I have found this so intriguing that I continued to search. The McGill's used the name Kearns in some censuses. I can't explain it, but in the 1880 Census, Robert B. Kearns is listed in Walker County, with a wife Adline, son Charles, daughter Caroline (who I suspect is Carey, aka Kay), son Barton, and son Joseph. Living next to them was Hubbard Kearns and wife Mahala, with a son named James McGill!!!. In the 1900 Census, these same people went by the name McGill. If you ever figure out what happened send me an email and let me know.