Gill, Martha Cutter Kelley

Martha Cutter Kelley Gill – Library Founder, Teacher (1841 – 1925); Vinland

In Brief:

Martha Cutter was 18 years old when she came to Kansas in 1859 with her widowed mother and siblings. They settled in the Vinland area where she became a teacher at Coal Creek School. She loved to read, but no libraries existed. Martha and her friend, Annie Soule, began the Coal Creek Library in November 1859.

Martha and Annie formed the Coal Creek Library Association at a group meeting at Martha’s home with more in mind than just books. The young people of the area had few social opportunities, so the organization was designed for “the moral, social, and intellectual improvement of its members.” Meetings included singing, readings, “select speaking and essays” and “social amusements….dancing excluded,” per its constitution. The original 22 members contributed 50 cents each ($18.69 in 2025) to purchase the first books.

Membership and the number of books in the library increased until after the Civil War. In 1870, the Vinland Literary Society took over the social activities for the community and the Coal Creek Library focused on books. The library operated into the 2000’s – over 140 years! The building was recently restored and is open to visitors April through October each year.

More Information:

Martha Cutter loved to read.  When she came to Kansas no libraries existed.  At the age of 18, she and her friend began the Coal Creek Library which lasted 140 years.

Martha Cutter was born in Dracut, Massachusetts on Oct. 24, 1841.[1]  She came to Kansas in 1859 with her widowed mother and siblings when she was 18 years old.  She had two brothers and two sisters, all of whom stayed in the Vinland area.  Martha taught at Coal Creek School after arriving in Kansas.[2] 

Martha and her friend, Annie Soule, formed the Coal Creek Library Association at a group meeting at Martha’s home in November 1859.  They had more in mind than just books.  The library association was formed for “the moral, social, and intellectual improvement of its members.”[3]  Meetings included singing, readings, “select speaking and essays” and “social amusements….dancing excluded,” per its constitution.[4]  The original 22 members contributed 50 cents each ($18.69 in 2025) to purchase the first books.[5] Membership and the number of books in the library increased until after the Civil War.  In 1870, the Vinland Literary Society took over the social activities for the community and the Coal Creek Library focused only on books.[6]  The library operated into the 2000’s – over 140 years!

In October 1866, Martha married Civil War veteran Corp. Seth Kelley, and their son George was born the next year. Sadly, Seth passed away from cancer just 6 months later.  Martha continued to teach at Coal Creek School.[7] 

In April 1874, she married William Gill, who had been a member of the Vinland community since 1856.  They had two daughters, Helen (1877) and Mary (1879). Martha and William owned “Bittersweet Farm” where they farmed and raised fruit.   Martha was active in the Presbyterian Church in Vinland. [8]  

William passed away in 1915.  Martha’s children, George Kelley and Helen Gill, lived with her at “Bittersweet Farm.”  She passed away from influenza at home on March 22, 1925, with all three of her children by her side. She rests at Vinland Cemetery with her siblings, husbands, and two of her children.[9]

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• [1] findagrave.com/memorial/26896862/martha-varnum-gill
• [2] Mel Verhaeghe, “Founders of Vinland,” The Kansas Room Files, Baldwin City Public Library, 05/06/2011.
• [3] Ibid.
• [4] “Vinland’s Coal Creek Library Has Had a Century of Service,” Lawrence Journal World, Dec. 24, 1959.
• [5] Verhaeghe, “Founders of Vinland.”
• [6] “Vinland’s Coal Creek Library”
• [7] Verhaeghe, “Founders of Vinland.”
• [8] Ibid.
• [9] Lawrence Daily Journal-World, Lawrence, Kansas, March 24, 1925.

By M. Jardon, May 2026