Person:John Karr (7)

Capt. JOHN KARR , (1) Revolutionary War, Cumberland County, N. J. descendant of Sir WALTER KERR, an early colonist of N. J.

Walter KER was born in Dalsert, Lanarkshire, Scotland, in 1656. He married Margaret, born 1661, possible daughter of James JOHNSTONE. Walter died 10 Jun 1748, at Freehold, Monmouth Co., NJ, age 91. Margaret died 1 Oct 1734.

Walter KER followed George SCOT, Laird of Pitlochie and Presbyterian leader, into exile in the colonies. A group of 200 chartered the death ship Henry and Francis. They set sail from Leith, Scotland 15 Sep 1685 and landed at Perth Amboy in December 1685. 70 of the contingent, including Scot himself, were taken by disease on the voyage and buried at sea. John Johnstone, son-in-law of George Scot, took over leadership of the group.

Walter KER settled in Freehold NJ.

Walter had five sons: William (b. abt. 1700), James, Samuel, Joseph, and John. Sons William had 10 known children and Joseph had 11, none named John. Little is known of the offspring of Walter's son James. Son Samuel Kerr had a son John b. 12 Feb 1744. Walter's son John had children Rebecca, Joseph, and "supposed, John".

John Son of Samuel is too young to be the likely father of John C. Kerr b. 1759. For this reason this genealogy assigns the pedigree John C. Kerr, son of John, son of John, Son of Walter Ker, immigrant.

1.   Compiled by Milo Custer. Karr Family Records. (Bloomington, Ill., 1922).
2.   Margaret Watson Cooke. Illinois Society, DAR. (Genealogical Records Committee 1965).
3.   William C. Armstrong. The Kerr Clan of New Jersey. (Shawver Co., Morrison, IL, 1931).
4.   William S. Hornor. This Old Monmouth of Ours. (Moreau Brothers Freehold, NJ 1932)
   p. 302.