Note: This cemetery opened in 1906, therefore this is either a memorial marker only, buried ashes or a relocated grave. Answer:relocation-information ascertained March 2011.

Clinton, Moriah, Victoria & Raymond were originally buried in the Kelly cemetery on their property. Per Clinton Kelly's will: 3rd. I give and bequeath to my beloved daughters, Sarah , Laura , Emily and Fredrica B. my Donation Land Claim on which I now reside, being the North half of the Donation Land Claim of myself and deceased wife, Moriah M., reserving for a family burying ground one acre of said Land Claim now occupied for that purpose.

Kelly book stated: N boundary:SE 42nd Ave S boundary: SE 26th AVE W boundary; Division St & E boundary Holgate St
It appears that the boundaries should of read: N boundary SE Division St, S boundary Holgate St W boundary SE 26th Ave & E boundary SE 42nd Ave

Kimberly Brown, original creator of the Kelly family memorials has solved how the Kellys came to rest in Lincoln Memorial Park:

From Kimberly:
The city of Portland, for whatever reason, forced removal of the original Kelly burial ground and the Kelly's were relocated on 8-23-1928. The plots were sold to Mrs. Addie Kelly, who must have overseen the transfer. (Richmond's wife.)

The headstone photographed is circa 1920's, so I think it was a new stone, and any stone in the former burial grounds were disposed of.


Wives: Mary Bastian (buried in Kentucky), Moriah Maldon Crain

Son of Samuel Kelly and Nancy Kennedy


REV. CLINTON KELLY came to the northwest as one of its pioneer settlers.

"Mr. Kelly was born on Clifty Creek, Pulaski county. Kentucky, June 15,1808. His father, Samuel Kelly, was born in Botetourt county, Virginia, February 7, 1776, and was the third son of Thomas Kelly, whose birth occurred near Philadelphia in 1742. The ancestral home was Castle Kelly, Ballinasloe, County Roscommon, Ireland.

Excerpt: Clackamas-Multnomah County OR Archives Biographies.....Kelly Rev. Clinton June 15 1808 -
Author: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company



REV. CLINTON KELLY.--Reverend Clinton Kelly, one of the early pioneers of the Pacific Northwest, was born in Pulaski county, Kentucky, June 15, 1808 In January, 1827, he was converted, and commenced his life-work as a minister in the Methodist-Episcopal church, and has since devoted his talents and energies for the benefit of his fellow-men, always denying himself the comforts and enjoyments of this life that he might the better assist others.

In 1827 he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Baston, by whom he had five children, three of whom are still living --good citizens of Oregon.

His first wife died in 1837. He was again married in 1838 to Miss Jane Burns, to whom was born one child. She died soon afterwards, when he was joined in matrimony to Miss Moriah Crane; and to them were born nine children, Mrs. Sarah M., wife of Captain J. W. Kern, being the eldest. [ed. note: another was Penumbra Kelly]

At the secession of the Methodist-Episcopal Church South from the mother church, he took up his relations in that church; but seeing, though far off, the terrible strife that would result from slavery, he longed to get away from its influences, and, hearing of this far-off land, took up his march in 1847 across the plains for Oregon, where he arrived late in the year of 1848, and settled about two miles east of Portland.

By great industry and frugality he had surrounded himself and family with an abundance of this world's goods. Though so well situated in life, he ceased not to teach men of Jesus and the higher life they might live by squaring their lives by his laws. His especial efforts were devoted to the temperance cause. He had seen much of the ravages of the drinking custom during his lifetime, and worked to abate its dreadful power. He spared neither time nor money in this work; and earnestly he fought. He made no enemies; for all felt that love for his fellow-men urged him to his work.

For forty-eight years he diligently served his God; and after a long life of usefulness, full of many sufferings and privations, he has gone to reign with Him. His last sickness was accompanied with most excruciating pain. For nearly a score of years he had been afflicted with a severe type of dyspepsia; and of late all food taken into the stomach seemed to turn to gas. It was found that his heart was diseased, the valves having become thickened from rheumatism, thus producing irregular action.

The two diseases combined caused a smothering sensation; and for the last three months he was almost continually in an upright posture. The disease completely baffled the best efforts of his physicians. His strong physical system refused to yield; and the fight was long and terrible. But amidst it all his mind was calm and serene; and with pleasure he looked for the summons of his Master. He passed to his reward on Saturday, June 19, 1875. His life was an example of integrity; and his memory will long remain fragrant in the hearts of scores and hundreds who have known and loved him.

[source: History of the Pacific Northwest: Oregon and Washington. Portland, Oregon. North Pacific History Company, 1889.]