The Keeners

Casper Keener (1660 - 1702)

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Casper Keener (1680 - 1762)

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Abraham Keener (1717 - 1795)

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William Keener Sr. (1745 - 1820)

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William KEENER JR. (1772 - 1836)

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Phaedra Ann (Faderian) KEENER (1807 - 1863)

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William Seth Stoudenmire (1826 - 1857)

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Willie Anna Stoudenmire (1856 - 1920)

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Clara Forbes Batton (1888 - 1987)

Both William Seth’s mother and Benjamin Averiett’s mother were Keeners.  In fact William Seth Stoudenmire and Dora Averiett shared the same great grandparents, William Keener Sr and Rachel.  If we trace this line back to immigration we meet Casper Keener (Kuher) and his son, Abraham. 

Casper was a Palatine from the Black Forest area which had traditionally been a wealthy part of Germany.  The French kept invading causing widespread devastation and famine which lead to mass emigration.  Casper left in 1738 on a ship called The Thistle.  Abraham followed in 1741 on board The Lydia.

They both swore allegiance to the King of England upon disembarking in Philadelphia.  Casper followed the Great Philadelphia Wagon Road down to North Carolina where he settled his family. 

When the Revolution started Abraham upheld his oath to the king and became a proper Tory.  Even though he was in his 60s he fought in the Battle of Ramsour’s Mill in 1780.  It is said that Abraham captured one of his close personal friends, Capt Kimik, who was fighting on the Whig side.  By making Captain Kimik his prisoner, Abraham saved his friend’s life.  There are a large number of researches who believe after this, Abraham flipped sides and became a Loyal Patriot.