I am researching a John CEARS, who was born in Anne Arundel Co., MD around 1763. His marriage license gave the name as KER, and the Bible of his son, my great grandfather, Thomas Reed KEAR, gave the name as Thomas Cears. Van Wert County, Ohio, gives John's name as John Cears Kear. A Licking County probate record gives his name as John Kear.