Hugh Kelso

Biography
Hugh Kelso was born about 1700 in Londonderry , Londonderry County, Province of Ulster, Northern Ireland. [1, 2]

He married Sarah Taylor about 1715 in Londonderry, and their first daughter Jean was born there in 1716. [1, 2]

They arrived in Worcester, Worcester County, Province of Massachusetts Bay, British Colonial American in 1718, where a number of former Londonderry residents had immigrated to the New World that same year, including the John Gray Jr and Matthew Gray Sr families. [3, 4].

Caleb Wall's Reminiscences of Worcester, mentions that Hugh, "as well as a few other natives of the north of Ireland, came over with their Scotch brethren, and introduced here the first potatoes used in this country." [8]

According to immigration records and later will and probate records, Hugh was a wheelwright by trade (someone who builds and repairs wheels for wagons and carriages.) [4, 5]

By 1733, Hugh is listed among the early Worcester County settlers from Ireland, and he maintained a certain standing in the community since he was given a pew assignment by name rather than general seating in the public section of the church. [6]

In 1734, his oldest daughter, Jean, married Matthew Gray Jr. [1, 2] (Both had come to the New World as children, Jean as a two-year-old and Matthew as a ten-year-old. [5, 6])

Only three years later, Hugh signed a will before witnesses on 14 Jun 1737, in which he states he was "sick and weak." He further calls Jean's husband "my well beloved son Matthew Gray," to whom Hugh bequeaths his "wearing cloaths [sic]." Further, John Gray (Mattrew's grandfather) was present at the will signing as both witness and co-executor to Hugh's estate. [5]

In that document, Hugh also includes mention of his wife Sarah, son John, and his other two daughters Susannah and Marey [sic]. [5]

Hugh Kelso died that same summer, and on 14 Aug 1737, his will was read in the Court of Probate in Worcester by Judge John Chandler. [5] One month later, his wife Sarah also died. [7]

Sources
1. Hugh Kelso, biographical details, FamilySearch.com [1]

2. Hugh Kelso, biographical details, Ancestry.com [2]

3. Bolton, Charles Knowles. Scotch Irish Pioneers in Ulster and America|Scotch Irish Pioneers in Ulster and America (Bacon and Brown, Boston, 1910), Full digital text [3]

pages 187-88: Hugh Kelso arrives in Worcester in 1718.
page 183: Hugh Kelso as part of Worcester County settlements in 1733.
4. Bolton, Ethel Stanwood. Immigrants to New England, 1700-1775. Salem, MA: Essex Institute, 1931. 235p. Reprinted by Genealogical Publishing Co., Baltimore, 1966. "U.S. and Canada, Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s." Ancestry.com database.

page 102: Hugh Kelso immigrates in 1718. [4]
5. "Massachusetts, Wills and Probate Records, 1635-1991 for Hugh Kelso," Worcester Probate Records, Vol 1, 1731-1739, 1778-1814 and 1863-1870. Ancestry.com database, with original image of the will [5]

6. Bolton, Charles Knowles. 'Scotch Irish Pioneers in Ulster and America|Scotch Irish Pioneers in Ulster and America (Bacon and Brown, Boston, 1910). Full digital text. [6]

7. Sarah Taylor Kelso, biographical details, Ancestry.com. [7]/35255314/person/100067050068/facts

8. Wall, Caleb A. Section: Ecclesiastical history. Chapter VIII. "The first church." Reminiscences of Worcester : from the earliest period : historical and genealogical, with notices of early settlers and prominent citizens, and descriptions of old landmarks and ancient dwellings, accompanied by a map and numerous illustrations. Worcester, Mass.: Tyler & Seagrave, 1877. Transcribed at Ancestry.com [8]

• https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Kelso-681
• https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/KZ96-99J