VENN [enhanced]
Adm. Fell.-Com. (age 38) at ST JOHN'S, Nov. 12, 1788. Had matric. from Queen's College, Oxford, Mar. 13, 1782. [Elder s. of William, wine-cooper, of Algare, Douglas, Isle of Man [and Alice Kewley]. B. Nov. 1, 1750, in the Isle of Man . School, Douglas Grammar.] Matric. Lent, 1794; LL.B. 1794; LL.D. 1799.
On leaving school had become amanuensis to his Head Master, the Rev. Philip Moore, and, in his 17th year, attempted the task of producing a grammar, and, ultimately, a dictionary, of the Manx language. Employed, 1766-72, in helping to translate the Bible into Manx. While crossing from Douglas to Whitehaven, Mar. 19, 1771, with a portion of this work in his charge, was shipwrecked, but succeeded in saving the MS. by holding it above water until rescued five hours later. The work was completed in 1772, when Kelly's labours were brought to the notice of the S.P.C.K. Revised the Manx translation of the New Testament, 1775, and in 1780 completed the Manx grammar. Tutor to the Marquess of Huntly (George Gordon), 1779-91, accompanying him to Eton and thence to Cambridge, where both of them were adm. at St John's. Also accompanied the Marquess on a tour on the Continent. Ord. deacon (Chester) Aug. 4, 1776; priest (Carlisle) Aug. 31, 1777; in charge of the Scottish Episcopal Church at Ayr, 1776-9. V. of Ardleigh, Essex , Apr. 21, 1791-1807. R. of Copford, 1800-9. Married, 1785, Louisa, eldest dau. of Peter Dollond, optician, of St Paul's Churchyard, London . Author, A Triglot Dictionary of the Celtic Language as spoken in Man, Scotland and Ireland , together with the English, most of the copies of which were destroyed by a fire at the printing office in 1808; the Manx Grammar was reprinted, 1859. Died of typhus fever at Copford rectory, Nov. 12, 1809. Memorial tablet in Braddan church, Isle of Man . Father of Gordon W. (1803). ( Al. Oxfordshire ; St John's Coll. Adm., IV. 343; Cant. Act Bk.; D.N.B.; G. Mag., 1809, II. 1085, and 1810, I. 184.).
His wid., Louisa, died April 1844, aged 83, at Huskards, Ingatestone, Essex, according to the C. Chron. of 27 Apr 1844 (P.J. Barnwell: C. Chron. )G. Mag. 1809, II. 1085, and 1810, I. 184.
From personal observation: buried in Copford chancel.