The island of Conanicut is situated in Narragansett bay. It has a total
length of about nine miles and a width of from one to two miles. It is
just within the bay from the Atlantic ocean.
Beaver Tail light on its extreme southern point overlooks the sea, and
that portion of the island’s coast frequently resounds with the thunder
of the breakers. Indeed, most of the island’s shore is exposed more or
less to the billows driven in by old ocean.
The island derives its name from Canonicus, an Indian sachem who
formerly resided there. It is, of course, a part of the state of Rhode
Island and is comprised in the town of Jamestown. The latter was
incorporated in 1678 and named in honor of King James II, then heir to
the throne which he ascended two years later. Conanicut is about midway
in the bay between Newport, Middletown, and Portsmouth on the east, and
North Kingstown and the old District of Narragansett on the west. The
first purchase of land on the island by whites was made of the Indians
in 1657 by Benedict Arnold and William Coddington.
Michael Kelly[9] figures as a freeman in 1667. His wife’s name was
Isabel. In 1669, he had become prominent on the island. Michael has been
especially fortunate in that, so far as known, no one has ever had the
temerity to label him “English” or “Scotch.” In 1669, he and two others
were commissioned by the “Councill” to prepare the inhabitants against
possible surprises or attacks by the Indians. The order for this action
bears date of August 26, and reads thus:
“Whereas, there are severall out plantations in this Colony, which are
not included in any towneship, and they being as lyable or rather more
lyable to danger and invasion than where there is more strengh; and the
Councill seeing it incumbent on them to provide for their safety, doe
heerby order that the Conservators of the Peace at Pettaquomscut,
Narragansett or Acquidneesitt or Block Island, and such persons as the
Councill shall appoint on the Island Quononicutt, [Conanicut], doe
assemble the inhabitants of each of those places and consider among
themselves what may bee most suitable for their defence and preservation
against any mission or insurrection of the Indians, and forthwith to put
it in execution; and that a copie of this order bee sent to the first
Conservator of the Peace in each respective place, and the persons
appointed for Quononicutt.”
Two days later the following entry appears in the records:
“The persons appointed to execute the Councill’s order of the 26th
inst., for the Island of Quononicut, are John Homes, John Remington and
Michaell Kelly.”
The fact that Kelly was one of those selected indicates that he must
have been a man of considerable influence at the time. In the will of
ex-Governor Brenton, probated in 1674, mention is made of “Michael
Kaly,” who was no doubt the same individual here described. The
following extracts are taken from the will:
“To daughter Sarah Brenton, a farm in Conanicut, in possession of
Michael Kaly with house, etc.... To Michael Kaly, 100 acres on
Merrimack.... To Michael Kaly, ⅔ and to his wife, ⅓ of £15 due from land
granted him at Pattacomscott.”
In 1680, Kelly was taxed £5, 18s. 7½d. He died in that year. It is not
known that he left any descendants.