In Border Story, The Name and House of Kerr, published by Lord Lothian, Chief of the Kerr Family states that the Kerr family settled in the Scottish Border country in the 14th century. They were probably of Viking origin and came to Scotland by way of France. Their arrival came shortly after the victory of Robert the Bruce at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314.

Burke's Peerage maintains the original home of the Kerrs is the Stavanger area of Norway and is supported the presence of 'Kjaer' and 'Kjarr' families in the region.

The historic home of the Kerr Family is in the center of border with England, called the Middle Marches; the Kerrs have been among the most powerful families in this area since 16th century. In 1515, Sir Andrew Kerr of Cessford was named Warden of the Middle March.

As the border area was so far from both capitals; the region more or less ruled itself. Families on both sides of the border conducted cross-border raids for loot, revenge and women. To provide some protection from English invasion and border raids, the Scottish kings apppointed "wardens" to act as military commander, tax collector, sheriff, judge and jury.

In Steel Bonnets, George MacDonald Fraser tells of the border warfare between families on both sides of the Scottish and English border.

The Kerr family motto Sero Sed Serio was 'earned' at the Battle of Ancrum Moor in 1545, during one of the many English Invasions of Scotland. At the time, the English were short of soldiers, they hired mercenaries from Germany, Spain, and Scotland. Amongst there mercenaries were Kerrs, hired on as cavalrymen.

The English initially held the Kerrs back, planning to send them into battle as a weak spot developed in the Scottish lines. But as the battle developed, the Scottish lines held and troops of both sides were engaged in hand to hand combat down in the valley.

At that point, the Kerrs changed sides and attacked the rear of the English army. In all the noise and confusion, no one stopped to ask where all these Scots came from. Incidently, Sero Sed Serio is Latin for "Late, but in Earnest."

"The story of the Kerr family has an irresistible appeal. It is steeped in history, revenge, bloodshed and, to cap it all, has a very clear suggestion of a dynastic legacy, a profound tendency to use the left hand." Walter Bodmer and Robin McKie in The Book of Man.

The first chapter of their book on human genetics recounts the history of the Kerr family from a genetic point of view. Ferniehirst Castle as well as other Kerr homes were designed for left-handed folk. The stairways of most castles spiral clockwise, Ferniehurst's spiral counter-clockwise, giving the advantage to left-handed swordsmen if they were forced to fight as they retreated upstairs.

The Scottish poet, Walter Laidlaw, wrote of the Kerrs in "The Reprisal:"

So well the Kerrs their left-hands ply,
The dead and dying round them lie,
The castle gained, the battle won,
Revenge and slaughter are begun.

A 1974 survey by the Journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners found that 29.5% of all Kerrs in Britain and North America were left-handed, compared to only 11 percent of the general population. Lefties are stilled called "ker-handed" in Scotland. Curiously, no one in living memory in my family has been a lefty (either in handedness or politically).

1787 to 9-30-1863

For years, family members believed David was born in Scotland based upon a 100 year old entry in the family Bible that "D. Kerr born in Scotland 1783"; an entry written over 30 years after his death. However, according to the 1860 Census, David says he was born in Virginia in 1787 or 1788. One researcher says David was born in Kernstown, Frederick County, Virginia.

While living in the Greene County area of Tennessee in 1809, David may have married a Elizabeth "Betsey" Robinson, however, Betsey seems to have died by 1812.

During the War of 1812, David served as a sergeant in the 3rd Regiment East Tennessee Militia under Capt. Christopher Cook in General Nathaniel Taylor's Brigade.

In June 1814, David married Eleanore Dobson and they had at least 5 children: Elizabeth Kerr Guinn (Elizabeth may be David's daughter from his first wife, Elizabeth "Betsey" Robinson), Sarah Kerr Smith, Francis Marion Kerr, Robert Baker Kerr, and John McCord Kerr. Another source lists: Sally D. Kerr, James G. Kerr, Samuel M. Kerr, and Isabel R. Kerr; but omits Sarah Kerr Smith.

In 1829, the family moved to Owen County, Indiana. David died in Taylor, Owen Co. Indiana. Eleanore in Spencer, Owen Co. Indiana. More Details

9-10-1828 to 1898

Married Elizabeth Dix/Dicks on 3-14-1850. Elizabeth was born on 12-10-1832, the daughter of John Dicks and Elizabeth Edwards.

They had 8 children: George Scott Kerr, John Kerr, William Francis Kerr, Jennie Kerr, Sarah Kerr, Etta Kerr, Emma Lou Kerr, and Charles Lewis Kerr. More Details

10-14-1852 to 2-18-1937

He married Effie A. Vawter on 9-5-1893 in Indianapolis, IN.

Children: Stanley Ingomar Lycurgus Kerr, Arleigh Robert Kerr, and Reese Vawter Kerr.

George worked as a carpenter, eye glass salesman, tea distributer, and did grading for the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad. Dreaming of going to Alaska, he got as far as Montana. By 1904, he was sufficiently established to bring his family west. Read George's thrilling account of being chased by wolves in Montana. More Details

2-16-1897 to 10-14-1980

Married Ethel 'Bobbie' Demmon on 9-21-1926, she died 3-8-1940. Married Karen Ingre [deleted] in 1946 and had one child: Arleigh Robert Kerr, Jr. born in 1950.

From age 7, Arleigh grew up in Montana. Helped his dad do grading work for the railroad (driving a 16 horse team at the age of 10). Worked at the Great Northern Theatre and at a jewelry store in Billings. Arleigh served in the Coast Artillery Corps at Fort Stevens during World War I. Moved to San Pedro, California in 1924. Then in 1927, he opened his own jewelry store in Compton, California. More Details

1950

Married Diane Marie Daily and have two children: Andrew and Erin.

First getting involved in politics at age 13; I campaigned for Barry Goldwater for President in 1964 and was an alternate delegate for Ronald Reagan at the 1976 and 1980 Republican Conventions. A computer programmer, specializing in Web Development and Visual Basic; my hobbies are photography, American and European History, aviation, genealogy, and travel.