by Roxy Triebel
treebz65@hotmail.com

The following information is taken from my grandmother's book, "Tangled Roots and Twisted Branches" (published 1987), with some minor reformatting for the web (it still manages to wander around a bit and be confusing to follow, especially in the earlier generations).  This book is known to contain some errors.  If you have any corrections or additions, please contact me.

Most of the Kerrs in the United States descended from four brothers who came to the New Jersey area; some to Pennsylvania in early 18th century.

"Aunt Sadie's Diary - 'visited Harry Kerr, Robert's friend of movie days in Sherman Oaks, California.  He said ROBERT KERR and three brothers came at the same time to America.  One settled in Virginia, one in Ohio, and (Herry's Ancestor) EMILY KERR (re American Register).  The son, George's daughter, EMILY says they left Scotland near Glasgow between 1702 and 1704.  They settled in Ireland at Antrim and Downes.  Robert married Mary Buchanan (1786 - 1856) possibly before he left Scotland.  Robert came over for the main purpose of educating his children.  Robert was killed by being thrown from a load of hay, and left widow, Mary, and nine children.  He was a very religious man.  They lived in Hunter, Greene County, New York.' "

"Grand-daughter, Katie Lowrie said she thought they lived near Windham, near Nelsons and Robbs families, possibly kin of the KERRs.  Three families came over on the same boat, settled at Mithcell Hollow half-way between Windham and Hunter."

"Mary Buchanan had a brother, James Buchanan, who had a Hotel in Belfast, Ireland.  He came and lived with the Kerr family in the U.S."

"The Kerrs had six children born in Carrackfargaus on River Lagar before 1823.  On January 1823, the family landed at St. Lawrence River, came to Lake Champlain.  It took six weeks for the trip in a sailing vessel with very rough seas.  They brought only chests of linens and clothes, as Robert was a linen weaver."

..........[HOLWAY - KERR family record; by David F. Holway
         KERRS OF THE CATSKILLS May - June 1931 : American Register.  Richard and Jerome Holway]

ROBERT KERR b. 1783?  d. 1836 married Mary Buchanan (daughter of Dr. James Buchanan and Miss Nelson) of Belfast.  Her kin claim relationship to Pres. James Buchanan.  Will follow this line later..........

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The KERR brothes were Robert, George, probably Samuel and possibly William or John Kerr.  They tarried a few months in Quebec, Canada, after which ROBERT and GEORGE came to Greene County, New York.

GEORGE KERR b. 1758 Scotland d. 16 Sept. 1830 at Hunter, NY; buried in Evergreen Cemetery in Tannersville.

GEORGE married about 1780/5 CATHERINE ALEXANDER, born 1786 (this year can't be right - probably a typo in the book - RT) in England and died 15 Aug 1839; is buried Evergreen Cemetery in Tannersville, New York.

Vesta Tompkins Hommel of Tannersville and Mrs. Mohrbeck of Woodstock, said:

"Catherine Alexander was from a very wealthy and prominent family, thought connected with British Royalty.  Her family were very much opposed to the marriage with George Kerr; and so, George and Catherine eloped and had to hide from the family."

Charlotte Chesbrough of Jacksonville, Florida also concurred in this information.

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Children of GEORGE KERR and his wife, Catherine Alexander, were:

1. GEORGE B. Carr / Kerr, born 1787 Ireland, married Joanna Underhill of NY.
   
2. Robert born 1790 Ireland married Ann...
   
3. Joseph born 1805 Ireland married Julia...  nothing further...
   
4. Elenor born 1807 Ireland married Robert R. Kerr.  nothing further...
   
5. Richard born 6 May 1809 Ireland married Leany / Laney Louise Clum.  Laney died 8 Apr. 1892 aged 76 years.  Their children are:  [from Mrs. Mohrbeck's Bible record]
   
   1. Albert L. Kerr born Nov. 1836
      
   2. Caroline Kerr born 25 Oct 1838 wf / Edward MARTIN
      
   3. Philip E. Kerr born 2 Apr 1841
      
   4. Robert W. Kerr born 18 June 1843, died 28 Mar 1914
      
   5. Virgil Kerr born 1846, died 14 Dec. 1912 aged 65 years
      
   6. Maria Kerr born 23 Nov 1848
      
   7. Elinor I. Kerr born 6 May 1851
      
   8. George A. Kerr born 30 Dec 1852
      
   9. James N. Kerr born 8 Mar 1847
      
   10. Edward B. Kerr born 27 Dec 1859 married Dora Hughes
       
   11. Leany / Jennie L. Kerr born 29 Mar 1863 wf / George Eldridge
       
       1. Leo S. Eldridge died 11 Oct. 1913 age 53 years (born 1860)
          
       2. Leany / Jennie L. Kerr Eldridge died 28 Aug 1927
          
       3. Harry Kerr Eldridge died 23 Dec 1954
          
       4. Harry Philips Kerr married Martha Lane
          

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KERR family from Bible Records, Deeds, Census, Wills, Newspapers, and Scottish Settlers in America;  Articles on KERRS in UNITED STATES:  by Miss Minne Nickum of Nebraska (a descendant of KERR FAMILY of New Jersey) for Prof. William Armstrong of Princetown University, residing Blairtown, N.J.

The name KERR means strength or one who lives by marsh.  KERR was name of one who came with William the Conquerer and was founder of Scottish house.  The Kerrs were great fighters, were in France before 1066, and in ancient times the saying was "no Kerr died with his boots on".  The FAMILY MOTTO is "Forward in the Name of GOD".

ROBERT KERR was a direct descendant of this house.  He married Mary Buchanan and their children are:

1. John born Ireland before 1823 married Sarah Rich.  Their children are:
   
   1. Theresa wf / Jefferson Taylor
      
   2. Emily wf / Edwin Bunt of Hunter
      
   3. John B. Kerr born 1881 married Alice Potts.  Their son:  Grenville Eugene Kerr born 6 June 1893.  A REVd Granville Eugene Kerr born 1858 married Katherine Searles of Prattsville, NY.  He married II:  Lucia Hamilton of Schoharie, NY.

2. George born Ireland
   
3. Jane born Ireland
   
4. James born Ireland
   
5. Robert born Ireland before 1823
   
6. Mary Elizabeth was 6 months old Jan. 1823 when they came to America.
   
7. Samuel KERR was born Greene Co. NY
   
8. Emily
   
9. Sara Ann
   

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GEORGE KERR b. 1787 Ireland; died 15 Oct. 1859 [BIBLE record].  Probably a brother of ROBERT KERR.  He married Joanna Underhill born 1800 NY, died 2 May 1884; both buried Evergreen Cem., Tannersville, NY.  Their children born Green Co., NY are:

1. RICHARD KERR born 1821 / 2 married I:  Elvira Richardson.  He married II:  Lucinda Shufeldt born Coxsackie, NY (daughter of Jacob and Gertrude (Fritz) Shufeldt).  For their descendants, see KERR page 2.
   
2. Joseph Kerr born 1827 married Angeline Van Hosen.  They had six children.
   
3. Margaret Kerr born Aug. 1821, died 9 Feb. 1899, married Jesse Haines / Haynes.  They had three children.
   
4. Elizabeth Joanne Kerr born 1833, died 12 Nov 1904, married Lewis W. FRANCIS (Ancestor of Vesta Hommel).  They had seven children.
   
5. Robert Kerr born 1835 married Margaret Haines.  (This is evidently the Robert who had some sort of trouble with Richard's widow Lucinda.  Also this must be the "UNCLE BUB" that Richard's daughters used to visit in the Hunter area).  See Bk 187, pg 243, 7 June 1887 Kingston Records.  Robert and Margaret had two children.
   
6. George Kerr born 1843, died 1864, buried Evergreen Cemetery, Tannersville.
   

Grandma put another whole page of descendents for the above six children of George and Joanna (Underhill) Kerr.  For further information on them, please see my WorldConnect database.

For additional information on the descendants of Richard and Lucinda (Shufeldt) Kerr (my great great great grandparents), see KERR page 2.

This information may be used by libraries, genealogical societies, and for personal use.  Commercial use of this information is strictly prohibited without prior permission of the owners.  If copied, this copyright notice must appear with the information.