John Kennedy and his wife, whose maiden name was Margaret Rowan, of Ireland, came to America and settled in Virginia many years before the revolution. They had eight children John, James, William, Thomas, George, Abraham, Margaret, and Jane. John was killed by the Indians while assisting to cut a road from Knoxville to Nashville, Tennessee. James settled in South Carolina, where he died. William was captured by the British, while serving in the continental army, and died on board one of their prison ships. George and Margaret were killed by the Indians, where Nashville, Tenn., now stands. Their mother died shortly after, and was the first white woman who died a natural death in the State of Tennessee. Abraham emigrated to Missouri in 1808, and joined Nathan Boone’s company of rangers in 1812. He removed to Texas in 1834, where he died. His wife’s maiden name was Rhoda Cartleman, of South Carolina. Thomas was in the 5th regiment of Virginia volunteers during the revolutionary war, and was at the massacre of Beaver Creek, South Carolina. After that he served as a scout in Capt. Murphy Barnett’s company, until the close of the war. He then went to Tennessee, but remained only a short time, when he returned to South Carolina, and married his second wife, whose name was Sarah Gibson. In 1807 he came to St. Charles Co., Mo., where he remained until the commencement of the Indian war, when he removed to near the present town of Wright City, and built a fort there. His children were James, Gayem, Abraham, Pleasant, Royal, Ellen, Tabitha, Rhoda, Sarah, Ann, Dinah S., Narcissa, and Amanda. James was a ranger in Capt. Callaway’s company, and was present when he was killed. He married Sally Lyle. Gayem married Elizabeth Sitten. Abraham married Sally Rice. Pleasant married Harriet Sullivan. Royal was married twice; first to Caroline McKezell, and second to Margaret E. Huntchinson. He has long been a prominent citizen of Warren County, having served as County Judge for several terms, and in 1860 he was elected a member of the Legislature. Ellen Kennedy married Thomas Chambers. Tabitha married Samuel Gibson. Rhoda married Allen Jamison Sarah was married first to Thomas Livingston, and second to William Perkins. Ann married Benjamin F. Ruggles. Dinah S. married Isaac Kent. Amanda married Levi Tilson.
