To recap, there is no record in Jefferson’s or O’Kelly’s writings to indicate that the two men knew each other. There is no indication in available Congressional records that O’Kelly ever preached in the House of Representatives or was invited to preach anywhere by Jefferson. There are no reports of that era (i.e., newspapers, church records, letters, etc.) which corroborate any aspect of the story or that link the two men. Thus, it appears that this story is more legend than anything else.
