David Kerr, Sr. (1749-1814) was born in Scotland on February 3, 1749 and came to America in 1769, settling in Virginia. He moved to Annapolis, Maryland in 1773 and in 1773 (about) to Talbot County, Maryland, where he died on November 2, 1814. He served from 1788 to 1794 and 1797 as a delegate to the General Assembly from Talbot County; 1789 Commissioned one of the Justices or Judges, for Talbot County; 1801 served as one of the Associate Judges of the County; 1802 served as one of the Judges of the Orphans Court.
For his Masonic background he served as the fourth Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of A. F. & A. M. of Maryland; first Grand High Priest of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Maryland. He served in 1787 as Master of Lodge No. 34 (afterward No. 6) ; in 1791 as Grand Treasurer of the Grand Lodge of A.F. & A. M. of Maryland; in 1794 Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of A. F. & A. M. of Maryland; 1795 Grand Master, re-elected in 1796; 1797 Grand High Priest.