What is "kelroy"

Kelroy was published in 1812 by United States writer Rebecca Rush. Although the novel has been much admired by scholars of this period, the books did not receive much attention when it was published. This was probably because it appeared immediately before the War of 1812, so any publicity would have been overshadowed by war news.

The story is about a girl named Emily Hammond who falls in love with a Gothic young man named Kelroy. Mrs. Hammond disapproves of the relationship because she needs Emily to marry someone wealthy, in order to keep herself and her family from sinking into abject poverty. Through the use of forged letters, she makes Emily and Kelroy believe that each is no longer in love with the other. The story ends tragically for the mother, daughter, and fiancé.