During the Great Depression, Jean and husband Copeland Kell lived in an old (long-gone) cottage at 207 Orange Street and kept a cow at the Noe's barn yard near the corner of Orange and Broad Streets. At the time, Jean worked for Miss Nannie Geffroy at St. Paul's School and often sat on the front porch of 201 Ann Street, where Miss Nannie often kept her green parrot. The parrot called her "Ms. Kell."
The first home the Kells purchased in Beaufort was the Owens-Bedford House on Live Oak Street. In 1965, they purchased the Belcher Fuller House from Laura Esther Thomas. They owned the house until 1985, living in the William Borden House next door, while Jean operated an antique shop in the Fuller House.
The first home the Kells purchased in Beaufort was the Owens-Bedford House on Live Oak Street. In 1965, they purchased the Belcher Fuller House from Laura Esther Thomas. They owned the house until 1985, living in the William Borden House next door, while Jean operated an antique shop in the Fuller House.
Jean later lived at 314 Moore Street, where she invited
people to stop by and have books "autographed at her home - The Little White
House with Blue Shutters."From her Obituary:
Jean Marie Bruyere Kell, 95, antiquarian, historical researcher, preservationist, author and mother
to not only her own children, but to many others who found their way to
her heart, died Monday at Britthaven of Newport.
Born in 1909 in Glen Ridge, N.J., Mrs. Kell was the daughter of the late Walter Reeve Bruyere and the late Edith Owen Bruyere. It was as the young wife of Copeland Kell that she began her long-lived love of Beaufort, St. Paul's Episcopal Church and Carteret County. She was one of the early leaders of the Beaufort Historical Association, serving for many years as the chairman of the Antiques Show, an important part of the annual Old Homes Tour. She was also instrumental in the formation of the Carteret County Historical Society, the Friends of Fort Macon and the Carteret County Antiques Club. She served seven years as director of the Carteret County Chamber of Commerce. She was a charter member of DAR, Morehead City.
Born in 1909 in Glen Ridge, N.J., Mrs. Kell was the daughter of the late Walter Reeve Bruyere and the late Edith Owen Bruyere. It was as the young wife of Copeland Kell that she began her long-lived love of Beaufort, St. Paul's Episcopal Church and Carteret County. She was one of the early leaders of the Beaufort Historical Association, serving for many years as the chairman of the Antiques Show, an important part of the annual Old Homes Tour. She was also instrumental in the formation of the Carteret County Historical Society, the Friends of Fort Macon and the Carteret County Antiques Club. She served seven years as director of the Carteret County Chamber of Commerce. She was a charter member of DAR, Morehead City.
Fascinated by English history and antiques, Mrs. Kell and her husband made yearly trips to Britain, especially enjoying the city of Dartmouth in Devon and making many friends there. On her returns to Beaufort, she would serve tea in her antique shop and display her latest acquisitions. During recent years, Mrs. Kell focused her energy on creating dolls and pillows, eagerly collected by friends and visitors to the area. On pleasant evenings, she could often be found sitting on her favorite bench along the Beaufort waterfront, greeting those who strolled by. In 2002, she gloried in leading the Beaufort 4th of July Parade as Lady Liberty.
Mrs. Kell received many awards and commendations. She was appointed chairman of the Carteret County Bicentennial Commission in 1992, was designated town historian for the Town of Beaufort and in 1980 was given an Award of Merit by the North Carolina Preservation Society. In 2001, she received the Willie Parker Peace History Award by the North Carolina Society of Historians. In 2003, Mrs. Kell was recognized as a distinguished citizen and received the Kathryn Cloud Award from the Beaufort Historical Commission. In an open forum, she spoke movingly of her love of Beaufort and of her hopes that the beauty of the town with its many historic structures would continue to be valued and protected.
Books:
- The Pocket Dolly Book (1946)
Rare 1946 book - Beaufort, North Carolina in Color
- Historic Beaufort, a Pictoral Profile
- The Old Port Town Beaufort, North Carolina 1980
- Love, Goodwill and Affection - A
novel based on facts found in deeds and court records of the 1730s.
This is a story of Janie and other people that really lived in Beaufort.
- North Carolina's Coastal Carteret County During the American Revolution 1975 - Edited by Jean Kell, who wrote 6 or the 11 chapters.
- Carteret County During the Civil War (editor)
- When the Pirates Came to Beaufort (1982) - The story of the 1747 pirate invasion.
- When the British Came to Beaufort (1992) - The story of the British landing in 1782.
Who's Who:
- Who's Who in Writers, Editors & Poets. United States & Canada. Third edition, 1989-1990. Edited by Curt Johnson. Highland Park, IL: December Press, 1989.
- Who's Who in Writers, Editors & Poets. United States & Canada. Fourth edition, 1992-1993. Edited by Curt Johnson. Highland Park, IL: December Press, 1992.