John Kerr Jr (1782 - 1842)

Born 4 Aug 1782 in Yanceyville, Caswell, North Carolina, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Elizabeth (Williams) Kerr — married 17 Apr 1805 in Halifax, Virginia, USA

Husband of Sophia Eliza (D'Antignac) Schley — married 2 Jan 1836 in Richmond, Georgia, United States

Descendants

Died 29 Sep 1842 at age 60 in Danville, Pittsylvania, Virginia, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Ginger Smith [send private message]

Biography

John Kerr Jr was born in 1782 in Caswell County, North Carolina. He was the son of John Kerr and Mary Graves. By 1802 he had moved to Halifax County, VA where he was a licensed minister and in charge of several churches. In 1813 he was elected to Congress where he served two terms, after which he resumed ministry and was pastor of the Baptist churches in Halifax County of Arbor and Mary Creek. In March 1825, he moved to Richmond, VA where he became the pastor of the First Baptist Church where he served as pastor until he resigned in 1832. In 1836 he moved to a farm near Danville, VA where he lived until he passed away in 1842.

He had married Elizabeth Williams, daughter of Col. Robert Williams of Pittsylvania County, VA. They had at least two known children. Daughter, Mary Graves Kerr (b. 10 Nov 1808) and son, John Kerr (b. 10 Feb 1811).

He is buried at the First Baptist Church Cemetery in Caswell County, NC.

John KERR Will 1810

Caswell County, NC Wills

N.C. Archives

Box CR.020.801 (Loose Papers)

John KERR written 13 May 1810

wife: Mary KERR to have 1/2 of land and personal property for her life then to go to children.

son: Solomon to have wife's land at her death and money for schooling.

daughters: Nancy LEA and Mary LEA;

daughters: Ibby and Elizabeth KERR

sons: John, Barzillai and his heirs, Alexander, and James KERR

grandson Zephaniah KERR

son: Alexander to have land on Stony Creek which came from his father

Exe: sons: John, James, Alexander

Test: Jere LEA, James KERR

At the July 1816 session of Caswell County Court, the will of John KERR was contested. The court ruled the paper was not last will of John KERR. James KERR and John KERR were named adm. of the estate of John KERR deceased.

• US Congressman from Virginia, 1813-1817.
• Burial: Yanceyville, Caswell, North Carolina, USA

Sources

• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/12193388/john-kerr
• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/12193388/john-kerr : accessed 15 February 2022), memorial page for John Kerr (4 Aug 1782–29 Sep 1842), Find a Grave Memorial ID 12193388, citing First Baptist Church Cemetery, Yanceyville, Caswell County, North Carolina, USA ; Maintained by Find a Grave .
• The Heritage of Caswell County, North Carolina, 1985, Caswell County Historical Association, Jeannine D. Whitlow, editor. Article on John Kerr, Sr., written by Katharine Kerr Kendall, p. 336. Lists the children of John Kerr and Mary Graves.
• Tyler, Lyon G. "Tyler's Quarterly Historical Genealogical Magazine" Genealogy, July 1922, pp 39-41. Amy Barlow has a copy of it and will scan the pages on request.