Abraham Kern (1786 - 1858)

Born 24 Jun 1786 in Rowan, North Carolina, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Susanna (Wilson) Kern — married 30 Jun 1806 in Bourbon County, Kentucky

Descendants

Died 25 Oct 1858 at age 72 in Lawrence, IN

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Biography

First son of Adam Sr

Four children of Adam Kern Sr settled in Lawrence County, IN not far from what is now the city of Bedford. These were Abraham and William, the older sons, Anna and Elizabeth, the second and third daughters. Also settling here were three children of Simeon Kern, Adam's brother. These were Alexander J., Phebe and Edward. Today, descendants of these various branches still live in the Bedford area, most knowing they are related "way back", but not knowing exactly how. (1)

The 1850 census shows he owned property worth $2000 in Indian Creek, Lawrence IN

As a young boy he migrated through the Cumberland Gap into KY as was married the in 1805(7) to Susan Wilson. In the winter of1815-16 they went by sled into Indiana.

In the 1884 History of Lawrence County, notes that Abraham Kern purchased land in Indian Creek Twp in 1817. This same book states "Perhaps the most prominent family in the township has always been the Kern, some of which were among the very first settlers in the western part of the county" This area was known as Fayetteville Valley about 1819-20 according to the old settlers. Descendants of Abraham also recall that early Kerns walked to Vincennes and back to put in land grants. (1)

The Kerns were Tunkers (Dunkers, Dundards) or German Baptists, after the Reformation becoming New Light Christians, later Disciple of Christ or Christian Church members. (1)

Abraham listed his occupation as preacher using the title MG (minister of God) This was the custom of the day when itinerant preachers, without formal ordination) roamed the frontier. "Abraham, the oldest son, founded White River Union or Old Union Church in Lawrence County, Ind., also regarded himself as an MG (minister of God), was a preacher, performed marriages and was a stalwart of the early Christian Church in Indiana."

Sources

• (1) The Kern Family Garrad 1968[[1]]

• The Kern Family of Rowan County NC Garrad 1968 page 49[[2]]

• "Indiana Marriages, 1811-2007," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:27LT-SRQ : 10 December 2017), Abraham Kern in entry for Pleasant Bowman and Clarissa Williams, 11 Nov 1852; citing Lawrence, Indiana, United States, Marriage Registration, Indiana Commission on Public Records, Indianapolis; FHL microfilm 004839003.

• "Kentucky Marriages, 1785-1979", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FWYN-YJQ : 12 January 2020), Abraham Kern, 1806.

• "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MHJ5-465 : 4 April 2020), Abraham Kern, Indian Creek, Lawrence, Indiana, United States; citing family 721, NARA microfilm publication M432 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).

• Find A Grave: Memorial #61462158

See Also:

• FamilySearch Tree