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Sarah Elizabeth Kelley (1873–1959)

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Compiled and written by Kimberli Faulkner Hull © Cool Adventures
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Henry W. Smith, photographer (New Bedford, Massachusetts), S. Elizabeth Kelley, ca. 1890; privately held by the Faulkner–Hull Collection, Massachusetts.
Henry W. Smith, photographer (New Bedford, Massachusetts), S. Elizabeth Kelley, ca. 1890; privately held by the Faulkner–Hull Collection, Massachusetts.

Sarah Elizabeth Kelley was born 5 January 1873 in New Bedford, Bristol County, Massachusetts to Charles S. Kelley and Sarah Anthony.1 Elizabeth descended from a long line of New Englanders dating back to the 1600s and the Mayflower.2

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As a child, Sarah Elizabeth lived with her parents and siblings, Carrie and Charles, at 232 Acushnet Avenue in New Bedford and attended Fifth Street Grammar School.3 Sarah Elizabeth was a member of the Plantagenets society in high school; she is pictured fifth from the left in the first photo. She graduated from New Bedford High School in 1890.4

“New Bedford High School Plantagenets in 1887, New Bedford, MA”; photograph held by the New Bedford Free Public Library photograph collection, New Bedford, Massachusetts; published online at Digital Commonwealth Massachusetts Collection Online.
“New Bedford High School Plantagenets in 1887, New Bedford, MA”; photograph held by the New Bedford Free Public Library photograph collection, New Bedford, Massachusetts; published online at Digital Commonwealth Massachusetts Collection Online.
Annual Report of the School Committee of the City of New Bedford, with the Superintendent's Annual Report, for the Year 1890, (New Bedford : Mercury Publishing Company, 1891), p. 21-23, New Bedford High School Graduating Exercise, 27 June 1890.
Annual Report of the School Committee of the City of New Bedford, with the Superintendent’s Annual Report, for the Year 1890, (New Bedford : Mercury Publishing Company, 1891), p. 21-23, New Bedford High School Graduating Exercise, 27 June 1890.
“New Bedford High School Class of 1890”; photograph held by the New Bedford Free Public Library photograph collection, New Bedford, Massachusetts; published online at Digital Commonwealth Massachusetts Collection Online.
“New Bedford High School Class of 1890”; photograph held by the New Bedford Free Public Library photograph collection, New Bedford, Massachusetts; published online at Digital Commonwealth Massachusetts Collection Online.

Elizabeth married Mayhew R. Hitch on 19 June 1895 in New Bedford and the couple made their home at 119 Mill Street in New Bedford.5

"Hitch–Kelley," marriage announcement, Fall River Globe (Fall River, Massachusetts), 21 June 1895, p. 7, col. 2.
“Hitch–Kelley,” marriage announcement, Fall River Globe (Fall River, Massachusetts), 21 June 1895, p. 7, col. 2.

The couple had two known children, Mayhew Jr. and Sarah.6 Mayhew and Sarah lived their entire lives in New Bedford.7

Sarah’s mother, Sarah Anthony Kelley, died in 1922 in New Bedford and is buried in Rural Cemetery.8

"Mrs. Charles S. Kelley," obituary, Fall River Daily Evening News (Fall River, Massachusetts), 13 Feb 1922, p. 2, col. 3.
“Mrs. Charles S. Kelley,” obituary, Fall River Daily Evening News (Fall River, Massachusetts), 13 Feb 1922, p. 2, col. 3.

Mayhew and Sarah and their children, Mayhew and Sarah, traveled to Europe in 1928, returning to New York in August of 1928.9

Sailings and Arrival, Arrived Today, Arabic," newspaper notice, The Brooklyn Daily Times (Brooklyn, New York), 29 Aug 1927, p. 6, col. 7.
Sailings and Arrival, Arrived Today, Arabic,” newspaper notice, The Brooklyn Daily Times (Brooklyn, New York), 29 Aug 1927, p. 6, col. 7.

In 1935, Sarah and Mayhew attended her 45th high school reunion; Sarah is pictured on the very left of the back row and Judge Mayhew Hitch is on the far right of the fourth row.10

“New Bedford High School Class of 1890 at their 45th Reunion, New Bedford, MA,” 14 July 1935; photograph held by the New Bedford Free Public Library photograph collection, New Bedford, Massachusetts; published at Digital Commonwealth Massachusetts Collection Online.
“New Bedford High School Class of 1890 at their 45th Reunion, New Bedford, MA,” 14 July 1935; photograph held by the New Bedford Free Public Library photograph collection, New Bedford, Massachusetts; published at Digital Commonwealth Massachusetts Collection Online.
“New Bedford High School Class of 1890 at their 45th Reunion, New Bedford, MA,” 14 July 1935; photograph held by the New Bedford Free Public Library photograph collection, New Bedford, Massachusetts, Mrs. Mayhew R. Hitch.
“New Bedford High School Class of 1890 at their 45th Reunion, New Bedford, MA,” 14 July 1935; Mrs. Mayhew R. Hitch, very left of the back row.
“New Bedford High School Class of 1890 at their 45th Reunion, New Bedford, MA,” 14 July 1935; photograph held by the New Bedford Free Public Library photograph collection, New Bedford, Massachusetts, Judge Mayhew R. Hitch.
“New Bedford High School Class of 1890 at their 45th Reunion, New Bedford, MA,” 14 July 1935; Judge Mayhew R. Hitch, far right of the fourth row

Sarah’s father, Charles Sampson Kelley died at the age of 90 in 1937 in New Bedford. He is buried in Rural Cemetery in New Bedford.11

Zephaniah W. Pease, editor, History of New Bedford, vol. 2 (New York : The Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1918), p. 239-242, Charles Sampson Kelley.
Zephaniah W. Pease, editor, History of New Bedford, vol. 2 (New York : The Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1918), p. 239-242, Charles Sampson Kelley.

Judge Mayhew Robinson Hitch died at the age of 89 on 8 September 1956 in New Bedford.12 Sarah Elizabeth Kelley Hitch died at the age of 96 on 13 April 1959 in New Bedford.13 They are buried in Rural Cemetery in New Bedford, Bristol County, Massachusetts.14

“Judge Hitch Dead at 89,” obituary, Boston Herald (Boston, Massachusetts), 9 Sep 1956, p. C79, col. 4.
“Judge Hitch Dead at 89,” obituary, Boston Herald (Boston, Massachusetts), 9 Sep 1956, p. C79, col. 4.
“Mrs. Sarah Hitch,” obituary, New Bedford, Boston Daily Record (Boston, Massachusetts), 15 Apr 1959, p. 21, col. 1.
“Mrs. Sarah Hitch,” obituary, New Bedford, Boston Daily Record (Boston, Massachusetts), 15 Apr 1959, p. 21, col. 1.

Sarah and Mayhew’s children

Mayhew Robinson Hitch Jr. died at the age of 77 on 23 August 1978 in New Bedford and is buried in Rural Cemetery.15

Sarah Hitch died on 22 July 1980 at the age of 75 in New Bedford and is buried in Rural Cemetery.16

Endnotes

1. New Bedford, Bristol County, Massachusetts, Births Register 1873, vol. 4, p. 138, no. 491, Sarah Elizabeth Kelley, 5 Jan 1873. Parents: Charles S. Kelley, born in New Bedford, and Sarah Anthony, born in Taunton. Father’s occupation: Bookkeeper.

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2. Zephaniah W. Pease, editor, History of New Bedford, vol. 2 (New York : The Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1918), p. 239-242, Charles Sampson Kelley.

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3. 1880 U.S. census, New Bedford, Bristol County, Massachusetts, population schedule, enumeration district (ED) 114, page 14B, dwelling 117, family 163, Charles S. Kelley household.
Address: 232 Acushnet Avenue
– Charles S. Kelley, age 38, banker, born in Massachusetts
– Sarah, wife, age 37, born in Massachusetts
– Sarah E., daughter, age 7, born in Massachusetts
– Carrie, daughter, age 4, born in Massachusetts
– Charles S. Jr, son, age 6 months, born in Massachusetts

Also, “Admission to the High School,” newspaper article, The Evening Standard (New Bedford, Massachusetts), 10 July 1886, p. 5, col. 3.

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4. “New Bedford High School Plantagenets in 1887, New Bedford, MA,” photograph held by the New Bedford Free Public Library photograph collection, New Bedford, Massachusetts; published online at Digital Commonwealth Massachusetts Collection Online.

Also, Annual Report of the School Committee of the City of New Bedford, with the Superintendent’s Annual Report, for the Year 1890, (New Bedford : Mercury Publishing Company, 1891), p. 21-23, New Bedford High School Graduating Exercise, 27 June 1890, Sarah Elizabeth Kelley.

Also, “New Bedford High School Class of 1890;” photograph held by the New Bedford Free Public Library photograph collection, New Bedford, Massachusetts; published online at Digital Commonwealth Massachusetts Collection Online.

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5. New Bedford, Bristol County, Massachusetts, Marriage Register 1895, p. 62, no. 266, Mayhew R. Hitch–L. Elizabeth Kelley, 19 June 1895.
Groom: Mayhew R. Hitch, age 28, occupation: lawyer, born in New Bedford. Parents: James C. [Hitch] and Louise R. Robinson.
Bride: L. Elizabeth Kelley, age 22, born in New Bedford. Parents: Charles S. [Kelley] and Sarah Anthony.

Also, “Hitch–Kelley,” marriage announcement, Fall River Globe (Fall River, Massachusetts), 21 June 1895, p. 7, col. 2.

Also, 1900 U.S. census, New Bedford, Bristol County, Massachusetts, population schedule, enumeration district (ED) 187, sheet 16A, dwelling 398, family 387, Mayhew Hitch household.
Address: 119 Mill Street
– Mayhew Hitch, age 32, married 5 years, born Feb 1868 in Massachusetts, lawyer
– Sarah E. Hitch, wife, age 26, married 5 years, born Jan 1874 in Massachusetts, 0 children born

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6. 1910 U.S. census, New Bedford, Bristol County, Massachusetts, population schedule, enumeration district (ED) 194, ward 3, page 22A, dwelling 425, family 499, Mayhew R. Hitch household.
Address: 119 Mill Street
– Mayhew R. Hitch, age 43, born in Massachusetts
– Sarah E., wife, age 37, born in Massachusetts, 2 children born, 2 living
– Mayhew R Jr., son, age 9, born in Massachusetts
– Sara, daughter, age 5, born in Massachusetts
– Lucretia R. Storms, aunt, age 72, widowed, born in Massachusetts
– Mary McCarthy, servant, age 24, born in Ireland

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7. 1930 U.S. census, New Bedford, Bristol County, Massachusetts, population schedule, enumeration district (ED) 132, sheet 7B, dwelling 130, family 147, Mayhew R. Hitch household.
Address: 16 Anthony Street
– Mayhew R. Hitch, age 63, first married at 28, born in Massachusetts, judge, probate court
– Sarah E., wife, age 58, first married at 22, born in Massachusetts
– Mayhew R., Jr., son, age 29, single, born in Massachusetts, office clerk, broker’ office
– Sarah, daughter, age 24, single, born in Massachusetts
– Anna Silveira, servant, age 24, born in Portugal

Also, 1940 U.S. census, New Bedford, Bristol County, Massachusetts, population schedule, enumeration district (ED) 20-87, sheet 10A, dwelling 226, Mayhew Hitch household.
Address: 16 Anthony Street
– Mayhew Hitch, age 73, married, born in Massachusetts, judge
– Sara, wife, age 67, married, born in Massachusetts
– Mayhew, Jr., son, age 39, single, born in Massachusetts
– Sally, daughter, age 35, single, born in Massachusetts

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8. New Bedford, Bristol County, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Standard Certificate of Death, no. 489, Sarah Kelley, 11 Feb 1922. Birth: 22 May 1843, Taunton, Massachusetts. Married. Spouse: Charles S. Kelley. Parents: Edmund Anthony and Nancy Hodges. Burial: Rural Cemetery, 14 Feb 1922.

Also, “Mrs. Charles S. Kelley,” obituary, Fall River Daily Evening News (Fall River, Massachusetts), 13 Feb 1922, p. 2, col. 3.

Also, headstone reads: Charles S. Kelley / Aug 2, 1846 – July 20, 1937 / Sarah Anthony / His Wife / May 22, 1843 – Feb 11, 1922 / Elizabeth Anthony / May 22, 1843 – Feb 19, 1876.
Find A Grave, memorial 104568429, Sarah Anthony Kelley (1843–1922), Rural Cemetery, New Bedford, Bristol County, Massachusetts with headstone photo.

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9. Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at New York, New York, 1820-1977, S.S. Arabic, Cherbourg to New York, departure 20 Aug 1927, arrival 29 Aug 1927manifest list p. 20, Mayhew Hitch family.
– no. 27, Mayhew Hitch, age 60, married, born 6 Feb 1867, New Bedford, Massachusetts.
– no. 28, Sarah Hitch, age 54, married, born 5 Jan 1873, New Bedford, Massachusetts.
– no. 29, Sarah Hitch, age 22, single, born 12 Feb 1905, New Bedford, Massachusetts.
– no. 30, Mayhew Hitch, age 26, single, born 3 Jan 1901, New Bedford, Massachusetts.

Also, “Sailings and Arrival, Arrived Today, Arabic,” newspaper notice, The Brooklyn Daily Times (Brooklyn, New York), 29 Aug 1927, p. 6, col. 7.

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10. “New Bedford High School Class of 1890 at their 45th Reunion, New Bedford, MA,” 14 July 1935; photograph held by the New Bedford Free Public Library photograph collection, New Bedford, Massachusetts; published at Digital Commonwealth Massachusetts Collection Online.

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11. Boston, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Death Index, 1936-1940, New Bedford, Bristol County, Charles S. Kelley, 1937, vol. 65, p. 536.

Also, headstone reads: Charles S. Kelley / Aug 2, 1846 – July 20, 1937 / Sarah Anthony / His Wife / May 22, 1843 – Feb 11, 1922 / Elizabeth Anthony / May 22, 1843 – Feb 19, 1876.
Find A Grave, memorial 104542071, Charles Sampson Kelley (1846–1937), Rural Cemetery, New Bedford, Bristol County, Massachusetts with headstone photo.

Also, Zephaniah W. Pease, editor, History of New Bedford, vol. 2 (New York : The Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1918), p. 239-242, Charles Sampson Kelley.

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12. “Judge Hitch Dead at 89,” obituary, Boston Herald (Boston, Massachusetts), 9 Sep 1956, p. C79, col. 4.

Also, Boston, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Death Index, 1956-1960, New Bedford, Bristol County, Mayhew R. Hitch, 1956, vol. 73, p. 357.

Also, headstone reads: Mayhew R. Hitch / 1867 – 1956 / His Wife / S. Elizabeth Kelley / 1873 – 1959
Find A Grave, memorial 179120812, Mayhew Robinson Hitch Sr. (1867-1956), Rural Cemetery, New Bedford, Bristol County, Massachusetts with headstone photo.

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13. “Mrs. Sarah Hitch,” obituary, New Bedford, Boston Daily Record (Boston, Massachusetts), 15 Apr 1959, p. 21, col. 1.

Also, Boston, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Death Index, 1956-1960, New Bedford, Bristol County, Sarah E. (Kelley) Hitch, 1959, vol. 75, p. 506.

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14. Headstone reads: Mayhew R. Hitch / 1867 – 1956 / His Wife / S. Elizabeth Kelley / 1873 – 1959
Find A Grave, memorial 179124262, Sarah Elizabeth Kelley Hitch (1873-1959), Rural Cemetery, New Bedford, Bristol County, Massachusetts with headstone photo.

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15. Boston, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Death Index, 1970-2003, New Bedford, Bristol County, no. 03613, Mayhew R. Hitch, 23 Aug 1978. Birth: Massachusetts.

Also, headstone reads: Mayhew R / Hitch, Jr. / Jan 3, 1901 / Aug. 23, 1978.
Find A Grave, memorial 179160827, Mayhew Robinson Hitch, Jr.  (1901–1978), Rural Cemetery, New Bedford, Bristol County, Massachusetts with headstone photo.

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16. Boston, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Death Index, 1970-2003, New Bedford, Bristol County, no. 036198, Sarah Hitch, 22 July 1980. Birth: Massachusetts.

Also, headstone reads: Sarah/ Hitch / Feb. 12, 1905 / July 22, 1980.Find A Grave, memorial 179160533, Sarah Hitch (1905–1980), Rural Cemetery, New Bedford, Bristol County, Massachusetts with headstone photo.

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Citing this page: Kimberli Faulkner Hull, author, “Sarah Elizabeth Kelley (1873–1959),” Cool Adventures (https://cooladventures.com/collection/sarah-elizabeth-kelley-1873-1959/ : posted 2021).

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