According to the pension records obtained from the National Archives, William Kennedy was a Union soldier in Company E., 9th Regiment of the Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. He enlisted as a Private on April 19, 1861 in Harrisburg and was honorably discharged three months later at Harrisburg on July 27, 1861. He applied for pension benefits at age 62 because he was losing his ability to work due to rheumatism, lumbago, impaired vision, nervousness, and urinary troubles. Although initially denied benefits, he eventually qualified. In 1890 he received $6 per month; in 1904 it was increased $10 per month; 1906 it was increased to $12; in 1907 it was increased to $15; 19211 to $20 per month; 1913 to $21 per month;

On April 28, 1916, The Weekly Graphic, Honey Brook, Chester County, PA, reported the that "... William Kennedy, a well known and highly respected citizen of this community, passed away suddenly at home about a mile and a half west of Honey Brook on Sunday morning, from heart trouble due to dropsy. He had been ill for some time. Mr. Kennedy was born in Sadsburyville, February 22, 1836, and was the son of the late Samuel and Mary Kennedy. He was aged 80 years. At the age of 17 years Mr. Kennedy began his trade of millwright with a man near Pomeroy by the name of UMPHREY and he worked at the trade for 55 years. He had what few men could boast of, an uninterrupted service of almost an entire lifetime at his trade, during which time he had worked in 10 or 12 different States. There was nothing in the line of the trade that Mr. Kennedy had not encountered and mastered form the oldest mechanical ideas to the most modern appliances. On one occasion he was called to another part of the state to repair a mill that had been given up by several mechanics as hopeless. The machinery had been in place for more than a century and required parts of machinery made by hand. He was equal to the task and soon by his ingenuity was able to put the mill into first class shape. Mr. Kennedy was a veteran of the Civil War, having served through the early part of the trouble between the North and the South and again toward the close of the war. He was a member of the 197th Pennsylvania Reserve Volunteers and a member also of General Wayne Post, No. 611, G. A. R., of this place. Deceased was married to Miss Sarah EBELHAR October 15, 1860. In 1913 Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at the place which he so lately called his home and where they lived since 1877. He leaves his wife and the following children; George, at home; John, of Honey Brook; William of Phoenixville; Mrs. Edward WHITE, of Narberth; Mrs. John Kennedy and Miss Lillian Kennedy, of Philadelphia, and Mrs. P. J. MERTZ, of Honey Brook. Three brothers and one sister also survive; Samuel and John, of Philadelphia; ?---on, of Parkesburg, and Mrs. Sarah J. HEFFNER, of Ohio, as do 13 grandchildren. The funeral was held from his late home yesterday morning with services in the Honey Brook M. E. church at 11 o'clock. Interment was made in the M. E. cemetery."
[Source: The Weekly Graphic, Honey Brook, Chester County, PA, Friday, April 28, 1916; capitalization of last names added by compiler VC]

Wm. KENNEDY of New London, Chester county., has invented and had patented a new double turbine water wheel, the model of which has been exhibited to us a few days ago. This wheel bids fair to surpass all other wheels of that class. We are informed that Mr. KENNEDY has had made one of his wheels, and it is now in operation driving a woolen factory near Conshohocken, Montgomery county, Pa., and is said to by old manufacturers to excel anything of the kind they have ever seen for effective power and steady motion. The principle of this wheel is such that it cannot fail to produce the results claimed for it. Mr. KENNEDY, in his explanation of his wheel in comparison with other waterwheels of that class, speedily satisfies every man of good common sense of the superiority of his wheel. One of its peculiarities consists in its having a complete controlling influence over the water--working as well (if not better) under a partial gate--a property that has never before been so plainly and effectively brought out in a turbine water wheel; it thereby excels the famed Leffel water wheel. No wheel in which the gate forms the shoot or directing surface of water to the wheel, can work effectually under a partial gate for the reason that it is adjustable and always changing. Mr. KENNEDY has therefore invented and offers to the public a wheel possessing the desideratum so long needed--of being equally applicable to light and fluctuating streams as it is to heavy streams. All persons desiring to improve water power would enhance their interests by consulting him in regard to his new wheel before engaging any other. He challenges its equal either in philosophical principle or mechanical construction; the gates are so superior to all others that we have ever seen on a turbine wheel; simple in construction, work easy, and shuts the water off of the wheel completely tight. The price of this wheel is less than that of the Leffel, while its mechanical construction far excels it, and its effective working power cannot be equaled by any water wheel in existence.
[Source: D P, August 19, 1868; obtained through the Chester County Historical Society Library clipping files; capitalizations added by compiler VC]

William KENNEDY, of New London, has sold his house in Darby, Delaware county, to Misses Annie and Kate Wigfall, of Franklin township, for $2,000. The ladies expect to move to their new home early next month.
[Source: Daily Local News, November 29, 1894; obtained through the Chester County Historical Society Library clipping files; capitalizations added by compiler VC]

William Kennedy's certificate of death, issued April 27, 1916, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Dept. of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, File No. 41375, is very difficult to read and some information is illegible. As best as can be deciphered, cause of death appears to have been from "Hyh-t-ophy of Prostrate and Cystitis. Place of birth is uncertain but may be Lanc. Co. Pa. His father's name and birthplace are also difficult to read: the name is known to be Samuel, and the birthplace begins with a P and could be Penna, but at the same time doesn't look like Penna or Pennsylvania. His mother's name is also difficult to read. Though it is said to be Mary, it appears to begin with the letter S or J and end with an H--Sarah? Her last name appears to be Mitch----, possibly Mitchell. Her birthplace is the same as her husband's. Mrs. (Bena) John Kennedy, of 3420 Fairmount Dr., Phila. signed the certificate as informant.

Death notice for William M. KENNEDY, died April 23, 1916
KENNEDY.–In Honeybrook township, on April 23d, 1916, William M. KENNEDY, aged 80 years. Funeral Thursday, April 27th, at 10.30 o'clock. Interment at M. E. Cemetery, Honeybrook.
[Source: Daily Local News, April 26, 1916; obtained through the Chester County, PA Historical Society Library clipping files; some capitalizations added by compiler VC]

William is buried in Honey Brook Methodist Cemetery. Printed in all-capital letters is the following epitaph on his stone: "The golden gates were open and a gentle voice said come and with fare well words unspoken they calmly entered home."

• Married: 15 OCT 1863 ³
• Note:

  Mr. and Mrs. William Kennedy celebrated their 50th anniversary of their wedding at their home on the Horseshoe pike, west of Honey Brook. An elaborate dinner was served and at the table on Mrs. Kennedy's right was seated Mrs. John Climenson, of Honey Brook, who was bridesmaid fifty years ago. Mrs. Climenson wore a collar that was 54 years old and was attired in the same dress that she wore on that wedding day and also the hat that was worn on that occasion. The Kennedy home, where the celebration took place is supposed to be the oldest home in Chester County, the present occupant being the third generation born and lived there. Children of the Kennedy's are John of Honey Brook; George at home; William of Kimberton; and Mrs. Edward White, of Narberth.
  [Source: Daily Local News, October 23, 1913; obtained through the Chester County, PA Historical Society Library clipping files]
  
  Why did the above article not mention Bena, Lillian, Laura, or the other children?
  
  Golden Wedding Anniversary
  Many Guests at Kennedy Home Near Town; Elaborate Dinner and Beautiful Decorations In Commemoration Of the Event
  Mr. & Mrs. William Kennedy celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their wedding at their home along the Horseshoe Pike about a mile and a half west of this place on Wednesday. An elaborate dinner was served to the children, grandchildren, relatives and friends, the table being beautifully lighted by candles in silver candelabra with golden shades. On Mrs. Kennedy's right was seated Mrs. John Climenson, of town, who was bridesmaid at the Kennedy wedding fifty years ago. Mrs. Climenson wore a collar 54 years old and was attired in the same dress that she wore on that wedding day. She also wore the hat that was worn on that occasion, half a century ago. Before dinner, Rev. I. T. Edwards, pastor of the Honey Brook M. E. church, addressed all the guests who had assembled in the yard adjoining the house. At the conclusion of the address Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy received a shower of gold from the children and grandchildren. Many costly presents were also given them among which was a beautiful gold watch from the oldest grandson, Earl White, a gold chain, cut glass china, and a plate of imported china. Many letters were received from friends, who were not able to be present. General Wayne Post, No. 611, G.A.R., of Honey Brook, of which Mr. Kennedy is a member, presented him with a beautiful emblem. The decorations in the modest home where the affair took place comprised a tasteful arrangement of of yellow and gold in keeping with the event. Following are the children of Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy: George, at home; John, of Honey Brook; William, of Kimberton; Mrs. Edward White, of Narberth; Mrs. John Kennedy and Miss Lillian Kennedy, of Philadelphia, and Mrs. P. J. Mertz, of Honey Brook. They also have seventeen grandchildren. Other guests present were: Mrs. Ella Rigg, Mrs. Jas. Seymour and daughter, Mrs. Emma Walker, Miss Kate Walker and Mrs. Annie Fredericks, all of Reading; Mr. and Mrs. Theo. Conner and three daughters, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Yoeman and daughter, of Coatesville; Mrs. M. E. Tracester, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Lowry, Mr. and Mrs. Marshall Kennedy, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Kennedy, Mr. and Mrs. John Kennedy, Sr., and Mr. and Mrs. John Kennedy, Jr., and son, Miss Lillian Kennedy and Mrs. Harriet Shirk, all of Philadelphia; Mr. and Mrs. Jas. Ebelhar, of Glen Moore; Mr. and Mrs. John Climenson, Rev. I. T. Edwards, Mr. and Mrs. Wayne McConnell, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Glenn, Geo. Ebelhar, Robert Ebelhar, and Miss Irma Coffroad, of Honey Brook and vicinity. A number of phone messages were received during the day extending to the bride and bridegroom of fifty summers many returns of the day. Little Hazel and Thelma Mertz, of town, two granddaughters , recited very creditably. The day proved to be a very pleasant one and the departing left best wishes to Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy for many more enjoyable anniversaries. Mrs. Kennedy is the daughter of the late John Ebelhar, a drover, who disappeared 48 years ago in Philadelphia and has never been heard from since. Mr. Kennedy, a millwright and mechanical engineer of great ability, has spent nearly a lifetime at his trade and can boast of having worked in ten or twelve different states. He has laid aside his tools and practically retired from active work, being in his 77th year. He served in the 197th Pennsylvania Reserve Volunteer service during the Civil War. The Kennedy home where the celebration took place, is supposed to be the oldest house in Chester County, the present occupants being the third generation that were born and lived there.
  [Source: The Weekly Graphic, Honey Brook, Chester County, Friday, October 17, 1913]

1. George Davis KENNEDY b: 10 JUL 1864
2. John Leonard Trester KENNEDY b: 4 APR 1866 in Honey Brook, Chester County, Pennsylvania
3. William Sloan KENNEDY b: 28 APR 1868 in Honey Brook, Chester County, Pennsylvania
4. Flora Elizabeth KENNEDY b: 22 JUN 1869 in West of Honey Brook, Chester County, Pennsylvania
5. Bena F. KENNEDY b: 28 DEC 1870
6. Lorenzo KENNEDY b: 9 MAR 1872
7. Lillian May KENNEDY b: 31 MAY 1873
8. Mary KENNEDY b: 8 JUN 1875
9. Laura Bell KENNEDY b: 22 JUN 1876 in Honey Brook, Chester County, Pennsylvania

1. Title: Notes from Gail Diane (Griffith) Shupe, 10/12/01, which includes information from Lillie Kennedy's Family Bible (from Lizzie Trego Kennedy)
   Repository:
   Media: Other
2. Title: Certificate of Death, William M. Kennedy, Chester County, PA, 1916
   Note: Received 10/3/01.
   Repository:
   Note: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Dept. of Health, Bureay of Vital Statistics, File No. 41375, Registered No. 23
   Media: Official Document
3. Title: "Ebelhars and Kennedys Are Descended From David Jones ..."
   Author: Honey Brook Herald
   Publication: January 14, 1937
   Note: photocopied clipping
   Repository:
   Note: Chester County Historical Society, Pennsylvania
   Media: Newspaper