Notes |
- http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=67818918
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John KENNEDY Jr. Born on October 16, 1742 in Frederick, Cecil, Maryland. John died in Guilford, North Carolina on June 26, 1781; he was 38. Revolutionary War.
Rebecka Kennedy's parents were JOHN KENNEDY Jr., b. October 16, 1742 in Fredericktown, Cecil County, Maryland, d. 1781 aboard British prison ship Jersey off Virginia capes, i. Eastern Shore Chapel, Princess Anne County, Virginia (see Collin's History of Kentucky Vol. II, p. 71), m. ESTHER STILLE who was b. January 14, 1745 in Frederick County, Maryland, d. October 21, 1820, in Bourbon County, interred in grave on farm owned (1954) by Harry B. Clay, Jr. on Winchester Road near Paris. John Kennedy, Jr., a volunteer in Revolutionary War, fought at' Cowpens, S. C. January 17, 1781, and was captured March 15, 1781 by British at Guilfords Court House, N. C. His will is dated February 22, 1781, and probated September 24, 1781 in Bedford County, Virginia. Esther, a widow, and her family moved into Kentucky in November 1794; the Virginia Census, 1782-1787, lists her as a resident of Bedford County, and an owner of five slaves.
About 1755 when John was 12, he married Esther STILLE, daughter of Peter STILLE (1717-1765) & Mary (<1721-1784), in Frederick, Cecil, Maryland. Born on January 14, 1745 in Frederick, Cecil, Maryland. Esther died in Bourbon County, Kentucky on October 21, 1820; she was 75.
They had the following children:
5 i. Elizabeth Ann (1771->1850)
ii. Julia. Julia died on June 29, 1835.
On October 26, 1789 Julia married Samuel HATCHER, in Bedford County, Virginia.
6 iii. Eli (-1833)
7 iv. Sophia
8 v. Rebecca (Rebeckah) (~1773-1855)
9 vi. Washington (1779-1832)
10 vii. Aria (1781-1861)
Source: http://74.125.155.132/search?q=cache:Fn8EWKKnD7EJ:www.shawhan.com/families/kennedyj.rtf+%22Thomas+built+the+old+stone+house+on+Paris-Winchester+Road+at+Cassius+M.+Clay%27s+farm%22&cd=2&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us
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According to Jesse Kennedy's journal of 1850, "Uncle John Kennedy was the oldest of grandfather's children by his last wife, and being of a delicate constitution, too weakly to perform much manual labor, consequently obtained a pretty good education; and owing to his steady habits and prudent deportment, it was said that he had a man's head on a boy's shoulders. While still a minor he carried on successfully the business of common school keeping, and successfully (illegible) that of teaching vocal music with it and ultimately devoted his whole time to the latter. He married the daughter of a wealthy Dutchman, Peter Stilley, who thought very highly of uncle as gentleman but thought him not rich enough to be his son-in-law; consequently, the young folks were married without his consent but enjoyed none of his estate, the old man cutting them off by last will and testament. Being thrown on their own resources, uncle John bought a farm in Bedford Co. Va., bought some Negroes, hired an overser, and set them to farming while he turned his attention to sheriffing and prospered finely for a time. The Revolutionary War came on and being drafted as militia man, he was taken prisoner by the British at the battle of Guilford Court House in N. C., and died on board a British prison ship...literally starved to death.
By his last will and testament written by himself previous to his departure from home, he made it the duty of his executor to sell his farm in Va. And the most of his slaves and personal property for the payment of his debts, and directed that his family should move to what was then called his "wild lands" in Ky., all of which was carried out accordingly, and the widow and her unmarried children migrated to Ky., and settled on Kennedy's Creek (where S. H. Clay now resides) where she lived for a number of years and died at a good old age in October 1820.
http://www.kykinfolk.com/bourbon/KennedyFamily.html
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John Kennedy, Jr., is listed in the D.A.R. Patriots Index as follows: John Kennedy, born 10-16-1742, died 6-21-1781, married Esther Stilly. John lived in Maryland until he moved to Bedford, County, Virginia, perhaps in the 1770s. A John Kennedy was a buyer at the estate sale of Charles Ewing there on July 15, 1772. He was also a buyer at an estate sale of Adam and Elizabeth Beard on March 26, 1778. He bought land in Bedford County in 1779. He and his brothers, Thomas and Joseph, had plans to buy land in Kentucky. This was during the Revolutionary War years, and as seen in Jesse Kennedys history, John was called to duty. Just before he went off to war he wrote the following letter to his brother, Thomas Kennedy in Kentucky. The letter was published in Virginia Appalachian Notes, Vol. 11, No. 4, 1987:
Bedford County, Virginia, 16th Day of February 1781
Dear Brother:
I have the happiness to write to you by David Crews, who is my particular friend, and who will either, I hope, deliver my letter or send it safely to you. I send by him a quire of paper for you and Mr. Constant, which you must divide. I would have sent you a quire apiece, but Mr. Crews has many things of his own to carry. My family are well. I had a letter from brother Joseph a little while before Christmas. He was in health, so was Mother and all the friends there. I saw a man that lodged at brother Josephs, in January, who brings me word that he been to see brother Hugh, who had moved to Shando, near Cunninghams Mill, in Virginia, and that was he very sick and likely to die, and had, when Joseph left him, not taken any nourishment for fifteen days; consequently we may expect he is gone to the world of spirits, where we are all hastening. I expect brother Joseph here in the next month. He is mightly desirous, I learn by his letter, to move to Kentucky, and indeed, I have a great mind to venture in a short time myself, and I wish I knew what was best. Times are exceedingly troublesome here, our taxes are so high. But I should not, I think, be worsted, if I had not such a parcel of girls. When we drafted for regular soldiers in August last, it was every fifteenth man; if it falls to my lot again, it is hard luck indeed. Col. Morgan has lately taken five or six hundred British prisoners, which are now passing though this country; but notwithstanding this little piece of good luck of ours, you may depend, I have of late, been very much afraid we should become a conquered people.
I have of late heard from those families who were taken from Martins and Ruddles station. Three young men have lately made their escape from Detroit, and bring word they are comfortably settled in that neighborhood, except those who were butchered by the savages before they reached there. Col. Bird, they say, is very kind to them, etc. I have not seen the men, but one of my acquaintances tells me it is a fact. If you do not live in great fear, I think you live in more satisfaction than we do here. I would be glad to have the lands surveyed and the works made ready for the grants as soon as it may be done with safety; but I am not able to get anymore warrants till brother Joseph comes out with cash; besides, you may depend, it appears to me to be a great risk at present, whether we can support our independence or not: so that I am unwilling to borrow money if I could get to venture. Several able people that were to have been joined with me in getting warrants to send to Kentucky, to Mr. Constant, have all fell back. Some think they cannot pay their taxes without the money they had intended for that use. However, if brother Joseph brings cash, I indend to lay it out in warrants, if things dont get worse. It is expected the seat of the war will be in Virginia next summer. Mr. Crew tells me that if our warrants are located wrong in the surveyors book, we can locate them over again, provided no other location interferes. If so perhaps those warrants Duncan located may be altered. You did not inform me in your letter of the 21st of November, wether you were likely to raise any hogs. Pray remember me in kindest manner to Mr. Constant and Couchman, and all acquaintances in the Fort.
Do not let any, except a particular acquaintance, know that I think our country is in a bad way, because it is only my private opinion, and would fain hope I am mistaken. I wish you many blessings and above all, a constant and grateful sense of Gods almighty goodness.. This is the ardent wish of your affectionate brother.
John Kennedy
P.S. My wife joins me in love to you and the children. Since writing the above, we are all bodily summoned to meet the English,who are within a days ride of us, we learn, with a considerable force. What the issue will be, time will determine. In less than three hours I am to leave my family and go in defense of my country.
J.K.
John never returned from the war. He was captured by the British at Guilford Court House, North Carolina, on March 5, 1781, and died of starvation aboard the prison ship, Jersey, on June 26. (Perrins History of Fayette County, Kentucky, page 803)
The infamous prison ship, Jersey, was permanently docked on the shore of Long Island during the war. Ebenezer Fox was a prisoner for a time and later told of his experience in his book, The Revolutionary Adventures of Ebenezer Fox of Roxbury, Massachussets, published in 1838. Fox recalled his first impressions upon being lowered into the hatch which housed the inmates:
Here was a motley crew, covered with rags and filth; visages pallid with disease, emaciated with hunger and anxiety, and retaining hardly a trace of their original appearance. Here were men, who had once enjoyed life while riding over the mountain wave or roaming through pleasant fields, full of health and vigor, now shriveled by a scanty and unwholesome diet, ghastly with inhaling an impure atmosphere, exposed to contagion and disease, and surrounded with the horrors of sickness of death.
The diet on board the Jersey, according to Fox, consisted of moldy bread filled with worms and meat that had been cooked in salt water fouled by human excrement. Prisoners passed their time by picking at their lice. Estimates of fatalities on board the ship range in the thousands. No one knows for sure. But one we know is John Kennedy.
Johns will was proven in Bedford County, Virginia, on September 24, 1781. It was written earlier that same year, February 22, 1781, right after he wrote the above letter, and before he went off to war. Omitting the introduction about his health, etc., here is the text as found in Will Book 1, pages 401-402:
Whereas in the course of the Winter 1780 while I was in Kentucky I found it likely to be to the united advantage of my brother Joseph Kennedy of Maryland and myself to contract with Mr. James Rucker and Reuben Coward to clear out and procure the Grants to us for two tracts, being preemptive rights of 1000 acres each, one of which grants in the name of Joseph Kennedy and the other in my own name. After they are obtained Joseph Kennedy and myself, or some person for us, to take first choice of these two tracts of land, which first choice must in a fair and equal manner be divided - one half to Joseph Kennedy his heirs and assigns and the other half to my heirs. I do therefore hereby empower my Executors and I do hereby require them to comply in all respects on my part with the agreement to said Rucker and Coward and also that they or either of them deal by Joseph Kennedy or his heirs according to these instructions and what may appear to be just by referring to the said agreement in writing dated Janurary 1780. In case the said Joseph Kennedy or his heirs do ratify and confirm the said agreement with said Rucker and Coward with regard to the tract of land they are to have in case it be the one whose grant is obtained in his name or divided with my Executors for the use off my heirs (making rights, etc.) as the case may be according to these instructions and what appears just by the said agreement. In that case, my will is that as soon as Grants are obtained for three following Warrants that is to say one of 750 acres and two Warrants of 10000 each all dated the 16th of October 1779, that my Executors lay off unto Joseph Kennedy and his heirs 1000 acres of the lands obtained by the said Warrants and also unto Peter Kelly 750 acres of the said lands to be laid off to each of them in one body or more bodies according to justice and equity so as to render the lands most valuable to all persons concerned they paying to my heirs Major Daniel Boons charge for locating land surveying the said Warrants. The remaining part of what property I am possessed of except a negro call Jane, I give and dispose of a follows.
After paying all my just debts and my wife having her thirds according to Law, to be equally divided among all my children.
Unto Esther my well beloved wife a negro called Jane during her life and afterwards to all my children.
My Executors to sell all the lands I have a right to in Bedford County in such manner as they think best.
Executors: my trusty and well beloved friend Thomas Logwood and Esther my beloved wife.
Witnesses: Thomas Williams, John Hardwick, John Hardwick, Jr.
Johns estate was inventoried and appraised on January 24, 1782, and among the things of value were Negroes Beck, Joe, and Jane, household furnishings, livestock, farm equip- ment and 18 window lights. Appraisers were Julius Hatcher, William Miller and John Wheat.
The division of the estate was entered into the court record on April 14, 1791. It was not completed until September 22, 1794. (Wills, Inventories & Accounts, pp. 139-140) The document is of interest, for it lists the heirs.
Perrins history of Bourbon County, page 477, gives some biographical sketches of some Kennedy descendants, and includes this comment: John Kennedy...entered land upon the Kennedys Creek, which bears his name; he never came to Kentucky to live. He had two sons Eli and Washington, who located on the land.
As noted above, John Kennedy, Jr., married Esther Stilly, daughter of Peter and Mary Stilly. Marys will of September 30, 1784, in Frederick County, Maryland, named my daughter, Esther Kennedy, wife of John Kennedy (deceased)... The Stillys were of
Swedish ancestry. (See chapter on the Stillys) According to L.V. Hagan, Jr., Esther was born on January 14, 1745, in Frederick County, Maryland; and died on October 20, 1820, in Bourbon County, Kentucky. Apparently after the death of her husband in 1781, Esther and the children stayed for a time in Bedford County, Virginia, for she is listed on the tax rolls of 1782-1787. They probably remained until the estate was finally settled in 1794. Then they moved to Bourbon County to live on land patented to them. Kentucky Land Grants by W.R. Jilson notes that 400 acres were surveyed on Kennedy Creek for John Kennady on December 27, 1782.
Source: http://www.kykinfolk.com/bourbon/KennedyFamily.html
According to Jesse Kennedy's journal of 1850, "Uncle Butler, next in line to James, married young to what was denominated an old maid, who issued forth children with great rapidity and subjected him to a petticoat government, to which he submitted with great alacrity for he was naturally kind and industrious. Under her influence he moved his family to N. C. and back two or three times, but the last time he got there he died and his family beig unable to get back remained. Cousin Washington told me he accidently fell in and tarried over night with one of his daughters in N. C. many years ago, that she was married and doing well."
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John Kennedy's burial which describes Esther Stilly's service during the Revolutionary War
Posted 23 Jan 2018 by pmckee007
John Kennedy, Jr
Birth 16 Oct 1742 Fredericktown, Cecil County, Maryland, USA
Death 26 Jun 1781 New York, USA
Burial Non-Cemetery Burial
Memorial ID 46198972
John Kennedy, My Great Grandfather (five times) fought in the Revolutionary War. He was taken prisoner by the British at the Battle of Guilford Court House on March 15, 1781 and put on the British Prison Ship Jersey located in Wallabout Bay (now the Brooklyn Navy Yard). The Jersey was the worst of the British Prison ships and John died June 26, 1781 of starvation. He left his wife Esther Stilly and seven children who lived in Southern Virginia. After the war, Esther moved her family to Bourbon County Kentucky where she died on October 21, 1820.
John, as were all others who died on the Jersey, was taken the next day to shore and buried in an unmarked mass grave in the sand. It is possible John Kennedy was one of those whose bodies were found along the shore after the war ended and was buried in Fort Greene Park at the Prison Ships Martyrs Crypt. I hope this is what happened. However, since I can not confirm this I have listed his burial location as unknown.
John's wife, Esther (Stilly) Kennedy (FAG memorial #46367326) is listed in both the DAR and SAR data bases as a Patriot for providing provisions to the Continental Army.
After John and Esther our family line has served in every American war except the Spanish American War.
Family Members
Spouses
Esther Stilly Kennedy
1745–1820
Esther Stilly Kennedy*
1745–1820
Children
Julia Kennedy Hatcher*
1770–1835
Rebeckah Kennedy Ashurst*
1773–1855
Elizabeth Ann Kennedy Wheat*
1774–1852
Eli Kennedy*
1776–1835
Mary Sophia Kennedy Rollins*
1777–1868
Washington Kennedy*
1779–1832
Aria Kennedy Talbot*
1781–1860
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