2.  ABRAHAM2 KEENER (CASPER1) was born 1717 in Germany, and died 1795 in Lincoln Co., NC.  He married JULIANNA //.  She was born Abt. 1720 in Germany, and died Aft. 1795 in Lincoln Co., NC.

Notes for ABRAHAM KEENER:
Abraham Keener, son of Casper Keener and Anna Barbara, was born in Germany in 1717.  He arrived in America on September 29, 1741 on the "Lydia" where he gave his age as 24.  New arrivals were reminded that this country belonged to the King of England and were required to take an oath of alligiance to that king as well as his successors.  A promise was made to conduct themselves as "good and faithful subjects", who would not revolt against His Majesty, who would not settle on lands which were not their own and finally, who would renounce allegiance to the Pope.  After taking the oath, names were signed to two different papers  -  one for the King and the other for the government of Pennsylvania.

According to tradition, Abraham married Julianna in Germany although no record to substantiate this event has been found.  Her name has been listed as Julianna Uli, Ula, and Uly, but I believe these are nicknames or shorter versions of her first name.  Others give her name as Julianna Martin, yet no one appears to have any proof.

Most of their children were born in Pennsylvania.
The fact that they settled in York County, Pennsylvania is documented in
"York County Pennsylvania Deeds 1749-1758"  Vol. I
"142-144   1 Aug 1755  -  John Adlum Esq. high Sheriff of York Co.  -  John Ross lately in the Court of Common Pleas  -  Term of Apr  -  by Judgement of s. court recovered against John Swails, Yeoman  -  a Debt of 120 Pds as 5 Shillings 6 Pence Damages  -  Seized of John Swails a Tract of Land in Newberry Twp.  -  adjoining Robert Hodgen on the Great Conewagon  -  Sold at Public Vendue to Abraham Keener  -  highest bidder  -  53 Pds-10 Shillings  -  50 a [acres].
Wts:  Hugh Bay     Thomas Armor                                John Adlum Sher."

Rece'd 1 Aug 1755 of Abraham Keener  53 Pds 10 Shillings  in full.

Acknowledged in open Court of Common Pleas at York  July Term   2 Aug 1755
with the original at York.  1 Sept 1755            Geo. Stevenson, Recorder

On March 26, 1767, Abraham Keener became naturalized in Salisbury, Rowan County, North Carolina.  He was a farmer and land owner in North Carolina for the rest of his life.

The following deeds are listed in "Lincoln County, North Carolina Deeds  -  New Book 4 & Old Book 15",   "Lincoln Co. NC Deeds  Book 15", and "Deed Abstracts of Tryon, Lincoln and Rutherford Counties, NC  1769-1786"

Abraham Keener owned land prior to 1769.  "4 Oct 1769  Henry Jacobs of Tryon Co., farmer, & wf Susanna to Michael Rudisell, of same, for L27 proc. money.....land adj. [adjacent] Abraham Keener."

October Court 1772.     Andrew Neel, Register
"23 Oct 1772,  Abraham Keener and wf Ula of Tryon co., to James Abernathy of same, for L60.....land on both sides Leeper Creek, adj Abm. Keeners line, 280 A {acres}, part of 450 A granted unto Gasper Keener on 20 May 1754...Abraham Keener (seal), Ula Keener (x) (seal).   Wit: William Moore, Robt. Abernathy, Miles Abernathy.   Rec. Oct term 1772."

"Colony of North Carolina 1765-1775"  Vol. 2  #8984  page 189
"Abraham Keener  -  28 Feb 1775  From the Crown to Abraham Keener:  100 A in Tryon County on both sides of Leepers Creek on the Catawba River, joining John Keener."

23 May 1778 " Abraham Keener and wife Julianna Keener of Tryon County  to Peter Finger of same, for L320 ... part of a tract sold to Jas Abernathy, 170 A granted to Gasper Keener, father of sd. Abraham 25 May 1754, and 100 A granted
to sd. Abraham 28 Feb 1775 ..... ________Keener [German signature]  (seal),  Julianna Keener (x)  (seal),  Wit: Richard Johnstone, Robt Blackburn.
Rec. October Term 1784."

10 Jul 1786  Granted: Abraham Keener claims 300 A in Lincoln Co. on waters of Sniders Creek and Long Branch.  Includes his own improvement he now lives on. L30.

16 Jul 1786  Granted:  Abraham Keener claims 78 A on Long Branch of Snider's Creek bordering Nathias Killen,  Michael Cloninger and own land.  L7.16

28 Dec 1789  "Abraham Keenor Sr (Lincoln Co) to Jacob & John Keenor (same); for L100 NC money sold 290 ac on waters of Sniders Cr; border: Matthias Keelion, Link, & his own old line; granted Aug. 7, 1787 to Abraham Keener.  Signed Abraham Kuhner (german).  Witness Lemeul Saunders & Larkin Johnson.  Rec. Jan. 1790.  book 4 p. 45; Book 15 p. 301."

28 Dec 1789  "Abraham Keenor Sr (Lincoln Co) to John & Jacob Keener (same):  for
(Omitted) sold 2 mares--a black branded on off shoulder "S7", a dark brown branded on near shoulder "   ", a black horse colt branded with "O" on off shoulder, a bright bay horse branded on off shoulder with "Ks", another bay branded on off shoulder "S7", all the cows & calves, a bull, a lume (?), and all slayes and all "belonging", all the plow irons & hoes, a pair stillyards, a lock chain, all sheep & all hogs I own, all beds & bed cloaths, a frying pan, all metal pots, all pewter, all meat, corn & other grain, all money owing, saddles, bridles, axes, mattocks, "to contain" all servsables (?) and all found of my estate.  Signed Abraham Kuhner (german)."

28 Dec   LIncoln Co., North Carolina Deed Book 16, p. 226  -  Jacob & John Keenor to Abraham Keener a bond of L500 NC money.

2 Jan 1790  " Abraham Keener Sr  (Lincoln Co) to Abraham jr (same) for L10 NC money sold 78 ac on long branch of Sniders Cr; border: his other survey of 300 ac and Matthias Keelion; granted Aug 7, 1787 to Abraham Keenor.  Signed Abraham Kuhner.  Witness Lemuel Saunders & Mary Saunders.  Rec. Jan. 1790  Book 4 p. 41; Book 15 p. 297."

Lincoln County January Sessions 1792   "...........Aforesaid [Abraham Keenor]
state on demand and give him a lawfull maintainance of Cloathing and Eatables Douring his natural Life and find him a Horse and Saddle to ride on Then shall the above obligation be void and of none effet Else to remain in full force of the Law.  Signed  Jacob(X) Kenor (seal) and John (x) Kenor  (seal)
Signed, sealed & delivered in the presence of Lemuel Saunders & Larkin Johnson"

"Tryon County, North Carolina Index to Land Surveys" by Miles S. Philbeck, 1987, Chapel Hill, NC:
"File #1045 and #218  -  Keener, Abraham,   Grant Date 1775
First Chainbearer  -  John Keener;  Second Chainbearer  -  James Abernathy;
Watershed  -  Leepers Creek"

"File #1067 & #1240  -  Abernathy, James,   Grant Date 1775
First Chainbearer  -  Robert Johnston;  Second Chainbearer  -  Abraham Keener;
Watershed  -  Leepers Creek"

October Court 1786  -  Lincoln County, NC, Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions -
"Ordered by Court that the following persons be summoned by the Sheriff to meet and lay off a road from Beaties Ford to Lincolnton, the nearest and best way, having special regard to the Act of Assembly in that case made and provided, and return these proceedings to our next court; Lemuel Sanders, Michael Butts, Robert Johnson, Michael Engle, Henry Slinkerd, John Finger, Devalt Crouse, Abraham Keener, Elias Moyer, Peter Crites, Matthew Goodson, Phillip Cansler."

When Abraham Keener took the loyalty oath, he endeavored to keep his promise by being a loyal Tory.  No doubt many in North Carolina were influenced by the actions of some of South Carolina's leaders who voiced their loyalty to the King  - Charles Pinckney, president of the S. C. Senate, Rawlins Lowndes, president of the state of S. C., and Henry Middleton, president of the first American Congress.
"They were told that the loyal would be rewarded and protected but that the rebellious would be severely punished".

Selecting older men to serve as leaders was a common practice in both armies.  Although Abraham was in his sixties, there is evidence that he participated in the bloody battle at Ramsour's Mill on June 20, 1780.

Cornwallis had given instructions to remain at home until after the wheat crop could be harvested and there was ample food for the soldiers, but they could not refrain from "jumping the gun", so to speak.  The following account of the Battle at Ramsour's Mill can be found on pages 125-127 in the book, "The Loyalists in North Carolina During the Revolution" by Robert O. DeMond published in 1979:

"Colonel Moore called a meeting of the Tories, June 10, 1780, at his father's residence on Indian Creek, near Ramsaur's Mill.  Here he was met by forty men, to whom he revealed Cornallis's plan of campaign.  Before the meeting adjourned, it was revealed that Major McDowell with a company of Patriot militia of Burke County was only eight miles distant and in search of some of their number.  They determined to make a surprise attack  upon McDowell, who learned of their action and escaped.  Moore directed the men to meet him on the thirteenth at Ramsaur's Mill, and the readiness with which the Tories responded may be judged from the fact that over two hundred appeared at that time and on the next day many others, among whom was Major Nicholas Walsh of Colonel Hamilton's regiment.  By the twentieth the number had grown to thirteen hundred, about one fourth of whom were without arms.  They were encamped on a hill about three hundred yards from Ramsaur's Mill and a half mile north of the present village of Lincolnton.

Here they were attacked by McDowell and Locke with about four hundred men.
The Tories were defeated, but the loss in dead and wounded on each side was about equal.  Neighbor fought against neighbor, kindred against kindred.  Old personal and political enemies sometimes met, and then the fighting was doubly ferocious.  In order to identify themselves, the Whigs at first wore white paper in their hats and the Tories a sprig of green but since these identification marks attracted the fire of the enemy, they were soon abandond.  The Whigs despaired of victory as Captain Warlick rallied his men to the bloody charge again and again.  William Shays, noting this, set about to kill him in real Indian fashion.  Stealthily he made his approach from tree to tree and was at last close enough to pick off the brave and gallant Warlick.  With his loss the whole Loyalist line slowly gave way.

Captain Kimik, a Whig, was captured by a Tory captain, Abram Keiner, his personal friend.  He would probably have been killed had Kiener not made him a prisoner and graciously spared his life.

When Cornwallis arrived, the people having been defeated once, were loath to rise to his aid, and he lost more by desertion than he gained by recruits.  Of the Tories captured, all were paroled except a few who had committed serious depredations, and these were placed in the Salisbury jail. Those who were paroled were as honest now in keeping their new pact as they had been before in keeping their former one to the King."  Many of us believe that Abraham Keener was one of this group who changed his allegiance and became a loyal Patriot.

Lincoln County Court of Pleas and Quarters 1789-1796
January Court 1796  -  Ordered by the court that letters of Administration on the estate of Abraham Keener deceased issue to Juliana Keener, widow and relict of said Abraham dec'd who qualified and gave bond security.

In Jan 1799 (p. 77) - Ordered by court that Thomas Wheeler and Joseph Graham be a committee to settle the estate of Abraham Keener deceased and make return thereof to the present court.

More About ABRAHAM KEENER:
Fact 1: September 29, 1741, Came to USA on the Lydia (age 24)
Fact 2: Battle of Ramsour's Mill

Children of ABRAHAM KEENER and JULIANNA // are:
 i. HANNAH3 KEENER, m. FIELDS BRADSHAW, August 31, 1798, Lincoln Co., NC; b. Abt. 1762, Lincoln Co., NC.
3. ii. WILLIAM KEENER, b. Abt. 1740.
4. iii. JOHN E KEENER SR., b. Abt. 1745, PA; d. 1823, Lincoln Co., NC  Will probated 1823.
 iv. JACOB KEENER, b. 1748; d. 1807, Lincoln Co., NC.

Notes for JACOB KEENER:
December 28, 1789   -  Will Book 16, page 226   -   Jacob Keenor & John Keenor pay 500 pounds to Abraham Keenor.

In the name of God Amen   I Jacob Keener of the State of North Carolina & County of Lincoln being weak in body though of perfect and sound mind & memory do hereby make this my last Will & Testament & revoking all former Wills by me made & first I bequeath my soul to God who gave it & my body to the Earth to be buried in a decent Christain manner at the discretion of my Brother John Keener
   2nd   And as to such worldly goods whereby at hath pleased God to bless me I do dispose of it in the following manner & form_____(?) that my funeral expenses & all just debts be paid & that the Moiety of the Tract of Land conveyed to me by my father in jointenancy with my brother John Keener I do hereby devise  Will & bequeath the said Moiety Tract unto the said John Keener his heirs & assigns forever __
  3rd   All my other property whether Cattle debts owing Household furniture farming utensils or whatever I may possess at the time of my decease I do hereby will unto my said Brother John Keener __
 4. I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint my trusty & well beloved Brother John Keener sole Executor of this my last will & Testament as well as Heir of all my Estate Real & personal in witness whereof I have hereunto affixed my seal & signed the same as my last will and Testament this 29 day of December in the year of our Lord 1800.

Signed sealed & acknowledged                                                 his
by Jacob Keener as his last will                                       Jacob (X) Keener
& Testament in presence of us                                                 mark              Seal
      J. Graham
 James Reed
 J. Lawrance                                                        Executor Sworn

State of North Carolina January Sessions A.D. 1807
The written will was proved in open Court by the oath of Joseph Graham & recorded.
 Witness    Scott Henderson (?)

More About JACOB KEENER:
Fact 1: Jacob Keener never married.
Fact 2: Probably died in 1806.
Fact 3: January 1807, Will proved.

 v. MARIAH KEENER(MARIA), b. 1753; m. WILLIAM BALDRIDGE, October 06, 1775.
5. vi. EVE KEENER, b. 1754; d. Lincoln Co., NC.
6. vii. MARTIN KEENER, b. 1756; d. Cumberland Mt., TN.
7. viii. ABRAHAM KEENER JR, b. Abt. 1752, Lincoln Co.,  NC; d. Bef. June 06, 1835, Christian Co., KY.