David Chadwell Kesterson Homestead

 

 

 

David Chadwell Kesterson lived his entire adult life on his own farm at Cedar Fork, Claiborne Co TN. His first home was a two story Log Cabin built to the left of this present home. It was near a Big Spring and Branch that emptied into Powell River. When David passed on the homeplace went to his son Reubin Kesterson. Garrett Henderson Kesterson the son of Reuben inherited it in 1882. Garrett had his home Brick vaneered to preserve his log home forever. The original two story cabin was burned to the ground along with his family bible so all of his records were lost.

This picture taken in 1960, is contributed by James W Kesterson of Winter Haven FL, who is a descendant of the David Chadwell Kesterson Family. As a child, James spent a week each summer, visiting the Homeplace and getting re-acquainted with his many cousins who would congregate. This is the home where James' grandfather, Clinton Rice Kesterson was born in 1853.

Also located on this property is the old saw mill which was very well known in the area. It was the scene of a most horrible and death of Garrett Henderson Kesterson. One day when Garrett was running the sawmill he slipped and fell into the saw and as cut in half. James was 10 years old at the time and he says he will never forget this tragedy. The Mill is probably still standing on the waters of Indian Creek. After Garretts tragic death the sawmill was never used again. In later years it was only used as a Griss Mill to grind corn into cornmeal.

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