Re: Conrad "Coonrod" Keck

If you are researching Coonrod Keck's descendants, you will find this book is very helpful.

"Down in the Barns" The Kecks of Claiborne County, Tennessee
by Virginia Billingsly Fletcher
721 North West 73rd Ave
Fort Lauderdale, Fla 33317 Oct 1983
This book is on Fiche from LDS. A copy of the book on Fiche may still be in in Rogers, AR Family History center of LDS. Page 23: References:
3. Claiborne County court minutes, 1819-1821, pp. 388-390.
In this application for a pension, the spelling is Kegg.
There is no doubt that this is Conrad Keck, this is the only instance where the spelling is Kegg.

In a journal kept by P. G. Fulkerson, an early doctor and historian of Claiborne Co., the family and service of Conrad Keck or Kegg is given.In most of the documents found in Claiborne Co., the spelling is Conrod, not Conrad.The name was carried down thru subsequent generations as Coonrod, indicating that this was the form he used and was called.

page 11 & 12:
State of Tennessee Claiborne County
County Court
August Sessions 1821
Personally appeared in open court of pleas and quarter sessions for said county in said State the same being a court of record made so by the statute of said state CONROD KEGG a citizen of sd. county and in due form of law made oath that he enlisted as a private soldier in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy seven in the service of United States engged in the revolutionary war for three years from the date of his enlistment that he enlisted in North Hampton County in the State of Pennsylvania in Capt. Isaac Korens, Coren Company in Col. James Proetors Regiment of artillery in the Penna. line that he was in the battle of Brandywine and Germantown served his full term of enlistment and was honorably discharged about the 15th of June in the year 1780 by his sd. Capt. Koren (or Coren); that he has long since lost his original discharge.

And I do solemly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the eighteenth of March 1818 and that I have not since that time, by gft, sale or in any manner, disposed of my property or any part thereof with intent being so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an Act of Congress, entitled an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval services of the United States in the Revolutionary War, passed on the nineteenth of March 1818.And that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any properties or securities, contracts, or any debts due me; nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereunto assessed and by me subscribed. (viz.)
Mare and colt, the mare sixteen years old$30
Another mare and colt, mare younger40
Ten small hogs5
Four old chairs1
Ten pewter plates2
Two pots and an oven4
Three pails (old)1
That I am justly indebted to different peersons in the aggregate sum of one hundred and seventy dollars.That I am by occupation a common laborer and am sixty-six years old and am unable to obtain a subsistence by my daily labor; am frequently afflicted with the rheumatism, that my family consists of my wife aged about fifty-six years, tolerably healthy, and a son who is of age and doing for himself.I have reared fourteen children but they have all left me and are doing for themselves (those that survive).
Wednesday, August 15, 1821 Sworn to in Open Court
B. Cloud, ClerkConrod His [email protected]
The court having seen and inspected the above schedule and of the opinion that the property thereein set forth and ascribed is worth not more than one hundred and twenty-three dollars and the clerk is ordered to certify the same accordingly (3).

pages 14 and15 relate to the Northampton records, Korens movements and also Brandywine and dates.The conclusion page 15:
"Conrad Keck's pension application statement gives his place of enlistment as Northampton County, Pennsylvania.An exhaustive search of the Northampton County records has failed to establish a definite link of Conrad Keck of Claiborne County, Tennessee to the Keck Families of Northampton County (10)."
"As to the whereabouts of Conrad Keck from 1780, when he was discharged from service and 1814, when he bought land in Claiborne County, little is known.Only a few records have been found."
"A study of census records show that some of Conrad Keck's children were born in North Carolina in the 1790s.Orange County, North Carolina land records show that on 29 Oct 1798 Conrod Keck sold a tract of land.Some evidence indicates that was the Conrad Keck who came to Claiborne County, Tennessee (11). The deed, which has an interesting redemption clause, follows:
Conrod Keck to Tobias Clapp....." (content of the deed follows).

pages 16-18
"No record of Conrad Keck has been found from the date of this deed until 1814 when he bought the land on Hunting Creek in Claiborne County, Tennessee."
"From 15 Aug 1821, when he made his pension application statement, until 7 Feb 1836, when his heirs sold his land, no record has been found for Conrad Keck.he died sometime between 15 Aug 1821 and 7 Feb 1836.His name does not appear on the 1830 census for Claiborne County, Tennessee."
"To settle his estate, Conrad Keck's land was sold.The deed follows:

Coonrod Keck's heirs to S. M. Poindexter
This indenture made this Seventh day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-six between John Keck, Andrew Keck, Christian Keck, Mathew Ousley and his wife Sally Ousley, formerly Sally Keck, John Sharp and his wife Eve Sharp, formerly Eve Keck, William Sharp and his wife Elizabeth Sharp, formerly Elizabeth Keck, and Soloman Graves and his wife Charity Graves, formerly Charity Keck, heirs at law of Conrod Keck, deceased, in the State of Tennessee in the county of Claiborne of the one part and Samuel Poindexter of the County and State aforesaid of the other part.
Witnesseth that for and in consideration of the sum of $143.50, one hundred and forty-three dollars and fifty cents, in hand paid the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, five above named heirs of Conrod Keck, deceased, doth hereby sell, grant, and convey to the said Poindexter a certain tract or parcel of land containing one hundred acrees, bye the same more or less lying and being in the State and County aforesaid, on the waters of hunting Cree.Beginning at a post oak on Aaron Sharp's line, thence south forty-five degrees, west on said Sharp's line 220 poles to a stake on Henry Sharps line, thence north forty-five degrees, west eighty poles to a black oak, thence north forty-five degrees, east 220 poles to a stake, thence to the beginning.Being the tract of land that the said Conrod Keck, deceasted, Bot from James Roberts , to have and to hold to the said Samuel Poindexter, his heirs forever, as an Estate of Inheritance and the above named heirs of Conrod Keck, deceased, for themselves and their heirs shall and will warrant the title of the said tract or parcel of land to the said Samuel Poindexter against the lawful claim or demand of ourselves and heirs and against the lawful claim of each and every person or persons.In witness whereof the above named heirs of Coonrod Keck, deceased, have hereunto set their name the day and year above written.
In presence of:
John Honicut
Urias Hoecut (his mark)
Esaw Sharp
Henry Sharp
Thos. J. Johnson
W. S. Turner
       Signed:
William Sharp
Elizabeth Sharp (her mark)
Christian Keck
Mary Ann Keck (her mark)
Soloman Graves
Charity Graves (her mark)
Levi Sharp
Andrew Keck (his mark)
Sarah Ousely (her mark)
John Keck (13)

".........Mary Ann Keck who signed the deed, is assumed to be Conrad's wife. The 1850 census for Claiborne County lists Mary Ann Keck, widow, eighty-five years old, born Maryland, living with William Sharp and wife Elizabeth.It is not clear why Levi Sharp signed the deed."

page 19
"The settlement of Conrad Keck's estate was not final until June of 1848.William Sharp, husband of Elizabeth Keck, was the executor.As he explained in the settlement it was delayed because his house burned, destroying all the papers concerning the estate...and made distributition of the remainder of the estate among the legal heirs with the exception of the heirs of Catherine Clapp, who was Catherine Keck..."
No other heirs than those previously mentionedwere named.
(end of excerpts)
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"Down in the Barns" p22
Directions for locating the graves of Mary Ann and Conrad Keck in the Irwin Cemetery are:
Take highway 33 south from Tazewell, Tennessee.About firfteen miles south of Tazewell, turn right at sign for Sharp's chapel.Sharp's Chapel is about five miles off highway 33 in the TVA reservoir area.Go nine-tenths of a mile beyond the Sharp's Chapel post office, turn left and go approximately one-half mile to Irwin Baptist Church on the right side of the road.The cemetery is about one hundred yards from the church, on the opposite side of the road from the church.The cemetery is surrounded by a rock wall.The graves of Conrad and Mary Ann Keck are located outside the rock wall at the north0-west corner (17).Sharp's Chapel and the Irwin cemetery can be lcated on the TVA topographical map, 7.5 series, in the Maynardville quadrangle.
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Five sons of Andrew Keck and wife Mary Ann, moved to Arkansas and four sons stayed.

This is as Corbett remembered the history of his Keck line in his older years and written here just as he had it.-Corbett Keck sent this copy to Mildred I. Seburn Clark:

"J. Corbett Keck
This all began when, Andrew and Nathan Keck was born in Baveria, Germany.
When they grew up to the proper age, they served in the German Military, they decided to desert for more physical and spirital freedom.In 1775 they went down across Holland to the coast and boarded a ship to work their way over here to this continent.
Andrew and Nathan Keck landed on the east coast in time to join the many more German, French and Spanish and others in the great American Revolution.
On June 16, 1775 with the knowledge of previous Military service, Andrew and Nathan Keck was in the Battle of Bunker Hill.One more brother came, but lost in Bunker Hill.
The British pushed us off of Bunker Hill when we was out of powder and in stubborn retreat, Andrew Keck (my great-grandfather) turned on and whipped a British Officer and took his pistol, and I have the old pistol, rather the metal parts.
When they got out of that trouble they went down across the Virginia border into Tennessee, between the Cumberland and Clinch Mountains, on Clinch river (as river was transportation those days).Then settle for their homes there.
Andrew and Nathan Keck married German girls, but out of two different families.
That was where my Grandfather john Keck was born and grew up, one of the Keck boys.
John was one of fourteen boys and no girls.

When John Keck was 27 year old in 1852, he tookrambling notions and with a crew of men got on a raft of lumber, in the spring when rivers was full to float them.
The raft took them down into the bigger rivers and into the Mississippi and down the whole distance into the city of New Orleans.
My grandfather John Keck had a little money and he bought a Boat Ticket. (I have seen it.) back up stream to the mouth of the Arkansas river and up the Arkansas river to a boat stop.At this time is the city of Ozark.
John Keck got off the boat with the personal property that he brought with him, namely a muzzle loading Rifle and the British pistol that his Father Andrew Keck took from a British Officer in the Battle of Bunker Hill, and he also had his pocket knife and his Haversack that he carried small items in and Song Book off the press in 1818 (18 marked through and 86 written above it.
John Keck started from Ozark in search for his new home, and went north for about forty miles over hills and through timber.He came to a small creek that had pretty clean and clear water he said to himself (this is it) and staked his claim.
John found a dry cliff overhang to stay dry in, that was on the Homestead and it was not very long till he had Deer hides for more bedding to add to his original bed roll.This was in the spring of 1852.A few families had settled about twelve miles to the south of him on White River.
John Keck got the privelege to have the use of a yoke of Steers in getting the logs together to build a one room log house and also some small hand tools from some friend that lived on White River to the south.
When he got the house build and build a chimmey using a stone and clay mud for morter, he put the Steers in the house to drag the arch rock in.
John told me about getting a little wheat to sow to eat and when it got ready to cut he went somewhere to a Blacksmith Shop and had a left hand reap hook made to cut the wheat and he shock it and when he wanted wheat he beat it out with a stick on a Deer skin.He made his moccassins from deer skin for his shoes.I have got his reap hook."

letter: Purdy, Missouri 65734 (address in 1988)
KECK RECORD, Typed
note on it in hand written script: Taken from Keck Bible-1938-
       BORN
Stephen A. Keck              January 10, 1859
William F. Keck       May 1, 1860
Isaac H. Keck (Dock added in script)               December 1, 1861
Mary J. Keck       December 8, 1863
George A. Keck              November 27, 1865
Esaw Keck       September 17, 1867*
Annie Keck              July 17, 1869
Ida L. Keck       November 11, 1871
Sam Keck       February 22, 1874
John Keck              June 16, 1877
Virgie Keck              July 16, 1881
Kigy Keck       November 26, 1883
Father, John Keck Born: October 30, 1825 (in script): Died Aug 22-1917
Mother, Rachel (Comer) Keck Born: May 16, 1835 Died Jan 27-1900
* This date is 7 Sep 1867 in the personal record book of Walter E. Keck."
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WALTER E. KECK
Personal Record Book In script on one page:
"Grand Father & Mother Keck's dates on monuments Oct, 24, 1827
Aug 22 1917
m. Jan 22, 1900"

"My Grandfather's Mother was a Bolinger
When the Keck's came to the States Some went to Penn. and some to Tenn.My Grandfather came from Tenn to Ark.
Walter E. Keck
So I was told"
"Andrew Jessey Keck crosed across Pond This was Mr. Fredric Major Keck's Grandfather."
"Jhon Keck Grand Father
Isack Keck borne in Tenn
Feddric Keck
Jack Keck
Danyel Keck 1/2 brother to Jhon Keck"
"Conred Keck my Great grand father crost Pond from Germany (1770 written in) & his wife from dutch or Holand"
"Grandfather Rachel Comer Keck (Catherine written above Keck)
May 16, 1835
Jhon Keck Oct 30, 1825
Opposite page
Grandfather jhon Kecks children
Unckles & aunts to Walter E. Keck."
"Stephen A. Keck 1, 10, 1859 (died young under his name)
William F. Keck 5, 1, 1860
Isaac H. Keck 12. 1. 1861
Mary I. Keck 12. 8. 1863 (could be a J.)
George A. Keck 11.27.1865
Esau Keck 9. 7. 1867 (my father written under it)
Olam Keck 2.22.1874
Jhon Keck 6.16.1877
Virgie Keck 7.16.1881
Kigy Keck 11.26.1883"
(end)
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Comments by Mildred I. Seburn Clark:
In this Walter E. Keck record book,his father Conred Keck,crost the pond (1770) seven years before the Revolutionary War. If he did so, then he wouldn't have been a Hessian soldier hired by the British in Germany. Andrew "Jessy" was not used in any other book or elsewhere than Walter's above narrative.
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Hilary Rauch is a descendant of J. Corbett Keck's ancestor: John A.Keck who moved to Arkansas.
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Keck spellings may have a variant spelling like Cegg, Gech, Geck, Kegg, Regg, Kech, Hegg, Hech or with an a instead of an e.One has to remember they spoke German so used German pronuncation.
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(8) Conrad "Coonrod"2 KECK, (Henrich1 GECK (his relationship to Henrich1 Geck is not proven)) was born in 1755 at Northampton Co., Pa, and married (22) Mary AnnMoser? who was born about 1770 at Pa. Conrod "Coonrod" Keck died in 1836 at Sharps Chapel, Claiborne Co., Tn and is buried just across the nearby county line of Union Co, TN.
       Notes for Conrad "Coonrod" KECK the name they are using is from the book:

" Down in the Barns -The Kecks of Claiborne County Tennessee" by Virginia Billingsley Fletcher.
       The founder of the KECK line in Claiborne Co., Tenn. was Conrad (Conrod "Coonrod) Keck of Northampton Co., PA. Following the Revolutionary War, he left Pennsylvania and in 1798 he was in Orange Co., NC. (This SAME book says that Conrad's link to the Northampton Keck's cannot be proven)
       Conrod bought land from James Robert in 1814. It joined Henry Sharp and Aaron Sharp on Hunting Creek in the Sharp's Chapel area. His sons also settled in Claiborne Co. By 1880, Conrod Keck had many descendants in Claiborne Co. In 1884, the city of Keck's Chapell was incorporated. It was in the Olive Hollow, Leatherwood area of Claiborne County.On Aug 15, 1821 he appeared in the Court of Pleas in Tazewell and made application for a pension for Revolutionary War soldier.