Robert Kerr was born about 1759 in County Londonderry, Ireland, and died Jun 13, 1817 near Dry Run in Franklin County, Pennsylvania about the age of 58.
He married Agnes Elder in Jun 1784 at the Upper Path Valley Presbyterian Church, Spring Run, Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Agnes Elder was the daughter of James Elder and Elizabeth Maips. She was born Mar 17, 1763 and died Apr 15, 1859 at the age of 96.
John M. McElroy, in his 1873 letter cited previously, stated, "(Alexander J. Kerr's) oldest son Robert, my great grandfather, came to America in the first ship that sailed after the Revolution in America." J. T. Mains, another descendant of Robert Kerr, wrote in 1936, knowing that Robert had been in the Revolutionary War, "It was not uncommon for someone of a family to come to this country alone to see what the prospects were and then sending for the others." Thus, Robert could have gone back to Ireland near the end of the Revolution to escort his father and siblings to this country.
The Pennsylvania Archives lists Robert Kerr as one of six privates under Captain James Patten in the Revolution, in the 4th Class, Sixth Battalion, County of Cumberland, Pennsylvania militia in Jul, 1778.
Some members of the Daughters of the American Revolution who claimed Robert Kerr as their ancestor, and their membership numbers, are: Mrs. Mary Cunningham Kerr Beatty, 133311, descended from Robert through James Elder Kerr and his son Jeremiah; Mary Clemins Galvin Page, 133687; Mary Jane Mains, 282591, descended from Robert through Robert, Jr. and his daughter Mary; and Margaret Rice Mabbutt, 399578, descended from Robert through James Elder Kerr, his son William A., and William's daughter Olive Elizabeth.
One member of the Sons of the American Revolution who claimed Robert Kerr as his patriot ancestor was Larry Patrick Cornwell, 138085. For patriot service, he cited the Pennsylvania Archives, Fifth Series, Vol 6, page 381, and American Revolutionary Soldiers of Franklin County Pennsylvania, 1969, p 14.
Fannet Township tax records for 1786 reflect for Robert Kerr: Land 100 - Val(ue) 150, Horses 3 - Val 30, Cows (4) -Val 12, Negroes 1 - Val 50; total 242.
Robert Kerr owned land in Cumberland County, in what was to become Franklin County, Pennsylvania during the Revolution. Franklin County is located in south central Pennsylvania, on the Maryland border near Virginia. Franklin County was formed in 1786, partly from Cumberland County. Its county seat is Chambersburg. The DAR application of Mary Clemens Galvin Page states that Robert Kerr sold 95 acres to Alexander Moore on Apr 5, 1787. This was an old survey of James Elder located by Thomas Elder and the mountain Fannet Township. The sale is recorded in Deed Book I, page 392.
Robert and his wife Agnes also sold 87 acres of tenement plantation in Fannet Township to Joseph Moore, a Tanner, on Mar 19, 1790, "it being part of a tract of land which the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, by Patent bearing date 18th April 1787 conveyed to Robert Kerr," and was recorded in Patent Book P8, page 432. This sale was also recorded in Deed Book 2, page 199, office of recorder of Deeds for Franklin County, Pennsylvania.
The 1790 Census for Fannet Township, Franklin County, Pennsylvania, recorded on roll 9, page 5 (original), page 297 (pencil), reflects Robert Car as the head of household with the following members: two males under 16 (Alexander, 5, James Elder, 3, and William, 1; three males 16 and older (Robert plus two), and three females (Agnes, daughter Agnes, plus one). The next name on the census list was James Elder, probably Robert Kerr's father-in-law.
The 1800 Census for Fannet Township, Franklin County, Pennsylvania, recorded on roll 38, page 939, reflects Robert Kerr as the head of household with the following members: four males under 10 (Joseph, 2 months, Andrew, 2, Robert, 8, and perhaps William, 11), one male 10 to 15 (Alexander was 15, and James Elder was 13), two females under 10 (Elizabeth, 4, and Agnes 10), and one female 26 to 44 (Agnes, 37). James Elder's family was listed just above the Robert Kerr family.
The 1810 Census for Fannet Township, Franklin County, Pennsylvania, recorded on roll 54, page 154 (printed) or page 912 (penciled), reflects Robert Kerr as head of household with the following members: four males under 10 (Thomas, 8, Joseph, 10, perhaps Andrew, 11, plus one other), three males 16 to 25 (Robert, 18, William, 22, James Elder, 23, and Alexander, 25; perhaps one had moved away), two females under 10 (Martha, 4, and Esther, 5), one female 10 to 15 (Elizabeth, 14), one female 16 to 26 (Agnes, 20), and one female 45 and older (Agnes, 47).
Robert Kerr wrote his will on Jan 20, 1817, less than five months before he died on Jun 13, 1817. One source stated, "He was said to have died of a rattlesnake bite."
The will was proved on Aug 20, 1817, and was recorded as will number 1492, Book C, page 343 in the office of Register of Wills, Chambersburg, Franklin County, Pennsylvania. His will lists ten children, as two had died before him: Elizabeth at age six months and Joseph at age 13. Two names in the will spelled Andrw and Marthew are taken to mean Andrew and Martha:
"In the name of God Amen. I Robert Kerr of Fannet Twp Franklin County and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, being sick and weak in body but of sound mind and memory do make this my last will and Testament.
"First my will is that my body shall be decently interred the funeral expenses to be paid out of my personal estate together with all my just debts.
"Secondly my will is that my real and personal estate be sold as soon as my executors after my Decease as convenient for them. . . If my land is Rented the profits arising from the same is to go to the support of my wife and Father-in-law James Elder and such of my children as may be on the farm with their mother and that they may assist her on the same.
"My will is that my wife Agnes is to have her choice of one horse Creature saddle and bridle, one bed and beding, her wheel and one of the chests, also one third of my Real and personal estate of the sales after the debts is paid, the residue to be devided equally between my children Alexander, James Elder, William, Agnes, Robert, Elizabeth, Andrw, Thomas, Esther, and Marthew, except one hundered and thirty seven Dollars which is to be divided equally among the rest of my children to them and ther Heirs forever.
"Itm, my Fatherinlaw James Elder to get a comfortable living during his life and a Decent Burrying.
"Lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my two sons William and Robert and John Elder Senior executors of this my last will and Testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twentieth day of January in the year 1817.
"Signed and sealed in presence of us, Jno. Holliday, William Kerr; Robert Kerr (seal)"
Agnes was the only daughter who was married at the time of his death.
Robert was buried in Franklin County, Pennsylvania.
The executors of Robert Kerr's estate sold the plantation for $4890.36. Accounts were filed Mar 11, 1823 and Oct 4, 1825.
A page from the Robert Kerr family Bible published in Glasgow in 1776, recorded birth and some death information (see photocopy).
The children of Robert Kerr and Agnes Elder were:
i John*
ii Alexander, b. May 5, 1785, m. Sarah (Sally) Peoples in 1814, d. Nov 27, 1861
*iii James Elder, b. Nov 5, 1786, m. Nancy A. (Mary) Cunningham on Aug 6, 1816, d. Feb 21, 1870
iv William, b. Aug 9, 1788, m. Elizabeth Elder in 1818, d. bef. 10 Mar 1843
v Agnes (Nancy), b. May 16, 1790, m. Robert Simison or John Simison in 1811, d. Jan 25, 1861
vi Robert, b. Feb 3, 1792, m. Martha Elder on Mar 22, 1821, d. Oct 6, 1837
vii Elizabeth, b. Aug 11, 1794, d. Mar 17, 1795
viii Elizabeth, b. Feb 2, 1796, m. Robert (Wm?) Swan or Benjamin Snow on Dec 24, 1822, d. Jul 14, 1862
ix Andrew, b. Mar 11, 1798, m. Margaret Campbell in Mar, 1821
x Joseph, b. Apr 15, 1800, d. Dec 29, 1813
xi Thomas, b. May 25, 1802, m. Martha Hughes
xii Esther, b. Nov 15, 1804, m. Samuel Ross on Feb 13, 1827, d. ca. 1840
xiii Martha M., b. Jul 15, 1806, m. Daniel Hughes on Dec 11, 1830, d. Nov 2, 1888
*The 1873 letter cited in the third paragraph, above, lists eight sons, the eighth being a son named John. This agrees with data handed down to Galen Strain, whose great uncles documented this information in the 1880s.
He married Agnes Elder in Jun 1784 at the Upper Path Valley Presbyterian Church, Spring Run, Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Agnes Elder was the daughter of James Elder and Elizabeth Maips. She was born Mar 17, 1763 and died Apr 15, 1859 at the age of 96.
John M. McElroy, in his 1873 letter cited previously, stated, "(Alexander J. Kerr's) oldest son Robert, my great grandfather, came to America in the first ship that sailed after the Revolution in America." J. T. Mains, another descendant of Robert Kerr, wrote in 1936, knowing that Robert had been in the Revolutionary War, "It was not uncommon for someone of a family to come to this country alone to see what the prospects were and then sending for the others." Thus, Robert could have gone back to Ireland near the end of the Revolution to escort his father and siblings to this country.
The Pennsylvania Archives lists Robert Kerr as one of six privates under Captain James Patten in the Revolution, in the 4th Class, Sixth Battalion, County of Cumberland, Pennsylvania militia in Jul, 1778.
Some members of the Daughters of the American Revolution who claimed Robert Kerr as their ancestor, and their membership numbers, are: Mrs. Mary Cunningham Kerr Beatty, 133311, descended from Robert through James Elder Kerr and his son Jeremiah; Mary Clemins Galvin Page, 133687; Mary Jane Mains, 282591, descended from Robert through Robert, Jr. and his daughter Mary; and Margaret Rice Mabbutt, 399578, descended from Robert through James Elder Kerr, his son William A., and William's daughter Olive Elizabeth.
One member of the Sons of the American Revolution who claimed Robert Kerr as his patriot ancestor was Larry Patrick Cornwell, 138085. For patriot service, he cited the Pennsylvania Archives, Fifth Series, Vol 6, page 381, and American Revolutionary Soldiers of Franklin County Pennsylvania, 1969, p 14.
Fannet Township tax records for 1786 reflect for Robert Kerr: Land 100 - Val(ue) 150, Horses 3 - Val 30, Cows (4) -Val 12, Negroes 1 - Val 50; total 242.
Robert Kerr owned land in Cumberland County, in what was to become Franklin County, Pennsylvania during the Revolution. Franklin County is located in south central Pennsylvania, on the Maryland border near Virginia. Franklin County was formed in 1786, partly from Cumberland County. Its county seat is Chambersburg. The DAR application of Mary Clemens Galvin Page states that Robert Kerr sold 95 acres to Alexander Moore on Apr 5, 1787. This was an old survey of James Elder located by Thomas Elder and the mountain Fannet Township. The sale is recorded in Deed Book I, page 392.
Robert and his wife Agnes also sold 87 acres of tenement plantation in Fannet Township to Joseph Moore, a Tanner, on Mar 19, 1790, "it being part of a tract of land which the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, by Patent bearing date 18th April 1787 conveyed to Robert Kerr," and was recorded in Patent Book P8, page 432. This sale was also recorded in Deed Book 2, page 199, office of recorder of Deeds for Franklin County, Pennsylvania.
The 1790 Census for Fannet Township, Franklin County, Pennsylvania, recorded on roll 9, page 5 (original), page 297 (pencil), reflects Robert Car as the head of household with the following members: two males under 16 (Alexander, 5, James Elder, 3, and William, 1; three males 16 and older (Robert plus two), and three females (Agnes, daughter Agnes, plus one). The next name on the census list was James Elder, probably Robert Kerr's father-in-law.
The 1800 Census for Fannet Township, Franklin County, Pennsylvania, recorded on roll 38, page 939, reflects Robert Kerr as the head of household with the following members: four males under 10 (Joseph, 2 months, Andrew, 2, Robert, 8, and perhaps William, 11), one male 10 to 15 (Alexander was 15, and James Elder was 13), two females under 10 (Elizabeth, 4, and Agnes 10), and one female 26 to 44 (Agnes, 37). James Elder's family was listed just above the Robert Kerr family.
The 1810 Census for Fannet Township, Franklin County, Pennsylvania, recorded on roll 54, page 154 (printed) or page 912 (penciled), reflects Robert Kerr as head of household with the following members: four males under 10 (Thomas, 8, Joseph, 10, perhaps Andrew, 11, plus one other), three males 16 to 25 (Robert, 18, William, 22, James Elder, 23, and Alexander, 25; perhaps one had moved away), two females under 10 (Martha, 4, and Esther, 5), one female 10 to 15 (Elizabeth, 14), one female 16 to 26 (Agnes, 20), and one female 45 and older (Agnes, 47).
Robert Kerr wrote his will on Jan 20, 1817, less than five months before he died on Jun 13, 1817. One source stated, "He was said to have died of a rattlesnake bite."
The will was proved on Aug 20, 1817, and was recorded as will number 1492, Book C, page 343 in the office of Register of Wills, Chambersburg, Franklin County, Pennsylvania. His will lists ten children, as two had died before him: Elizabeth at age six months and Joseph at age 13. Two names in the will spelled Andrw and Marthew are taken to mean Andrew and Martha:
"In the name of God Amen. I Robert Kerr of Fannet Twp Franklin County and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, being sick and weak in body but of sound mind and memory do make this my last will and Testament.
"First my will is that my body shall be decently interred the funeral expenses to be paid out of my personal estate together with all my just debts.
"Secondly my will is that my real and personal estate be sold as soon as my executors after my Decease as convenient for them. . . If my land is Rented the profits arising from the same is to go to the support of my wife and Father-in-law James Elder and such of my children as may be on the farm with their mother and that they may assist her on the same.
"My will is that my wife Agnes is to have her choice of one horse Creature saddle and bridle, one bed and beding, her wheel and one of the chests, also one third of my Real and personal estate of the sales after the debts is paid, the residue to be devided equally between my children Alexander, James Elder, William, Agnes, Robert, Elizabeth, Andrw, Thomas, Esther, and Marthew, except one hundered and thirty seven Dollars which is to be divided equally among the rest of my children to them and ther Heirs forever.
"Itm, my Fatherinlaw James Elder to get a comfortable living during his life and a Decent Burrying.
"Lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my two sons William and Robert and John Elder Senior executors of this my last will and Testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twentieth day of January in the year 1817.
"Signed and sealed in presence of us, Jno. Holliday, William Kerr; Robert Kerr (seal)"
Agnes was the only daughter who was married at the time of his death.
Robert was buried in Franklin County, Pennsylvania.
The executors of Robert Kerr's estate sold the plantation for $4890.36. Accounts were filed Mar 11, 1823 and Oct 4, 1825.
A page from the Robert Kerr family Bible published in Glasgow in 1776, recorded birth and some death information (see photocopy).
The children of Robert Kerr and Agnes Elder were:
i John*
ii Alexander, b. May 5, 1785, m. Sarah (Sally) Peoples in 1814, d. Nov 27, 1861
*iii James Elder, b. Nov 5, 1786, m. Nancy A. (Mary) Cunningham on Aug 6, 1816, d. Feb 21, 1870
iv William, b. Aug 9, 1788, m. Elizabeth Elder in 1818, d. bef. 10 Mar 1843
v Agnes (Nancy), b. May 16, 1790, m. Robert Simison or John Simison in 1811, d. Jan 25, 1861
vi Robert, b. Feb 3, 1792, m. Martha Elder on Mar 22, 1821, d. Oct 6, 1837
vii Elizabeth, b. Aug 11, 1794, d. Mar 17, 1795
viii Elizabeth, b. Feb 2, 1796, m. Robert (Wm?) Swan or Benjamin Snow on Dec 24, 1822, d. Jul 14, 1862
ix Andrew, b. Mar 11, 1798, m. Margaret Campbell in Mar, 1821
x Joseph, b. Apr 15, 1800, d. Dec 29, 1813
xi Thomas, b. May 25, 1802, m. Martha Hughes
xii Esther, b. Nov 15, 1804, m. Samuel Ross on Feb 13, 1827, d. ca. 1840
xiii Martha M., b. Jul 15, 1806, m. Daniel Hughes on Dec 11, 1830, d. Nov 2, 1888
*The 1873 letter cited in the third paragraph, above, lists eight sons, the eighth being a son named John. This agrees with data handed down to Galen Strain, whose great uncles documented this information in the 1880s.
Robert Kerr was born about 1759 in County Londonderry, Ireland, and died Jun 13, 1817 near Dry Run in Franklin County, Pennsylvania about the age of 58.
He married Agnes Elder in Jun 1784 at the Upper Path Valley Presbyterian Church, Spring Run, Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Agnes Elder was the daughter of James Elder and Elizabeth Maips. She was born Mar 17, 1763 and died Apr 15, 1859 at the age of 96.
John M. McElroy, in his 1873 letter cited previously, stated, "(Alexander J. Kerr's) oldest son Robert, my great grandfather, came to America in the first ship that sailed after the Revolution in America." J. T. Mains, another descendant of Robert Kerr, wrote in 1936, knowing that Robert had been in the Revolutionary War, "It was not uncommon for someone of a family to come to this country alone to see what the prospects were and then sending for the others." Thus, Robert could have gone back to Ireland near the end of the Revolution to escort his father and siblings to this country.
The Pennsylvania Archives lists Robert Kerr as one of six privates under Captain James Patten in the Revolution, in the 4th Class, Sixth Battalion, County of Cumberland, Pennsylvania militia in Jul, 1778.
Some members of the Daughters of the American Revolution who claimed Robert Kerr as their ancestor, and their membership numbers, are: Mrs. Mary Cunningham Kerr Beatty, 133311, descended from Robert through James Elder Kerr and his son Jeremiah; Mary Clemins Galvin Page, 133687; Mary Jane Mains, 282591, descended from Robert through Robert, Jr. and his daughter Mary; and Margaret Rice Mabbutt, 399578, descended from Robert through James Elder Kerr, his son William A., and William's daughter Olive Elizabeth.
One member of the Sons of the American Revolution who claimed Robert Kerr as his patriot ancestor was Larry Patrick Cornwell, 138085. For patriot service, he cited the Pennsylvania Archives, Fifth Series, Vol 6, page 381, and American Revolutionary Soldiers of Franklin County Pennsylvania, 1969, p 14.
Fannet Township tax records for 1786 reflect for Robert Kerr: Land 100 - Val(ue) 150, Horses 3 - Val 30, Cows (4) -Val 12, Negroes 1 - Val 50; total 242.
Robert Kerr owned land in Cumberland County, in what was to become Franklin County, Pennsylvania during the Revolution. Franklin County is located in south central Pennsylvania, on the Maryland border near Virginia. Franklin County was formed in 1786, partly from Cumberland County. Its county seat is Chambersburg. The DAR application of Mary Clemens Galvin Page states that Robert Kerr sold 95 acres to Alexander Moore on Apr 5, 1787. This was an old survey of James Elder located by Thomas Elder and the mountain Fannet Township. The sale is recorded in Deed Book I, page 392.
Robert and his wife Agnes also sold 87 acres of tenement plantation in Fannet Township to Joseph Moore, a Tanner, on Mar 19, 1790, "it being part of a tract of land which the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, by Patent bearing date 18th April 1787 conveyed to Robert Kerr," and was recorded in Patent Book P8, page 432. This sale was also recorded in Deed Book 2, page 199, office of recorder of Deeds for Franklin County, Pennsylvania.
The 1790 Census for Fannet Township, Franklin County, Pennsylvania, recorded on roll 9, page 5 (original), page 297 (pencil), reflects Robert Car as the head of household with the following members: two males under 16 (Alexander, 5, James Elder, 3, and William, 1; three males 16 and older (Robert plus two), and three females (Agnes, daughter Agnes, plus one). The next name on the census list was James Elder, probably Robert Kerr's father-in-law.
The 1800 Census for Fannet Township, Franklin County, Pennsylvania, recorded on roll 38, page 939, reflects Robert Kerr as the head of household with the following members: four males under 10 (Joseph, 2 months, Andrew, 2, Robert, 8, and perhaps William, 11), one male 10 to 15 (Alexander was 15, and James Elder was 13), two females under 10 (Elizabeth, 4, and Agnes 10), and one female 26 to 44 (Agnes, 37). James Elder's family was listed just above the Robert Kerr family.
The 1810 Census for Fannet Township, Franklin County, Pennsylvania, recorded on roll 54, page 154 (printed) or page 912 (penciled), reflects Robert Kerr as head of household with the following members: four males under 10 (Thomas, 8, Joseph, 10, perhaps Andrew, 11, plus one other), three males 16 to 25 (Robert, 18, William, 22, James Elder, 23, and Alexander, 25; perhaps one had moved away), two females under 10 (Martha, 4, and Esther, 5), one female 10 to 15 (Elizabeth, 14), one female 16 to 26 (Agnes, 20), and one female 45 and older (Agnes, 47).
Robert Kerr wrote his will on Jan 20, 1817, less than five months before he died on Jun 13, 1817. One source stated, "He was said to have died of a rattlesnake bite."
The will was proved on Aug 20, 1817, and was recorded as will number 1492, Book C, page 343 in the office of Register of Wills, Chambersburg, Franklin County, Pennsylvania. His will lists ten children, as two had died before him: Elizabeth at age six months and Joseph at age 13. Two names in the will spelled Andrw and Marthew are taken to mean Andrew and Martha:
"In the name of God Amen. I Robert Kerr of Fannet Twp Franklin County and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, being sick and weak in body but of sound mind and memory do make this my last will and Testament.
"First my will is that my body shall be decently interred the funeral expenses to be paid out of my personal estate together with all my just debts.
"Secondly my will is that my real and personal estate be sold as soon as my executors after my Decease as convenient for them. . . If my land is Rented the profits arising from the same is to go to the support of my wife and Father-in-law James Elder and such of my children as may be on the farm with their mother and that they may assist her on the same.
"My will is that my wife Agnes is to have her choice of one horse Creature saddle and bridle, one bed and beding, her wheel and one of the chests, also one third of my Real and personal estate of the sales after the debts is paid, the residue to be devided equally between my children Alexander, James Elder, William, Agnes, Robert, Elizabeth, Andrw, Thomas, Esther, and Marthew, except one hundered and thirty seven Dollars which is to be divided equally among the rest of my children to them and ther Heirs forever.
"Itm, my Fatherinlaw James Elder to get a comfortable living during his life and a Decent Burrying.
"Lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my two sons William and Robert and John Elder Senior executors of this my last will and Testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twentieth day of January in the year 1817.
"Signed and sealed in presence of us, Jno. Holliday, William Kerr; Robert Kerr (seal)"
Agnes was the only daughter who was married at the time of his death.
Robert was buried in Franklin County, Pennsylvania.
The executors of Robert Kerr's estate sold the plantation for $4890.36. Accounts were filed Mar 11, 1823 and Oct 4, 1825.
A page from the Robert Kerr family Bible published in Glasgow in 1776, recorded birth and some death information (see photocopy).
The children of Robert Kerr and Agnes Elder were:
i John*
ii Alexander, b. May 5, 1785, m. Sarah (Sally) Peoples in 1814, d. Nov 27, 1861
*iii James Elder, b. Nov 5, 1786, m. Nancy A. (Mary) Cunningham on Aug 6, 1816, d. Feb 21, 1870
iv William, b. Aug 9, 1788, m. Elizabeth Elder in 1818, d. bef. 10 Mar 1843
v Agnes (Nancy), b. May 16, 1790, m. Robert Simison or John Simison in 1811, d. Jan 25, 1861
vi Robert, b. Feb 3, 1792, m. Martha Elder on Mar 22, 1821, d. Oct 6, 1837
vii Elizabeth, b. Aug 11, 1794, d. Mar 17, 1795
viii Elizabeth, b. Feb 2, 1796, m. Robert (Wm?) Swan or Benjamin Snow on Dec 24, 1822, d. Jul 14, 1862
ix Andrew, b. Mar 11, 1798, m. Margaret Campbell in Mar, 1821
x Joseph, b. Apr 15, 1800, d. Dec 29, 1813
xi Thomas, b. May 25, 1802, m. Martha Hughes
xii Esther, b. Nov 15, 1804, m. Samuel Ross on Feb 13, 1827, d. ca. 1840
xiii Martha M., b. Jul 15, 1806, m. Daniel Hughes on Dec 11, 1830, d. Nov 2, 1888
*The 1873 letter cited in the third paragraph, above, lists eight sons, the eighth being a son named John. This agrees with data handed down to Galen Strain, whose great uncles documented this information in the 1880s.
He married Agnes Elder in Jun 1784 at the Upper Path Valley Presbyterian Church, Spring Run, Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Agnes Elder was the daughter of James Elder and Elizabeth Maips. She was born Mar 17, 1763 and died Apr 15, 1859 at the age of 96.
John M. McElroy, in his 1873 letter cited previously, stated, "(Alexander J. Kerr's) oldest son Robert, my great grandfather, came to America in the first ship that sailed after the Revolution in America." J. T. Mains, another descendant of Robert Kerr, wrote in 1936, knowing that Robert had been in the Revolutionary War, "It was not uncommon for someone of a family to come to this country alone to see what the prospects were and then sending for the others." Thus, Robert could have gone back to Ireland near the end of the Revolution to escort his father and siblings to this country.
The Pennsylvania Archives lists Robert Kerr as one of six privates under Captain James Patten in the Revolution, in the 4th Class, Sixth Battalion, County of Cumberland, Pennsylvania militia in Jul, 1778.
Some members of the Daughters of the American Revolution who claimed Robert Kerr as their ancestor, and their membership numbers, are: Mrs. Mary Cunningham Kerr Beatty, 133311, descended from Robert through James Elder Kerr and his son Jeremiah; Mary Clemins Galvin Page, 133687; Mary Jane Mains, 282591, descended from Robert through Robert, Jr. and his daughter Mary; and Margaret Rice Mabbutt, 399578, descended from Robert through James Elder Kerr, his son William A., and William's daughter Olive Elizabeth.
One member of the Sons of the American Revolution who claimed Robert Kerr as his patriot ancestor was Larry Patrick Cornwell, 138085. For patriot service, he cited the Pennsylvania Archives, Fifth Series, Vol 6, page 381, and American Revolutionary Soldiers of Franklin County Pennsylvania, 1969, p 14.
Fannet Township tax records for 1786 reflect for Robert Kerr: Land 100 - Val(ue) 150, Horses 3 - Val 30, Cows (4) -Val 12, Negroes 1 - Val 50; total 242.
Robert Kerr owned land in Cumberland County, in what was to become Franklin County, Pennsylvania during the Revolution. Franklin County is located in south central Pennsylvania, on the Maryland border near Virginia. Franklin County was formed in 1786, partly from Cumberland County. Its county seat is Chambersburg. The DAR application of Mary Clemens Galvin Page states that Robert Kerr sold 95 acres to Alexander Moore on Apr 5, 1787. This was an old survey of James Elder located by Thomas Elder and the mountain Fannet Township. The sale is recorded in Deed Book I, page 392.
Robert and his wife Agnes also sold 87 acres of tenement plantation in Fannet Township to Joseph Moore, a Tanner, on Mar 19, 1790, "it being part of a tract of land which the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, by Patent bearing date 18th April 1787 conveyed to Robert Kerr," and was recorded in Patent Book P8, page 432. This sale was also recorded in Deed Book 2, page 199, office of recorder of Deeds for Franklin County, Pennsylvania.
The 1790 Census for Fannet Township, Franklin County, Pennsylvania, recorded on roll 9, page 5 (original), page 297 (pencil), reflects Robert Car as the head of household with the following members: two males under 16 (Alexander, 5, James Elder, 3, and William, 1; three males 16 and older (Robert plus two), and three females (Agnes, daughter Agnes, plus one). The next name on the census list was James Elder, probably Robert Kerr's father-in-law.
The 1800 Census for Fannet Township, Franklin County, Pennsylvania, recorded on roll 38, page 939, reflects Robert Kerr as the head of household with the following members: four males under 10 (Joseph, 2 months, Andrew, 2, Robert, 8, and perhaps William, 11), one male 10 to 15 (Alexander was 15, and James Elder was 13), two females under 10 (Elizabeth, 4, and Agnes 10), and one female 26 to 44 (Agnes, 37). James Elder's family was listed just above the Robert Kerr family.
The 1810 Census for Fannet Township, Franklin County, Pennsylvania, recorded on roll 54, page 154 (printed) or page 912 (penciled), reflects Robert Kerr as head of household with the following members: four males under 10 (Thomas, 8, Joseph, 10, perhaps Andrew, 11, plus one other), three males 16 to 25 (Robert, 18, William, 22, James Elder, 23, and Alexander, 25; perhaps one had moved away), two females under 10 (Martha, 4, and Esther, 5), one female 10 to 15 (Elizabeth, 14), one female 16 to 26 (Agnes, 20), and one female 45 and older (Agnes, 47).
Robert Kerr wrote his will on Jan 20, 1817, less than five months before he died on Jun 13, 1817. One source stated, "He was said to have died of a rattlesnake bite."
The will was proved on Aug 20, 1817, and was recorded as will number 1492, Book C, page 343 in the office of Register of Wills, Chambersburg, Franklin County, Pennsylvania. His will lists ten children, as two had died before him: Elizabeth at age six months and Joseph at age 13. Two names in the will spelled Andrw and Marthew are taken to mean Andrew and Martha:
"In the name of God Amen. I Robert Kerr of Fannet Twp Franklin County and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, being sick and weak in body but of sound mind and memory do make this my last will and Testament.
"First my will is that my body shall be decently interred the funeral expenses to be paid out of my personal estate together with all my just debts.
"Secondly my will is that my real and personal estate be sold as soon as my executors after my Decease as convenient for them. . . If my land is Rented the profits arising from the same is to go to the support of my wife and Father-in-law James Elder and such of my children as may be on the farm with their mother and that they may assist her on the same.
"My will is that my wife Agnes is to have her choice of one horse Creature saddle and bridle, one bed and beding, her wheel and one of the chests, also one third of my Real and personal estate of the sales after the debts is paid, the residue to be devided equally between my children Alexander, James Elder, William, Agnes, Robert, Elizabeth, Andrw, Thomas, Esther, and Marthew, except one hundered and thirty seven Dollars which is to be divided equally among the rest of my children to them and ther Heirs forever.
"Itm, my Fatherinlaw James Elder to get a comfortable living during his life and a Decent Burrying.
"Lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my two sons William and Robert and John Elder Senior executors of this my last will and Testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twentieth day of January in the year 1817.
"Signed and sealed in presence of us, Jno. Holliday, William Kerr; Robert Kerr (seal)"
Agnes was the only daughter who was married at the time of his death.
Robert was buried in Franklin County, Pennsylvania.
The executors of Robert Kerr's estate sold the plantation for $4890.36. Accounts were filed Mar 11, 1823 and Oct 4, 1825.
A page from the Robert Kerr family Bible published in Glasgow in 1776, recorded birth and some death information (see photocopy).
The children of Robert Kerr and Agnes Elder were:
i John*
ii Alexander, b. May 5, 1785, m. Sarah (Sally) Peoples in 1814, d. Nov 27, 1861
*iii James Elder, b. Nov 5, 1786, m. Nancy A. (Mary) Cunningham on Aug 6, 1816, d. Feb 21, 1870
iv William, b. Aug 9, 1788, m. Elizabeth Elder in 1818, d. bef. 10 Mar 1843
v Agnes (Nancy), b. May 16, 1790, m. Robert Simison or John Simison in 1811, d. Jan 25, 1861
vi Robert, b. Feb 3, 1792, m. Martha Elder on Mar 22, 1821, d. Oct 6, 1837
vii Elizabeth, b. Aug 11, 1794, d. Mar 17, 1795
viii Elizabeth, b. Feb 2, 1796, m. Robert (Wm?) Swan or Benjamin Snow on Dec 24, 1822, d. Jul 14, 1862
ix Andrew, b. Mar 11, 1798, m. Margaret Campbell in Mar, 1821
x Joseph, b. Apr 15, 1800, d. Dec 29, 1813
xi Thomas, b. May 25, 1802, m. Martha Hughes
xii Esther, b. Nov 15, 1804, m. Samuel Ross on Feb 13, 1827, d. ca. 1840
xiii Martha M., b. Jul 15, 1806, m. Daniel Hughes on Dec 11, 1830, d. Nov 2, 1888
*The 1873 letter cited in the third paragraph, above, lists eight sons, the eighth being a son named John. This agrees with data handed down to Galen Strain, whose great uncles documented this information in the 1880s.
Family Members
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