The Family of John Kennedy

submitted by Rick Gray

John Kennedy

                     AKA John Canady
                     Born          Between 1770 and 1774 North Carolina, USA
                     Died          16 Oct 1854 Maury County, Tennessee, USA
                     Buried       Jackson College Cemetery, Maury County, Tennessee, USA
                     Married     6 Nov 1805 Garrard County, Kentucky, USA
                     Spouse      Barbara Gordon (Abt 1774-Aft 1803) 10 Nov 1790 - Madison County, Kentucky, USA
                                      SealS (LDS)

Father           James Kennedy Sr. (Abt 1735-1825)
Mother         Elizabeth or Hannah

Events
1.   He is listed with 50 acres, 2 horses, 13 cattle and 1 white male over 21 on the tax list of 1792 in
      Madison County, Kentucky, USA.
2.   He is listed with 1 white male over 21, 3 horses and no land on the tax list of 1797 in Garrard County,
      Kentucky, USA.
3.   He is listed with 1 white male over 21, 4 horses and no land on the tax list of 1799 in Garrard County,
      Kentucky, USA.
4.   He was listed on the Tax List for Madison County, Kentucky in 1800.
5.   He is listed with 75 acres 2nd rate land on Paint Lick in Garrard and 1 white male over 21 on the tax
      list of 1803 in Garrard County, Kentucky, USA. This entry could refer to his "uncle" John as well.
      The listing did not show John Sr. or John Jr. as it had in past years.
6.   He is listed with 75 acres of 2nd rate land on Paint Lick in Garrard and 1 white male over 21 on the
      tax list of 1804 in Garrard County, Kentucky, USA. This entry could refer to his "uncle" John as well.
      The listing did not show John Sr. or John Jr. as it had in past years. There is another John Kenan(?)
      listed between James Kennedy and William Kennedy which is probably this John, the "nephew" of
      John Sr. He is listed with no land and 1 white male over 21.
7.   He is listed with 75 acres 2nd rate land on Paint Lick in Garrard and 2(?) white males over 21 on the
      tax list of 1805 in Garrard County, Kentucky, USA. There are 3 John Kennedy's listed this year - John
      Sr., John Jr. and John Kennedy. The John Jr. is not the son of James Kennedy Sr. as he is under 21
      years of age. The John who is listed as only John Kennedy is most likely James' son and his listing of
      land matches the years of 1803 and 1804, indication that he was the John referred to in those years. I
      am unsure at this point who the John Jr. is as the other John Kennedy's in the James and John lines
      were not old enough to match the age of 16 and above. There is also a John Kenneth (?) listed among
      the Kennedys. Not sure if he was actually a Kennedy or not. He is listed as being over 21.
      I think the second white male over 21 is probably is brother Thomas.
8.   He emigrated about 1807 to Maury County, Tennessee, USA. John was listed as one of the signers of
      the petition that was sent to the state asking them to form Maury County. This petition was signed in
      1807. I know that he was here at that time. I think he possibly came alone and set things up and his
      wife and children joined him later. His two oldest children by Nancy were both listed as being born in
      Kentucky. The last of them was born in 1807.
9.   He was listed on the Tax List for Maury County, Tennessee in 1811.
10.  On 16 May 1817, he purchased 163 acres on east side of Carters Creek in Maury County, Tennessee
       for eight hundred and fifteen dollars.
11.  He appeared on the census in 1820 in Maury County, Tennessee, USA. John Canady's household
       includes 2 males under 10 years of age, 1 male 10 to under 16 years of age, 2 males age 16 to under
       26, 1 male over 45 years of age, 2 females under 10 years of age, 2 females age 10 and under 16, 3
       females age 16 to under 26, and one female age 26 to under 45.
12.  He appeared on the census in 1850 in Maury County, Tennessee, USA. He was listed as dwelling 829
       in the 24th District. His household included John Kennedy, age 76, male, farmer, real estate value
       $2500, born in North Carolina; Nancy Kennedy, age 63, female, born in Tennessee, Amanda Kennedy,
       age 26, female, born in Tennessee; Zurilda Kennedy, age 22, female, born in Tennessee; Eliza
       Kennedy, age 18, female, born in Tennessee; Benjamin L. Kennedy, age 16, male, born in Tennessee.
13.  On 10 September 1853, he purchased 59 acres in Maury County, Tennessee.
14.  He signed a will on 9 Oct 1854 in Maury County, Tennessee, USA. In the name of God, Amen. I,
       John Kennedy, being of sound mind and knowing the uncertainty of life, and wishing to make a
      deposition of my property after my decease, among those I recognize as the proper subjects of my
      bounty, do make and publish and declare this to be my Last Will and Testament. Item 1: It is my
      wish that my Executor herein-after appointed, shall as speedily as it may be done, out of my monies
      on hand, or to be derived from notes, judgement or other evidences of debt in my favor, pay off and
      discharge the expenses of my funeral and all just debts due or owing by me. Item 2: It is my wish
      that my beloved companion and wife Nancy, shall have the use and enjoyments of all the rest and
      chattel property of which I may die seized and possessed, for and during her natural life. Item 3: At
      the death of my wife Nancy, it is my will and wish, that the property, the use of which was given
      above to my wife during her life, be equally divided among all my children, or my grand-children, if
      the parent (my child) be dead - the grandchildren representing the share, their parents would have
      been entitled to - were he or she living - except my son Lawrence or his children. It not being my
      intention in my Estate, hereby intending to exclude him and his children, believing that I have already
      advanced to him as much or more than his share would be in my Estate, and had nothing ever been
      paid to him. Item 4: It is my wish, that my Executor, herein-after appointed shall, after payment of
      funeral expenses and debts as provided for in first clause of this will, loan out at interest any monies
      on hand, or be derived from notes, accounts, judgements or other sources, whatever due and owing
      me and shall keep the same at interest for and during the life of my wife Nancy; and my Executor
      shall collect the interest upon said sum or sums annually, and shall pay the interest over to my wife
      so collected to be used by her, unless my Executor shall deem it advisable, to invest the interest so
      collected as aforesaid in the purchase of a slave or slaves, and if in their judgements and discretion,
      it is advisable to make such a purchase, then it is my wish they shall do so, never encroaching upon
      the principle sum. If said puchase, are so made then it is my wish, that my wife shall have the use of
      said slave or slaves, for and during her life. Item 5: In the event of the purchase of slave or slaves by
      my Executor, in manner appointed out in the fourth clause of this will, it is my wish that at the death
     of my wife Nancy, said slave or slaves with their increase shall be divided as the property left for
     the use of my wife in the second clause, is directed to be divided in the third clause of this will. Item
     6: It is my will and desire that the money remaining on hand, in the hands of my Executor, at the
     death of my wife and which they have been directed to keep in interest during her life, be equally
      divided among all my children, my grand-children representing the parent in the event of death -
      except my son Lawrence and his children, whom it is my desire to exclude. Item 7: I nominate and
      appoint my sons George W. Kennedy and James Kennedy my Executors to carry out and fulfill all
      all the duties herein imposed upon my Executor. His John (X) Kennedy Mark Signed, sealed and
      published in our presence by John Kennedy he declaring the same to be his Last Will and
      Testament; and his request we have hereunto set our names as witnesses thereto, this 9th day of
      Oct. 1854. A.P. Bailey A.M. Bumey
15.  On December 4, 1854, John Kennedy's will was proven and James Kennedy posted bond and was
       sworn in to act as Executor of his estate.
16.  He had an estate probated on 5 Feb 1855 in Maury County, Tennessee, USA.
17.  He was Presbyterian. His grandson Joseph Kennedy Marshall refers to him as being "blue stocking
       Presbyterian".

 Birth Notes (Husband)
                      John was most likely born in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. We know from the writings of David
                      Newton Kennedy that the family lived there before moving to Kentucky. I have estimated the date of his birth
                      from two sources. The 1850 census indicates a birth date of around 1774. The inscription on his tombstone
                      indicates he was a little older and was possibly born as early as 1770.
                      Burial Notes (Husband)
                      Tombstone inscription: "Though Four Score Years Has Past And Four Years Added Too Time Alone Has
                      Swept At Last An Age That Is Obtained By Few"
                      General Notes (Husband)
                      Joseph Kennedy Marshall states that his grandfather John Kennedy was Scotch-Irish & old blue stocking
                      Presbyterian. He married 1st Barbara Gordon 2nd Margaret McDonald and had nineteen children. I have
                      tried to find what the term "blue stocking Presbyterian" was, but have not come across a definite meaning.
                      The best I can conclude from the references of it made by others, is that it meant a staunch Presbyterian or
                      true Presbyterian. The people referred to as "blue stocking Presbyterian" were very Puritanical in character
                      and adhered very strictly to the ways of the Presbyterian church, many times so much so that they did not
                      have tolerance for those who did not. One man referred to his mother as being "blue stocking Presbyterian"
                      stating that she even refused to boil water on Sunday.
 

Wife                 Nancy McDaniel
                        AKA            Margaret McDonald, Nancy McDonnell
                        Born             Abt 1786 Tennessee, USA
                        Died             8 Aug 1858 Maury County, Tennessee, USA
                        Buried          Jackson College Cemetery, Maury County, Tennessee, USA
Events
1.   She appeared on the census in 1850 in Maury County, Tennessee, USA.
2.   James Kennedy was named Executor of the estate of Nancy Kennedy by the county court of Maury
      County on 6 September 1858.

Birth Notes (Wife)
                     I have estimated Nancy's birth date based on the age listed on her tombstone and the age listed for her on the
                    1850 census.
                    Research Notes (Wife)
                    For years it was believed by many researchers that John Kennedy's second wife was Nancy Renfro,
                    daughter of William Renfro and Elizabeth Cheney. The main piece of evidence for this assumption was that
                    William Renfro lived near John and Nancy Kennedy in Maury County and that in his will he named his
                    daughter Nancy, who married Mr. Kennedy. His daughter Nancy also fit the approximate age for the Nancy
                    listed in John Kennedy's household. Further research revealed that Nancy Renfro did marry a John Kennedy.
                    This marriage took place in South Carolina in 1805. I had a hard time figuring out why John would have left
                    Kentucky to marry Nancy and then move back to Kentucky but the date fit. With further research a marriage
                    record was discovered for the same year for John Kennedy in Garrard County. The woman he married was
                    named Nancy McDaniel. I began to question the Nancy Renfro marriage at this point. About this time I was
                    able to get in touch with Sally Presas who had a copy of a book entry made by Fannie Nowlin, greatgranddaughter
                    of John and Nancy. Fannie recorded Nancy's maiden name as McDonnell which of course
                    was very similar to McDaniel. Another piece of evidence discovered at this time was the Civil War
                    Questionnaire of Joseph Kennedy Marshall, grandson of John and Nancy. He recorded his grandmother's
                    name as Margaret McDonald. Another person told me that he recorded in a journal that her full name was
                    Margaret Nancy McDonald. I do know that all I have seen her referred to is as Nancy Kennedy. The
                    marriage certificate uses the name Nancy, census records list her name as Nancy, John refers to her as
                    Nancy in his will, and her tombstone only lists the name Nancy Kennedy.
                    The McDaniel name was sometimes mistaken in the early days for the McDonald name. According to
                    Tennessee Cousins by Worth S. Ray, page 577, there were several McDonald brothers, Alex, Joseph, Robert,
                    John, William and James that settled in the Mt. Pisgah neighborhood of Giles County. Robert McDonald,
                    married Elizabeth Young, who was the sister of Mary "Polly" Young who married Thomas C. Kennedy. I
                    have wondered if these could be related to Nancy.
                  

Notes (Married)
                   Bond and oath of age for bride by John Denny. No ret. date listed.
 

Children
I.                      Samuel Gordon Kennedy
                        Born            7 Dec 1806 Kentucky, USA
                        Died            20 Apr 1866 Macon County, Illinois, USA
                        Spouse         Mary Jane Nicholson (1798-1838) 22 Jul 1825 - Garrard County, Kentucky, USA
 

II.                    Andrew Kennedy
                        Born             Abt 1806 Kentucky, USA
                        Died             Bef 2 Mar 1868 Maury County, Tennessee, USA
                        Spouse         Martha Susannah Reams (Abt 1819-Bef 1860) 11 Dec 1839 - Maury County, Tennessee, USA
 

III.                   Martha Kennedy
                        Born             4 Aug 1808 Poplar Top, Maury County, Tennessee, USA
                        Died             23 Jul 1881 Williamson County, Tennessee, USA
                        Buried          Marshall Cemetery, Franklin, Williamson County, Tennessee, USA
                        Spouse         Gilbert Marshall (1793-1857) 3 Jul 1839 - Maury County, Tennessee, USA
 

IV.                   Lucinda Kennedy
                        Born             13 Sep 1810 Tennessee, USA
                        Died             1 Nov 1862 Maury County, Tennessee, USA
                        Buried          Nov 1862 Wells Cemetery, Culleoka, Maury County, Tennessee, USA
                        Spouse         David Wells Jr. (1812-1888) 14 Jul 1846 - Maury County, Tennessee, USA
 

V.                    George Washington Kennedy
                        Born             30 Dec 1812 Maury County, Tennessee, USA
                        Died             1 Mar 1884 Limestone County, Texas, USA
                        Buried          Faulkenberry Cemetery, Limestone County, Texas, USA
                        Spouse         Laura Ann Bayne (1822-1911) 29 Oct 1839 - Giles County, Tennessee, USA
 

VI.                   Amanda Kennedy
                        Born            Abt 1824 Maury County, Tennessee, USA
                        Died            14 Dec 1891 Williamson County, Tennessee, USA
                        Buried         Marshall Cemetery, Franklin, Williamson County, Tennessee, USA
                        Spouse        Never Married
 

VII.                 Zurilda Kennedy
                       AKA            Yorilda Kennedy
                       Born             Abt 1828 Tennessee, USA
                       Spouse         William B. Richardson
                       Marr. Date    May 1848 - Maury County, Tennessee, USA. (Divorced on 23 Mar 1859)

VIII.               William Kennedy
                       Born              Abt 1828 Tennessee, USA
                       Died              Bef 1870 Williamson County, Tennessee, USA
                       Buried           Marshall Cemetery, Franklin, Williamson County, Tennessee, USA
                       Spouse          Susan Jane Cartwright ( - ) 27 Apr 1859 - Williamson County, Tennessee, USA
 

IX.                  Eliza Kennedy
                       Born              21 Feb 1831 Tennessee, USA
                       Died              9 Feb 1863 Tennessee, USA
                       Buried           Wells Cemetery, Culleoka, Maury County, Tennessee, USA
                       Spouse          Never Married
 

X.                   H. Lawrence Kennedy
                       Born              Bef 1837 Maury County, Tennessee, USA
                       Spouse          Never Married
 

XI.                  Reuben S. Kennedy
                       Born              Bef 1837 Maury County, Tennessee, USA
                       Spouse          Never Married
 

XII.                Benjamin L. Kennedy Sr.
                      Born               Mar 1837 Maury County, Tennessee, USA
                      Died               31 Jan 1921 China Springs, McLennan County, Texas, USA
                      Cause of Death senility
                      Buried            1 Feb 1921 China Spring Cemetery, China Springs, McLennan County, Texas, USA
                      Spouse           Laura E. McCann (1842-1921) 7 Dec 1865 - McLennan County, Texas, USA