James Kelly

Who was Mr James Kelly?

Mr James Kelly was a 44-year-old (forty-four) Irish farm labourer who tragically lost his life in the sinking of the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912. Born in Leixlip, County Kildare, Ireland in 1868, Kelly was a third-class passenger aboard the ill-fated vessel, embarking on a journey that would ultimately lead to his untimely demise and profoundly impact his family’s future.

Early Life and Family

A Humble Beginning in Leixlip

James Kelly was born to William Kelly, a labourer, and Catherine Cafferty in the small town of Leixlip, County Kildare. Growing up in rural Ireland, James followed in his father’s footsteps, becoming a farm labourer himself. Despite his lack of formal education, as evidenced by his description as an “illiterate road labourer” in the 1901 census, Kelly worked diligently to support his growing family.

Marriage and Children

On January 31, 1887, James married Catherine Goffe, a domestic servant and daughter of Thomas Goffe. Their union would prove to be both fruitful and fraught with tragedy. Over the course of their marriage, James and Catherine had ten children:

1. John (b. May 24, 1887)
2. Thomas (b. June 8, 1889)
3. Margaret (b. March 30, 1891)
4. Kate (b. February 26, 1893)
5. Mary (b. May 19, 1895)
6. Bridget (b. November 14, 1897)
7. William (b. January 8, 1900)
8. Elizabeth (b. March 15, 1902)
9. James Christopher (b. June 2, 1904)
10. Patrick (b. December 12, 1906)

Tragically, three of their children did not survive infancy. John, their firstborn, succumbed to convulsions at just ten months old on April 1, 1888. Elizabeth also died from convulsions on December 26, 1902, at nine months of age. The youngest, Patrick, was born with a disability and passed away on November 12, 1907, just shy of his first birthday.

Life in Leixlip and the Decision to Emigrate

A Struggling Family

The Kelly family’s life in Leixlip was one of modest means. The 1901 census shows them living in house 11 in Allenswood, Leixlip, with James described as an illiterate road labourer. By the 1911 census, they had moved to house 9 in Leixlip town, but their circumstances remained challenging.

A Daughter’s Initiative

In early 1911, James’ eldest daughter Margaret took a bold step that would set in motion the events leading to her father’s fateful journey. She left Ireland and settled in New Haven, Connecticut, finding work at Strouse-Adler’s corset shop. Margaret’s uncle John, James’ brother, also lived in New Haven, working as a machinist.

The Plan for a New Life

Margaret’s earnings in America allowed her to purchase a ticket for her father to join her in the United States. The family’s plan was for James to establish himself in New Haven, with the ultimate goal of bringing the entire Kelly family to America for a fresh start and better opportunities.

The Titanic Journey

Embarking on a Dream

With hope in his heart and dreams of a brighter future for his family, James Kelly boarded the RMS Titanic at Queenstown (now Cobh) as a third-class passenger. His ticket, number 330911, cost £7 16s 7d, a significant sum for a man of his means.

The Tragic Sinking

James Kelly’s dreams were cut short when the Titanic struck an iceberg on the night of April 14, 1912. As a third-class male passenger, his chances of survival were slim. Kelly perished in the sinking, becoming one of the 1,500 souls lost in the disaster.

Recovery and Aftermath

Body Recovery

James Kelly’s body was later recovered by the Mackay Bennett, designated as body number 70. The recovery report provided a poignant description:

NO. 70. - MALE. - ESTIMATED AGE, 34. - HAIR AND MOUSTACHE, LIGHT. CLOTHING - Dark suit, vest and trousers; white socks; black boots. EFFECTS - Beads, left on body; comb; knife. NO MARKS. THIRD CLASS. NAME - JAMES KELLY.

The beads, presumably a rosary, were left with Kelly’s body when it was committed to the sea on April 24, 1912. His other personal effects were sent to his daughter Margaret.

Impact on the Kelly Family

The loss of James Kelly had a profound impact on his family. Struggling financially in the wake of his death, they were assisted by various relief funds. Later in 1912, Catherine Kelly and her surviving children joined Margaret in New Haven, their passage paid for by the White Star Line as part of their efforts to assist families affected by the disaster.

Legacy and Family’s Future

Continued Hardships

The Kelly family’s trials did not end with their relocation to America. Catherine Kelly faced further heartbreak when her son Thomas, serving with the 1st Battalion of the Connaught Rangers, was killed in Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq) on January 23, 1916, during World War I. He is commemorated on the Basra War Memorial.

Lives in America

Despite the tragedies that befell them, the surviving Kelly children made lives for themselves in Connecticut:

• Margaret died on August 28, 1976
• Catherine passed away on February 28, 1964
• William lived until March 9, 1976
• Bridget and James both died in 1987, on August 13 and July 5, respectively
• Mary, the last surviving child of James and Catherine Kelly, died in West Haven, Connecticut on April 13, 1990

James Kelly’s story is a poignant reminder of the human cost of the Titanic disaster. His journey, born of hope and a father’s desire to provide for his family, ended tragically but led to a new chapter for the Kelly family in America. Today, his descendants carry forward the legacy of a