The Genealogy of The Hidden Romance of George Edward Kelly
and
William
Eldon Weagley /Weagly
The Uncle & God Father HRH Princess Grace
AKA Grace Patricia Kelly
The Secret Romance
Between George Edward Kelly & William Eldon Weagley
George Edward Kelly
Name: George Edward Kelly
Born: January 16, 1887 East
Falls, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Died: June 18, 1974 Bryn Mawr
Hospital, Bryn Mawr, Montgomery, Pennsylvania, USA
Partner: William Eldon Weagley
1927-1974
1st Met at Wellington Hotel NYC.
1st Met at Wellington Hotel NYC.
Parents: John Henry Kelly,
Mary Ann Costello
Occupation: Writer/Play Write
Cause of Death: Aspiration Pneumonia
Date of Burial: June 21, 1974
Social Security #: 067 24 2782
Age at Death: YRS:
87 MOS: 5 DYS: 2
Pennsylvania Death Record# 46002-2429-59224-74
Military: WWI Veteran United States Army
Religion: Roman Catholic
Political Party: Democrat
Funeral: Saint Bridget’s Catholic Church
East
Falls, Philadephia, Pennsylvania, USA
Mortuary: Charles j. McIlwaine and Son’s Funeral Home
Find A Grave Memorial# 119495742
Informant: William Hawkins Girard
Interment: Westminster
Cemetery Plot Section 11, Lot 407, Grave 2 Bryn Mawr, Montgomery, Pennsylvania,
USA
Death Record George Edward Kelly
Department of Health
Division of Vital Records
PO BOX 1528
New Castle, Pennsylvania, 16103
Find A Grave Memorial# 119495742
Source:
The Philadelphia
Inquirer Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, June 20, 1974 Thu Page: 18 George Edward
Kelly
Source:
Kelly
June 18, 1974, Formerly of East
Falls George E., son of the late John H. and Mary Ann Costello Kelly. Relatives
and friends are invited to the Mass of Christian Burial, Fri., 10 A.M., St.
Bridget’s Church, 3673 Midvale Ave. Int.
Westminster Cemetery. No viewing Thurs.
eve. Contributions to one’s favorite Charity in Mr. Kelly’s name would be
preferred [Charles J. McIlwaine and Sons Funeral Directors.]
The Philadelphia
Inquirer Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, June 20, 1974 Thu Page: 18 George Edward
Kelly
Source:
George E. Kelly, Pulitzer
Prize-Winning playwright, last surviving member of 10 brothers and sisters of
the Philadelphia Kelly Family and Uncle of, Princess Grace of Monaco, died
Tuesday in Bryn Mawr Hospital. He was 87
and since 1963 had lived in Sun City, a retirement Village near Riverside,
Calif.
Mr. Kelly suffered a stroke
two weeks ago after coming here to stay with another niece, Mrs. Marion Smith,
at her home in the Radwyn Apartments, Bryn Mawr.
Mrs. Smith said Wednesday that
her uncle came East to look for a new home.
Mr. Kelly began his theatrical
career in 1912 as a vaudeville. Actor.
He then turned to Writing plays, some of which he appeared in. His acid comedies and scathing satires
delighted the public for more Then half-a-century.
He was best known, however,
for three of his earliest works, “The Torchbearers” [1922], “The Showoff”
[1924] and “Craig’s Wife” [1925] which won the Pulitzer Prize.
His other Plays produced on
Broadway included “Reflected Glory” [1936], “The Deep Mrs. Sykes” [1945] and
“The Fatal Weakness” [1946].
Mr. Kelly received awards from
Brandeis University, the Philadelphia Creative Arts Theater and the Women’s
Theater Club of New York. He also
received an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree from La Salle College in 1962.
Mr. Kelly was on the son of
John Henry Kelly and the Former Mary Ann Costello. Two of his brothers were John B., the noted
oarsman, businessman and father of Princess Grace, and Walter, who was also an
actor and became famous as “The Virginia Judge”
Mr. Kelly never married.
In addition to Mrs. Smith and
Princess Grace he is survived by 17 other nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial
will be offered at 10 A.M. Friday at St. Bridget’s Church, East Falls. Burial will be in Westminster Cemetery, Bala
Cynwyd. There will be no viewing.
Mrs. Smith said on Wednesday
that Princess Grace might not be at the funeral because of commitments in
connection with the observance of Monaco’s silver jubilee. The princes is Mr. Kelly’s godchild as well
as niece, Mrs. Smith added, and was visited by Mr. Kelly “about every other
year.”
“In fact,” Mrs. Smith said,” Uncle
George planned to visit her this year after he became settled here. He made his first airplane flight, from
London to Nice, when he last visited her two years ago.”
Refer to article: The San Bernardino County Sun May 27, 1972 Sat
Page 22 George Kelly and William Weagly
George Edward Kelly in the
U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942
Name: George Edward Kelly
Gender: Male Race: White Residence Age: 55 Birth Date: 16 Jan 1887 Birth
Place: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Residence Date: 1942 Residence Place: New York, New York, USA Source
Citation: The National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; Record
Group Title: Records of the Selective Service System, 1926-1975; Record Group
Number: 147
Web Source Image: 1
Name: George Kelly Gender: Male Birth Date: 16 Jan 1887 Death Date: 18 Jun 1974 SSN: 067242782 Branch 1: ARMY
Source:
USED Religion As objection to the World War Draft I
Special Note: Even though he objected He Served during World War I
George E Kelly in the U.S.,
World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918
Name: George E
Kelly Race: Caucasian (White) Marital Status: Single Birth Date: 16 Jan 1887
Birth Place: Pennsylvania, USA Street address: 3665 Midvale Ave
Residence Place: Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA Source Citation Registration State: Pennsylvania;
Registration County: Philadelphia; Roll: 1907761; Draft Board: 38
Source:
Web Source Image:
Life Partner
Name: William Eldon Weagley
Alias: Weagly/ Billy/Bill
Born: November 27, 1896 61
West Main Street Waynesboro, Franklin, Pennsylvania, USA
Died: October 16, 1975
Waynesboro Hospital, Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, USA
Residence 1918 121 North
Franklin, Waynesboro, Franklin, Pennsylvania, USA
Residence: 1942 Address 170 E Alias: Weagly/ Billy/Bill
Born:
November 27, 1896 61 West Main Street Waynesboro, Franklin, Pennsylvania, USA
Died:
October 16, 1975 Waynesboro Hospital, Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, USA
Residence 1918 121 North
Franklin, Waynesboro, Franklin, Pennsylvania, USA
Residence: 1942 Address 170 E 40th Street, Manhattan, New York City,
New York, USA
Residence: : 1958 Street address: 592 High Dr Laguna Beach Orange,
California, USA
Residence: October 16, 1975 Route #2 Waynesboro, Franklin, Pennsylvania,
USA
Partner:
George Edward Kelly1927-1974
1st Met in 1927 Wellington Hotel NYC
Parents: John Adams Weagley, Ella Francis Weagley
Occupation: Secretary / valet a man's personal male attendant, responsible for
his
clothes and appearance.
Cause
of Death: Embolic Infraction of
Brain Luetic
With aortic vascular Incompetency
With aortic vascular Incompetency
Date
of Burial: October 19, 1975
Age
at Death: YRS: 78 MOS: 11 DYS 8
Pennsylvania
Death Certificate #: 9409875
Political
Party#: Republican
Military Serial # WWI Serial # 215 Order # 9
Physical appearance: 1918 Ht: Medium BD Slender Eyes: Blue Hair
Lt Brown
Military Serial: 1942 Serial # U-3416
Physical appearance:
R white HT 5’8” WT 125 Complexion light
Social Security #: 140-03-5113;
Issue State: New Jersey; Issue Date: Before 1951
Funeral: The Church of the Apostle,
United Church of Christ.
Mortuary: Grove-Bowersox Funeral Home, Inc.
50 S. Broad St Waynesboro, PA
17268
Find A Grave Memorial 131178282
Informant: Mrs. Lewis Ferguson Deceased Niece
Waynesboro, Franklin,
Pennsylvania, USA
Interment: Green Hill Cemetery, Waynesboro, Franklin,
Pennsylvania, USA
Special Note: William died YRS: 1 MOS: 3 DYS: 28 after
George’s passing.
OBITUARY
Special Note: William E. Weagley met George Edward Kelly at the Wellington Hotel, Manhattan, NYC, New York in 1927. Their relationship lasted for 34 years.
OBITUARY
Waynesboro Record Thursday, October 16th, 1975 pg. 2.
William
E. Weagly, 78, of Orchard Road, Waynesboro, R.D.2, died at 10:30 p.m. Wednesday
at the Waynesboro Hospital. He had been
in falling health since suffering a stoke in August. Last month he moved from his home in
Philadelphia to make his home with his niece, Mrs. L.T. Ferguson, on Orchard
Road.
He had been confined to the Hospital since suffering a
stroke on Tuesday.
Mr. Weagly was born in Waynesboro, Nov. 27, 1896, son of
the late John A. and Ella F. [Weagly] weagly.
His early life was lived in Waynesboro and as young man
he was employed at Frick Co.
Prior to his retirement in June 1974, Mr. Weagly made his
home in Sun City, Calif., and was employed by the late George Kelly as personal
secretary and Traveling companion for 34 years.
He lived in Philadephia for the past year.
Mr. Wealgy was a member of The Church of the Apostle,
United Church of Christ.
In addition to his niece, Mrs. Ferguson, he is survived
by two nieces and three nephews: Mrs. Lillian W. Bonner, Waynesboro R.D.5. Mrs. Frances Anderson, Tucson, Ariz., “John
Miller and Charles Miller, both of Philadephia, and Kenneth Kepner, Calif.
The funeral will be held Sunday at 2 p.m. in the Grove
Funeral Home in charge of the Rev. Stephen W. Hoffman.
Burial will be in Green Hill Cemetery.
Friends may call at the Funeral
home from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday.
Special Notes:
Frick Co
Special Note: William E. Weagley met George Edward Kelly at the Wellington Hotel, Manhattan, NYC, New York in 1927. Their relationship lasted for 34 years.
Bio: Concerning William E. Weagley
What
few people knew at the time was that George was a gay man. He maintained a
55-year relationship with his lover William E. Weagley (sometimes spelled
Weagly), who was often referred to as Kelly’s valet. That Kelly was gay was a
closely guarded secret and went unacknowledged by his family – to the point of
their not inviting Weagley to Kelly’s funeral in Pennsylvania. Weagley quietly
slipped in and took a seat in the back at St. Bridget’s in order to attend the
service. Worse, the Philadelphia Kelly’s, who seldom missed an opportunity to
pass moral judgment on others, forced Weagley to eat in the kitchen with the
servants when George and William were visiting, thus reinforcing their acknowledgment
that William was regarded as nothing more than George’s employee, a valet.
While it’s true that William often cooked, typed, and performed secretarial
services for George, William was much more than a traveling companion and
valet. The couple were loyal, devoted partners who were deeply in love.
When George and William hosted dinner parties at their home in Laguna Beach, California, the two men sat at opposite ends of the table as equal co-hosts and partners. Subsequently, many of the Kelly clan of righteous Irish Catholics refused invitations from George.
When George and William hosted dinner parties at their home in Laguna Beach, California, the two men sat at opposite ends of the table as equal co-hosts and partners. Subsequently, many of the Kelly clan of righteous Irish Catholics refused invitations from George.
George and William met in
1919, when George maintained a suite at NYC’s Concord Hotel. At the time,
George was a vaudevillian actor and skit writer, as was his brother Walter. The
story goes that William was working as a bellhop at the hotel, and the two
became lovers within a short time after meeting. George educated William in the
rules of etiquette so that the two could appear in high society as social
equals.
Source:
William E Weagly in the
California, Voter Registrations, 1900-1968
Name: William
E Weagly Residence Year: 1958 Street
address: 592 High Dr Laguna Beach Residence Place: Orange, California, USA
Party Affiliation: Republican Source Citation California State Library;
Sacramento, California; Great Register of Voters, 1900-1968
Source:
Web Source Image:
Staging
Desire: Queer Readings of American Theater History
edited by Kim
Marra, Robert A. Schanke
Source:
William Eldon Weagly in the
U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918
Name: William
Eldon Weagly Birth Date: 27 Nov 1896 Birth Place: Pennsylvania, USA Street
address: 121 No. Franklin Residence Place: Franklin, Pennsylvania, USA Relative: Ella Frances Source Citation: Registration
State: Pennsylvania; Registration County: Franklin; Roll: 1892183; Draft Board:
1
Source:
Web Source
Image:
William Eldon Weagly United States World War II Draft Registration
Cards, 1942
Name: William
Eldon Weagly Event Type: Draft Registration Event Date: 1942 Event Place: New
York City, New York, New York, United States Residence Place: New York City,
New York, New York Gender: Male Employer: William Eldon/Weagly Birth Date: 27
Nov 1896
Record Collection:
United States World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942
Document Information:
Affiliate
Publication Title
World War II
Draft Cards (4th Registration) for the State of New York, Borough of Manhattan
Affiliate ARC
Identifier 2555973
Digital Folder
Number 004126363
Image Number
05532
Citing this Record
"United
States World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942," database with images,
FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F3HT-VZZ : 8 November
2017), William Eldon Weagly, 1942; citing NARA microfilm publication M1936,
M1937, M1939, M1951, M1962, M1964, M1986, M2090, and M2097 (Washington D.C.:
National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
Source:
Web Source Image:
Proof
of the Right William E. Weagly/Weagley
The Proof this is that I have the right William E. Weagley. Who is confused with William Ellsworth
Weagley Jr. [1891-1975] who was married to Dorothy Mae Shull.
William Eldon Weagley [1896-1975] was the true companion to George
Edward Weagley who was George’s personal valet male
attendant/Secretary , responsible for his
clothes and appearance. Through my research I found three sources:
1.
April 25, 1942 WWII Draft Card’s of George Edward Kelly and
William Eldon Weagley.
2.
May 27, 1972 The San
Bernardino County Sun May 27, 1972 Sat Page 22 George Kelly and William Weagly
Title: Taking Queen to See a Princess. By Howard A. Ellis
3.
Staging Desire: Queer Readings of American Theater History
edited by Kim
Marra, Robert A. Schanke Published 2002
Page: 133
Gives His birth year and death year
False Reporting
Like a say people do
very bad work Here is an example what I was explaining that people are confusing the
two William E. Weagley's
1. William Eldon
Weagley 1896-1975
2. William Ellsworth
Weagley JR. 1891-1975
the 1st one is the
Correct one that had a relationship with George Edward Kelly. Princess
Grace's Brother. Neither men ever married a woman.
the 2nd one was
married to Dorothy Mae Shull. Yet people claim he had a relationship with
George Edward Kelly which is totally not true.
Approximate Last time George
last saw his niece and with his companion William E. Weagly.
The San Bernardino County Sun May 27, 1972 Sat Page 22 George Kelly and
William Weagly
TAKING A QUEEN TO SEE A PRINCESS
George Kelly and William
Weagly of Sun City were passengers on board the British Ocean liner Queen
Elisabeth 2 [QE2] during the bomb-hoax
scare which shocked the world last week [unfortunately just one of many
shocks.]
Kelly is a retired playwright
and Weagly is his secretary.
The two Inland Empire
residents were aboard the luxury liner en route to England and then Monte Carlo
Monaco, to Visit George’s niece, Gracie Gramaldi.
Gracie’s father, George’s
brother is the late John Kelly, wealthy Philadelphia, Pa., Contractor.
Gracie is better known as
movies star Grace Kelly or Her Serene Highness the Prince Grace of Monaco
Grimaldi is the princess’ husband’s family name.
And how’s that for backing
into a snob-appeal item...
Special Note: Aboard
Elisabeth 2 [QE2] Not a typical Cruise
to due to bomb-hoax scare.
Follow Up Statement: Proof the last time he seen his niece /God Daughter HRH Princess Grace Kelly
The Philadelphia
Inquirer Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, June 20, 1974 Thu Page: 18 George Edward
Kelly
Source:
“In fact,” Mrs. Smith said,”
Uncle George planned to visit her this year after he became settled here. He made his first airplane flight, from
London to Nice, when he last visited her two years ago.”[1972]
Personal life
George Kelly
maintained a 55-year relationship with his lover William Eldon Weagly.,(27
November 1896 - 16 October 1975) the Son of John Adams Weagley and Ella Frances
Weagley. up until his death and was often referred to as his valet. That Kelly
was gay was a closely guarded secret and went unacknowledged by his family to
the point of not inviting Weagley to his funeral; he instead slipped in and sat
quietly on a back seat.[5] Kelly died in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania.
Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Kelly_(playwright)
Photo Source:
Staging Desire: Queer Readings of American Theater History
edited by Kim Marra, Robert A. Schanke 2002 Page 133
George Edward Kelly’s Works
·
The
Torch-Bearers (1923), the basis for
the 1935 motion picture Doubting Thomas and the 1939 movie Too Busy
to Work
·
The
Show-off (1924), the basis for
the 1926, 1934, and 1946 motion pictures of the same name and the 1930 movie Men
Are Like That
·
Craig's Wife (1925), for which he won the Pulitzer Prize; the basis for the 1928 and 1936 motion
pictures of the same name and the 1950 movie Harriet Craig
·
Daisy
Mayme (1926)
·
Behold,
the Bridegroom (1927)
·
The
Flattering Word (1929)
·
Maggie
the Magnificent (1929)
·
Philip
Goes Forth (1931)
·
Reflected
Glory (1936)
·
The
Deep Mrs. Sykes (1945)
·
The
Fatal Weakness (1947)
Source:
·
Craig's Wife (1925), for which he won the Pulitzer Prize; the basis for the 1928 and 1936 motion
pictures of the same name and the 1950 movie Harriet Craig
Special Note:
Harriet Craig is a 1950
American drama film
starring Joan Crawford. The
screenplay by Anne Froelick and James
Gunn was based upon the 1925 Pulitzer Prize-winning
play Craig's Wife, by George Kelly.[1] The film was directed by Vincent Sherman,
produced by William Dozier, and
distributed by Columbia Pictures. Harriet
Craig is the second of three cinematic collaborations between Sherman and
Crawford, the others being
Source:
Notes
1)
Ancestry.com
2)
Familysearch.org
3)
Archives.com
4)
Wikipedia.com
5)
Staging Desire: Queer Readings of American Theater History
6)
edited by Kim Marra, Robert A. Schanke 2002
7)
the U.S., World War II Draft Registration
Cards, 1942
8)
California, Voter Registrations,
1900-1968
9) The Philadelphia Inquirer Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, June 20, 1974 Thu Page: 18 George Edward Kelly
10) Gayinfluence.blogspot.
11) Death Record of George Edward Kelly
12) Grove-Bowersox Funeral Home, Inc.
Commincated for death date:
December 17, 2018
13) Green Hill Cemetery Communicated for Funereal Home and Death or
Burial Date.
14) The San Bernardino County Sun May 27, 1972
Sat Page 22 Title: Taking
Queen to See a Princess. By Howard A.
Ellis
15) The Philadelphia Inquirer Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, June 20, 1974 Thu Page: 18 George Edward Kelly Death Notice &
Obituary
16)
George Kelly in the U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs
BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010
17)
the U.S., Social Security Death
Index, 1935-2014
Records Pending as of December 17, 2018
Death Record of William
Eldon Weagley
Department of Health
Division of Vital Records
PO BOX 1528
New Castle, PA 16103
Obituary for William Eldon Weagley
Alexander Hamilton Memorial Library
Waynesboro, Franklin, Pennsylvania, USA
Genealogy
Waynesboro, Franklin, Pennsylvania, USA
Genealogy
William Eldon
Weagley
George Edward
Kelly
John Henry
Kelly
#/media/File:George-Kelly-playwright.jpg){kind=link}
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