Biographical notes

Information very sketchy. OPR record of marriage to Ann Wilson on the 12.7.1796 (recorded in the Riccarton and Kilmarnock OPR's). Thereafter seven children born in varying locations probably reflecting John's employment as a coal miner; Mary Kennedy (1797) born at Riccarton, Ann Kennedy (1806) born at St Quivox, Isabel (1810) born at St Quivox, Agnes (1810) twin of Isabel born at St Quivox, Mary (1816) born at Tarbolton, Archibald (1817) born at Tarbolton and John (1825) born at Newton on Ayr. The last child was born when Ann was 51 which is an unusually late age for childbirth.

An entry for John and wife Ann and family in the 1841 Census where they are living in the little hamlet of Knockshoggle Holm near Coylton; John Kennedy M 60 Coal Miner y [born in Ayrshire].

In the 1851 census they appear to be living at the same address and John has the entry; John Kennedy Head M[ale] M[arried] 75 Pauper (Formerly Coal Miner) Ayrshire - St Quivox

In the 1861 Census, his wife Ann is living with her daughter Mary in Content Street, St Quivox and is described as a Widow, so John must have died in the period between 1851 and 1861. No record of his birth in St Quivox has been traced in the OPR's. No record of his death traced in the OPR's.