KER, Alexander Minister of Grange parish, Reverend Mr ^{1 3}

   User ID: A972.

  General Notes:

"Alexander Ker, his (Andrew Ker's) son, was born 1627, and graduated at the University and King's College, Aberdeen, 1647. In June 1651 the parishioners of Grange, co. Banff, presented a petition to the Presbytery of Strathbogie, asking that Mr. Alexander Ker might be their minister, but this was thought precipitate and irregular, and it was ordained that he should preach at Grange the following Sabbath, and a report be made as to the feeling of the people. Ker produced 'testificats from Alford quher his mouthe had bein opened,' and from Aberdeen where he had studied divinity, which were found sufficient. The Marquess of Huntly having given a full and hearty consent, and the parishioners having again petitioned in his favour, Mr. Ker was admitted 8th Jan. 1652, after a delay caused by 'the storme being great and the countrie exceedingly troubled with the Englishe.' He was summoned before the Privy Council in June 1689 for not reading the Proclamation of the Estates, nor praying for William and Mary, and for praying for the restoration of James the Second, but he was acquitted on a declaration by his parishioners that he had given obedience.

In March 1672 he acquired the lands of Knock of Strathylay, in Banffshire, and soon after recorded his arms in the Lyon Register as ' Mr. Alexander Ker of Knock descended of the Familie of Fernihirst.' He married first Anne Gordon, and her arms are impaled with her husband's on the tombstone he erected in memory of her and their four children, who died young. These are, three boars' heads couped, with no additional charge or mark of cadency. The inscription is over the shield as follows : 'Hic coquiescit in domo Ana Gordona uxor pietissia D: Al" Keri symystse Grangen: nataeque 4 eodem busto.' This is cut in stone of a blueish colour, with a narrow raised margin, on which is cut 'Associatae Agust 16, 1666,' which would appear to be the date of Mr. Ker's second marriage, to Elizabeth daughter of Alexander Burnett of Shethocksley, co. Aberdeen, and Margaret Skene his wife, of the family of Skene of that ilk, who survived him till Mav 1728. Mr. Ker died in 1693, and is interred at Grange.."

from The Herald and the Genealogist

Alexander married Anne GORDON, daughter of William GORDON of Auchenhuive and Tulloch and Nicolas GORDON, before 29 May 1659 (sasine).^{1 2} (Anne GORDON was born about 1637.)

  Marriage Notes:

(at Grange in 1652)

"Alexander, son of Andrew K., min. of Glenbuchat; educated at King's College, Aberdeen: M.A. (1647); licen. by Presb. of Alford; called 6th July 1651; ord. 8th Jan. 1652; he had a resignation of the Knock of Strathylay in favour of himself and his wife 7th March 1672. He was summoned before the Privy Council, 7th Nov. 1689, for not reading the Proclamation of the Estates and failing to pray for King William and Queen Mary, but his parishioners having affirmed that he had given obedience, he was acquitted; died in 1693, aged 66. He has been described as 'a man of great ability and unwearied activity, richly endowed with all the gifts necessary to a minister.'

He marr.

(1) Anne Gordon (see her remarkable tombstone at Grange), and had issue Isabel; Katherine; Bessie; Helen ...."

from Fasti Ecclesiae

Note:

The details of the marriages and children of this minister as recounted in Fasti Ecclesiae should be treated with caution. They do not always match other information recorded about him.




(In graveyard of Grange parish)

"A slab of Portsoy marble, encased in free stone, built into the churchyard dyke, is thus inscribed :

(translated from Latin) [Alexander Kerr, a learned man, although not a doctor, second pastor of this church after the Reformation, but second to none in the faithful discharge of his sacred duties ; a man of great ability and unwearied activity, richly endowed with all the gifts necessary to a minister at home and abroad, taught, cultivated, and promoted, by voice, life, and example, truth, piety, and charity. Here, where he spent his strength, he laid down his remains, A.D. 1693, in the 66th year of his age, and the 43d of his ministry. Remember death. ]

Upon another stone :

[Associated (married) Aug. 16, 1666 (see Note below) : Here rest together in the Lord, Anna Gordon, the most pious wife of Mr Alex. Kerr, joint minister of Grange, and four daughters, in the same tomb.]"

from Epitaphs and Inscriptions

Note:

The date transcribed above as the date of Ker's first marriage, 1666, is clearly not accurate. See below.




"The Revd Alexander Ker, M.A., graduated at King's College Aberdeen, in 1647. He was ordained minister of Grange in 1652. He died in 1693. His second wife died in May, 1728.

29 May, 1659. Seasing Mr. Alexr Ker, minister at Grange, of the landes of Knock as prin^ll, and landes of Cranoches in spetiall warrandice yroff.

29 May, 1659. Seasing Anna Gordone, spous to Mr. Alex Ker, minister at Grange, of the landes of Thornetoune and Drumnaker in Knock."

from Records of the County of Banff ^{1 2 4}

Alexander next married Bessie BURNET, daughter of Alexander BURNETT of Sheddocksley and Margaret SKENE, on 17 September 1668 in Saint Nicholas parish, Aberdeen, Scotland.³ (Bessie BURNET was baptised on 12 September 1641 in Saint Nicholas parish, Aberdeen, Scotland ⁵ and died in May 1728.)

  Marriage Notes:

"KER
ALEXANDER
BESSIE BURNET/FR4079 (FR4079)
17/09/1668
168 / A 120 / 517
ABERDEEN"

from Index of Marriages


Old Parish Registers
Saint Nicholas parish Aberdeen
Marriages

"Mariages 1668

M^r alex^r ker minister of grange and bessie burnet were mareit the 17 day of septr 1668"




(at Grange in 1652)

"Alexander, son of Andrew K., min. of Glenbuchat; educated at King's College, Aberdeen: M.A. (1647) ....
He marr ....
(2)16th Aug. 1666 (see Note below), Elizabeth (died May 1728), daugh. of Alexander Burnett of Sheddocksley, and had issue (see Note below) John, min. of Roxburgh; Andrew, min. of Rathven; James; Patrick; William, M.A., writer, Edinburgh, born 1669, died 1734; Thomas; Gilbert, burgess of Aberdeen, 9th Sept. 1683; Christian (marr. cont. 4th July 1678 James Ogilvy, burgess of Cullen). [Aberdeen Tests.; Reg. Sec. Sig.; Peterkin's Constitution of the Church; Book of the Chronicles of Keith, 369 ; Banff Sas., iii.,187.]"

from Fasti Ecclesiae

Note:

The date given by Fasti Ecclesiae for this marriage is erroneous. See the OPR above. The issue of Alexander Ker as recorded by Fasti Ecclesiae and attributed to his two wives are, similarly, to be treated with caution.




"29 Septer, 1674. Saiseing given to Mr. Alex' Ker, minister at Grange, off all and haill twentie oxgaite lands of Strathillae, called Ester and Wester Knocks, and of the lands of south and north Cranochs, Millne of Cranach and sicklyk to the said Mr. Alex^r Ker and Jessie Burnet his spouse, the longest liver of them two in conjunct fie and liverent of seven oxgaite lands off Knock possessed be Andrew Craib, and two oxgaite possessed be Thomas Hendersone."

from Records of the County of Banff ^{1 2 3}