John Kerr (August 4, 1782 – September 29, 1842) was a Baptist minister who also served two term in the U.S. House of Representatives representing Virginia's 15th congressional district[1][2]
John Kerr | |
|---|---|
| 4th [[Virginia]] | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 15th district | |
| In office March 4, 1813 – March 3, 1815 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 4, 1782 Caswell County, North Carolina, US |
| Died | September 29, 1842 (aged 60) Danville, Pittsylvania County, Virginia, US |
| Resting place | Yanceyville, Caswell County, North Carolina |
| Spouse | Elizabeth Williams |
| Children | 2 sons including John Kerr Jr., 4 daughters |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch | North Carolina Militia |
| War of 1812 | War of 1812 |
Early life and education
editKerr was born near Yanceyville, in Caswell County, North Carolina across the Dan River from Virginia's southern border. His father, also John Kerr, operated a plantation in Caswell County, North Carolina using enslaved labor.[3] He received a private education suitable for his class, as well as studied theology.[4]
Career
editAfter being licensed as a Baptist minister in 1802, in 1805 Kerr accepted a position in Halifax County, Virginia.[5]
This John Kerr was elected a U.S. Representative for Virginia's 15th Congressional district and served from March 4, 1813, to March 3, 1815, and after winning re-election, from October 30, 1815, to March 3, 1817.[6][7]
He then resumed his ministry and became pastor of the Baptist churches of Arbor and Mary Creek, before moving to Richmond, Virginia in March 1825, where be served a pastor of the First Baptist Church until resigning in 1832. In the 1830 U.S. Census, he owned 11 slaves in Richmond.[8]
He relocated to a farm in Pittsylvania County, Virginia near Danville in 1836.
Personal life
editHe married Elizabeth Williams, whose grandfather Robert Williams had been a prominent patriot in Pittsylvania County during the American Revolutionary War. She bore two sons, Nathaniel Williams Kerr and John Kerr, Jr. who also would become a U.S. Congressman. Bartlett Yancey was his cousin and, and John H. Kerr would be his grand-nephew. A native of the area, Kerr was licensed as aminister in 1802 and moved to Halifax County, Virginia in 1805; he later lived in Pittsylvania County, Virginia as well.
Death
editKerry died at his home near Danville, but his remains were returned to the family plot in Yanceyville.
References
edit- ^ Lyon Gardiner Tyler, Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography (1915), vol. 2, p. 115 available at hathitrust.org
- ^ "KERR, John - Biographical Information". bioguide.congress.gov. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
- ^ 1810 U.S. Federal Census for Caswell County, North Carolina p. 24 of 58
- ^ Tyler
- ^ Tyler
- ^ "KERR, John - Biographical Information". bioguide.congress.gov. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
- ^ Cynthia Miller Leonard, The Virginia General Assembly 1619-1978 (Richmond: Virginia State Library 1978 p. xxvi
- ^ 1830 U.S. Federal Census for Monroe Ward Richmond, Virginia p. 39 of 80
External links
edit- United States Congress. "John Kerr (id: K000136)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
- Settle-Kerr family of North Carolina
- John Kerr at Find a Grave
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