William Carr, 11th Great-Grandfather

April 30, 2013 — ancestors, castles, Scotland

Ferniehirst castle

I will go grave hunting today on Jamestown Island, RI.  Caleb Carr is buried there, and maybe it is possible to visit the ancestral home!!! He has a fancy Scottish background. His grandfather, William, was baron of a castle in Scotland:

About Ferniehirst Castle

Ferniehirst Castle consists of an extended and altered towerhouse, which incorporates the cellars from the 16th century castle, with larger wings and extentions. A large conical-roofed stairturret is corbelled out above the first floor level, and bartizans, with shot-holes crowning the top of the tower.The original entrance leads to a stair known as the ‘Left-Handed Staircase’, the story being that when Sir Andrew Kerr, who was himself left-handed, returned from Flodden in 1513 he had his followers trained to use their weapons with their left hands. This is said to be the origin of ‘Corrie-fisted’ or ‘Kerr handed’. The basement is vaulted, and the hall has a 16th-century fireplace.Ferniehirst was a property of the Kerrs and first built by Sir Thomas Kerr in 1476 on the remains of an earlier foundation, but was sacked by the English in 1523. It was recaptured with French help in 1549, and the leader of the English garrison was beheaded. Sir Thomas Kerr, protector of Mary, Queen of Scots invaded England in 1570, hoping to have her released, but all that resulted was an raid on Scotland, during which Ferniehirst was damaged. James VI destroyed the castle in 1593 because of help given by the family to the Earl of Bothwell. The castle was rebuilt about 1598. As late as 1767 the house was occupied and used by the Lord Lothian of that day but even then it was showing signs of delapidation. Between 1934 and 1984 it was leased by the Scottish Youth Hostel Association, except for during World War II when it served as a army billet.Purchased recently by Lord Lothian, Ferniehirst Castle has been restored. A bothy wing has been added and built on original foundation stones to serve as the private apartment of Lord Lothian and his Lady. When he is present his personal flag is flown from the flagpole atop the castle. His flag is blue with the resplendant sun in gold in the center.A ‘Green Lady’ is said to haunt the castle in some tales, and unusual occurrences were reported during its time as a youth hostel, although the story is refuted.

William Carr (1542 – 1655)

is my 11th great grandfather

Benjamin Carr (1592 – 1635)

son of William Carr

Caleb Carr (1623 – 1695)

son of Benjamin Carr

Sarah Carr (1682 – 1765)

daughter of Caleb Carr

John Hammett (1705 – 1752)

son of Sarah Carr

MARGARET HAMMETT (1721 – 1753)

daughter of John Hammett

Benjamin Sweet (1722 – 1789)

son of MARGARET HAMMETT

Paul Sweet (1762 – 1836)

son of Benjamin Sweet

Valentine Sweet (1791 – 1858)

son of Paul Sweet

Sarah LaVina Sweet (1840 – 1923)

daughter of Valentine Sweet

Jason A Morse (1862 – 1932)

son of Sarah LaVina Sweet

Ernest Abner Morse (1890 – 1965)

son of Jason A Morse

Richard Arden Morse (1920 – 2004)

son of Ernest Abner Morse

Pamela Morse

I am the daughter of Richard Arden Morse

Name: William CARRGiven Name: WilliamSurname: CarrNSFX: 10th Baron FennehurstTitle: 10th Baron FennehurstSex: MBirth: 16 MAY 1542 in Fernichrist,ScotlandDeath: in London,EnglandNote: 10th Baron of Fennefurst.Father: Thomas CARR b: ABT 1525 in Ferniehrist Castle,ScotlandMother: Janet KIRKCALDY b: in Grange,ScotlandMarriage 1 Mary Ann CLIFFORD b: ABT 1570 in EnglandMarried: ABT 1591 in London,EnglandChildrenBenjamin CARR b: 18 AUG 1592 in London,EnglandWilliam CARR b: 17 JUN 1597 in London,EnglandGeorge CARR b: 15 AUG 1599 in London,Middlesex,EnglandJames CARR b: 4 OCT 1602 in London,EnglandRichard CARR b: 1606 in London,EnglandOther children may have been born to this couple, but the given names are not known. William Carr became the 10th Baron of Fennehurst, but he lived in London,England. William took his mother’s maiden name to continue the Kirkcaldyline, but his children reverted to Carr when their father failed toinherit the Grange property. (David Carr notes)According to Billy Neil Carr, his uncle Charlie wrote a book on Amasa Carr (1830), showing his descendants and mentioning what he knew of Amasa’s ancestors. Quoting Charlie’s book, the first three generations were based on “the framed ‘Pedigree of Governor Caleb Carr’ that hangs on the wall of the living room in the old Carr Homestead in Jamestown, RI.”Sir William Carr was born in Scotland on 16 May 1542. He married Mary Ann Clifford Carr, sister of Lord Somerset. Sir William changed the name Kerr, first to Kelso then to Carr.Sir William’s father Thomas was the son of Sir John Kerr and Katherine, daughter of Sir Andrew Kerr of Cesford. Sir John reportedly rescued Mary Queen of Scots in the incursion against Scotland. Sir John was born 17 June 1500 and died 1562.Sir John was the son of Lord Andrew Kerr, born in Scotland in 1450. He married Janet, daughter of Lord Patrick Hume.10th Baron of Fennefurst.———According to notes by David Carr, William became the 10th Baron of Ferniehurst, Scotland. However, he lived in London, England, and took his mother’s maiden name to continue the Kirkcaldy line (Why? Possibly because she had no brothers, and with a view to receiving the family inheritance.) However, when William failed to inherit family property in Grange, Scotland, his children reverted to the Carr or Kerr surname.This information, as well as data on the preceding generations, is presented without verification. It may well be fact, but proving it may be difficult since England and Scotland are far away; furthermore, locating old records is often difficult. However, there is a lot of historical information on the internet about this family. [http://www.electricscotland.com/]William’s parents are given as Thomas Kerr (Carr), 9th Baron of Ferniehurst, and Janet Kirkaldy (b. ca.1530 in Grange, Scotland).Summary of online info:Thomas became the 9th Baron of Ferniehurst Castle. He was also noted for his patriotic involvement with Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots (see notes from David Carr). The name of Carr, Kerr, or Karre is as old as the Norman Conquest at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. One of the followers of William the Conqueror, of Normandy, is recorded in the Roll of the Gattle Abbey as having the name Karre. The early descendants of this Norman soldier and succeeding generations spread on both sides of the border between England and Scotland. Direct lines can be traced through various peerage books of England and Scotland (titles and whereabouts? see web site) to Andrew Kerr I, the 6th Baron of Ferniehurst, Scotland. He was born in 1450, created Baron in 1480, and knighted in 1483. He and his son Andrew II, 7th Baron of F., were remarkable men for talent and undaunted courage, conspicuous in the reigns of James IV and James V. Andrew Kerr II died in 1543. His son, Sir John Kerr, 8th Baron of F., did great service for Scotland by rescuing Mary, Queen of Scots from English raiders. Sir Thomas, 9th Baron and son of Sir John, was also a loyal and devoted subject of the Queen.See Watson’s “The House of Carr,” 1926. William’s youngest brother (or half-brother) was Robert “Robin” Carr, b. 1580 in Ferniehurst, Scotland. He is said to have been a favorite of King James VI of Scotland, who became King James I of England after the death of Elizabeth I. It was this king who authorized the King James translation of the Bible in 1611. Robin was: Groom of the Bed Chamber, 1607; Viscount Rochester, 1611; Knight of the Garter, 1613; Earl of Somerset; and Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, 1614. In 1609 he was granted the forfeited estate of Sir Walter Raleigh. As an influential member of the court, he was both feared and respected.