James Kerr Kelly (February 16, 1819 – September 15, 1903) was an American politician born in Pennsylvania.

[1] In 1849 he left for California and the newly discovered gold fields, then moved on to the Oregon Territory in 1851.

[1] In 1857, he was a member of the constitutional convention formed to prepare for Oregon's admission into the Union in 1859.

[1] In 1890 he returned to the east coast, settling in Washington, DC, where he practiced law.

James Kerr Kelly died on September 15, 1903, with burial at Rock Creek Cemetery.