Marian wrote about the first known Kercher in her husband's line of
Carakers.
It is my belief that the modern-day Carrikers and Carrekers in the U.S.
are also descendance of her Kercher. I do not have information on her
Johan Konrad Kercher, but show my first know generation as Johan Phillip
Karcher/Kercher who was born in Kreuznach, Germany abt. 1680 and
immigrated to the U.S. I had his immigration date only as 1742. I also
had him coming to Phialdelphia Co., Pa where he died. I had only three
children however, Maria Catherine, Anna Maria Magdalena, b 1718 and
Phillip, b 1726.in Kreuznach. I also had him marrying Anna Margaretha
Reeb.
Phillip was my ggggg-grandfather. He married Catharina Eisenmann in
Philadelphia Co., about 1751. They moved before the rev. War with their
children to that part of Mecklinburg County, NC that later became
Cabarrus Co. They had at least three sons, George, (my
gggg-grandfather) b October 25 1752 in Philadelphia Co., PA, d Oct 6,
1836 in Heard Co., GA, Andrew and Phillip Jr. George moved to GA in
1835, just months before dying, apparently to be nearer his three sons
already living in the state. He spent most of his 84 years in the
Mecklinburg, Cabarrus and Anson Counties of NC.
George was a Rev. war veteran and according to his rev. War pension
spelled his name Karaher, Karaker, Karacher, Kariker, or Caraker on
different documents during his lifetime. At least one of George's sons
adopted the spelling of Carriker and another the spelling Carreker.
These spellings have remained fairly constant since then. As a young
man, Phillip and all three sons, George, Phillip Jr. and Andrew are
each listed as heads of individual hoseholds in the 1790 Mecklinburg Co.
Census. Their last names are all spelled CARRIGER.
George was a farmer and miller. His first home in that part of
Mecklinburg that later became Cabarrus Co., was in the Pleasantville
Community, near the Dutch Buffalo Meeting House (Lutheran) He moved
about 1802 to Anson Co., NC, east of the old Cabarrus Co line. He lived
on the Rocky River near the convergence with Richardson Creek. He
operated Caraker's Mill on the river.
George first married Susannah (?) about 1783 in Mecklinburg County. He
had five sons and two daughters with Susannah. We do not know what
happened to Susannah, but assume she died. He then married Frances Lee
4/8/1808 in Anson County, NC. He had another son, Henry, and daughter,
Rachel, by Frances. His children by his first wife were Jacob
(Carreker), b 1790, my gggg-grandfather, John (Carriker), b 1785,
Susannah, b 1784, Cathy, Daniel, Moses & James.
Much of the information we have on george came from his Rev. War Pension
application. On page 1899 of "Abstracts of Rev. War Pension Files":
KARCHER, George or George Karaher or Karacher of Kariker of Karaker,
Francis, W9488 (pension #), BLW #26310-160-55 (bounty land warrant), NC
Line, sol. was b 25 Oct. 1752 in Philadelphia Co., PA & helived in
Mecklenburg Co. & later Cabarrus CO., NC during the Rev. WAR, he appl 13
Sept. 1832 Anson Co., NC having moved there som 30 years earlier from
Mecklenburg Co, NC, sol m Frances Lee 8 Apr. 1808 at Wadesboro in Ason
Co NC, sol d 6 Oct 1836 in Heard Co., GA having moved there in 1835, wid
apply 6 Jan 1854 Tallapoosa Co., AL, aged 80, Sol's & wife's first child
was Rachel who was b in 1809 & in 1833 sol had 3 sons (not named) living
in GA, wid d 16 sept 1858
George was the sixth of seven Rev. war veterans buried hin Heard Co, Ga.
The following description of his military service is found on pages 343
& 344, Heard Co., section of "Georgia Revolutionar War Soldiers'
Graves": George KARAKER, b 10/25/1752, d 10/6/1836. A native of
Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. He enlisted in May of 1778 in
Mecklenburg County, North Carolina in Captain Jack's Company of the
North Carolina troops commanded by Colonel Will Davidson. He had
earlier served in Captain Barringer's Company against the Cherokee
Indians. He later served in Captain Goodwin's Company of the North
Carolina Continental Line commanded by Colonel Archibald Lytle. He was
at the battle of Briar Creek and the Battle of Stono and was in a
scouting expedition under Colonel Malmedy. He received a pension for
his services as a resident of anson Co., NC in 1832 and moved to Georgia
in 1835 where he died. His widow later received a pension as a resident
of Tallapoosa Co., AL.
Hope you find this information helpful. I have much more information on
George's descendants and would be glad to respond to any queeries. From
time to time, I will post interesting stories I have found about
Carrekers in our line.
BTW, I was in Kreuznach, German two weeks ago, not doing research but
just walking the old streets that our ancestors walked. They still
produce considerable wine in Kreuznach. It is located just a few miles
from the Mozelle and Rhine Rivers, east of Mainz.
James Majors