Several stories from the colonial period of history has survived involving the Ankrom Family. The original Ankrom was spelled Ancrum, other variations of this line include: Ankrom, Ankrum, Ankrim, and Ancram.

The Tartan Plaid to the left belongs to the Kerr Clan. It has been reported that Ankrom descendants are entitled to wear the Kerr Tartan Plaid. The first known Ankrom (Ancrum) was Sir Robert Kerr, who was bestowed the title 'Earl of Ancrum'. Some of Kerr's children took ANCRUM as a surname while others chose Kerr. Two of Kerr's sons,emigrated to the colonies, one to Maryland, and the other to South Carolina. The sons of Richard Ancrum of Maryland, left for the wild pioneer life on the Ohio River. These sons, changed the spelling to Ankrom. (This was my line.) Most Ankroms, Ankrums, Ancrums, and Ankrims in the United States today are believed to be descended from the Ker/Kerr family.

The Indian Encounter

"About the year 1775, three German families emigrated and settled near the mouth of Pursley Creek. Two of these, by the name of Sellers, appropriated the lands since owned by John Buchanan and Fordyce Thomas. The other family bore the name of Provator, and improved the tract where Edward Wood and Doc. Huffman live. A year later came Benjamin Pursley, and located the land now owned by George Hoge, Jr., and from him Pursley Creek was named. The family of the elder Sellers consisted of himself, wife, and four sons, Leonard, Jacob, George and John, the latter being demented. They lived in a cabin built for defense, located near a spring below the house standing. Leonard Sellers* married Mary, the only child of Gasper Provator, with whom the young couple lived. One afternoon in the fall of 1780, or thereabouts, Leonard shouldered his gun, and journeyed into the forest for game. Molly, the wife, with her twin children, and her sister-in-law, went out to gather grapes. Molly spred her apron upon the ground, and sat the two children upon it, and while busily engaged gathering clusters, Indians, creeping stealthily, fired or rushed suddenly upon them. Molly instinctively and instantly bounded away, oblivious to everything except the terrible vision of the inhuman savages rushing upon her, and firing after her. Having escaped their deadly clutch, she ran at her utmost speed, not halting till she had reached her own cabin, when some one exclaimed, "Why, Molly, where are your children?" This was the first thought that the terror-stricken mother had, that her babes had been with her in the woods. With a shrek and a bound she flew back over the ground by which she had come, to meet death if she must, only intent on rescuing her little ones. When she reached the spot, she found the children sitting upon the apron as she had left them, but horrible to behold, both scalped. Fearing pursuit the Indians had fled. On approaching the children, one of them looked up and smiled, when it recognized its mother. Folding them to her bosom in the apron as they sat, she hurried home, and upon her arrival, found a huge butcher knife in the folds of ther apron, that the savage had dropped. One of the children died, and the other lived to become the wife of Joseph Aukram, and the mother of a family. The sister-in-law, who was with her, was carried away, and was never heard of more. During the first run home the mother saw the bark knocked off a sapling before her by the ball from the Indian's gun, which passed between her body and her arm, but fortunately did not harm her, and when she jumped off the creek bank into the sand she made a greater leap than any man in the settlement was able to do. But the powerful exertion required for the leap, and the running back and forth, together with the shock produced by seeing her poor scalped babes, proved nearly fatal. She was completely broken down, and for over a year was in a very feeble and critical condition, never regaining her natural vigor. So violent was her hatred of the savages ever after, that she not only became much excited whenever she related these incidents, but usually added, "If ever I should see an Indian, no difference where he was, or who, or how friendly he pretended to be, I know I should try to kill him--I know I could not help it." The husband returned at evening, but so horror and grief stricken that he soon sickened and died. Thomas Hoge, who furnished many of the particulars related above, says: "My parents when first married, sixty years ago, settled on Pursley, where John Hoge now lives, on the improvement made by Ben Pursley, for whom both the creek and Ben's Run took their names. Old Molly was a practicing midwife. She also adds that when they settled on Pursley there were but two or three families above them on all the waters of that stream. There were in places two miles or more together of solid woods, without a stick amiss, where deer, wolves and wild turkeys were very plenty, with a sprinkling of bears andrattle-snakes. The deer were very troublesome in pasturing off the young wheat in winter and early spring, and wolves were so bold that it was difficult to raise poultry, lambs, or pigs." The Little Sellars babe who lived to marry, is said to be the progenitor of all the Ankroms of Greene County, Pa.!

Ankrom - A Scottish History

Ancrum, Alnecrumbe, Alnecrum, Ker, Kerr, Karr, Carr

Ankrom is derived from the Gaelic Crom, 'the crooked,' 'the crook', and Alne or Ane, the name of a small branch of the Teviot River in Scotland. Ancrum village is situated in a bend of Alne water, a tributary of the Teviot. It is of prehistoric antiquity, antedating all authenic events in Scottish history. The earliest date definitely known is that of the church build in the time of David I, King of Scotland, 1124-1153.

The Kers, Kerrs, of Cessford were a famous border family. One branch, the Earls of Roxburghe, spelling it Ker; the other, the Earls of Lothian, writing it Kerr. Mark Kerr, was Abbot Newbattle, 1584. His son, Mark Kerr, was made Lord of Newbattle, 1587, and Earl of Lothian in 1606. His wife was Margaret Maxwell, daughter of John Maxwell, the 4th Lord Herries. Of their 31 children, Robert Kerr, first son, 2nd Earl of Lothian, died without heirs. Anne Kerr, second child married William Ker, her 4th cousin of the Roxburghe line, and by special charter of the King inherited the Kerr estate. (Robert Ker, of the Roxburghe line, was bestowed the first Earl of Ancrum in 1633. His son, William Ker, after his marriage with Anne Kerr, was created 3rd Earl of Lothian in 1631 and inherited his father's title Earl of Ancrum).

John Kerr, 2nd son, 3rd child of Mark Kerr, 1st Earl of Lothian, was granted a small estate near Ancrum. He assumed the ancient Celtic name Ankrom, and encouraged Celtic customs and language in preference to the English speech and manners of the titular line of the family. He was known as John Kerr of Ankrom and his descendants as the Kerr-Ankroms, which name later was registered as Ankrom in Scottish family history. Of this family, William Ankrom (Ancrum) resided in England and came to Virginia before 1700. He was styled "an English gentleman of means" but not an ardent supporter of English royalty.

My personal note: I am seeking further documentation to better tie my Ankrom (Ancrum) lineage to this family.

"Karr-Carr Collector Vol 2 Jan 1984 No 1."

"The Carr (Kyr, Kjr, Kerr, Carre) Family
compiled by Francis Lee Thurman, MD on his trip to Scotland in the 1930's.

The line of this family goes even back to the old Testament times, to a tribe which were Standard Bearers to the King. The name in Hebrew is KIR. See Isaiah 22;6, also Isaiah 15:1. For places probably named for the tribe, see 11 Kings 3:25, Isaiah 16;7, Jeremiah 48; 31, Joshua 12:28, Amos 1:5, and 9:1, 2 Kings 16:9. But more recently all the KERS, KEERS, CARRES, CARRS in the British Isles, Scotland and Ireland are descended from a Baron KERR who went over to England from Normandy with William the Conqueror and some of his descendants to Scotland and others to the north of Ireland. This Baron KERR is one of the family of King Ollyf Kjrs, whoreigned in Normandy in 1005. Baron RERR's name stands on the earliest records of the Normans in England the rool of Battle Abbey, and edifice founded by William I to commemorate the victory which he gained over Harold on the 14 Oct 1066.

The name of KERR, or according to the Norman orthography, KARRE, stands conspicuously on this roll of fame, as corroborated by the celebrated chroniclers, Hollinshed and Dushesne. It has been said that the family was a noble and illustrious one in France before the Conquest, and William's companion was one of its members who became the progenitor of the England and Scottish Ker's, the former being no doubt the parent stock, which probably was settled at Kershall in Lancaster. Several of the names are mentioned by Prinne and others appear on the Ragman Roll, that ancient document which contains a list of those who swore fealty to Edward 1, 1272-1307. Two members of the family of KER, probably from Lancashire stock came to Scotland about the close of the 14th century where they settled in Roxburghshire, founding the two great families of Cessfore and Fernieherst or Kerashaugh as Ferneherst was first called. It is not know whether the two Anglo - Normans were brothers but they were probably related. Their names are John and Ralph, the former being ancestors of the Kerr's of Cessford, originally styled Auldounburn and the Forest of Selkirk - the latter being the progenitor of the Ker's of Fernieherst, first styled Kershaugh.

Both families were supporters of the great house of Douglass at that time paramount on the Scottish Border. But a more ancient family than either of the same name, those original derivation is probably from some Anglo - Norman race, existed in the west of Scotland at least 130 years before the Border Chieftan rose up. They no doubt like the Fernieherst and also the Lancashire stock called the property they had acquired after themselves for it was named Kersland, and to their honor and credit, they held it for 500 year. Though during that time it sent twice into female line: through the failure of sales; the name and title of Kersland being however continued by assumption, but owing to the improvidence and folly of the last John KER, ironically called honest Kirkland, in that well known Jacobits song called "The Awkward Squab" it was wasted.

The noble house of Lothian is derived from the two great Border Houses of Cessford, and Ferniehurst, and being also Earls of Ancrum they derive from and represent the Ferniehursts through their Ancrum Ancestor. In treating of the two great houses of Cessford and Fernieherst, priority should be given to former, their chief being a Duke - the Duke of Roxburgh- although during the warfare that existed so long between them, neither would concede the superiority of the other. The Fernieherst race can show the oldest charter, or at least they possess evidence of having the most ancient holdings. A warned writer considers the Fernieherst the older, because they carried the same arms of the KER'S in England and France, without any difference or Change. The word KER signifies strength and carries this same meaning in the Bible. The first notable personage of the family was John KER of the Forest Selkirk, who in 1357 obtained from John de Copeland, an English warden all the lands and tenement of Auldtounburn with their pertainments which formerly belonged to "Adam of Beale" and next year received from William of Blackdeane part of the lands of Mow and Auldtunburn, being the territory which is now represented in the name of Mowbough extending to the English border at the summit of the Chevoits. This John KERR of Selkirk Forest, living in 1357 was father of Henry, sheriff of Roxburgh, whose son Robert was father of Andrew of Auldbounburn. This Andrew Kerr had three sons. From the youngest came the Kers, of Gateshaw and from the second came the Kers of Linton. The eldest was father of Walter of Cessford who had two sons. From the youngest descended the Kers of Delphinstoun, Littledeane and Morrison. The eldest Sir. Robert of Caverton, died in his father's lifetime, leaving two sons, George of Faudonside and Sir Andrew, who succeeded to his grandfather in Cessford. It was this Sir George of Faudonside, who was a prominent factor in getting rid of David Rizzio, who the nobles thought too intimate with Mary Queen of Scots. Ruthven, George Douglass, George Kerr of Faudonside, Lindsay and Darnley (Mary's husband) and other nobles came into the presence of the Queen and took Rizzio out and Douglass buried his dagger in his back before he crossed the threshold.

Sir Andrew had three sons. From the first are descended the Dukes of Roxburg. The second had a son, Mark, who was created Earl of Lothian, 1606. But the title became extinct in 1624. The third son of Sir Andrew of Cessford was ancestor to Sir Thomas of Fernieherst whose son by his first marriage was created Lord Jedburgh in 1622. By this second marriage he had two sons- Sir James who became Lord Jedburgh and Robert, Earl of Somerset in 1613. Robert of Ancrum, Uncle of the above named Sir Thomas had two grandsons, William from whom descended the Kerr's of Linton, and Sir Robert created Earl of Ancrum in 1633 and was succeeded in title by Charles, son of his second marriage. His grandson by his first marriage, Robert, fourth Earl of Lothioam also succeeded to the Earldom of Ancrum and was created Marquis of Lothiam in 1701. The present (1934) Marquis of Lothiam is his direct descendent. The direct line of the Kerr (Carr) family as worked out is follows:

This brings the line of descent down to the Virginia Carr's. Robert Carr & John Carr, Gentleman, settled south of the James River near Carrsville and for the purpose of this genealogy we pursue their line no further and confine ourselves to the lines of Major Thomas Carr and William Carr Gentleman. Major Thomas Carr and William Carr, Gentleman, were sons of Sir Thomas Carr & Mary Garland. Exactly when they came to Virginia is not definitely known, but they were suppose to have come on account of their loyalty to Stuarts and persecution of Cromwell. A grant of 25,000 aces of land was made to their family from King Charles, in the Counties of Louisa, Albemarle, King & Queen, etc. Written on parchment and granting this land "to our trusty and beloved Thomas Carr, Gentleman". In Edson Carr's book on the Carr family he designates them as coming from the Border land between England and Scotland. Sir Thomas Carr lived at "Topping Castle" in Carolin Co., Virginia.In the Albemarle group of places that came under the Carr's grants, were "Burnt Mills", "Carr's Book", "Dunlora", "Glenecho", "Ridge", known later as "South West Mountains". John Carr lived on Chestnut Mountain Ridge.

This is a copy from Dr. Francis Lee Thruman's writing.

"The Tenmile Country and Its Pioneer Families"

By Howard L. Leckey. Historian, Vol 6, page 45, State Library in Columbus, Ohio.

The Ankrom Family (also spelled Ancrum, Ancrom, Ankrum, Ankrim, etc.) of the Tenmile Country, are descended from one Richard Ankrom (Ancrum) of Frederick County, Maryland, where at an early date he and George Fee, ancestor of the Tenmile Fee Family, joined in buying land from John Hawkins. (BB 3. pp. 57_ Annapolis Land Office.) While living in Frederick Co., Richard Ankrom made his will on November 29, 1790, which was probated February 8,in which he named his sons, Richard Ankrom, Jacob Ankrom, Aron Ankrom and John Ankrom. He says his son, John Ankrom, is deceased, and leaves that share in the estate to two sons of John Ankrom, namely: Richard and William. He also mentioned granddaughters, Nancy and Sarah Delashmutt. Richard Ankron's wife was Elizabeth (Frederick County, Maryland Will Book 2. pp 507.) When Elizabeth Ankrom, widow of Richard, died she also left a will, which she had made on August 24, 1796, and which was probated November 20, of the same year. In addition to naming the same sons as heirs, with John Ankrom deceased leaving children, she mentions the children of Mary Delashmutt, apparently a daughter and mother of the two girls mentioned in the will of Richard Ankrom. She also gave a portion of her estate to Elizabeth Thrasher, another daughter and probably the wife of John Thrasher, warrantee of a tract of land on Tenmile but one farm removed from the deceased John Ankrom. This tract called "Chance," warranted to John Thrasher May 7, 1785, by virtue of a Virginia Certificate, was patented to him on February 26, 1788. (Frederick County, Maryland Will Book 3. pp 149). It seems probable that another son William Ankrom, not mentioned by these two wills, but named one of the Executors of John Ankrom's Will in Washington County, Pennsylvania, made in 1782, had also died before the parents, brobably without issue.

This Maryland family of English/Scottish extraction was represented on the Tenmile prior to 1776 at which time John Ankrom maintained a fort, perhaps one of the stronger kind, since it was being used in 1777 as a rendezvous for the Frontier Rangers under Colonel William Crawford. It is described in pension records as baing four or five miles from Fort Jackson (now Waynesburg, PA), and was certainly on the tract of land warranted to John Ankrom under the title "Pockey Money" on February 22, 1788, and was located to the east of the Mouth of Coal Lick on land still owned by the Ankroms. Joseph Archer had an adjoining tract and John Thrasher lived to the west of them. All three men were members of Captain James Archer Militia Company. James Pribble says he was stationed here in 1777 and several subsequent years under Captain Jess Pigman and frequently met men of Archer's Company on his patrols. Soon after getting the warrant for the land in 1788, John Ankrom died leaving a will with his brother, William Ankrom, and his brother-in-law, William Wells,as execurors of his estate and guardian of his children. William Ankrom refused to act, "Letters Testamentary dated May 21, 1789, were duly granted to said William Wells,--(Land Office Grants, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania). William Wells then secured the patent for the land as the Administrator of the estate and later went to the heirs of John Ankrom. The will states that Thomas Wells was living on John Ankrom's land at the time of the writing, November 2, 1782. In addition to John Ankrom, son of Richard and Elizabeth Ankrom of Frederick County, Maryland, a brother, Richard Ankrom, also settled on the Tenmile, but a few miles west of Fort Jackson, taking titles to several tracts of land, including "The Square" on Pursley Creek and "Newburn" and "Elmsworth' between Purseley and Smith Creeks. From the sale of this land we know that he and wife, Ruth..., went to Tyler County, (West) Virginia, where Richard Ankrom died in 1828. (Greene County Deed Book 3, pp. 605.) After service in the Revolution while living in Maryland, Jacob Duckett Ankrom, another brother of John Ankrom, went to Tyler County about 1784. His tombstone says he was born in 1752, the son of Richard Ankrom, Sr. The presence of the "Duckett" name and the similarity of surnames, along with the many inter- marriages with the Wells family, supports this belief of relationship as clearly as it points to the original locatuion of the family in Maryland, where we find the Ducketts, Wells, Duvall, and other close neighbors of the Ankroms of Tenmile. Tyler County deeds, Wills, Marriages, etc. show that the family moved to that location early, in some cases before they had sold their Greene County tracts, early enough to give their name to settlements, creeks, etc. From the numerous descendants still living there, we have received much help in uncovering the relationships and descendants of this pioneer family.