Hi, I was very interested when I read your your post re the Kerr's of Moffat and the fact that they were tea dealers and drapers and the connection to Bells. The information has a great deal in common with my Kerr ancestors, which may be coincidence, or suggest a link.
My GGG Grandfather James Kerr, born 1801 Thornhill, Dumfries was a Draper. James Kerr was the Son of Thomas Kerr born around 1773 and Janet Black. He was a Tanner and Currier in Thornhill. James became a Scottish Draper and moved to Peterborough and Spalding, Lincolnshire, where he settled. His brother, Thomas was a Tea Dealer and Draper and moved to Poole, Dorset. His youngest sister Helen Moffat Kerr ( I have not worked out the significance of Moffat) lived in Spalding for a time, before returning to Thornhill as a school teacher. Two further sons William and George I believe became Drapers, a daughter, Janet married a Draper and the 2nd son John, Became a blacksmith in Penpont. The eldest son Robert, took over the family business in Thornhill in 1834. One of his sons was Kirkpatrick Smith Dickson Kerr (Elizabeth Smith was Robert's wife), who also became a Draper. The family continued to spread and follow the occupation of Draper throughout the 1800's and 1900's. I believe this included a branch of the family maintaining a Draper's shop in Thornhill into the 1900's.
Your mention of Bell struck a cord and having checked my notes, the 1861 Census shows Kirkpatrick Kerr is recorded as a Draper 4 Eng Street Dumfries, lodger living with Ann Dickson 43, widow head (presumed, but unknown and not proven relation) and Robert Bell 28 and Louse Bell 30, also lodging at the house. Perhaps these were also relations and your ancestors provide the link?
If I look at the English Census and connections to Kerr Drapers and Tea Dealers in Spalding, Peterborough, Dudley, Dorset and Devon, where I know my Kerr ancestors lived, I can also find further Kerr Drapers who I suspect may be related. For example they certainly shared lodgings with Mitchell's McKay's and Munro's who all later married some of my Female Kerr ancestors and a Peter Kerr, also living in Peterborough and a Draper was a witness at James's Wedding.
I have not proven these links but I suspect that Thomas Kerr (1773), whose birthplace I have not confirmed, had brothers who went on to have children who were Drapers and Tea Dealers that seem to have spread out to form quite an extended family business! (all originating back to various Dumfries parishes).
So based on the information, I guess I can hardly claim any certain link to your Kerr line - it may be no more than an interesting coincidence but alternatively there may be a connection. I hope this was of some interest and would be interested any thoughts you have on the subject.
Finally you may be interested in the following will from Scotland’s People, if you are not already aware of it (I guess to confirm any link you would need to order up the will online):
Kerr Jane 19/11/1890 or Bell, wife of James Kerr, Painter, Meadow Cottage, Millmeadows, Moffat, County of Dumfries, d. 10/09/1890 at Meadow Cottage, intestate Dumfries Sheriff Court SC15/41/22
Regards, Patrick
