 In charity he gave much, considering his means, as he was never a very wealthy man, to his church and to charitable institutions; and his legal advice was often freely given to the clergy and to Georgetown University.In 1843, Kernan married Hannah A. Devereux, daughter of Nicholas Devereux of Utica, one of the principal patrons and benefactors of the Catholic Church and its charitable institutions in Central and Western New York.They were the parents of 10 children.