Person:James Kerr (89)

James Kerr was one of the Early Settlers of Augusta County, Virginia

Contents 1 Early Land Acquisition in Augusta County, VA 2 Will of James Kerr 3 Information on James Kerr		Welcome to Old Augusta Early Settlers Beverley Manor Borden's Grant Register Data Maps Places Library History Index
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Early Land Acquisition in Augusta County, VA

Early Land Surveys:

• Page 132 - James Kier [sic, s/b Kerr], 250 acres, South Mountain. Adjoining Thomas Steuarts, Mentioned Dewson Branch. April 4, 1769. [Abstract of Land Grant Surveys, 1761-1791, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Virginia, by Peter Cline Kaylor, pg. 48].

• Page 188 - James Kerr, 400 acres. Adjoining his old survey, Thomas Stuarts, Samuel Black. November 25, 1771. [Abstract of Land Grant Surveys, 1761-1791, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Virginia, by Peter Cline Kaylor, pg. 68].

• Page 234 - James Kerr, 130 acres, Middle River. Adjoining William Robertson, Edward Rutledge, Beverley line near Christian Creek. October 14, 1773. [Abstract of Land Grant Surveys, 1761-1791, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Virginia, by Peter Cline Kaylor, pg. 82].

• Page 271 - James Kerr, 400 acres. Adjoining his own land, Thomas Stuart, Samuel Black. November 25, 1774. [Abstract of Land Grant Surveys, 1761-1791, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Virginia, by Peter Cline Kaylor, pg. 94].

Will of James Kerr

Will of James Kerr:

I James Kear of the County of Augusta and State of Virginia being weak in body but am of opinion I am in the full possession of reason and judgement, believe it duty I owe to my family to make my last Will and Testament. in the first place I desire all my just debts to be paid without delay secondly I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Jane Kear her bed furniture and a comfortable maintainance durring her life and to be paid over to her from time to time by my Executors, thereby to my grandson James Kear Johnsson I give and bequeath that tract or parcel of land known by the name of the big meadow adgoining his fathers containing by estimation twenty three acres to him and his hears for ever, but it is to distincly understood his father John Kear is to enjoy the profits of it untill he is twenty one years of age. fourthly to each of my daughters, Elizabeth Givens, Margaret Ramsey, and Jane Leard (Laird), I give and bequeath one hundred pounds out of the first money which may be rece'd of sales of my property - fifthly to each of my grand sons which have been named for me (James Kear) I give and bequeath one hundred dollars to be put to interest until they are twenty one years of age and then paid over to them its further my will and desire the plantation on which I reside and all other lands in which I am interested be sold at any time after my decease may think proper and titles made to the same by them its also my desire my negros stock and furniture be sold immediately after my decease the whole money arising from the sale of all my property I desire it to be equally devided among my sons except so much thereof as may necessary for the comfortable support of my wife which is to be retained in the hands of my Executors to this my last Will and Testament I constitute and appoint my son John Kear, Alexander Kear, and John Johnston my Executors Witness my hand and seal this 2nd day of December 1811.

(signed) James Kear - (Seal)

Teste: Mathew Robertson, John Trotter, Sally Trotter

At a Court held for Augusta County the 24th of February 1812. The last will and testament of James Kerr deceased being presented in court and proved by the oaths of Matthew Robertson and Sally Trotter two witnesses therto and ordered to be recorded and on the motion of John Kerr and Alexander Kerr two of the Executors named in the said will who made oath thereto and together with Andrew Allison Francis Gilkeson and Jacob Crish his securities entered into and acknowleded their bond in the penalty of $20.000 conditioned as the law directs certificate is granted them for obtaining a probate therof in due form Liberty is reserved for John Johnston the other Executor named in said will to join in the probate whenever he shall think fit.

Teste Chester Kenney C.C.

Information on James Kerr

This James Kerr was believed to be a son of John Kerr and Lucy Pickens by this and several other researchers, but after much research into Augusta County, Virginia records, appears to be a BROTHER of John Kerr, due to his birthdate of 1726, which would have been too early to have been a son of John. This information appears to be further corroborated in a publication "Francois Benin & His Descendants & Allied Families" by Benning, 1981 (deceased), edited by Neblock. It has the following:

III-1-1. Jane (Jean) Robertson, born 1739, baptized 22 Feb., 1741, married James Kerr, born 1725/6, son of James Kerr, Sr.

It seems to be further corroborated a momument that was erected in Augusta County, Virginia, at Augusta Stone Presbyterian Church. Photo of monument is on Findagrave.com #59221015. (Source: Brief History of Kerr's and Kin, written by Vincent Brown Kerr)

KERR MONUMENT TO ANCESTORS OF AUGUSTA COUNTY, VIRGINIA

(North Side)

Kerrs Great Grandfather and Great Grandmother

James Kerr, died 1812, age 86

Jane Kerr, died 1824, age 85

Children: James, John, Alexander, Nathaniel, Betsy, Margaret, Jane

James Kerr died 1770

John Kerr died 1772

John Kerr died 1794

SCOTCH-IRISH

Kerr's of Augusta County, VA

1730-1930

(West side)

Grand Father-Mother of 12 Children:

KERR

John Kerr

Died July 1830

His Wife

Elizabeth Hogshead

Died 1842

Children - Born/Died

--------------------

Joseph 1794-1831

Sara 1805-1866

Alex 1807-1833

Jane - 1833

Hiram 1808-

Nathaniel 1801-1888

John 1803-1895

Elizabeth 1813-1889

James 1793 - in Mo.

Thomas 1796-1845 Mo.

Amaziah 1798-1877 Ill.

The Above Monument was Erected in the Old Graveyard at Augusta Stone Presbyterian Church, November 11, 1930.

I omitted the East and South sides because they were for the Revercomb families.

Also on page 7 of "Kerr's and Kin":

My great grandfather, James Kerr was born 1726, and died 1812, and his wife Jane, born 1739 and died 1824. When this James Kerr, father of John, Alexander, James, Nathaniel, Betsy, Margaret, and Jane, died January 5, 1812.

It should be noted that among some researchers in the past, there has been some dispute with James Kerr's birthdate. His birthdate on a DAR Application has been changed from 1726 to 1737. It is not known on what basis or information that this is based on, but there seems to be much evidence to the contrary. There was another James Kerr, probably son of John2 Kerr (James1) and Lucy Pickens, that was probably born in the same approximate time period, that may be confused with this James Kerr. Little is known of this other James Kerr, except that the other James Kerr may have been the James Kerr married in 1764 (two years after this James Kerr's marriage), with no wife listed in Augusta County, Virginia records.

From "Brief History of Kerrs and Kin, 1730-1930", by Vincent Brown Kerr, pub, 1930, Augusta County, Virginia:

My great grandfather, James Kerr was born 1726, and died 1812, and his wife Jane, born 1739 and died 1824. When this James Kerr, father of John, Alexander, James, Nathaniel, Betsy, Margaret, and Jane, died January 5, 1812, he owned about 600 acres of land, and had deeded 619 acres from 1790 to 1810, and his sons, John and Alexander), bought all of his land except twenty-three acres, which he had willed to his grandson, James Kerr (John's son), and John Kerr's division part of this land included a mill and house with about 300 acres of land on Middle River and Christian's Creek. This land has been owned by Nathaniel Kerr (John's son) by purchase of the interest of his brothers, James, Joseph, Thomas, Amaziah, John, Alex., Hiram and sisters, Sarah and Elizabeth, and after Nathaniel Kerr died in 1888 at the age of eighty-seven, his heirs, John, Mary, Zachary, James, Sarah, Cornelia, Margaret, Harriet, and Vincent, had these 300 acres divided in seven parts and James (Kerr), Margaret, Harriet, and Vincent bought the north part, which was seventy-five acres, on Middle River and Christian's Creek. James sold his share, and vincent sold his part to Walter Lee Kerr (a nephew). Margaret Kerr owns the land with the old house, nearly 200 years old, built when first settlement of Kerrs on Middle River, Christian's Creek, and Meadow Run, at the union of the three streams in one, near the corner of the beginning of the Beverly survey, in forks of said branch waters of the Shenandoah River. The above children of Col. Nathaniel Kerr (whose mother was Elizabeth Hogshead, daughter of James Hogshead), and James Patterson Revercomb, whose grandmother was Jane Patterson (kin to Bettie Patterson, who married Jerome Bonaparte), are descendants of the Kerrs, Hogsheads, Revercombs and Forrers. The Kerrs and Hogsheads were Presbyterians, and their first church was the Old Stone Church, which they helped to build, and their women carried sand from Middle River on horseback, several miles distant, and helped the men to build this church, shich we are told was a fort, too, to flee and bar out the Indians. My great-grandfather, James Kerr, deeded 145 acres of land to his son, John, on Big Meadows, in 1803, formerly owned by John2 Kerr (James1), from William Beverly, of 275 acres in 1752.

In 1803, James Kerr deeded 145 acres of land to his son, Alexander, across the river, adjoining his old home tract of 300 acres. James Kerr's children married as follows: In 1792, John Kerr married Elizabeth, daughter of James Hogshead, and they had twelve children - - James, Joseph, Thomas, Amaziah, John (a deceased baby), Nathaniel, John, Sara G., Alexander, Hiram, Jane and Elizabeth. Joseph died in 1831; aged thirty-seven. Alexander died 1800, aged twenty-six. Jane died 1833. James married Nancy Thornton, 1818; Thomas married Margaret Calbreath, 1823, and James and Thomas went to Missouri. Amaziah married Jane Rutledge, 1825, and went to Illinois. Nathaniel married Jane P. Revercomb, 1840, and resided on the "Old Farm". John married Eliza Jackson about 1850 and resided on Big Meadow farm. Sara married Charles Armentrout and lived on Middle River. Hiram married Mary Ann Robertson and lived on Middle River. Elizabeth, unmarried, born 1813, died 1889, aged seventy-six.

Date: 04/27/99 Subject: James Kerr of Augusta Co, VA From: "Bob Dubel" rvdubel@email.msn.com To: hamkarr@hctc.com Date: Sat, 24 Apr 1999 13:07:39 -0700

I am seeking parents and genealogy regarding:

1st generation: James KERR, b 1737 PA?, d 1812 Augusta Co VA, bur. Old Stone Presbyterian Church Cem, m 1762 Augusta Co VA to Jane (Jean) --- (thought Robertson but not proven), she b 1739 Augusta Co VA, d 1824 Augusta Co VA. He served in Revo War. His will 1811, spelled James Kear, and inventory of estate 1812, both in Augusta Co VA. 7 children. We want to know Jane (Jean)'s maiden name.

2nd generation: John KERR, b 1765 Augusta Co VA, d 1830 Augusta Co VA, m Elizabeth HOGSHEAD, d/o James HOGSHEAD, Jr. & Sarah GORDON, she b ca 1775 Augusta Co VA, d 1843 Augusta Co VA. John served in Revo War. 2 children.

3rd generation: Thomas Gordon KERR, b 1796 Augusta Co VA, d 1834 Pike Co MO, m 1823 Augusta Co VA, Margaret Johnston CALBREATH, d/o Thomas CALBREATH & Jennet (Jane) HUTCHINSON, she b 1802 Augusta Co VA, d 1887 Ashley Twp, Pike Co MO, bur. Ashley Twp, Pike Co MO. Margaret's 1st husband was Thomas Gordon Kerr. She m 2nd 1850 Pike Co MO, Benjamin ELMORE, Jr., s/o Benjamin ELMORE, Sr. & Mary "Polly" COBB. Margaret had 5 children by Mr. Kerr and none by Mr. Elmore.

Zelda Dubel. rvdubel@email.msn.com

The following Corrected query is in response to the above query on Rootsweb.ancestry. From: "rvdubel" <rvdubel@email.msn.com> Subject: [KERR] KERR, James b 1726 Augusta Co, VA Date: Sat, 5 Feb 2000 12:25:49 -0000

CORRECTED QUERY.

1st generation: James Kerr, b ca 1680-1687 Scotland? N.Ireland? d 1770 Augusta Co, VA? m Unknown. He probably immigrated from Scotland to Chester/Lancaster Co, PA circa 1728.

2nd generation: James Kerr, b 1726 N.Ireland? d 5 Jan 1812 Augusta Co, VA, m 13 Jan 1762 Augusta Co, VA to Jane (Jean) ---, she b 1739 Augusta Co, VA, d 11 Feb 1824 Augusta Co, VA. Jane (Jean)'s maiden name was believed to be Robertson but not proven. DAR Application 562051 changed his birth date from 1726 to 1737.

4th generation: John Kerr, b 1765 Augusta Co, VA, d July 1830 Augusta Co, VA, m 3 Sep 1792 Augusta Co, VA to Elizabeth Hogshead.

5th generation: Thomas Gordon Kerr, b 1 Nov 1796 Augusta Co, VA, d 31 Aug 1834 Pike Co, MO, m 22 Apr 1823 Augusta Co, VA to Margaret Johnston Calbreath, she b 9 Sep 1802 Augusta Co, VA, d 9 Oct 1887 Pike Co, MO, bur Kerr Cem, Ashley Twp, Pike Co, MO. She m 2nd 19 Mar 1850 Pike Co, MO to Benjamin Elmore. Margaret is our ancestor through her 1st husband Thomas Gordon Kerr and Benjamin Elmore is our ancestor through his 1st wife Mary 'Polly' Cobb.

6th generation: Elizabeth Hogshead Kerr, b 2 Nov 1824 Augusta Co, VA, d 10 Sep 1851 Pike Co, MO, m 22 Dec 1842 Pike Co MO to James Calvin Elmore, b 18 Dec 1818 Caswell Co, NC, d 5 Dec 1905 Madera Co, CA.

Any comments will be appreciated. Thanks. Zelda. rvdubel@email.msn.com

CHRONICLES OF THE Scotch-Irish Settlement IN VIRGINIA EXTRACTED FROM THE ORIGINAL COURT RECORDS OF AUGUSTA COUNTY 1745-1800 WILL BOOK NO. XI. ADDITIONAL MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. page 238 Page 81.--2d December, 1811. James Kear's will--To wife, Jean; grandson, James, son to son John; to daughters, viz: Elizabeth Givens, Margaret Ramsey, Jane Leard; to each grandson named for testator. Executors, son John Kear, Alex. Kear, John Johnston. Teste: Mathew Robertson, Jno. Trotter, Sally Trotter. Proved, 24th February, 1812. John and Alexander qualify

CHRONICLES OF THE Scotch-Irish Settlement IN VIRGINIA EXTRACTED FROM THE ORIGINAL COURT RECORDS OF AUGUSTA COUNTY 1745-1800 MARRIAGE LICENSES, MARRIAGE BONDS, AND MARRIAGES. 1793-1794. page 333 1799--December 4, James Laird and James McGongal, surety. James Laird

and Jane Kerr, daughter of James Kerr (consent). Teste: Alex. Kerr, 

Jacob Hershaw.

CHRONICLES OF THE Scotch-Irish Settlement IN VIRGINIA EXTRACTED FROM THE ORIGINAL COURT RECORDS OF AUGUSTA COUNTY 1745-1800 AUGUSTA COUNTY COURT RECORDS. ORDER BOOK No. I. page 28 - May 1747 Page (199) Grand Jury Presentments: Col. Thomas Chew, common swearer; John Bramham, sheriff, common swearer; John O'Neal and Mary Corbit, alias Smith, adultery; James Kerr, disturber of common peace by carrying lies and as a common lyer; Valentine Sevear, swearing six oaths; Ro. Harper, being drunk and swearing three prophane oaths; John Bramham, for prophanely desiring God to damn George Robinson and his company; Robert Young, breach of Sabbath; James Kerr, breach of Sabbath; James Burk, common swearer.

CHRONICLES OF THE Scotch-Irish Settlement IN VIRGINIA EXTRACTED FROM THE ORIGINAL COURT RECORDS OF AUGUSTA COUNTY 1745-1800 MARRIAGE LICENSES, MARRIAGE BONDS, AND MARRIAGES. MARRIAGES LICENSES IN AUGUSTA COUNTY. page 276 1762--January 11, James Arbuckle; January 13, James Kerr; January 18, Edward Long; February 7, James Moffett; February 16, John Reaburn; February 17, John Patterson; February 18, John Carlile; February 25, Samuel Cowdon;

Early Virginia Marriages Augusta County page 86 January 13, 1762, James Kerr CHRONICLES OF THE Scotch-Irish Settlement IN VIRGINIA EXTRACTED FROM THE ORIGINAL COURT RECORDS OF AUGUSTA COUNTY 1745-1800 MARRIAGE LICENSES, MARRIAGE BONDS, AND MARRIAGES. MARRIAGES LICENSES IN AUGUSTA COUNTY. page 277 1764--January 6, William Black; February 17, James Kerr; February 25, Robert Lusk; January 27, James Fowler; March 8, William Hides; March 20, Christopher Any; March 21, William Givens; May 16, James Young;

CHRONICLES OF THE Scotch-Irish Settlement IN VIRGINIA EXTRACTED FROM THE ORIGINAL COURT RECORDS OF AUGUSTA COUNTY 1745-1800 AUGUSTA COUNTY COURT RECORDS. ORDER BOOK No. XX. page 246 - August 1786 Page (83) Following recommended as Captains, viz: Thomas Turk, Jr., James Crawford and James Bell, Jr. As Lieutenants, viz: John Stuart, James Rankin and John Trimble. As Ensigns: David Henderson, James Kerr, Michael Kellar.

CHRONICLES OF THE Scotch-Irish Settlement IN VIRGINIA EXTRACTED FROM THE ORIGINAL COURT RECORDS OF AUGUSTA COUNTY 1745-1800 AUGUSTA COUNTY COURT RECORDS. ORDER BOOK No. XXIV. page 406 Commonwealth vs. John Dixon.--Trespass for cutting down James Kerr's corner trees 31st May, 1794. John Allison was grandson of John Kerr, deceased, 1794. This suit involves title to land of James Kerr and John Dixon in 1792.

CHRONICLES OF THE Scotch-Irish Settlement IN VIRGINIA EXTRACTED FROM THE ORIGINAL COURT RECORDS OF AUGUSTA COUNTY 1745-1800 CIRCUIT COURT RECORDS, SECTION "I." DISTRICT CIRCUIT COURT EXECUTIONS. page 6 Commonwealth vs. James Kerr, Alexander Kerr, Nathaniel Kerr and John Bratton--Indictment for trespass on land of John Dixon, 1793. John Allison is about to go to Kentucky, 12th October, 1792.

AUGUST, 1793 (D to M).

 John Dixon vs. James Kerr and Robert Campbell.--Deposition of James

Kerr taken in Lexington, Kentucky, second Tuesday in June, 1793. Son of James, defendant John Campbell's deposition at same place. John Dixon was drafted to go into service under McIntosh, but persuaded Kerr to sell him a servant as a substitute.

William and James Kerr were sons of John Kerr. Jury finds special verdict; patent to Wm. Kerr 2d June, 1760. William Kerr and Martha, his wife, 17th May, 1768. Deposition of Elizabeth McClure, 5th August, 1789. She was the daughter of John Kerr. William Allison, son of John Allison, Sr. See some papers of above suit in the papers Samuel Hunter vs. Torbett and Mitchell.

CHRONICLES OF THE Scotch-Irish Settlement IN VIRGINIA EXTRACTED FROM THE ORIGINAL COURT RECORDS OF AUGUSTA COUNTY 1745-1800 CIRCUIT COURT RECORDS, SECTION "I." JUDGMENTS. page 244 Rutledge vs. Kerr's representatives--O. S. 336; N. S. 121--Bill, 1812, by James Rutledge. On 31st March, 1797, he bought land in Augusta from James Kerr of Augusta, on Long Meadow, 6 acres. Kerr died 1811 without having made title. His heirs are, viz: James Kerr, Thos. Givens and Elizabeth, John Alexander Kerr, James Ramsey and Margaret, James Laird and Jane, Nathaniel Kerr; all, except John and Alexander and Laird and wife, live out of Commonwealth.

CHRONICLES OF THE Scotch-Irish Settlement IN VIRGINIA EXTRACTED FROM THE ORIGINAL COURT RECORDS OF AUGUSTA COUNTY 1745-1800 FEE BOOKS OF AUGUSTA COURT. ADMINISTRATORS' BONDS. page 406 1770--Page 2, James Anderson. Long Meadow; page 9, James Buchanan S. M.; page 21, John Stuart, Middle River; page 27, James Kerr. blacksmith;

CHRONICLES OF THE Scotch-Irish Settlement IN VIRGINIA EXTRACTED FROM THE ORIGINAL COURT RECORDS OF AUGUSTA COUNTY 1745-1800 TITHABLES. ADMINISTRATORS' BONDS. page 430 Tithables, 1781; Alexander Robertson's List: Samuel Hind and son John, Patrick Crawford and sons George and John, Robert Craig and sons John, Robert, and James, James and George Crawford, brothers Robert, John, and William, John Givens and sons Samuel, James, and William, Richard Rankin and sons Isaac and Richard; William Patterson and son William; James

Givens and sons Samuel, Robert, and James, George Campbell and son 

John, Samuel Henderson and sons James, William, and David, John Lemons and son John, James Kerr and son James, George Anderson and son James, Andrew Russell and son Mathew, Robert Rogers and Father, John Allison and son Andrew, Timothy Coll and son Thomas, Adam Donlap and son William, James Alexander and sons Andrew and James, David White and ---- James and Gordon, Henry Liner and son Henry, Ro. Stephen and son James, James Shackelford and son Reuben, Samuel Bell and son Samuel, Robert McColley and son Joseph, Jno. Patterson and son Robert, Mrs. Jane Wallace and son William, John Richey and son John, Col. George Mathews and son John, Jno. Brooks and son Moses, George King and son Robert, John Surfice and sons Martin, John, and Jacob, Thomas Hick and son Thomas.

CHRONICLES OF THE Scotch-Irish Settlement IN VIRGINIA EXTRACTED FROM THE ORIGINAL COURT RECORDS OF AUGUSTA COUNTY 1745-1800 TITHABLES. ADMINISTRATORS' BONDS. page 431 1783, in Capt. Rankin's Company, all above 16: James Alexander and sons John, Andrew, James, William Brooks, shoemaker; Patrick Crawford and sons George, John, Timothy Cole and son Thomas, Audley Hamilton and son Archebald, James Kerr and son James, Andrew Russell and son Mathew, James Shackleford (Shackelford) and son Reuben, David White, weaver.

CHRONICLES OF THE Scotch-Irish Settlement IN VIRGINIA EXTRACTED FROM THE ORIGINAL COURT RECORDS OF AUGUSTA COUNTY 1745-1800 ABSTRACTS OF WILLS OF AUGUSTA COUNTY, VIRGINIA. WILL BOOK NO. V. ADDITIONAL MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. page 127 Page 58.--30th January, 1773. Robert Turk's estate appraised by James Kerr, William Robertson, John Ramsey.

CHRONICLES OF THE Scotch-Irish Settlement IN VIRGINIA EXTRACTED FROM THE ORIGINAL COURT RECORDS OF AUGUSTA COUNTY 1745-1800 DEED BOOK NO. 19. ADDITIONAL MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. page 526 Page 14.--12th November, 1772. George Skillern and Elizabeth, of Botetourt, to James Kerr, blacksmith, patent to John Kerr, 5th April, 1749 (1 acre, 1 R., 10 P., formerly conveyed by George to said James, 17th March, 1764. Teste: Nicholas Salles (Sollas, Sally, Sallas), John Cox, George Eliot. Delivered: James Cochran, 3d January, 1788. [p.526]

CHRONICLES OF THE Scotch-Irish Settlement IN VIRGINIA EXTRACTED FROM THE ORIGINAL COURT RECORDS OF AUGUSTA COUNTY 1745-1800 TITHABLES. ADMINISTRATORS' BONDS. page 430 Tithables, 1781; James Kerr and son James