John Carr
Stefan Bielinski

According to a later document, John Carr or "Kerr" was born about 1663. He was from Londonderry, Ireland.

In July 1694, he married the Widow Elizabeth Classen Harris at the Albany Dutch church. However, the marriage may not have produced any children.

In 1697, his Albany house was configured on the city census. It showed a man, a woman, and no children. That survey also noted that he was of "English" ancestry. In 1699, "Caer" signed a loyalty oath. He also affixed his name to petitions sent from Albany to the royal governor in 1700 and 1701.

During those years, he sought to engage in the Indian trade. However, he was fined for trading without possessing the freedom of the city. He also appeared before the Albany court on financial matters.

He probably died after September 1702 when he witnessed the will of a military contractor. However, in 1756, a individual named "John Carr" was identified as an Albany householder and weaver.

biography in-progress


the people of colonial Albany Sources: The life of John Carr is CAP biography number 6051. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources. We seek defining birth and death information as connecting this individual to the "Carrs" and "Kerrs" encountered online is now a daunting task.


first posted: 4/30/05; revised 8/30/09