1. Edward¹ Ker was born in Cessford, Scotland circa 1725.⁽¹⁾ Edward died 1790 in Accomack Co, VA, at 65 years of age.⁽²⁾ His body was interred in Shepherd's Plain, Pungoteage, Acc Co, VA.⁽³⁾

He married Margaret Shepherd circa 1753 in Accomack Co, VA.⁽⁴⁾ Margaret was born circa 1735 in Northampton Co, VA.⁽⁵⁾ Margaret⁽⁶⁾ was the daughter of John Shepherd and Catherine Harmanson.

Edward bought land 1755 in Accomack Co, VA.⁽⁷⁾ It was in this year that Edward Ker and wife Margaret bought her sister's interest in 350 acres of Whitelaw's tract A26, near Pungoteague, from John Harmanson and his wife Elizabeth. In 1790 Edward Ker left his home plantation to his wife Margaret and then to their son George. George later died intestate and in 1824 John Ker of Northampton deeded his interest in the land to his sister Margaret S. Ker, saying they had inherited jointly upon the death of their father, the Reverend George Ker. Later in that year Margaret married the Reverend Samuel C. Stratton. In 1852, after the death of his wife, Stratton had moved to Cloucester Co, NJ, and in this year he and his children James and Mary sold as 300 acres to Richard J. Ayres. He later died intestate and in 1880 a son of the same name bought the property at a sale to settle the estate. The north part of the 350 acres became detached and thereafter was known as Edgewater. The Stratton deed called the property Shepherd's Plain, which was later changed to Melrose, but the older name is still in use. The original Shepherd house was about 200 yards northeat of the present dwelling and within the memory of those still living (Whitelaw published in 1951) the remains of an eight-foot cellar could be seen. The existing house appears to date from soon after 1755, when Edward Ker and his wife Margaret became possessed of the full title. (Note: See Whitelaw p. 665-667 for pictures and a full description.) The old graveyard of the first Kers (since plowed up) was on a little hill across the cove from the house.

Edward estate was settled 1 Sep 1762 in Accomack Co, VA.⁽⁸⁾ It was on this date that Edward Ker quaified to settle the estate of William Justice Jr. William left his whole estate to his wife, but if she should be with child the child to have all my lands & an equal part of my negroes & other estate. Witt: John Harmanson, Sarah Mackmath.

He made a will 17 May 1786 in Accomack Co, VA.⁽⁹⁾ To wife plantation where I live containing 550 acres for life & then to my son George. To son George plantation bought of Thomas H. Parker, containing 175 acres. To son John Sheppard 300 acres of the land bought of James Cox, the line dividing him & his brother Hugh to be the branch running into the head of Pungoteague. To son Hugh all the land bought of James Broughton as contained in 3 deeds, being 109 acres, & all the surplus of 300 acres of the land bought of James Cox, supposed to be 98 acres, also the land & plantation bought of Michael R. Tatham. To son Edward all the land I now hold or may die possessed of in the County of Northampton, & the lands in Accomack bought of John & Littleton Harmon & Edmund Polson. To 3 daughters Jean Scarbrough, Catharine Christian & Ann Revell the lands 1 hold in Gloucestor, containing 243 1/4 acres. To daughter Elizabeth Ker 500 £ to be paid in 2 negro girls & 1 negro boy & in stock & household furniture. To daughter Isabel 500 £ to be paid in like manner. Remainder of my land to be sold, & the proceeds, together with the residue of my estate to be divided between my 4 sons George, John Shephard, Hugh & Edward. Wife (no name) Exec. Sons George & John Shephard Exrs. Codicil No. 1 - I revoke the 5th gift to my son Hugh, & in lieu thereof give to the said Hugh all the land & plantation near the Court House bought out of the estate of Severn Guttridge, with the lots in the Court yard, also the lots held in joint tenancy with Catharine Scott. In lieu of the lands bought of John & Littleton Harmon & Edmund Polson, I give to my son Edward Ker the land & plantation bought of Michael Rickets Tatham on the North side of Andua. To son John Sheppard the remainder of the land purchased of John Cox, being about 98 acres and 13 acres lying below the main road purchased of James Broughton. Daughter Margaret to have her board with either of my sons she may incline to live with, & should she choose to board elsewhere I bequeath her 12 £ per annum while she remains single to be paid by my 4 sons, 3 £ each. I desire that the representatives of my deceased daughter Ann Revell should have an equal share with my daughters Jean Scarburgh & Catherine Christian. The land purchased of John & Littleton Harmon & of Edmund Poulson I bequest to my 4 sons - Dated 28 Sept. 1788 - Witt: Reavel Watson, George Pearson, Rosy Harman.

Edward's will was probated 18 Oct 1790 in Accomack Co, VA.⁽¹⁰⁾ Will proved by John Wise, Jabez Pitt, Edmund Bayly, Jr. Codicil proved by Revill Watson & Rosy Harman.

Edward Ker and Margaret Shepherd had the following children:

+ 2 i. Jean² Ker was born circa 1755.

+ 3 ii. Catharine Ker was born circa 1759.

+ 4 iii. Anne Ker was born circa 1762.

+ 5 iv. Rev. George Ker was born 10 Jun 1765.

6 v. Dr. Hugh Ker⁽¹¹⁾ was born in Accomack Co, VA circa 1767.⁽¹²⁾ Hugh died circa 1845.⁽¹³⁾ Hugh was named in his father's will 17 May 1786 in Accomack Co, VA.⁽¹⁴⁾ He was shown as a son Hugh Ker and given all the land bought of James Broughton as contained in 3 deeds, being 109 acres, & all the surplus of 300 acres of the land bought of James Cox, supposed to be 98 acres, also the land & plantation bought of Michael R. Tatham in the will of Edward Ker.

Hugh witnessed a will 3 Jan 1791 in Accomack Co, VA.⁽¹⁵⁾ It was on this date that John Wise, Archibald Forsyth and Hugh Ker witnessed the will of Patience Robinson.

Hugh was named in a land cause 4 Mar 1801 in St. George Parish, Acc Co, VA.⁽¹⁶⁾ He was shown as Hugh Ker, an insane person, who was represented by a committee. He was a son of Edward Ker the elder and a brother of George (dec'd), John S. and Edward (dec'd).

Hugh was named as an heir of Rev War Vetran 31 Jan 1825 in Accomack Co, VA.⁽¹⁷⁾ In the estate settlement of David Bowman, he was shown as Hugh Ker and was to receive his 1/9 £115.17.5. (Note: The settlement was finally recored on 31 Jan 1825, but the actual payment may have been years earlier, as David Bowman died in 1805.)

Hugh estate was settled 31 Jan 1825 in Accomack Co, VA.⁽¹⁸⁾ 31 Jan 1825 (Audit & Rec'd) - Edward S. Snead's committee to Hugh Ker. Accounts between Hugh Ker & Edward S. Snead (his committee) were audited by William E. Wise & William D. Seymour & showed that $5,232.06 was due from the committee to Hugh Ker. There was also mention of rent of a kitchen in Drummond Town. (Note: Since this was the same date as the settlement of David Bowman, wherein Hugh Ker received a share, this may have been recorded to document that it was received by Hugh Ker's committee on his behalf.)

Hugh's estate was administered 30 Jun 1845 in Accomack Co, VA.⁽¹⁹⁾ It was on this date that Edward S. Snead was named to settle the estate of Dr. Hugh Ker. Nathaniel Topping & Thomas R. Joynes were the securities. On 25 Jan 1848 the administration of his estate "de bonis non" (not yet administered) was to George Ker with Miers W. Fisher and Leonard B. Nottingham securities.

+ 7 vi. John Shepherd Ker Esq. was born 1768.

8 vii. Edward Ker Jr.⁽²⁰⁾ was born in Accomack Co, VA circa 1769.⁽²¹⁾ Edward died Jan 1798 at 28 years of age.⁽²²⁾ He was shown as Edward Ker the younger, a son of Edward Ker dec'd, and a brother of George (dec'd), John S. & Hugh Ker. On the ___ day of ___ 179_ he died intestate leaving no children or father nor mother, but but brothers and sisters and their descendants, to-wit: the said John S. Ker and the said Hugh his brothers of the whole blood, Elizabeth Seymour & Isabella Bowman his sisters of the whole blood, and Edmund Scarburgh, Jr., Margaret Coward, Alice Bayly & Edward, William & Elizabeth Scarburgh his nephews and nieces, children of Jane Scarburgh, dec., his sister of the whole blood, Margaret, William, John & George Edward Christian his nephews & nieces, children of Catherine Christian, dec., his sister of the whole blood, John & Margaret Revell, his nephew & niece, children of Ann Revell, dec., his sister of the whole blood, the said Nancy, Margaret & John Ker, his nephew & nieces, children of the said George Ker, dec., his brother of the whole blood, and Smith Snead, his nephew, the only child of Margaret Snead, dec., his sister of the whole blood, whereby the interest of the said Edward the younger in the said land descended to his brothers & sisters & nephews & nieces aforesaid, who entered in the same and became seized thereof as of fee, and being so seized on the 29 July 1800 the said John S. Ker, Samuel Coward & the said Margaret, his wife, the said Edmund Scarburgh, Jr., the said Hugh Ker, William Seymour and the said Elizabeth, his wife, David Bowman and the said Isabella his wife, Thomas Bayly and Alice his wife, presented their bill in chancery against the said Edward, William & Elizabeth Scarburgh, Margaret, William, John & George Edward Christian, John & Margaret Revell, Nancy, Margaret & John Ker & Smith Snead for the sale of the said Edward Ker, Jr's. part, which sale was ordered and Edward's part purchased by John S. Ker, so that the said John S. Ker, Nancy, Margaret & John Ker and the said David Bowman & William Seymour, committee as aforesaid of the said Hugh Ker, in right of the said Ker, hold together and undivided the said tract of land - George Parker appointed guardian to the defendants Nancy, Margaret & John Ker, infant defendants, to defend this suit.

Edward was named in his father's will 17 May 1786 in Accomack Co, VA.⁽²³⁾ He was shown as a son Edward Ker and given all the land I now hold or may die possessed of in the County of Northampton, & the lands in Accomack bought of John & Littleton Harmon & Edmund Polson in the will Edward Ker.

Edward's estate was administered 30 Jan 1798 in Accomack Co, VA.⁽²⁴⁾ It was on this date that George Ker was named to settle the estate of Edward Ker. Hugh Ker & David Bowman were the securities.

Edward's estate was administered 27 Dec 1803 in Accomack Co, VA.⁽²⁵⁾ It was on this date that John S. Ker was named to settle the estate of Edward Ker Jr. John Custis & William Gibb were the securities.

Edward estate was settled 28 Feb 1804 in Accomack Co, VA.⁽²⁶⁾ 28 Feb 1804 (Audit & Rec'd) - George Ker Admr. Name noted: Edward Ker. Auditors: John Cropper Jr. & William Gibb.

+ 9 viii. Elizabeth Ker was born 8 Jun 1771.

+ 10 ix. Isabella Ker was born circa 1772.

+ 11 x. Margaret S. Ker was born circa 1775.

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