William Kerr, Sr

William Kerr was the son of Robert Kerr and Elizabeth Bailey, who married in "1763." He married Mary Ann Grove on about 20 Dec 1796 in Augusta County, Virginia and they had 10 known children in VA. Various birth dates I find are between 1760 to 1769 and death date "16 Jul 1828," without sources. I note the children have names of family members: Elizabeth, Bailey, Mary and Robert) :

Elizabeth 26 Apr 1798, below Bailey 4 Nov 1800 David 14 Jun 1803, below 17713828 Robert Grove 15 Dec 1804, below Margaret 28 Jun 1807, below 57795219 Sarah "Sallie" 30 Oct 1810, below John 23 Jun 1812 Samuel Xerxes 21 Aug 1814, below William Jr. 17 Oct 1816, below Mary Jane 3 Nov 1818, below 5494896

Did this William purchase lands in 1809 in Augusta Co., in the Beverley Grant? Acres: 201 and 275, not close by to each other. They are on J.R. Hildebrande's 1954 map of Beverley Patent early grantees. Did he inherits his father's estate or was it his son instead that owned it in 1860? (more research)

In 1860, his wife Mary Kerr, is living with elder son David and his family. She is 80 years old.

The 26 Mar 1878 issue of the Staunton Spectator, includes an article Bethel Church-Yard which lists William Kerr, Sr., without any dates. This man died before 26 Mar 1878. I can't find data to support it either way so have made this site to connect his family. (I suspected this William was buried here and noted it on this FaG site for him at unknown location, changing it 10-15. Seeking more documentation.)

According to the 2-2015 VASSAR (VA State Sons of the American Revolution) Grave database, #1910, William Kerr, born "1760 in Fifeshire, Scotland," died 16 Jul 1828 in Augusta Co., VA is buried here. He served in VA and PA and in the 3rd Company Rifleman, 5th Battalion, Washington Co., PA, GPS 38.04257, -79.17283, the husband of Mary Ann Grove, burial source code N, JLARC 63. "Private ?"

Wm Kerr, Sr, died 16 Jul 1828 is on the list of person from the Bethel Church Registers that does not have a marker. Their older registers prior to 1817 were burned by fire. It also lists Bailey Kerr, died 30 Dec 1823. Here Lyeth, Dorothy Lee Weaver, Greenville, VA, 6-1987, p 83.

I disagree with the birth 1760 in Fifeshire. (Would love to see some proof anyone.) One undocumented source (early DAR app) says his father is believed to be born in Fifeshire (seeking data). If Willam was born in 1760, did he have a different mother or was he born later in 1769 (seek data)? In 1760 born in Scotland perhaps and 1769 in Pennsylvania. I'm not sure how VASSAR got a GPS figure when there is no marker and the church didn't know of it.

His Augusta Co., VA will was probated on 25 Aug 1828. It looks like on the recorded copy he signs his name and adds a seal. I suspect the next article following it is a codicil, which he signed with a mark. It's hard to read, but mentions his wife Mary and his children: David, Peggy, Jane, Elizabeth, Grove (?), Samuel (or Lemuel), Sally, Ina and William.

His wife is buried at Shemariah Church Cemetery.

Family Members

Parents
Robert Kerr 1726–1808

Elizabeth Bailey Kerr 1729–1810

Spouse
Mary Ann Grove Kerr 1780–1867

Siblings Daniel Kerr* 1764–1837

Margaret Kerr Dunlap* 1766–1848

David Kerr* 1772–1851

Children
Elizabeth Kerr Wallace* 1798–1879

David Kerr* 1803–1882

Robert Grove Kerr* 1804–1893

Margaret Kerr Hogshead* 1807–1869
Sarah Ann Kerr Hoge* 1810–1872

Samuel Xerxes Kerr* 1814–1886

William Kerr* 1816–1867

Mary Jane Kerr Anderson* 1818–1899

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