Individual Details

1776. In a disposition dated 1806, John Kellar stated he first came to Kentucky in 1776 and made an entry for his brother Jacob. He obtained a pre-emption certificate for 1000 acres, as did brothers Abraham & Isaac. The tracts were on the waters of Cooper's Run. John assigned his claim to John May.

ABSTRACT to the GEORGE ROGERS CLARK PAPERS
606-1-616-March 7, 1779: . James Buchanan paid 40 pounds to William Pointer for pack horse service provided Jan. 24, 1779. Names: John Kellar.
April 28, 1779: "General Provisions Return for three days commencing April the 26 & ending the 28 April 1779." Listing of number of rations by flour, pork, given to men and prisoners in the companies of Captains George, McCarty, and John Kellar.
4032-3-611-612-December 8, 1779: James Trabue in Kentucky County certified Joseph Procter, Nicolas Procter, John Keller and John Finely served in Capt. Gass company and had supplied their rations for 20 days from September 14, 1779 to December 8, 1779
6166-4-374-375-July 12, 1780: Capt. Robert George by order of George Rogers Clark instructed Capt. John Dodge at Fort Jefferson to issue full clothing allowance to 23 soldiers of Capt. Abraham Kellar's co.
Soldiers names are listed p.55 of CALENDAR & QUARTERMASTER BOOKS
The first six listed had enlisted, others had over 1 year to serve. Names: John Chappel, George Hoit, Baptist Raper, Francis Laycore, Anthony Montroy, James Thompson, James Pritchet, Harmon Eagle, Thomas Hays, George Smith, John Crawley, Joseph Cooper, Benjamin Cooper, John Kellar, David Russell, David Humble, James Davis, John Kearns, Philip Duly, Haymore duly, John Shank, Joseph Panther, Jacob Decker
6170-4-376- 377-July 14, 1780: Fourth document. George Rogers Clark order to Capt. William Shannon at the Falls of Ohio to issue powder and lead for use of Capt. Benjamin Harrison, Capt. John Winston of John Keller's volunteers for an expedition against the [Shawnee Indians].

18 Oct 1779. John entered 400 acres in Fayette Co, KY on south side of Elkhorn Creek as assignee of Abraham Keller; surveyed Feb 1784. Grant Book U, p.425.
22 May 1780 Kentucky. Jefferson Entries. John Keller entered 400 acres on Elkhorn. Book A, p.82 [His brothers Jacob & Isaac entered land the same day. This is apparently the grant he received in 1785.]

John was a witness to the will of his brother Jacob in Yohogania Co, 1781.

1784 John Kellar listed on tax records, Peters Twp, Washington Co (formerly Yohogania), along with William Fry & Henry Speers. It isn't known if he actually settled there.

John had a pre-emption certificate for 1000 acres in Kentucky, as did his brothers Abraham and Isaac. Their certificates indicate they visited there in 1776 and all made improvements to their desired land. However he assigned his over to John May before the Warrant was issued. May received Warrant #1133 on 21 Aug 1780, but assigned it to John Craig and Robert Johnson on 10 Oct 1782. The tract was on the waters of Coopers Run, a branch of the Licking River and included an improvement made by John Kellar in 1776. Craig & Johnson received their grant on 4 Jul 1785.

10 Nov 1785 Virginia Land Grant. Warrant #1363, issued 18 Oct 1779 granted to John Kellar, assignee of Abraham Keller. 400 acres surveyed 28 Feb 1784 in Fayette Co [KY] on the South side of Elkhorn Creek about two & a half miles from the mouth. Grants U, p.425.

Found in Burnt Records of Fayette Co KY, Book 3, p.342
(deed fragment)
Hite & Harriet his wife to John Kellar, land in Fayette County on Elkhorn Creek granted to said Isaac Hite, 23 May 17__ Begin three hopwoods on north side of Elkhorn Creek, corner to Kellars
five hundred acre survey... Saunders's line, meanders of ... Containing five____
Signed: Is. Hite , Harriett Hite
Wit: Daniel Bryon, Abraham Jamison, Joseph Kellar.
Received of within John Kellar five pounds consideration within mentioned. Witness my hand
this 22nd day of September 1788.
Proved December Court, 1788 by oaths of D____.

25 Aug 1799 Jessamine Co Tax Rolls:
John Kellar, 234 acres 1st rate land, S Elkhorn, surveyed by Adam Stephens
1 wm over 21, 2 wm 16-20, 2 blacks over 16, 6 horses
200 acres 2nd rate land in Franklin Co
[Two white males between 16-20 are two of the sons, possibly Isaac & Joseph.].

7 Mar 1806 John Keller of Jessamine Co bought 7 acres for 7£ from Philemon Thomas of Mason Co. It was on the South Fork of Elkhorn Creek. In John Millar's line, corner to survey where Keller now lives, corner to John Washington. Part of Gen. Adam Stephens military survery & conveyed by Stephens to Joel Yearley & by Yearley to Philemon Thomas.
Wit: Jacob Kellar, Leah Kellar by her attorney in fact, Joseph Kellar, Lewis Craig
[Jacob, Leah & Joseph no doubt his children.]

1810 Census, Jessamine Co KY
Jacob Kellar. 2m under 10, 1m 26-45 [Jacob], 3f under 10 1f 26-45 [Mary]. 5 slaves.
John Kellar. 1m 10-16 [John Jr], 1m 45+ [John]; 1f 10-16, 1f 16-26, 1f 45+ [Elizabeth] 8 slaves

1819 Tax Rolls, Jessamine Co KY
John Kellar Sr. 161 acres 1st rate land, Elkhorn, surveyed by Stephens
1 wm 21+, 4 blacks 16+, 11 total slaves, 10 horses
John Kellar Jr. 1 wm 21+, 1 horse
Jacob Kellar 204 acres 1st rate land, Elkhorn, suveyd by Stephens [obviously part of John Kellar Sr's tract of 1799]
1 wm 21+, 3 blacks 16+, 8 total slaves, 12 horses

The tax rolls of 1820 were basically unchanged except that John Jr. had 2 horses but still owned no land.

1820 Census, Jessamine Co.
Elizabeth Kellar. 2f 45+ [Where was John Jr?] 18 slaves
Jacob Kellar. 2m under 10, 2m 10-16, 1m 26-45. 2f under 10, 2f 10-16, 1f 26-45 7 slaves

Will in 1820, Jessamine Co KY, Book C, p.104-106
Dated 8 Sep 1820. Wife Elizabeth Kellar to have farm, 161 acres with all stock, tools, household furnitre, 11 slaves during her natural life or widowhood. Children to have all that have been given them heretofore:
Son Jacob has received $1060; son Isaac has received $1152; daughter Polly Haydon has received $952; daughter Rachel Trotter $1003; son Joseph $1011, daughter Leah Spears $904; daughter Rebeckah Fry $923; daughter Sally Suter $967; son John $1415. My ten children. My wife is auathorised to give to those of my children that has had the least to make them up to one thousand dollars including what they have already had. If there is more property sold than that it is to be equally divided among the ten children. After my death, the Executors to make title to ten acres of land I got from my son Jacob to my son John. After my wife's death, the property to be sold to the highest bidder and 9/10 divided among my children except Rebeckah Fry and the other 10th to be divided equally among her children that she has or may have.
Executors: wife Elizabeth, Jacob Kellar, Sam'l Craig.
Signed: John Kellar
Son Jacob is to tend to the management of my farm and servants during my wife's lifetime for which he is to be reasonly rewarded from the proceeds.
Signed: John Kellar
Wit: Elijah Cartmell, Sam'l Craig, James Carson, Rich'd Gatewood, John Barr.
Nov 1820. Jessamine County Cout. The will of John Kellar, dec'd was proved by oaths of Elijah Cartmell & James Carson. Ordered to be recorded.

Will Book C, p.194 ..Jacob Kellar, as executor of his father's estate, made report in 1821 that he had paid William Trotter, Robert Carey (husband of daughter Elizabeth who was omitted from the will), Thomas Hayden, John Kellar & Jacob Fry - $100 each.

16 Nov 1824 Jessamine Co WB C, p.472 (img 243 - FamilySearch org, Kentucky Probates)
Property sold on 16 Nov 1824, given up by Mrs. Elizabeth Keller, Executrix of John Keller, Deceased.
Purchasers include: Mrs. Keller, Joseph Keller, John Keller, William Haydon, Joseph Haydon
Return to February Court, 1826.

21 Jan 1826 Jessamine Co WB C, p 473 (img 244)
Commissioners met, agreeable to order of the January Court, 1826 to Settle with Elizabeth Keller, Executrix of John Keller, dec'd.
Peter Higbee, William T. Bryan, James Marrs. Returned to Court February Term, 1826

30 Sep 1826 For $250 we have sold William Lafon all our interest in 161 acres of land where Elizabeth Kellar now lives, also interest in 4 Negroes & stock & household furniture. The whole of our interest in the estate of John Kellar, dec'd. We authorize Elizabeth Kellar to pay the said Wm Lafon where they may be any division of said Estate. Signed: Thos. Haydon, Mary (X) Haydon
Wit: E. Haydon, Wm Sallee
13 Oct 1826. Proven in part by E. Haydon. 13 Feb 1827 Fully proved by oath of William Sallee and truly recorded.

Birth	Abt 1755	Shenandoah County, Virginia
Military	1779 - 1780	NW Territories with George Rogers Clark, Revolutionary War
Death	Bef Nov 1820	Jessamine County, Kentucky
Marriage		Elizabeth Frye

Spouse	Elizabeth Frye (1755 - 1833)
Child	Jacob Kellar (1775 - 1826)
Child	Leah Kellar ( - 1842)
Child	Isaac Kellar (1780 - 1827)
Child	Elizabeth "Betsy" Kellar ( - )
Child	Joseph Kellar (1784 - 1840)
Child	Rachel Kellar ( - )
Child	Mary "Polly" Kellar (1785 - 1839)
Child	Rebecca Kellar (1794 - 1852)
Child	Sally Kellar ( - )
Child	John Kellar ( - )

Father	ABRAHAM KELLAR (1722 - 1787)
Mother	Mary Froman (1731 - )
Sibling	JACOB KELLAR (1751 - 1781)
Sibling	Abraham KELLAR (1753 - 1781)
Sibling	Isaac KELLAR (1758 - 1786)
Sibling	Rachel KELLAR ( - )
Sibling	Elizabeth Kellar (1765 - 1837)
Sibling	Joseph KELLAR ( - 1812)
Sibling	Rev. William KELLAR (1768 - 1817)