James Bremer Kerr (1834 - 1864)

Born 30 Jun 1834 in Old Deer, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Husband of Frances Mary (Bradley) Jenkins — married 7 Sep 1862 in Roscoe, Winnebago, Illinois, United States

Died 3 Jul 1864 at age 30 in Kennesaw, Cobb, Georgia, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Joelle Colville-Hanson [send private message]

Biography

Lieutenant Colonel James Kerr served in the United States Civil War.
Enlisted: June 2, 1862,
Mustered out: July 3, 1864 (Died of Wounds)
Side: USA
Regiment(s): 67th Regiment, Illinois Infantry Co. C; 74th Regiment, Illinois Infantry

James Kerr died of his wounds at the Atlanta Campaign during United States Civil War.

James was born in 1834 in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. He was the son of George Kerr and Helen Legg.

His family immigrated to Canada in 1835, then came to Illinois, settling in Rockford in 1841. In 1850 they lived in Guilford. ^[1] James attended Beloit college.^[2]

He taught high school at Roscoe and then became the principal. ^[3]

He married Frances Bradley in 1862. ^[4]

Civil War

In June 1862 James enlisted with Company C, 67th Illinois Infantry. ^[5]

He was assigned guarding prisoners at Fort Dearborn, Chicago. In August he was made a Captain in the 74th Illinois Infantry. ^[6]

He returned home to recruit several of his former students for the regiment. On September 4 he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel.

He was taken prisoner in October near Tennessee and was released in the spring of 63 during a prisoner exchange.

Battle of Kennesaw Mountain

While Col. Marsh suffered health issues; Lt. Col. Kerr took command at the Battle Tullahoma. He was wounded in the leg during the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain and taken prisoner. He died of his wounds while a prisoner in Atlanta on July 3, 1864. His body was returned to Rockford Thanksgiving 1865 and buried in Cedar Bluff Cemetery. ^[7][8][9]

Sources

1. ↑ "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M85H-Q19 : 19 December 2020), James Kerr in household of George Kerr, Guilford Twp, Winnebago, Illinois, United States; citing family , NARA microfilm publication (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
2. ↑ Beloit College Catalogue of Students and Faculty 1855-1856 Free image

   Name: James B Kerr, Rockford

3. ↑ "United States Census, 1860", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXHP-C3M : 18 February 2021), James B Kerr in entry for Luther H Fassett, 1860.
4. ↑ "Illinois, County Marriages, 1810-1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK9L-NHN7 : 19 February 2021), James B Kerr and Frances M Bradley, 07 Sep 1862; citing Winnebago, Illinois, United States, county offices, Illinois; FHL microfilm 1,914,041.
5. ↑ Illinois Civil War Muster and Descriptive Rolls

   Name: James B Kerr

   Rank: 1st Lieutenant

   Company: C

   Unit: 67th Illinois Infantry

   Height: 6'

   Hair: LIGHT

   Eyes: BLACK

   Complexion: LIGHT

   Marital Status: Single

   Occupation: Commissioner

   Birth Date: Abt 1834

   Birth Place: Old Deer, Aberdeen, Scotland

   Service Entry Age: 28

   Service Entry Date: 2 Jun 1862

   Service Entry Place: Rockford, IL

   Joined By Whom: H R ENOCH

   Period: 3 MO

   Muster In Date: 13 Jun 1862

   Muster In Place: Chicago, IL

   Remarks: TRANS TO 74 ILL INF AUG 8, 1862

   Residence Place: Rockford, Winnebago Co.,IL

6. ↑ "United States Civil War Soldiers Index, 1861-1865", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FSRP-NZ6 : 25 August 2021), James B. Kerr, 1861-1865.
7. ↑ "United States Civil War and Later Pension Index, 1861-1917", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NHJW-FM8 : 24 March 2016), James B. Kerr, 1864.
8. ↑ Society of the 74th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Reunion Proceedings and History of the Regiment
9. ↑ Registers of Deaths of Volunteers, compiled 1861–1865. ARC ID: 656639. Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1780's–1917. Record Group 94. National Archives at Washington, D.C. Free Image

   Name: James B Kerr

   Death Date: 3 Jul 1864

   Death Place: While Prisoner of War

   Enlistment State: Illinois

   Rank: Lieutenant Colonel

   Regiment: 74 Ill V

   Box Number: 6

• Find A Grave: Memorial #92978838: accessed 21 January 2022), memorial page for LTC James Bremer Kerr (30 Jun 1834–3 Jul 1864), citing Cedar Bluff Cemetery, Rockford, Winnebago County, Illinois, USA ; Maintained by honorwasp (contributor 50036634) .