leaving me beggared as to why on earth my elderly (now all deceased) relatives were so adament about a family connection with another Kellett family in an obscure Irish town called "Fetard"! (Which was why I happended to see that email enquiry in the first place.)
My family is from the same locality as yours and all I have been able to deduce is that, sometime early in the 19th Century, at least one branch of the Kellett family from Yorkshire/Lancashire were English immigrants to Ireland. They had already become very successful in business (the woolen industry according to my late Uncle Norman) but there had been a family scandal, immediately prior to that move to Ireland, that had resulted in an Ancestor on my side of the family being formally disinherited.
That same Uncle Norman was a Signals Officer with an Army Intelligence Unit in Tunisia when he met a Lieutenant (Acting Colonel) Edward Orlando Kellett only a few weeks before the Colonel was killed by a German shell whilst shaving. They had talked several times and concluded there was a family connection. That is all. "Kellett" is a very common family name in Yorkshire, as is Henry - there's literally thousands of em! Odd thing though, one of my late Uncle Norman's uncle's middle names? - Leonard Orlando Kellett.
Though Family Trees are not high on my list of priorites (I prefer to go fishing) I now have more than a passing interest in this matter -after being "hooked"
by an email enquiry by Lady Diana Holderness to the Fetard Forum back in March 2004 seeking information about possibly distant relatives.
After much deliberation and meanderings (mainly on my part) I could find no documentary verification whatsoever about anything at all - leaving me beggared as to why on earth my elderly (now all deceased) relatives were so adament about a family connection with another Kellett family in an obscure Irish town called "Fetard"! (Which was why I happended to see that email enquiry in the first place.)
My family is from the same locality as yours and all I have been able to deduce is that, sometime early in the 19th Century, at least one branch of the Kellett family from Yorkshire/Lancashire were English immigrants to Ireland. They had already become very successful in business (the woolen industry according to my late Uncle Norman) but there had been a family scandal, immediately prior to that move to Ireland, that had resulted in an Ancestor on my side of the family being formally disinherited.
That same Uncle Norman was a Signals Officer with an Army Intelligence Unit in Tunisia when he met a Lieutenant (Acting Colonel) Edward Orlando Kellett only a few weeks before the Colonel was killed by a German shell whilst shaving. They had talked several times and concluded there was a family connection. That is all. "Kellett" is a very common family name in Yorkshire, as is Henry - there's literally thousands of em! Odd thing though, one of my late Uncle Norman's uncle's middle names? - Leonard Orlando Kellett.
Reply
UK Guy
10:17 AM on January 06, 2010
Keep up the good work on your site 
Http://www.FotoTrix.com 
Http://www.FotoTrix.com
Reply
John Peter Kellett
12:23 AM on January 03, 2010
Hello Elizabeth;
Congratulations to you. You have done an amazing amount of research into the life of Sir Henry Kellett and the story of HMS Resolute and her place in history. I have a number of Resolute-related items in my posession and I wondered if they may help you in your research.
One item is a small book, published in 1958 entitled " Two Dramatic Episodes of New England Whaling " by Sidney Whitington for The Marine Historical Association, Inc., Mystic, Connecticut. Bear in mind this book was published in 1958, well before John Kennedy became President. Inside the front cover is a photo of the Resolute Desk. The caption reads ; " Desk now in the White House made of teak from the timbers of Resolute " Photo by Abbie Rowe,Courtesy National Park Service, Washington, D.C. On page 14 there is a picture of a " Chair found in the cabin of Resolute, now in the Marine Historical Association Collection at Mystic Seaport.". Another photo showsan inkwell, a book and a bottle from the cabin of Resolute, also at Mystic Seaport. This is , I think, this is the only place I have read that the desk, and mostly Resolute herself, was comprised of Teak. Most other referances are that the desk and / or Resolute is Oak or Mahogany. I have to believe that Teak would be more correct. The wars between Britain and Napoleonic France were not that far in the past when Resolute ( Ptarmigan, HMS Refuge and finally HMS Resolute ) was built. The forests of England had been literally wiped out building the Royal Navy ships which were Britains main line of defence against the threat of invasion by Bonapart's France in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Britains strong trade and commercial ties to the East Indies were the source of the more than suitable Teak timbers which supplied the ships Britain required until the passing of wooden ships and the advent of the iron clads. Having sat at the other writing desk built at the same time, did it appear to be made of Teak ? I'm very cuirious to know for sure.
In the 40 pages of this book devoted to Resolute there is little information I have not found in other articles about Sir Henry and Resolute. I was pleased to find the full six verses of the Martin F. Tupper poem " The Affair of The Resolute " Since I first came across this, I have felt that some trouabdour should be commissioned to put it to music. A most fitting tribute it would be to Sir Henry and his noble ship.
If you have not seen this book, I would be honoured to send a photocopy to you. I found it on Ebay about 3 years ago. I also found, at about the same time, a document from the US Senate, 34th Congress, 3d session, Ex Doc. No. 24 beginning with a Message from President Franklin Pierce regarding the restoration of Resolute to the British Government, January 19, 1857. It goes on with letters back and forth, Us & Britain, etc. Very interesting piece of history. I will send you a copy of this too, if you wish.
It was also fun to read here that, when Victoria sent the desk to President Hayes on Nov. 15, 1880, she sent it " express collect " ! Who says Royalty can't be frugal ?
And now, how can I order a copy of your book, hopefully autographed by you, to me ? Let me know and I will send a cheque or my Visa number to you.
Sincerely;
J. Peter Kellett
ps; about my name. My grandfather who died in 1960, always maintaned that we Kelletts were directly related to the Famous Arctic explorer, Sir Henry K. Well, we certainly couldn't be descendants in any way, since it appears that he sired no offspring. That always makes me chuckle when I read about people who claim direct ancestry to the great man. Hmmmmm. What I know about my family is that my paternal great grandparents emigrated to Canada at the end of the 19th century from the Bradford area of England ( Yorkshire & Lancashire ). Since Kellett is a Protestant Irish name, it was said that the earlier Kelletts arrived in Britain seeking work, food and a better life on the heals of one of the Irish potato famines. Who really knows for sure ?
I am always on the lookout for Kellett referances. I recently found out that a Joseph P. Kellett was one of the victims of the World Trade Tower catastrophy of Sept. 11, 2001.
Happy New Year and may God Bless you for what you are doing for our ( ? ) ancestor's name and memory.
Peter
Congratulations to you. You have done an amazing amount of research into the life of Sir Henry Kellett and the story of HMS Resolute and her place in history. I have a number of Resolute-related items in my posession and I wondered if they may help you in your research.
One item is a small book, published in 1958 entitled " Two Dramatic Episodes of New England Whaling " by Sidney Whitington for The Marine Historical Association, Inc., Mystic, Connecticut. Bear in mind this book was published in 1958, well before John Kennedy became President. Inside the front cover is a photo of the Resolute Desk. The caption reads ; " Desk now in the White House made of teak from the timbers of Resolute " Photo by Abbie Rowe,Courtesy National Park Service, Washington, D.C. On page 14 there is a picture of a " Chair found in the cabin of Resolute, now in the Marine Historical Association Collection at Mystic Seaport.". Another photo showsan inkwell, a book and a bottle from the cabin of Resolute, also at Mystic Seaport. This is , I think, this is the only place I have read that the desk, and mostly Resolute herself, was comprised of Teak. Most other referances are that the desk and / or Resolute is Oak or Mahogany. I have to believe that Teak would be more correct. The wars between Britain and Napoleonic France were not that far in the past when Resolute ( Ptarmigan, HMS Refuge and finally HMS Resolute ) was built. The forests of England had been literally wiped out building the Royal Navy ships which were Britains main line of defence against the threat of invasion by Bonapart's France in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Britains strong trade and commercial ties to the East Indies were the source of the more than suitable Teak timbers which supplied the ships Britain required until the passing of wooden ships and the advent of the iron clads. Having sat at the other writing desk built at the same time, did it appear to be made of Teak ? I'm very cuirious to know for sure.
In the 40 pages of this book devoted to Resolute there is little information I have not found in other articles about Sir Henry and Resolute. I was pleased to find the full six verses of the Martin F. Tupper poem " The Affair of The Resolute " Since I first came across this, I have felt that some trouabdour should be commissioned to put it to music. A most fitting tribute it would be to Sir Henry and his noble ship.
If you have not seen this book, I would be honoured to send a photocopy to you. I found it on Ebay about 3 years ago. I also found, at about the same time, a document from the US Senate, 34th Congress, 3d session, Ex Doc. No. 24 beginning with a Message from President Franklin Pierce regarding the restoration of Resolute to the British Government, January 19, 1857. It goes on with letters back and forth, Us & Britain, etc. Very interesting piece of history. I will send you a copy of this too, if you wish.
It was also fun to read here that, when Victoria sent the desk to President Hayes on Nov. 15, 1880, she sent it " express collect " ! Who says Royalty can't be frugal ?
And now, how can I order a copy of your book, hopefully autographed by you, to me ? Let me know and I will send a cheque or my Visa number to you.
Sincerely;
J. Peter Kellett
ps; about my name. My grandfather who died in 1960, always maintaned that we Kelletts were directly related to the Famous Arctic explorer, Sir Henry K. Well, we certainly couldn't be descendants in any way, since it appears that he sired no offspring. That always makes me chuckle when I read about people who claim direct ancestry to the great man. Hmmmmm. What I know about my family is that my paternal great grandparents emigrated to Canada at the end of the 19th century from the Bradford area of England ( Yorkshire & Lancashire ). Since Kellett is a Protestant Irish name, it was said that the earlier Kelletts arrived in Britain seeking work, food and a better life on the heals of one of the Irish potato famines. Who really knows for sure ?
I am always on the lookout for Kellett referances. I recently found out that a Joseph P. Kellett was one of the victims of the World Trade Tower catastrophy of Sept. 11, 2001.
Happy New Year and may God Bless you for what you are doing for our ( ? ) ancestor's name and memory.
Peter
I am fascinated to find this site as I am related to Sir Henry Kellett. There seems to be a bit of a mix-up between '.com' and '.co.uk' though?
I have just found an interesting book on Google:
Narrative of the voyage of H.M.S. Herald during the years 1845-1851...
http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=SEoSAAAAYAAJ&dq=henry+kellett
&printsec=frontcover&source=bl&ots=pVQgJ9JgGx&sig=gg0Uzd6rVWWo83m
fmdjSc6pB_CI&hl=en&ei=HEM_S6C1JY7U4gbpn5UZ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct
=result&resnum=6&ved=0CBsQ6AEwBQ#v=onepage&q=&f=false
I have just found an interesting book on Google:
Narrative of the voyage of H.M.S. Herald during the years 1845-1851...
http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=SEoSAAAAYAAJ&dq=henry+kellett
&printsec=frontcover&source=bl&ots=pVQgJ9JgGx&sig=gg0Uzd6rVWWo83m
fmdjSc6pB_CI&hl=en&ei=HEM_S6C1JY7U4gbpn5UZ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct
=result&resnum=6&ved=0CBsQ6AEwBQ#v=onepage&q=&f=false
Reply
Carrie Korb
08:59 PM on December 04, 2009
This is one of a few sites mentioning George F. McDougall. Is this the same McDougall who is quoted on the internet as saying, "Best of all, Christmas means a spirit of love, a time when the love of God and the love of our fellow men should prevail over all hatred..."?
Reply
Elizabeth Matthews
07:21 AM on October 18, 2009
Dear Martin, Thanks for stopping by and taking a look at my website! I really appreciate your interest and comments. You are not alone in thinking that Sir Henry Kellett was not married. One of his family and I have been in contact several times recently, and she thought he was a bachelor, too.
The RESOLUTE book that I have already published is a novel, but with historical notes at the back to say where and/or when I changed the historical events to fit the format of a novel. I do have to tell you, however, that Sir Henry Kellett DID marry Alice Fletcher on 18 April 1835, and the marriage is recorded in the Easington Register, collection of Northumberland & Durham, complied by George Bell. The marriage is also referenced in his naval record contained in the Admiralty records, Public Record Office, at Kew. I went to Durham & I have seen the register there: I had to check to see if the signature is for the same Henry Kellett that was RESOLUTE's captain. IT IS!!! The mystery in Kellett's life is this: no one in Clonacody or Fethard, where Kellett lived and is buried know anything about this marriage and when he died he was known as a bachelor. I include all this information in the new, non-fiction book that I am currently writing, which will have all the information I gathered in my research about the RESOLUTE story.
The RESOLUTE book that I have already published is a novel, but with historical notes at the back to say where and/or when I changed the historical events to fit the format of a novel. I do have to tell you, however, that Sir Henry Kellett DID marry Alice Fletcher on 18 April 1835, and the marriage is recorded in the Easington Register, collection of Northumberland & Durham, complied by George Bell. The marriage is also referenced in his naval record contained in the Admiralty records, Public Record Office, at Kew. I went to Durham & I have seen the register there: I had to check to see if the signature is for the same Henry Kellett that was RESOLUTE's captain. IT IS!!! The mystery in Kellett's life is this: no one in Clonacody or Fethard, where Kellett lived and is buried know anything about this marriage and when he died he was known as a bachelor. I include all this information in the new, non-fiction book that I am currently writing, which will have all the information I gathered in my research about the RESOLUTE story.
Reply
Martin Kellett
03:14 PM on October 17, 2009
I've just came across your website and, though it is a most admirable story and I do not make a habit of "raining on the parade" ( I think that's how you Americans term it!), I feel obliged to point out that Sir Henry never married.
A snippet you may welcome is a New Zealand geographical one - Herald Island in the Inner Waitemata Harbour, Auckland is named after HMS Herald - the very ship he was Captain of. A local historian has written a thesis on this connection.
My own interest in this brave man is somewhat circuitous and, as yet, unverified. My Uncle Norman Kellett met Edward Orlando Kellett in Tunisia just weeks before Lt. Kellett was killed by a shell whilst shaving on the top of his tank. They had discovered there was a connection between the two Kellett families, but the dice of war put paid to their new-found friendship. A couple of years ago I tried to clarify the actual facts with Lady Diana Holderness (nee Kellett) but we both ended-up no more the wiser!
Kind regards.
Martin R. Kellett.
A snippet you may welcome is a New Zealand geographical one - Herald Island in the Inner Waitemata Harbour, Auckland is named after HMS Herald - the very ship he was Captain of. A local historian has written a thesis on this connection.
My own interest in this brave man is somewhat circuitous and, as yet, unverified. My Uncle Norman Kellett met Edward Orlando Kellett in Tunisia just weeks before Lt. Kellett was killed by a shell whilst shaving on the top of his tank. They had discovered there was a connection between the two Kellett families, but the dice of war put paid to their new-found friendship. A couple of years ago I tried to clarify the actual facts with Lady Diana Holderness (nee Kellett) but we both ended-up no more the wiser!
Kind regards.
Martin R. Kellett.
Reply
Elizabeth
07:50 AM on April 21, 2009
PS to Maureen, if you would like to email me so we can get in touch directly, my email address is: RWYCresolute@hotmail.com. I look forward to hearing from you! Elizabeth
Reply
elizabeth matthews
07:46 AM on April 21, 2009
Dear Maureen, Thank you for visiting my website and reading my book! McDougall, second to Captain Kellett, is my HERO! He was a very interesting person, and in my novel I did my best to bring him to life using what I could find out about him while doing my research. He had a great sense of humour. I am honoured to have a family member getting in touch, and I would be very happy to share what I know with you. He did indeed write a book, which I used for my research, but it is very difficult to find. I believe, however, a copy might be in the British Library. He also created a newspaper during the 1850 expedition along with Osborn, called the Arctic Illustrated News, and copies of this are in the library at the National Maritime Museum. I have his naval record from the Record office in Kew, where the Admiralty records are kept and I can send this to you as well. Elizabeth
Reply
Maureen L. Payne
08:42 AM on April 16, 2009
I have only just come across your site and thought i would say that I am just reading
HMS Resolute and how she prevented a war by Elizabeth Matthews, so far i find it very interesting, and very readable. My husbands grandmothers' great great uncle was George F. McDougall who was on the expedition to find Sir John Franklin, and I have also got a commemorative scarf/handkerchief relating to Captain Austins Expedition in search of Sir John Franklin. But the truth is we know very little about it all, so I have just started researching it. I have also been informed that George McDougall wrote a book so I will be looking into that aswell. Any information would be gratefully received.
HMS Resolute and how she prevented a war by Elizabeth Matthews, so far i find it very interesting, and very readable. My husbands grandmothers' great great uncle was George F. McDougall who was on the expedition to find Sir John Franklin, and I have also got a commemorative scarf/handkerchief relating to Captain Austins Expedition in search of Sir John Franklin. But the truth is we know very little about it all, so I have just started researching it. I have also been informed that George McDougall wrote a book so I will be looking into that aswell. Any information would be gratefully received.
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