Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Kelway, Thomas
KELWAY, THOMAS (d. 1749), organist and composer, is said to have been born at Chichester, where he entered the cathedral choir. It is possible that he was the son of Thomas or of Jasper Kelway of Windsor (‘assessment of inhabitants, May 1690;’ Sloane MS. 4847, fol. 86), and a pupil of Weldon or his master Walter of Eton, since his compositions are said to bear traces of Weldon's influence. It may also have been by Weldon's recommendation that he was chosen to succeed Reading as organist of Chichester Cathedral in 1726. He remained there for twenty-three years, and died on 21 May 1749. The gravestone was lost sight of for one hundred years, and when accidentally discovered was restored and set up in the south aisle. Joseph Kelway [q. v.] was his brother.
Kelway's printed music includes three evening services in A minor, B minor, and G minor (Novello), and two anthems, ‘Not unto us’ and ‘Unto Thee’ (Cope's volume of anthems). The library of Chichester Cathedral contains the above compositions in manuscript score, together with Services, Morning and Evening, full, in F; Morning in E, in C, and Evening in A; Anthems: ‘O praise the Lord,’ full, four voices; ‘Sing we merrily,’ ‘Sing unto God,’ ‘The Mighty God’ (solo bass with chorus), ‘Blessed be the Lord God,’ and ‘Let the words of my mouth.’
[Musical Times, v. 134; Grove's Dict. ii. 50.]