KERR FAMILY CHRONICLES

© Christopher Earls Brennen

Appendix 2A. KERR FAMILIES

Here we document several Kerr families from the area south of Dungannon that may be connected with our family.

FAMILY OF JAMES KERR OF DRUMNASTRADE:

  1. James Kerr, senior, born about 1800, was a substantial farmer in the townland of Drumnastrade, about three miles south of the town of Dungannon, County Tyrone. In the Griffith Valuation of about 1860 he is listed as holding from Viscount Powerscourt, one parcel of land of over 65 acres worth 45 pounds and another of 3 acres in Drumnastrade. He occupies a house worth two pounds on the large parcel and sublets three small houses to David Carberry, Alexander Kerr and James Kerr, labourer. James also holds just over 28 acres worth 22 pounds in the townland of Dunseark and three acres in the townland of Mullycarnan; he also sublets a small house in Mullycarnan to Grace Wallace. Mullycarnan and Dunseark are townlands immediately to the north of Drumnastrade. James was married twice, all his children being with his first wife. His second wife was Martha Knox, who raised the children. The children of James Kerr, senior:
    1. David Kerr was most probably a son of James Kerr. He was born about 1823 and on Jan.21, 1859, was married in the Church at Moy to Mary Wiley, a full-aged spinster from Gorestown whose father was farmer James Wiley. David is listed as a full-aged, bachelor farmer from Drumnastrade whose father is farmer James Kerr. Henry Kerr and James Wylie witnessed the marriage. David is not listed in the 1860 Griffith Valuation but may well have inherited his father's farm. Mary Kerr died at the age of 60 and was buried in the Clonfeacle Parish graveyard on Jun.13, 1895. In the 1901 Census David is listed as a 78-year-old widowed farmer living in Drumnastrade with the children indicated below and a 20-year-old unmarried domestic servant named Catherine Kelly, a Roman Catholic. In the 1911 Census David is listed as a 88-year-old widowed farmer living in house #1 in Drumnastrade with the children indicated below and a 18-year-old unmarried farm servant named Joseph McCorry, a Roman Catholic. David and his family are listed as belonging to the Church of Ireland. David Kerr died on Oct.5, 1920, at the age of 97 and was buried in the Clonfeacle Parish graveyard on Oct.7, 1920. In his will David names as executors his son, Thomas J. Kerr and Alexander Reid, farmers. He left effects of 703 pounds and ten shillings. David and Mary Kerr had children:
      1. James Robert Kerr, born about 1865, is listed in the 1901 Census as an unmarried 35-year-old farmer's son living with his father in Drumnastrade. In the 1911 Census he is listed as a 51-year-old unmarried farmer living in house #1 in Drumnastrade with his father. James Robert Kerr of Drumnastrade died on Dec.15, 1914; his father David Kerr, who outlived him, is listed as executor.
      2. Mary Jane Kerr was born in Drumnastrade on Nov.9, 1864. James Kerr was present at the birth. In the 1901 Census Mary Jane is listed as a 30-year-old unmarried farmer's daughter living with her father in Drumnastrade. In the 1911 Census she is listed as an unmarried 47-year-old living in house #1 in Drumnastrade with her father. Mary Jane died at the age of 74 and was buried in the Clonfeacle Parish graveyard on May 23, 1940.
      3. Thomas J. Kerr was born in Drumnastrade on Jul.29, 1867. James Kerr, occupier, was present at the birth. In the 1901 Census he is listed as an unmarried 28-year-old farmer's son living with his father in Drumnastrade. In the 1911 Census he is listed as a 45-year-old unmarried farmer living in house #1 in Drumnastrade with his father. It seems likely that Thomas inherited his father's farm in Drumnastrade after his father's death in 1920 for he was named executor in his father's will. Thomas died at the age of 56 and was buried in Clonfeacle Parish graveyard on Jan.26, 1926.
      4. Eliza Kerr was born in Drumnastrade on Oct.18, 1869. James Kerr, occupier, was present at the birth.
      5. David Kerr was born in Drumnastrade on Nov.14, 1872. In the 1901 Census he is listed as an unmarried 23-year-old farmer's son living with his father in Drumnastrade.
    2. James Kerr, junior, was also a son of James Kerr, senior according to the Knox family history (Connie Knox Beck, cbeck@ll.net). He also married a Martha Knox, the neice of his father's second wife of the same name. James Kerr, junior, was a witness to the marriage of his sister Jane in 1845. In the Griffith Valuation of about 1860, James Kerr, junior, is listed as holding a house and farm in Drumnastrade from Viscount Powerscourt. The house is worth 35 shillings and the land is over 14 acres worth about 11 pounds.
    3. Jane Kerr was a daughter of James Kerr. On August 13, 1845, she was married to John Hadden in the church of Derrygortrevy, parish of Clonfeacle. Derrygortrevy is less than a mile from Drumnastrade. On their marriage certificate Jane is listed as being of full age, a spinster of Drumnastrade, district of Derrygortrevy and her father is given as James Kerr, farmer. John is listed as of full age, a bachelor farmer of Ards(?) Aghalee, the son of Robert Hadden, farmer. James Kerr, junior, witnessed the marriage. One daughter of John and Jane Hadden:
      1. Emma Hadden was born in 1867-69 and married R.J.Kerr who was born in Ireland but lived in Philadelphia in 1905 when Emma died. Emma's name is on the Hadden family tombstone at Castlecaulfield Presbyterian Church, Donaghmore (from Annie Crenshaw, anniecrenshaw@centurytel.net).
    4. Mary Anne Kerr was a daughter of James Kerr and recorded as so in the Knox Family history mentioned above. On Jan. 31, 1854, she was married to Joseph Orr in the church of Derrygortrevy, parish of Clonfeacle. On their marriage certificate Mary Anne is listed as being of full age, a spinster of Drumnastrade, the daughter of James Kerr, farmer. Joseph is listed as of full age, a bachelor farmer of Lisnacroy, the son of Robert Orr, farmer. Family belief is that Joseph was killed by the IRA. Their children:
      1. Joseph Orr.
      2. female Orr who married a man named ? Scott. They lived in Belfast and had three children:
        1. Joseph Scott was killed in the first bombing of Belfast harbor in 1941.
        2. Harriet Scott did not marry.
        3. Richard Scott did not marry.
      3. Annie Orr was born on Jan.20, 1867, in Lisnacroy, Benburb, and in 1890 married Archibald Reid of the townland of Derrygoonan (close to Lisnacroy and Drumnastrade) where they lived and farmed. Annie died about 1900, Archie 3 years later and they are buried in Meeting Green Cemetery between Lisnacroy and Derrygoonan. Their daughter:
        1. Elizabeth Reid married and had a daughter who became Edith Robinson. Edith provided information on the descendents of the Orrs.
    5. Isabella Kerr is recorded as a daughter of James Kerr, Senior, in the Knox Family history mentioned above.

FAMILY OF WILLIAM KERR OF DRUMNASTRADE

  1. William Kerr was born about 1851 and became a farmer in Drumnastrade. He may have been an elder son of the above David Kerr. William married Jane Barclay (or Barkley), born about 1855, and they are listed as residents in Drumnastrade in the 1901 Census. They are listed as belonging to the Church of Ireland. In the 1911 Census 62-year-old farmer William Kerr and his 56-year-old wife, Jane, are listed as living in house #5 in Drumnastrade with four of their children. This may be the Jane Kerr of Drumnastrade who died on Apr.23, 1920, and whose executor was her husband William Kerr, farmer. Her effects were 140 pounds 4 shillings and 2 pence. The children of William and Jane Kerr:
    1. Matilda Jane Kerr was born on Apr.7, 1878, in Drumnastrade. Under the name of Martha, she is listed in the 1901 Census as an unmarried 21-year-old living with her parents in Drumnastrade. In the 1911 Census 31-year-old unmarried Martha Kerr is listed as living in house #5 in Drumnastrade with her parents.
    2. George Edwards Kerr was born on Apr.17, 1880, in Drumnastrade. He is listed in the 1901 Census as an unmarried 19-year-old living with his parents in Drumnastrade. In the 1911 Census 30-year-old unmarried George E Kerr is listed as living in house #5 in Drumnastrade with his parents.
    3. Mary Kerr is listed in the 1901 Census as a 14-year-old daughter living with her parents in Drumnastrade. In the 1911 Census 22-year-old unmarried Mary J Kerr is listed as living in house #5 in Drumnastrade with her parents.
    4. Anne Kerr is listed in the 1901 Census as an 11-year-old daughter living with her parents in Drumnastrade. Anne must have died prior to the 1911 Census.
    5. Elizabeth Kerr is listed in the 1901 Census as an 8-year-old daughter living with her parents in Drumnastrade. In the 1911 Census 16-year-old unmarried Liza Kerr is listed as living in house #5 in Drumnastrade with her parents.

FAMILY OF THOMAS KERR OF DRUMNASTRADE

  1. Thomas Kerr, born before 1798, was a farmer in Drumnastrade. He married Maria McCanna. We only know of this couple from the history described below. The children of Thomas and Maria Kerr:
    1. James Kerr was born in Drumnastrade on May 12, 1820, the son of Thomas and Maria (McCanna) Kerr. This and all the following information on James and his family is taken from the section on Highland Township (pages 841, 842) in the ``History of Clayton County, Iowa'' written in 1882. James worked on his father's farm in Drumnastrade and attended school until 1839 when, at the age of nineteen, he emigrated alone to the United States. Landing in New York City, he soon became the cook on board a sloop running between New York and Kingston on the Hudson River. Two years later he shipped before the mast on a regular line of brigs running between New York City and Savannah, Georgia. After two years he changed and sailed from Toronto, Canada, to all points on the Great Lakes; Ontario, Erie and Michigan. In 1848 he began farming near Elgin, Illinois, though he also sailed from Chicago for one season until the fall of 1849, when he returned to Elgin, Illinois. Soon after he married Elizabeth Binnie on Mar.5, 1850, in Big Foot Prairie, Wisconsin. Elizabeth was born in Airdrie, Lanarkshire, Scotland, on May 5, 1833, the daughter of Robert and Agnes (McClarin) Binnie. She emigrated to the US with her parents when she was 16. After their marriage James and Elizabeth Kerr farmed in Kane County, Illinois, until July, 1855, when they settled in Clayton County, Iowa, and bought their lifelong homestead. Surrounding the house was a fine farm of 580 acres on sections 15, 17 and 18, of Highland Township, all under cultivation except for 70 acres of timber. James grew grain and was an extensive stock-raiser. He was one of the old settlers and one of the enterprising men of Clayton County, with which he was first identified on Jul.12, 1855. They were still living there in 1882. James became a US citizen on Sep.14, 1868. The family were members of the Presbyterian church in Dundee, Illinois. James was a supporter of the Republican Party from its inception. Since he was still hale and hearty in 1882, he probably supplied all the information for the history. James and Elizabeth Kerr had fifteen children, fourteen of whom were living in 1882 when the history was written:
      1. Thomas Kerr was born in Kane County, Illinois on May 18, 1851. He moved to Clayton County, Iowa, with his parents when he was four years old. Thomas was married on Dec. 10, 1879, to Ella Moats, who was born in Clayton County, Iowa, the daughter of David and Lydia A. (Clapper) Moats. After their marriage Thomas and Ella spent two weeks in Chicago, and then settled upon their farm in Clayton County. In 1882 this consisted of 100 acres of land, 85 under cultivation, and the remainder in timber. The history calls him one of the enterprising and energetic men of Clayton County. In politics he was a Republican, and cast his first vote for U.S. Grant. Thomas died on Jan.5, 1925, and is buried in Ilyria Cemetary, Clayton County. By 1882 Thomas and Ella had one child:
        1. Lulu Kerr was born Jan. 5, 1881.
      2. Agnes Kerr was born on Oct.2, 1852, and married William Young.
      3. Marie Kerr was born on Mar.25, 1854, and married George Fairweather on Nov.18, 1879.
      4. Robert Kerr was born on Mar.16, 1856, and married Jennie Paddleford.
      5. James Kerr was born on Feb.8, 1858, and did not marry. He was clerking in Chicago in 1882.
      6. Hannah Kerr was born on Oct.1, 1859, and married ? Melber. She was living in Chicago in 1882.
      7. John Kerr was born on Jun.28, 1861, in Highland Township and married Clara Meisner on Apr.2, 1891. He died on Feb.15, 1933. His descendants continue to live in the stone house that James Kerr built in about 1852.
      8. Lydia Kerr was born on Feb.7, 1863, and married Devit Ellis on Oct.25, 1890. She died Feb.7, 1892, probably during childbirth. Her child was raised by Maria Fairweather and Devit went back to Australia.
      9. Anna Kerr was born on Jun.19, 1865, and married Willis Pardee on May 8, 18??.
      10. Urias Kerr was born on May 19, 1867, and married Belle Griswold. He dropped dead in the street of a heart attack on Mar.19, 1907. Belle went to California with the three children.
      11. Edward Kerr was born on Apr.29, 1869, and died unmarried on Mar.11, 1898, of a bone infection associated with a knee injury incurred while working as a drover in Chicago.
      12. Amelia Kerr was born on May 21, 1871, and died on Mar.23, 1874.
      13. Elizabeth Kerr was born on Jul.23, 1873, and married Wilbur Bailey.
      14. Henry Binnie Kerr was born on Dec.7, 1875, and married Elizabeth McMullen on Oct.12, 1898. He died in Cresco, Howard County, Iowa, on May 11, 1859. He and Elizabeth had three children:
        1. Florence Kerr
        2. Osey Bertram Kerr
        3. James Leo Kerr who was born Oct.31, 1902, in Highland Township and died on Jul.4, 1976, in Nora Springs, Iowa. He had one child Leone Marie Kerr, born Nov.12, 1937, who provided most of the information on this family. She has three daughters and four grandchildren.
      15. Jessie Kerr was born on Feb.14, 1880, and married Morris Lamphier in Elkader, Iowa, on Mar.2, 1904. She died Feb.2, 1962, in Strawberry Point, Iowa.
    2. Thomas Kerr also emigrated to Iowa and became a US citizen on Aug.31, 1885. He is believed to have married an Englishwoman named Rosa, born about 1847. In 1870, Thomas and Rosa were living next door to his brother James in Clayton County, Iowa, and Thomas was working as a farm laborer for a man named Samuel Hawthorne. Thomas was buried in the family plot in the Ilyria Cemetary but without a headstone. He and Rosa had at least one child:
      1. Maria Kerr
    3. John Kerr also emigrated to Iowa and became a US citizen on Jan.29, 1872.

FAMILY OF JONATHAN KERR OF DRUMMOND

  1. Jonathan Kerr was a farmer in the townland of Drummond. His children:
    1. Jonathan Kerr was born about 1838 and is listed on his marriage certificate as a 30-year-old bachelor farmer from Drummond whose father was farmer Jonathan Kerr. On Apr.22, 1868, he was married in Eglish Presbyterian Church to Eliza Forsythe, a 28-year-old spinster from Drumnastrade whose father was farmer Robert Forsythe. They may well have inherited Robert's farm for all their children were born in Drumnastrade and the family is listed in the 1901 Census as residents of Drumnastrade. In that census Jonathan is listed as a 61-year-old widowed farmer who belongs to the Society of Friends (Quakers). In the 1911 Census 71-year-old widowed farmer Jonathan Kerr is listed as living in house #8 in Drumnastrade with family as indicated below. The children of Jonathan and Eliza Kerr:
      1. Robert John Kerr was born in Drumnastrade on Apr.20, 1869.
      2. Joseph Kerr was born in Drumnastrade on Oct.20, 1870. In the 1901 Census he is listed as an unmarried 28-year-old labourer living with his father in Drumnastrade. Joseph Kerr of Drumnastrade (father: Jonathan Kerr) was married to Isabella Butron of Lisnacroy on Oct.2, 1907, in Clonfeacle Parish Church. In the 1911 Census 36-year-old farmer Joseph Kerr and his 34-year-old wife, Isabella are listed as living in house #8 in Drumnastrade with his father, his sister and their daughter, Lisa Jane:
        1. Liza Jane Kerr was born about 1908 and is listed in the 1911 Census as a 2-year-old child living with her parents in house #8 in Drumnastrade.
      3. Jane Kerr was born in Drumnastrade on Aug.23, 1872.
      4. Ruth Kerr was born in Drumnastrade on Mar.28, 1874.
      5. Alexander Dunlop Kerr was born in Drumnastrade on Feb.28, 1876. In the 1901 Census he is listed as an unmarried 24-year-old labourer living with his father in Drumnastrade. In the 1911 Census 29-year-old unmarried Alexander Kerr is listed as living in house #8 in Drumnastrade with his brother (and family) and his father.
      6. Mary Kerr was born in Drumnastrade on Jun.28, 1877. In the 1901 Census she is listed as an unmarried 22-year-old housekeeper living with her father in Drumnastrade.
      7. Jonathan Kerr was born in Drumnastrade on Sep.2, 1879.
    2. Thomas Kerr, born about 1842, was a farmer in the townland of Drummond, County Tyrone. On Mar.17, 1869, Thomas Kerr, full age, bachelor, farmer, of Drummond (father: Jonathan Kerr, farmer) was married to Susan Ford, full age, spinster, of Drummond (father: William Ford, farmer) in the Friends Meetinghouse, Grange, parish of Clonfeacle. In the 1901 Census, 58-year-old farmer Thomas Kerr (Society of Friends, born in Co. Tyrone) and his 63-year-old wife Susan Kerr are living in the townland of Drummond with their two sons as indicated below and a boarder, Eliza Smith. In the 1911 Census, 69-year-old farmer Thomas Kerr (Society of Friends, born in Co. Tyrone) and his 74-year-old wife Susan Kerr are living in house #29 in the townland of Drummond with their two sons as indicated below. They have been married 41 years and had 6 children, 5 of them living. Thomas Kerr of Drummond died on Oct.12, 1911, and his will was granted to Susan Kerr, the widow. He left his estate to his son John Kerr and 150 pounds to his second son Jonathan Kerr. However, if son John marries Jane Kerr of Drummond (Thomas's brother Jonathan's daughter?) then the estate goes to son Jonathan! The children of Thomas and Susan Kerr:
      1. Madaline Kerr was born in Drummond on Jan.4, 1870. On 8 Jun 1894 Madoline Kerr was married to Joseph Kerr in the Moy Church of Ireland, parish of Clonfeacle, County Tyrone. Joseph Kerr of Drummond died on Sep.9, 1904, and his widow, Madolne Kerr, was his executor. On 4 Oct 1906 Madoline Kerr was married to Thomas James Dickson in the Dungannon Civil Registrars Office, parish of Drumglass, County Tyrone. In the 1911 Census 41-year-old farmer Madoline Dixson (Society of Friends, born in County Tyrone) is listed as living in house #27 in the townland of Drummond with three of her children. The children of Madoline Kerr/Dickson:
        1. Lille Kerr, the daughter of Joseph and Madoline Kerr, was born about 1901 and is listed in the 1911 Census as a 9-year-old living with her mother in the townland of Drummond.
        2. Joseph Thomas Kerr, the son of Joseph and Madoline Kerr, was born about 1904 and is listed in the 1911 Census as a 6-year-old living with his mother in the townland of Drummond.
        3. Joy Dixson, the daughter of Thomas James and Madoline Dickson, was born about 1907 and is listed in the 1911 Census as a 3-year-old living with her mother in the townland of Drummond.
      2. Susan Kerr was born in Drummond on Nov.11, 1871.
      3. John Kerr was born in Drummond on Sep.2, 1873, and is listed in the 1901 Census as an unmarried 27-year-old farmer (Society of Friends) living with his parents in the townland of Drummond. In the 1911 Census he is listed as an unmarried 36-year-old farmer (Society of Friends) living with his parents in the townland of Drummond. When his father Thomas Kerr died in 1911, John was scheduled to inherit his father's estate in Drummond provided he does not marry Jane Kerr of Drummond (Thomas's brother Jonathan's daughter?).
      4. Jonathan Kerr was born in Drummond on Oct.18, 1875, and is listed in the 1901 Census as an unmarried 25-year-old farmer (Society of Friends) living with his parents in the townland of Drummond. In the 1911 Census he is listed as an unmarried 34-year-old farmer (Society of Friends) living with his parents in the townland of Drummond. When his father Thomas Kerr died in 1911, Jonathan was scheduled to inherit 150 pounds in his father's will provided his brother, John, does not marry Jane Kerr of Drummond (Thomas's brother Jonathan's daughter?). If John does marry Jane then Jonathan is scheduled to inherit the whole of his father's estate!
      5. Ruth Kerr was born in Drummond on Jan.20, 1878.
      6. William Kerr was born in Drummond on May 8, 1880.

    3. John Kerr was probably a son of the same Jonathan Kerr. On Jun.23, 1876, John Kerr of Drumnastrade (father: Jonathan Kerr) was married to Martha Jane Kerr of Moy (father: James Kerr) in St. Columba's Church, Derrygortreavy, parish of Clonfeacle. John must have died prior to the 1901 Census. In that census 45-year-old widowed farmer Martha Kerr (Society of Friends, born in County Tyrone) is listed as living in the townland of Drummond with her four children as indicated below. In the 1911 Census 58-year-old widowed farmer Martha J. Kerr (Society of Friends) is listed as living in house #1 in the townland of Drummond with two of her children as indicated below. The children of John and Martha Jane Kerr:
      1. Jonathan Kerr was born in Drummond on Jun.30, 1877, and is listed in the 1901 Census as an unmarried 22-year-old farmer living with his mother in the townland of Drummond.
      2. Joseph John Kerr was born in Drummond on Nov.24, 1879, and is listed in the 1901 Census as an unmarried 20-year-old farmer living with his mother in the townland of Drummond. In the 1911 Census he is listed as an unmarried 26-year-old farmer living with his mother in house #1 in the townland of Drummond.
      3. James Kerr was born about 1882 and is listed in the 1901 Census as a 18-year-old shopboy living with his mother in the townland of Drummond.
      4. David Kerr was born about 1890 and is listed in the 1901 Census as a 10-year-old schoolboy living with his mother in the townland of Drummond. In the 1911 Census he is listed as an unmarried 21-year-old farmer living with his mother in house #1 in the townland of Drummond.

FAMILY OF WILLIAM KERR OF DRUMMOND

  1. William Kerr was the father of
    1. James Kerr. On Jan.3, 1855, James Kerr, full age, bachelor, farmer, of Drummond (father: William Kerr, farmer) was married to Sarah Wicklow, full age, spinster, of Drummond (father: Joseph Wicklow, farmer) in the Church of Moy. The children of James and Sarah Kerr:
      1. Margaret Kerr was born on Dec.25, 1855, in Drummond.
      2. Hannah Kerr was born on May 27, 1857, in Drummond.
      3. Joseph John Kerr was born on Feb.27, 1859, in Drummond.
      4. William Kerr was born on Dec.28, 1860, in Drummond and became a farmer in the townland of Drummond. About 1889 he married Sarah Jane. This is probably the William Kerr who, on Jul.13, 1888, was married to Sarah Coleman in the Moy Church of Ireland , parish of Clonfeacle, County Tyrone. In the 1901 Census 39-year-old farmer William Kerr (Church of Ireland, born in County Tyrone) and his 43-year-old wife Sarah Jane Kerr (National School Teacher, born in County Tyrone) are living in the townland of Drummond, parish of Clonfeacle, County Tyrone, with their four children as indicated below and a 30-year-old farm servant, Alexander McNickle. In the 1911 Census 48-year-old farmer William Kerr (Society of Friends) and his 53-year-old wife Sarah Jane Kerr (Church of Ireland) are living in house #9 in the townland of Drummond with their four children as indicated below. They have been married 22 years with 5 children born, 5 still living. William and Sarah Jane's children (all born in County Tyrone):
        1. Jane Kerr is listed in the 1901 Census as a 11-year-old schoolgirl living in the townland of Drummond with her parents. This is probably the Jane McMillan who was living at 5420 Regent Street, West Philadelphia, and whose sister, Mary Kerr (a 17-year-old single servant from Dungannon whose father was William Kerr of Drummond, Dungannon) arrived in New York on Mar.18, 1913, aboard the ``Caledonia'' from Londonderry bound for her sister Jane McMillan of 5420 Regent Street, West Philadelphia.
        2. Thomas James Kerr is listed in the 1901 Census as a 10-year-old schoolboy living in the townland of Drummond with his parents. In the 1911 Census he is listed as an unmarried 20-year-old farmer living in the townland of Drummond with his parents.
        3. Hilda Kerr is listed in the 1901 Census as a 7-year-old schoolgirl living in the townland of Drummond with her parents. In the 1911 Census she is listed as an unmarried 17-year-old living in the townland of Drummond with her parents.
        4. Mary Helen Kerr is listed in the 1901 Census as a 5-year-old schoolgirl living in the townland of Drummond with her parents. In the 1911 Census she is listed as an unmarried 15-year-old living in the townland of Drummond with her parents. This is probably the Mary Kerr, a 17-year-old single servant from Dungannon whose father was William Kerr of Drummond, Dungannon, who arrived in New York on Mar.18, 1913, aboard the ``Caledonia'' from Londonderry. She was bound for her sister Jane McMillan of 5420 Regent Street, West Philadelphia.
        5. William Joseph Kerr is listed in the 1911 Census as a 7-year-old schoolboy living in the townland of Drummond with his parents.
      5. Alexander Kerr was born on Jun.10, 1863, in Drummond.
      6. James Kerr was born on Aug.21, 1865, in Drummond. He is of one of the Society of Friends families. In the 1901 Census, 30-year-old unmarried farmer James Kerr (Society of Friends, born in County Tyrone) is living in the townland of Drummond, parish of Clonfeacle, County Tyrone, with two servants, John Hamill and Eliza Monaghan. On Jun.18, 1902, James Kerr was married to Mary Kerr in the Grange Society of Friends, parish of Clonfeacle, County Tyrone. In the 1911 Census 42-year-old farmer James Kerr (Society of Friends, born in County Tyrone) and his 33-year-old wife Mary Kerr (Society of Friends, born in County Tyrone) are listed as living in house #8 in the townland of Drummond with their five children as indicated below. They have been married 8 years and had 5 children, all living. The children of James and Mary Kerr:
        1. Albert William Kerr was born about 1903 and is listed in the 1911 Census as a 7-year-old living with his parents in the townland of Drummond.
        2. Sarah Margretta Kerr was born about 1904 and is listed in the 1911 Census as a 6-year-old living with her parents in the townland of Drummond.
        3. Robert James Kerr was born about 1905 and is listed in the 1911 Census as a 5-year-old living with his parents in the townland of Drummond.
        4. Cecil Kerr was born about 1907 and is listed in the 1911 Census as a 3-year-old living with his parents in the townland of Drummond.
        5. Mary Elizabeth Kerr was born about 1909 and is listed in the 1911 Census as a 1-year-old living with her parents in the townland of Drummond.
      7. Joseph John Kerr was born on Mar.25, 1869, in Drummond with Elizabeth Meenagh present.
      8. Mary Elizabeth Kerr was born on Aug.16, 1872, in Drummond.

    2. Mary Jane Kerr. On Feb.22, 1849, in Church of Moy, parish of Moy, Mary Jane Kerr, full age, spinster, of Drummond (father: William Kerr, farmer) was married to Thomas Johnston, full age, bachelor, farmer of Drummond (father: Robert Johnston, farmer).

FAMILY OF ANTHONY KERR OF MULLYCARNAN

  1. Anthony Kerr was a farmer in the townland of Mullycarnan, parish of Clonfeacle. Anthony may have died prior to the Griffith Valuation of the 1860s for he is not listed therein. Anne Kerr who may have been his widow is listed as holding 17 acres of land and a house worth 1 pound from Viscount Powerscourt in the townland of Mullycarnan. James Kerr, probably his son of that name is also listed as holding 3 acres of land in Mullycarnan and as subletting a house worth 5 shillings to Grace Wallace. Anthony's children:
    1. Thomas Kerr, full age, bachelor, farmer, of Mullycarnon (father: Anthony Kerr, farmer) was married to Sarah Moore, full age, spinster, of Skea in Pomeroy (father: John Moore, farmer) on Apr.13, 1860, in Derrygortreavy Church, parish of Clonfeacle. Anthony Kerr was a witness.
    2. Margaret Anne Kerr was born about 1840 and is listed on her 1865 marriage certificate as a full-aged spinster from Mullycarnon, the daughter of farmer Anthony Kerr. On Jan.18, 1865, she was married in the Church at Derrygortreavy to Robert Ford, a full-aged bachelor farmer of Boland whose father was farmer Robert Ford.
    3. Mary Jane Kerr was born about 1842 and is listed on her 1868 marriage certificate as a full-aged spinster from Mullycarnon, the daughter of farmer Anthony Kerr. On Dec.2, 1868, she was married in the Church at Derrygortreavy to Edward McFarland, a full-aged bachelor labourer of Crubinagh whose father was farmer John McFarland.
    4. James Kerr was born about 1845 and is listed on his 1870 marriage certificate as a full-aged, bachelor labourer from Mullycarnan whose father was farmer Anthony Kerr. He became a farmer. On Apr.19, 1870, in the Church at Derrygortreavy, he married Hannah McFarland, a full-aged spinster from Crubinagh, Derrygortreavy, whose father was farmer John McFarland. James' brothers-in-law, Edward McFarland and Robert Ford, witnessed the marriage. James died on Aug.25, 1900, and Hannah is listed as a widow in the 1901 census. In his will James mentions his sons James Andrew Kerr of Boland and William Henry Kerr of Derrygortreavy. He leaves his farm in Killybracken to his wife Hanna and, after her death, to his son Thomas John Kerr. He leaves his farm in Mullycarnon to his wife Hanna and, after her death, to his son Joseph Kerr. The remainder of his belongings he leaves to his sons James Andrew Kerr, Joseph Kerr and William Henry Kerr. James and Hannah had children:
      1. James Andrew (or Robert) Kerr was born on Apr.1, 1871, in Mullycarnan. It seems that throughout his life James used the middle name Andrew instead of Robert perhaps to distinguish him from the James Robert Kerr of Drumnastrade born about the same time. This also causes confusion with the James Andrew Kerr of the main chapter. This James Andrew Kerr was married in the Church at Derrygortreavy on Jun.22, 1894, to Annie Ford, 26, a spinster from Mullycarnan, the daughter of deceased farmer Robert Ford. James Andrew is listed as a 25-year-old bachelor farmer from Mullycarnan, the son of farmer James Kerr. Therefore it seems likely that James Andrew married his first cousin. James is mentioned in his father's will as ``James Andrew Kerr of Boland''. In the 1901 Census James A. Kerr is listed as a 36-year-old farmer living in the townland of Mullycarnan. His wife Annie is listed as 33 years old. Also living with them are their children Hanna and Maggie listed below and James's widowed mother Hanna Kerr, aged 50. The family belong to the Church of Ireland. In the 1911 Census 41-year-old farmer James A. Kerr and his 41-year-old wife Annie are living in the townland of Boland with their four children as indicated below. We know of the following children of James and Annie:
        1. Hanna Kerr is listed in the 1901 census as a 4-year-old living with her parents in Mullycarnon. In the 1911 Census 14-year-old schoolgirl Hannagh Kerr is listed as living with her parents in the townland of Boland.
        2. Maggie Kerr is listed in the 1901 census as a 4-month-old baby living with her parents in Mullycarnon. In the 1911 Census 11-year-old schoolgirl Maggie Kerr is listed as living with her parents in the townland of Boland.
        3. James Kerr is listed in the 1911 census as a 7-year-old living with his parents in the townland of Boland.
        4. Joseph Kerr is listed in the 1911 census as a 4-year-old living with his parents in the townland of Boland.
      2. William Henry Kerr was born on Sep.15, 1872, in Mullycarnan. In his father's will of 1900, William is mentioned as ``W. Henry Kerr of Derrygortreavy'' and received a share of his father's belongings in that will. On Jan.23, 1902, a William Henry Kerr was married to Mary McFarland in the Castlecaulfield Church of Ireland, parish of Donaghmore, County Tyrone. In the 1911 Census, 33-year-old farmer William Henry Kerr (Church of Ireland, born in County Tyrone) and his 35-year-old wife Mary Kerr are living in house #10 in the townland of Derrygortrevy, County Tyrone, with their son. They have been married 7 years and have one son:
        1. Robert J. Kerr was born about 1908 and is listed in the 1911 Census as a 3-year-old living in the townland of Derrygortrevy with his parents.
      3. Thomas John Kerr. In his father's will and after his father's death in 1900 Thomas John Kerr is to inherit the farm in Killybracken after his mother Hanna's death.
      4. Joseph Kerr was born on Oct.21, 1877, in Mullycarnan. In his father's will and after his father's death in 1900 Joseph is to inherit the farm in Mullycarnon after his mother Hanna's death. He is also to receive a share of his father's belongings.
      5. Annabella Kerr was born on May 26, 1880, in Mullycarnan.

FAMILY OF DAVID KERR OF DUNSEARK:

  1. David Kerr was born about 1872. On Nov.24, 1905, David Kerr was married to Annie McFarland in the Dungannon Civil Registrars Office, parish of Drumglass, Dungannon, County Tyrone. In the 1911 Census, 38-year-old farmer David Kerr (Baptist, born in County Tyrone) and his 25-year-old wife Annie Kerr are listed as living in house #6 in the townland of Dunseark, parish of Benburb, Tyrone, with their 4 children. They have been married 6 years with 4 children. The children of David and Annie Kerr:
    1. Mary Elizabeth Kerr was born about 1905 and is listed in the 1911 Census as a 5-year-old living with her parents in the townland of Dunseark.
    2. James Robert Kerr was born about 1908 and is listed in the 1911 Census as a 2-year-old living with her parents in the townland of Dunseark.
    3. Maud Ethel Kerr was born about 1910 and is listed in the 1911 Census as an infant living with her parents in the townland of Dunseark. She and Doreen Jane were probably twins.
    4. Doreen Jane Kerr was born about 1910 and is listed in the 1911 Census as an infant living with her parents in the townland of Dunseark.

FAMILY OF JAMES KERR OF DRUMCOO:

  1. James Kerr. This is probably the James Kerr who married to Mary Wray on Jul.25, 1877, in the Dungannon Methodist Church , parish of Drumglass, County Tyrone. When their son David was born in 1881 they were living on on Ranfurly Terrace, Dungannon, James was working as a servant, and Mary's maiden name is given as Ray. When their son Thomas was born in 1882 they were living in Coolhill, Parish of Drumglass, and James was working as a coachman. In the 1901 Census 42-year-old cemetary caretaker (there is a cemetary in Coolhill) James Kerr and his 40-year-old wife "Minnie" Kerr (both Church of Ireland) are living in the townland of Drumcoo, parish of Drumglass, County Tyrone, with their 11 children as indicated below. In the 1911 Census 51-year-old landowner James Kerr and his 50-year-old wife Mary Kerr (both Church of Ireland) are living in house #55 in Drumcoo, parish of Derrygortrevy, with their children as indicated below. The children of James and Mary Kerr:
    1. William James Kerr was born about 1878 and is listed in the 1901 Census as an unmarried 22-year-old carpenter living with his parents in the townland of Drumcoo, parish of Drumglass, County Tyrone. He is listed in the 1911 Census as an unmarried 31-year-old master carpenter living with his parents in house #55 in Drumcoo, parish of Derrygortrevy.
    2. Jane Kerr was born about 1879 and is listed in the 1901 Census as an unmarried 21-year-old living with her parents in Drumcoo. She is listed in the 1911 Census as an unmarried 29-year-old living with her parents in house #55 in Drumcoo, parish of Derrygortrevy.
    3. David Kerr was born on Ranfurly Terrace, Dungannon, on Apr.1, 1881, and is listed in the 1901 Census as an unmarried 19-year-old solicitor's clerk living with his parents in Drumcoo. He is listed in the 1911 Census as an unmarried 28-year-old solicitor's managing clerk living with his parents in house #55 in Drumcoo, parish of Derrygortrevy.
    4. Thomas Kerr was born in Coolhill, parish of Drumglass, on Dec.3, 1882, and is listed in the 1901 Census as an unmarried 18-year-old linen factory clerk living with his parents in Drumcoo. He is listed in the 1911 Census as an unmarried 26-year-old commercial clerk living with his parents in house #55 in Drumcoo, parish of Derrygortrevy.
    5. John Kerr was born about 1884 and is listed in the 1901 Census as an unmarried 16-year-old linen factory clerk living with his parents in Drumcoo. He is listed in the 1911 Census as an unmarried 24-year-old commercial clerk living with his parents in house #55 in Drumcoo, parish of Derrygortrevy.
    6. Edith Kerr was born about 1886 and is listed in the 1901 Census as a 14-year-old schoolgirl living with her parents in Drumcoo. She is not listed in the 1911 Census.
    7. Frederick Kerr was born about 1887 and is listed in the 1901 Census as a 13-year-old schoolboy living with his parents in Drumcoo. He is listed in the 1911 Census as an unmarried 21-year-old assistant manager in a soap works living with his parents in house #55 in Drumcoo, parish of Derrygortrevy.
    8. Gertrude Kerr was born about 1889 and is listed in the 1901 Census as an 11-year-old schoolgirl living with her parents in Drumcoo. She is listed in the 1911 Census as an unmarried 20-year-old milliner living with her parents in house #55 in Drumcoo, parish of Derrygortrevy.
    9. Walter Ernest Kerr was born about 1891 and is listed in the 1901 Census as a 9-year-old schoolboy living with his parents in Drumcoo. He is not listed in the 1911 Census.
    10. Rachel Constance Kerr was born about 1897 and is listed in the 1901 Census as a 3-year-old living with her parents in Drumcoo. She is listed in the 1911 Census as an unmarried 13-year-old schoolgirl living with her parents in house #55 in Drumcoo, parish of Derrygortrevy.
    11. Herbert Cecil Kerr was born about 1899 and is listed in the 1901 Census as a 1-year-old living with his parents in Drumcoo. He is listed in the 1911 Census as a 11-year-old schoolboy living with his parents in house #55 in Drumcoo, parish of Derrygortrevy.

FAMILY OF JOSEPH KERR OF BENBURB:

  1. Joseph Kerr was born about 1870. This may be the Joseph Kerr who was married on Feb.27, 1900, to Elizabeth Bloomer in the Benburb Roman Catholic Church, parish of Clonfeacle, County Tyrone. In the 1901 Census 30-year-old farm labourer Joseph Kerr (Roman Catholic, born in County Tyrone) and his 24-year-old wife Lizzie Kerr (born in New York) are living in the townland of Lisnacroy, parish of Clonfeacle, County Tyrone, with two children and a servant, James Macklin. In the 1911 Census 37-year-old beetler Joseph Kerr (Roman Catholic, born in County Tyrone) and his 34-year-old wife Elizabeth Kerr are living in the town of Benburb, parish of Clonfeacle, County Tyrone, with seven children. They have been married 15 years and are a Roman Catholic family with seven children, all living. The children of Joseph and Elizabeth Kerr:
    1. Francis Kerr was born about 1896 and is listed in the 1901 Census as a 4-year-old living with his parents in the townland of Lisnacroy. In the 1911 Census, 15-year-old unmarried linen weaver Francis Kerr is living in Benburb village with his parents.
    2. John Kerr was born about 1900 and is listed in the 1901 Census as an infant living with his parents in the townland of Lisnacroy. In the 1911 Census, he is listed as a 11-year-old schoolboy living in Benburb village with his parents.
    3. Joseph Kerr was born about 1902 and is listed in the 1911 Census as a 8-year-old schoolboy living in Benburb village with his parents.
    4. Charles Kerr was born about 1903 and is listed in the 1911 Census as a 7-year-old living in Benburb village with his parents.
    5. Thomas Kerr was born about 1906 and is listed in the 1911 Census as a 4-year-old living in Benburb village with his parents.
    6. Patrick Kerr was born about 1908 and is listed in the 1911 Census as a 2-year-old living in Benburb village with his parents.
    7. Sarah Ann Kerr was born about 1909 and is listed in the 1911 Census as a 1-year-old living in Benburb village with her parents.

FAMILY OF JAMES KERR OF DERRYMAGOWAN:

  1. James Kerr is only known to us as the father of:
    1. James Kerr was born about 1835. A bachelor, farmer of Derrymagowan (a townland about two miles northeast of Moy) James was married on May 18, 1854, in the Church of Moy to Mary Jane Ennis (or Innis) (born 1836/7) of the townland of Canary (just a few hundred yards south of Derrymagowan), the daughter of James Ennis. On his daughter Elizabeth's marriage certificate he is listed as a labourer though some family remember him as a land surveyor. Mary Jane is remembered as riding a horse sidesaddle and going to church in a coach-and-pair. She was present at the birth of several of her daughter Elizabeth's children. James died prior to 1897 and Mary Jane died at Granville/Derryveen (her daughter Elizabeth's home) on Apr.2, 1897, aged 60. Her son, David Kerr of Irish Street, registered her death. She is buried in Moy. James and Mary Jane Kerr had children:
      1. Elizabeth Kerr was born about 1856 and was married on Feb.16, 1877, in the Church of Moy to Thomas Jeffs, born 1851, the son of John Jeffs and Mary Symington. They lived initially in Canary but moved briefly to Scotland and then back to Derryveen (or Granville) on the outskirts of Dungannon. Thomas died on Mar.3, 1901, in Granville at age 50; Elizabeth died in Ballysaggart on May 5, 1903, at age 46; they are both buried in Moy churchyard. After their deaths their children (aged 5 to 25) moved to Belfast. Elizabeth and Thomas Jeffs had nine children:
        1. Thomas William Jeffs was born on Feb.5, 1878, in Canary. Moving to Belfast at the age of 25, he was married in 1909 and emigrated to the USA in 1910. This genealogy was provided by Thomas's grand-daughter Elizabeth Andrew of Hackensack, New Jersey.
        2. John Joseph Jeffs was born on Feb.5, 1880, in Canary. He had at least two children, Winnie born about 1910 who was still living in County Fermanagh in 2001, and Jack, born about 1912, who was still living in County Antrim in 2001.
        3. James Love Jeffs was born on Jun.20, 1882, in Kinning Park, Scotland.
        4. David Jeffs was born on Mar.14, 1885, in Dungannon and died at five weeks.
        5. Mary Jane Jeffs was born on Sep.3, 1886, in Derryveen about two miles southwest of Dungannon. She emigrated joining her brother Thomas in the USA in 1916.
        6. David Edward Nicholson Jeffs was born on Aug.17, 1889, in Derryveen and died prior to 1922. He had a son Thomas Jeffs, born about 1917, who was childless and still living in Belfast in 2001.
        7. Norah Edith Elizabeth Jeffs was born on Aug.17, 1892, in Derryveen. She emigrated joining her brother Thomas in the USA in 1914.
        8. Ridgway Sidney Jeffs was born on Mar.8, 1895, in Granville which is beside Derryveen and may imply the same home.
        9. Lavinia Priscilla Jeffs was born on Feb.26, 1898, in Granville. She emigrated joining her brother Thomas in the USA in 1916.
      2. William Kerr is mentioned in a 1950 letter from Thomas William Jeffs as "a brother of my mother". The letter also makes reference to a daughter of William's, Maggie Jane, who lives in Killyman. Thomas had written her two letters without reply.
      3. Mary Jane Kerr was born in Canary, Co. Armagh, on Jul.16, 1864.
      4. Joseph Kerr was born in Canary, Co. Armagh, on May 12, 1868. He is also mentioned in the 1950 letter from Thomas William Jeffs. Thomas met him during a visit to Belfast in 1939 and "Uncle Joe" said he had been living in "Carrick Hill House".
      5. David Kerr registered his mother's death in 1897. He was a shoemaker in Irish Street, Dungannon.

FAMILY OF JOHN AND MICHAEL KERR OF CARROWCOLMAN

  1. John Kerr was born in 1802 and died in 1884. His children:
    1. Michael Kerr, born in 1838, in Eglish, Co. Tyrone. He became a laborer in the townland of Carrowcolman, parish of Clonfeacle. He married Mary Quinn, born in 1844. Michael died in 1900 in Benburb, Co. Tyrone. Michael and Mary had four children:
      1. Michael Kerr was born on Jul.23, 1864, in Carrowcolman, Benburb, Co. Armagh. He married Mary Ann Foster, born Oct.4, 1864, in Cloughogue, District of Ahoghill, County Antrim, to William Foster and Margaret Jane (Small). The Fosters belonged to the Randalstown Presbyterian Church and resided in Andraid, a small village about 4 miles north of the town of Randalstown. Ellis Island records show Michael and Mary Kerr arriving in New York on May 22, 1893, aboard the ``City of Rome'' which they boarded in Glasgow. Michael is listed as 28 years old, born in Armagh (note that Clonfeacle borders on Armagh) and Mary as a 29-year-old, born in Scotland. From New York they went to Meltia, Manitoba, Canada, where they farmed, and then to Indian Head, Saskatchewan before retiring to Regina. Michael died on Mar.27, 1957 in Regina, Saskatchewan, and Mary died in Oct.1964, also in Regina. They had six children:
        1. Robert Kerr was born on Sep.21, 1894, in Meltia, Manitoba. He died of croup at a farm (section 35-4-27) near Meltia on Aug.25, 1901.
        2. Ethel Mildred Kerr was born on Jul.20, 1896, in Arthur, Brandon, Manitoba. She married Robert Waddell and they lived in Chicago where they both worked at the Chicago Presbyterian Hospital. They had no children. Ethel died in 1981 in Sun City, Arizona.
        3. Ida Eliz Kerr was born on Jun.15, 1898, in Arthur, Brandon, Manitoba. She married Sandy Livingstone and they had four children, Mildred, Scott, Clayton and Allan Livingstone. Ida died in Regina on Sep.11, 1988.
        4. Mary Kerr was born on Nov.8, 1901, in Meltia, Manitoba, and died as an infant.
        5. John Foster Kerr, known as Jack, was born on Aug.18, 1903, in Meltia, Manitoba. He married Elizabeth Ann Lindsay, born in 1907 in Baryy, Wales. They had six children listed below. John was killed on Dec.26, 1946, in a railroad accident at Talmadge Crossing, 30 miles south of Regina, Saskatchewan. Elizabeth died in 1997. Their children:
          1. Kenneth John Kerr lives in Stirling, Ontario (2005).
          2. Leonard Michael Kerr lives in Whitehorse, Yukon (2005).
          3. Beverly Ann Kerr, born in 1934, married a man named White and lived in Regina. She died in 1996.
          4. Raymond George Kerr, born in 1936, lived in Regina. He died in 1999. Raymond's son Raymond Todd Kerr (cakerr@accesscomm.ca), born Aug.27, 1961, provided this summary of his family. He and his wife, Cheryl Ann (Redlick), live at 43 Walden Crescent, Regina, and have four children, Michael born 1984, Trevor born 1991, Justine born 1992 and Tyler born 1994.
          5. William Kerr lives in Hamilton, Ontario (2005).
          6. Barbara Kerr, William's twin sister, married a man names Reinhart. They live in Cambridge, Ontario.
        6. Una Sybil Kerr was born on Sep.1, 1905, in Meltia, Manitoba. She married Clarence Henry Kidney, born in 1905. Una died on Jul.2, 1948, in Regina. Clarence died on Sep.6, 1977, in Regina and Una died on May 15, 1995, in Regina. Clarence and Una had two children:
          1. Mary Louise Kidney was born on Jul.1, 1928, in Regina. She married Floyd Edwin Brown, born in 1928. Mary died in 1995 and Floyd in 2016. They had three children, Robert Edwin Brown, William Lloyd Brown and Debra Louise Brown.
          2. Glenford Warren Kidney was born on Apr.25, 1934, and died in 2011.
      2. Mary Kerr was born in Benburb on Oct.4, 1866.
      3. James Kerr was born in Carrowcolman near Eglish, Co. Tyrone, on May 29, 1869.
      4. Arthur Kerr was born in Carrowcolman near Eglish, Co. Tyrone, on May 15, 1873.

FAMILY OF DENIS KERR OF GALCUSSAGH

From: Paul Laurence Mitchell (paulmitchell1930@hotmail.com):

  1. Denis Kerr was born about 1833. In the 1911 Census he is listed as a 78-year-old Roman Catholic farmer living in the townland of Galcussagh, near the village of Rock, parish of Desertcreat, in east Co. Tyrone (halfway between Cookstown and Pomeroy). The Griffith Valuation of 1859 lists a number of Kerrs holding land in the vicinity of Rock; among these are "Teague Kerr" with land in Galcussagh and his descendants listed here are still in possesion of that land while all the other Kerrs have left. Also in the Land Registry of 1861 the land in Galcussagh was held by a "Teague Kerr" from a "Charles Boyle". This "Tegue Kerr" may be the same as Denis and he may be the Teague who appears in the Tithe Applotment books of 1826 for Pomeroy (a small town about four miles away from Galcussagh). Denis Kerr married Elizabeth Hughes about 1870 and their children are listed below:
    1. John Kerr was born about 1876. In the 1901 Census he is listed as an unmarried 25-year-old Roman Catholic farmer living in the townland of Galcussagh, near the village of Rock, parish of Desertcreat, in eastern Co. Tyrone. He is living with his three sisters, Lizzie, Sarah and Rachel. In the 1911 Census he is listed as an unmarried 35-year-old Roman Catholic farmer living in Galcussagh with his father, Denis, and a sister, Lizzie. John was married three times. His first marriage in 1909 was to Alice McDonald of Killennan with whom he fathered one son, John Kerr Jr born in 1910 and recorded on the 1911 census as living with is mother and McDonald grandparents rather than with his father in Galcussagh. After only two years of marriage John and Alice were living apart; Alice died a year later in 1912. On Apr.16, 1912, John married Elizabeth Donnelly in Pomeroy Roman Catholic Church. His third marriage was to Mary Barrett, whom he married on Feb.17, 1916, in Cookstown Roman Catholic Church. John Kerr had the following children:
      1. John Kerr (junior) was born in 1910, the son of John and Alice McDonald. John Kerr (junior) is recorded in the 1911 census as living with his mother, Alice, and his McDonald grandparents rather than with his father in Galcussagh. John Kerr (junior) emigrated to England as a very young man and died childless about 1975.
      2. James Denis Kerr was born in 1918, the only son of John and Mary Kerr. James died in 1987. He was the grandfather of Paul Laurence Mitchell (paulmitchell1930@hotmail.com).
    2. Sarah Kerr was born about 1879 and is listed in the 1901 Census as an unmarried 22-year-old milliner living in Galcussagh with her brother John (the family believes at least one of the three sisters emigrated across the Atlantic and had a son). We note that a Sarah Kerr was married to John McElkennon in Pomeroy Roman Catholic Church on Jan.12, 1911. In the 1911 Census, 42-year-old Roman Catholic farmer John McElkennon and his 33-year-old wife Sarah are living in Mullynure, The Rock, Co. Tyrone, with their children, Mary Alice and Sarah Elizabeth (the census return says they have been married for 5 years). Their children:
      1. Mary Alice McElkennon was born about 1906 and is listed in the 1911 Census as a 4-year-old child living with her parents.
      2. Sarah Elizabeth McElkennon was born about 1909 and is listed in the 1911 Census as a 1-year-old child living with her parents.
    3. Rachel Kerr was born about 1881 and is listed in the 1901 Census as an unmarried 20-year-old dressmaker living in Galcussagh with her brother John. We note that a Rachel Kerr was married to Bernard Loy in Pomeroy Roman Catholic Church on May 2, 1916. We also note that a Bernard Loy, a 21-year-old single labourer from Cookstown, whose mother was Bridget Loy of Kunaghan(? - could be K or R), Cookstown, arrived in New York on Apr.27, 1908, aboard the "Caledonia' from Londonderry. He was going to join his brother John Loy, at 124 Manhattan Street, New York. Another brother, Patrick Loy, an unmarried 21-year-old from Cookstown had arrived in New York aboard the "State of Nebraska" from Londonderry on May 17, 1901, also going to John Loy in New York (Patrick travelled with 19-year-old John McElhone).
    4. Elizabeth Kerr was born about 1883 and is listed in the 1901 Census as an unmarried 18-year-old farmer's daughter living in Galcussagh with her brother John. In the 1911 Census she is listed as an unmarried 26-year-old Roman Catholic living in Galcussagh with her brother John. We think that Lizzie married a man named Devlin and had a son, Art Devlin, who lived in Canada. He returned on a visit to Northern Ireland in the 1960s and may have married a hairdresser from Belfast before returning to Canada.
    5. Mary Kerr.

FAMILY OF JAMES TIMOTHY KERR/CARR OF ARMAGH

The following family history of James Timothy Kerr/Carr of Armagh was provided by Jonathan Long (longjonathanw@gmail.com), a descendant of James:

  1. James Timothy Kerr (or Carr) was born about 1795, perhaps in Armagh. He married Mary Jane Morgan, born in Cavanagrow, Armagh, Ireland about 1807. As indicated below they had four children while living in Armagh. By the 1840-50s they were living in Kirkudbright, Scotland (where James was known as Timothy) and there they had sons, William and Morgan. Timothy and Mary Jane Morgan broke up over religious differences and she came to America following several of their children, while several of the sons stayed near Timothy. Timothy and a son died in poorhouses in Wigtown, Kirkudbright. Though the family lore was that James Timothy was from a ``wealthy Catholic'' family, there is no evidence of that. The children of James Timothy Kerr:
      Isabella Kerr aged 55.
    1. Isabella Kerr was born in Armagh. Isabella became engaged to George Wilson who was christened in Eglish Parish in the Church of Ireland and became a linen weaver in Belfast. The couple decided to emigrate to America but travelled seperately. George arrived safely in New York; Isabella came on a later ship that was shipwrecked just outside New York harbor. Isabella had with her a featherbed, things for housekeeping and a trunk of silks and velvet with which she intended to make hats. As the ship was going down one of the sailors cried, ``I'll help you what I can, Lass.'' He threw her featherbed into the water and her on it. Thus the story that she ``floated into New York harbor on her featherbed.'' Isabella Kerr had lost all of her possessions but she survived to marry George Wilson on May 9, 1852. They went to Litchfield, Michigan, because her sister (Margaret Kerr?) had previously settled there. The sisters were very fine milliners, having learned by serving a long apprenticeship of several years. George Wilson became a farmer in the US; they lived in Litchfield until 1856 then came to Bellevue and purchased land in south Kalamo Township, about five miles north of Bellevue on what is now Ionia Road. Isabella helped clear the land, but when a lady would call to have a hat made, Mrs Wilson would go into the house, clean up, don a large apron and make her a lovely hat. George and Isabella also added to their 40 acre farm as they were able. The children of George and Isabella Wilson:
      1. William H. Wilson inherited a 40 acre plot of land from his father.
      2. George Wesley Wilson used the inheritance from his father to attend Olivet College.
      3. Jesse A. Wilson. When his father, George, contracted some kind of fever and realized that he wouldn't live long he asked Isabella with which one of their sons she would prefer to live. She said, "I guess Jess" and so George then gave his son Jesse the 40 acres adjoining the 40 that Isabella would keep until her death. The land then went to Jesse. Jesse Wilson married Cora Belle Johnson and they had eight children: Florence, Dorris, Allen, Harry, Laurence, Lester, Winnifred and Ferne. In 1948 Laurence Wilson and his wife Ihlene purchased the family farm, and they operated it until his death. It was then managed by his widow and family. Today his son Laurence O. Wilson and wife, Roberta, are on the family's Centennial Farm.
      4. Mary Jane Wilson, known as Jenny, died at age 12.
      5. Margarette Ann Wilson inherited $500 from her father.
      6. James E. Wilson inherited a 40 acre plot of land from his father.
      7. Sarah E. Wilson inherited $500 from her father.
      8. Joseph C. Wilson inherited a 40 acre plot of land from his father.
    2. Margaret Kerr was born in Armagh.
    3. Joseph Kerr was born in Armagh.
    4. John Kerr was born in Armagh.
    5. William Kerr was born in Kirkudbright, Scotland.
    6. Morgan Kerr was born in Kirkudbright, Scotland.

Last updated 8/12/14.

Christopher E. Brennen