Finding aid for the Kellys Island Literary Society Records ("The Islander")

History of "The Islander"

Datus Kelley (1788-1866) and his family were some of the first permanent settlers of what later became Rocky River. In 1833 Datus, with brother Irad, began to purchase land near Sandusky, Ohio on Cunningham's Island. The island was later renamed Kelley's Island. The Kelley Island Literary Society was established pursuant to the building of Kelley Hall. Datus Kelley had the hall built in response to the need for a place of entertainment and a social hall for the residents. Many organizations utilized the hall for different purposes. The local Catholic congregation used it as a place for worship prior to the building of a church.

On December 22, 1860 the Literary Society published their first edition of The Islander. The Islander was a weekly newspaper or journal that contained articles on topics such as religion, philosophy, news, travel, and even letters from soldiers fighting in the Civil War. Only one copy was "published" as a handwritten manuscript and the members of the Society would gather every Saturday to hear the articles read aloud and to discuss them. Several people, including several Kelley family members, contributed to the Islander by writing and editing the articles. Anyone who wished to join the literary society was welcomed to do so, including women.

Scope and Content

The Islander/Kelley's Island Literary Society, publisher contains seventeen volumes ranging from 1860-1878. It is arranged in chronological order and is divided by the weekly issue/journal numbers.

This collection will be useful to researchers studying the history of Kellys Island in Erie County, Ohio, and literary clubs in the nineteenth century. Those interested in the development of culture and the intellect in isolated communities will find this collection useful. Those studying women's history in Ohio will find this collection useful. The Islander is of particular interest to those researching the Kelley family genealogy and those studying Sandusky, Erie county and Ohio history.

Statement of Arrangement

Restrictions on Access

While there are no access restrictions on this collection, researchers will be asked to use the microfilm of this collection.

The researcher should also consult MS 1763 Kelley Family Papers and MS 3108 Henry Johnson Papers.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.

Subjects:

Preferred Citation

[Container ___, Folder ___ ] MS 2116 Kellys Island Literary Society Records ("The Islander"), Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, Ohio

Acquisition Information

Gift of Mrs. Hermon A. Kelley and Norman E. Hills.

Detailed Description of The Collection