Archibald KERR
Internet IGI (Feb 2005)
Internet IGI - June 2005
Archibald was a Seventy in 1846 when he and Nancy attended the Nauvoo Temple for their ordinances. They came to Utah w/Philamon Merrill's Wagon Train. Departed Florence, Neb on 5 or 6 June; arr SLC 13-18 Aug 1856. they were listed on wagon train log as Archibald Kerr, wife and 2 children. On the way the Avrie's gave birth to a baby boy, the mother died and Nancy and Archibald took the baby boy and raised him as William Avery Kerr.
Archibald was ordained a Seventy - 5th Quorum of Seventy
There are discrepancies in the records for the birth of Peninah, Jemima, and Delilah, children in this family. Either born in Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois, or in Jefferson County, Iowa
Nauvoo Temple Endowment Register, 977.343 Ni K29c
her name was listed in a letter from Mrs. O.L. Prill, Iowa. She enclosed a group sheet of her research.
the Logan Temple sealings to parents record states she was born in Wake County, N. Carolina f178087 p. 456
He was probably born in Hancock or Jefferson County, Iowa and died there.
He was sealed to parents while his parents were living - assume in Logan Temple. Source for this date is group sheet listing family bible and Logan sld to par file f 178087 p 168, 456.
also listed in letter from Mrs. O.L. Prill. She researched census, etc in Iowa
In a letter from Archibald Kerr Gibson to his mother, Isabell VanDyke Kerr Gibson (11 June 1920) we learn than "Aunt Liz" has passed away and Archie and Henry Eliot, Jr. attended the funeral in Evanston. They travelled in Hen's car. Archie states Aunt Liz looked peaceful in hercoffin and God knows she has earned a peaceful rest. Becky and Will and Arch and All were there. Netty took her mother's death harder than any of the others and leaned on Archie's arm to and from the church. He says, "I am glad poor Aunt Liz is at rest and God knows there is none would wish her back to any more misery on this earth. He also mentions that Hattie expects to return home within 10 days. Billy is not quite so well as when he came and he is not sure how long he will stay. He said he would have to give up his trip to Matties. He signs it, " Your Loving Son, Archie" and lists his address as 1164 21st. (This was 2 years before his own death in 1922.)
she was not with the family when they left for Utah in 1856, we must assume she died prior to that. If so, she would be buried somewhere in Jefferson County, Iowa.
in the list of passengers on the Philomen Merrill wagon train there was a Gilbert Avery and wife with 4 children. I am trying to find out what happened to them and if William has been sealed to his natural parents. Sarah Avery was bap by proxy (McCaslin Frost, a brother) p4 f183-376 bk A [could she be his mother? McCaslin Frost was father to Nancy Frost Ker.]
William was an orphan, adopted at the time of crossing the plains.
He married Nancy Ilewood Frost 22 May 1833 at Knoxville, Knox, Tennessee . Nancy Ilewood Frost was born at Wake, North Carolina 11 Aug 1812 .
They were the parents of 7
children:
Josephus Kerr
born 26 Jan 1836.
Peninah Kerr
born 23 May 1838.
Jemima Kerr
born 20 Aug 1840.
Delilah Melissa Kerr
born 13 Nov 1844.
Isabella VanDyke Kerr
born 20 Sep 1847.
Rebecca Kerr
born 1850.
William Avery Kerr
born 1852/56.
Archibald Kerr died 30 Aug 1891 at Ogden, Weber, Utah .
Nancy Ilewood Frost died 16 Mar 1901 at Clearfield, Weber, Utah .