Person:Jacob Karnes (1)

Information on Jacob Karnes

F. Landis Weaver writes:

Jacob KARNES (unproven son) was born about 1763 in Probably Bedford Cou nty, Virginia. He was living in 1785 in Botetourt County, Virginia., w here he appeared on the Enumeration List. He appeared on the census in 1 820 in Botetourt County, showing 8 sons & 4 daughters. He died about 1843 in Low Moor, Virginia. (tombstone says he had 12 sons & 4 daughters) . He was buried in Karnes Cemetery, Low Moor, Virginia. (by twin brother, George Karnes).

JACOB KARNES has been positively proven to be a son of "Michael Karns o f Bedford County" by a Botetourt County Deed (Book 8-pg.420), dated 5 May 1804. That Deed was for 240 acres of land at Low Moor, Virginia., if Jacob agreed to relinquish all further claims against his father's Estate. Jacob was buried in the Karnes Cemetery, located on a hill in the western portion of that land.

HOWEVER, since there were two different elderly men named "Michael Karns" who lived in Bedford County at about that time, it is very difficult to absolutely prove which man was his father. There was no "wife signature" on the above mentioned Deed. One "Michael Karns" was married to "Elizabeth", and the other one was married to "Catherine". Extensive land record research has shown that the Michael Karns who married Elizabeth, had purchased part of that Low Moor land in 1777. Several other records have also been found, which indicate that "Michael & Elizabeth" were Jacob's parents. But not one of those records provides absolute proof. So until better records can be found, Jacob's parents remain UNPROVEN.

Jacob appeared on the 1785 Enumeration of Botetourt County, Virginia., with 4 white persons in his dwelling, and he owned one other building. Men who were enumerated were supposed to have been over 21 years of age (meaning Jacob & George were born by about 1763-64), but this can't be proven. The other men who were enumerated near him were known to have owned land in the Low Moor area at that time. One of the 4 white persons living with him was probably his twin brother, George. The other two persons are unknown. Jacob and George were not believed to have been married at that time. Jacob's marriage record has not been found, but he is presumed to have been married about 1788 or 1789 (first child born 1789). Allegheny Co history books indicate that the other building may have been a Mill, which his father Michael reportedly built at Low Moor. Jacob witnessed a neighbor's Botetourt County Deed on 8 Sep 1788 (Book 4-pg. 80), which seems to prove that he was over 21 years of age (born before 8 Sep 1767).

There is a tombstone marker for Jacob in the Karnes Cemetery at Low Moor, Virginia. It bears this inscription: "Jacob Karnes, Betsy his wife and one grown daughter; father of Sampson and Campbell Karnes. Family twelve sons and four daughters. Interred by him are his twin brother George Karnes and Elizabeth his wife. Pioneer Farmer. Died about 1843, Aged a bout 80 years. The tombstone is medium sized, appears to be made of granite, and was presumably placed on his grave site many years after his death. Several other Karnes descendants were also buried in the Karnes Cemetery at Low Moor.