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Genealogy - Keepers Family of the American Colonial Period

Group 1.

 

 

The first known Keepers name in America was William Keepers who arrived in Baltimore, Maryland, during the year 1673 as a passenger aboard the vessel 'Constant Friendship'. Lack of documents from this early period precludes positive proof that he is the first American ancestor of the Keepers family. The name of his wife and the dates of his birth, marriage and death are unknown.

 

The second known was William Keepers of Baltimore County, Maryland. He was twice married but the name of his first wife is unknown. His second marriage was to Clara Tanner on May 17,1747 in Warwick, Chester County, Pennsylvania. It is believed that all of his children were born to his first wife. The date of his birth is unknown. He died in 1757 and his will was probated in Baltimore County, Maryland. The will contained a reversionary provision in favor of his grandson Joseph Keepers, Jr., in the event of his widow's remarriage.  William intended that his grandson, Joseph Keepers, Jr., inherit New Holland, his 300 acre farm about 30 miles from Baltimore, Maryland.  However, Clara did not cooperate.

 

William's sons, William and Joseph, each had a son, William Jr. and Isaac, respectively, who served during the Revolutionary War.  Some children of William Keepers, Jr., and his wife Ann Hayes, moved to western Pennsylvania and then, on to Ohio.  Isaac and his wife, Catherine McCardell, raised their family in Maryland.  Some of their sons and their families moved, separately, to Indiana, Missouri and Virginia.

 

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