Senate Resolution No. 1348

BY: Senator GOLDEN

HONORING Colonel Thomas J. Kelly posthumously upon
the occasion of his designation as recipient of a
Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an
individual by the New York State Senate

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who have made
significant contributions to the quality of life therein; and

WHEREAS, Members of the Armed Services from the State of New York,
who have served so valiantly and honorably in wars in which this
country's freedom was at stake, as well as in the preservation of peace
in peace-time, deserve a special salute from this Legislative Body; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Colonel
Thomas J. Kelly posthumously upon the occasion of his designation as
recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an
individual by the New York State Senate; and

WHEREAS, The New York State Senate Liberty Medal was established by
resolution and is awarded to individuals who have merited special
commendation for exceptional, heroic, or humanitarian acts on behalf of
their fellow New Yorkers; and

WHEREAS, Thomas Joseph Kelly was born on January 6, 1833, in
Mountbellew, County Galway, Ireland; from 1846-1849, he attended St.
Jarlath's College in Tuam, County Galway, Ireland; and

WHEREAS, After college, Thomas J. Kelly served as an apprentice with
Kelly's Printers in Loughrea, County Galway, Ireland; at the young age
of 18, he emigrated to New York City, arriving on the ship Castillian on
March 27, 1851; he worked as a printer, and joined the Printer's Union
in New York City; and

WHEREAS, In that same year, Thomas J. Kelly joined the 9th Regiment
New York State Militia, which later became the 69th Infantry Regiment;
today, the Regiment is known as the Fighting Sixty-Ninth, a name said to
have been given by Robert E. Lee during the Civil War; and

WHEREAS, Thomas J. Kelly later joined the Emmet Monument
Association, and became a founding member of the Fenian Brotherhood in
1857; he also became involved with the Masons, serving as Master Mason
of Pacific Lodge 233, and Royal Arch Mason of Orient Chapter 187; and

WHEREAS, Thomas J. Kelly then moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where
he worked as a foreman for the S. W. Publishing House; soon thereafter,
he established the Nashville Evening Democrat, which supported the
presidential campaign of Stephen A. Douglas in the Presidential election
of 1860; and

WHEREAS, On July 15, 1859, Thomas J. Kelly became a Knight Templar
of the Nashville Commandery; and

WHEREAS, Following the outbreak of the American Civil War, Thomas J.
Kelly, a supporter of the Union, chose to leave Nashville for the North;
en route to joining the famous Irish 69th Infantry Regiment, he heard
about the Irish 10th Ohio Infantry, and enlisted with them for its
initial three months, and then re-enlisted for an additional three
years; and

WHEREAS, Thomas J. Kelly served in Company "C", where his military
knowledge and ability was soon recognized and he was promoted to
Sergeant; by the end of the summer of 1861, he was functioning as First
Sergeant of the Company; and

WHEREAS, Although he was shot in the jaw at the Battle of Carnifex
Ferry in Western Virginia on September 10, 1861, he volunteered to
return to duty before the end of the year; and

WHEREAS, In January of 1862, Sergeant Thomas J. Kelly was
commissioned, and later seconded to the staff of Major General George
Henry Thomas of the XIV Corps, United States Army of the Cumberland, as
a Signal Officer; he was promoted to Captain on March 17, 1863, becoming
the Chief Signal Officer; and

WHEREAS, On August 19, 1863, Captain Thomas J. Kelly was ordered to
return to the "Bloody Tenth" as Captain, Company "I", from which he was
mustered out with the rest of the 10th Ohio on June 17, 1864; and

WHEREAS, After the war, Captain Thomas J. Kelly joined the Irish
Republican Brotherhood (IRB) in New York; the group dispatched him to
Ireland as an envoy to meet with IRB leader James Stephens; upon his
return to New York in April of 1866, he became the Deputy to James
Stephens; and

WHEREAS, In December of 1866, Captain Thomas J. Kelly became the
Chief Central Organiser of the Irish Republic; in this capacity, he
penned a Proclamation of the Irish Republic, and supported the cause of
Irish Independence; and

WHEREAS, On September 11, 1867, Captain Thomas J. Kelly and Captain
Timothy Deasy were detained by the British government in Manchester,
England; one week later, the two men were rescued by a contingency of
faithful and loyal followers; and

WHEREAS, During the rescue effort, a policeman was killed, however,
Colonel Kelly and Captain Deasy managed to escape to the United States;
William Philip Allen, Michael Larkin, and Michael O'Brien were arrested
in connection with the attack, and were later executed; thereafter, they
became known as the Manchester Martyrs for their loyalty to Ireland; and

WHEREAS, The song, "God Save Ireland" was written as a tribute to
the memory of the Manchester Martyrs, Colonel Thomas J. Kelly and
Captain Timothy Deasy; and

WHEREAS, In 1869, Colonel Thomas J. Kelly became the Superintendent
of Station F of the New York Post Office; from 1870-1905, he held the
position of Audit Clerk for the United States Custom House; and

WHEREAS, For numerous years, Colonel Thomas J. Kelly was active in
the Grand Army of the Republic, Alexander Hamilton Chapter 182 in New
York City; and

WHEREAS, Colonel Thomas J. Kelly married the former Catharine
Anastasia Gillogly in 1869, together, the couple raised five children,
Julia Helen, Columba Lee Thomas, Frances Mary, Leo Patrick and Kathryn
Josephine; they were the loving grandparents of one granddaughter,
Dorothy Ella Kelly; and five great-grandchildren, John Alfred, Oliver
Amory, Eloise Lorraine, Lawrence Joseph, and Robert Leo; as well as one
great-great-grandchild, Erica Beth Veil; and

WHEREAS, Colonel Thomas J. Kelly died at his home at 331 East 119th
Street in New York City on February 5, 1908, at the age of 75; and

WHEREAS, Residents of this great State must never forget the courage
with which these men and women served their country, and must recognize
that no greater debt is owed than that owed to those who gave their
lives for their beloved Nation and to those who continue to be missing
in action; and

WHEREAS, Having exhibited his patriotism both at home and abroad,
Colonel Thomas J. Kelly demonstrated his love for his country and merits
forevermore, the highest respect of his State and Nation; and

WHEREAS, Our Nation's veterans deserve to be recognized, commended
and thanked by the people of the State of New York for their service and
for their dedication to their communities, their State and their Nation;
now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Colonel Thomas J. Kelly posthumously upon the occasion of his
designation as recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed
upon an individual by the New York State Senate; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Colonel Thomas J. Kelly.