1768 Born in Winchester County VA per "Legend"

1794 Meredith Kesterson with General Wayne
Tecumseh took part in the Battle of Fallen Timbers, in which a coalition of tribes was defeated by the U.S. General Anthony Wayne. Meredith Kesterson and brother Jeremiah fought with General Wayne per the "Legend".

1810 Meriday Kesterson Census Pulaski Co KY
Meriday is 10-16 yrs of Age living with a female under 10 years of age. Right away we have a problem because this does not fit the age given above which should be about 42. This must be a son or else the age recorded was wrong. There is no Jeremia, but there "is" a John Kesterson, age over 45 with a wife and family, and there are "TWO" Williams both in the 26-45 age bracket - but they appear to be father and son. Both have families.

1812 War of 1812
Meredith, John and William Kesterson are all listed as being in the War of 1812 according to Sistler's List - Tennessee. All are shown with Samuel Bunch - Captain John Dobbins - East TN Drafted. All are shown as having "deserted" April 6 1814. I have written to the archives to get the papers for Meredith but its been months, and none have been mailed to me yet.

1820 Meriday Kesterson in Athens County Ohio
Married to Polly Erwin 2 Jun 1820

1820 Meriday Kesterson on Athens Co OH Census
Meriday is 26-45 so born between 1775-1794. He has a wife age 26-45, a son 10-16 and two daughters under age 10. Also on this census is John Kesterson age 26-45 and William Kesterson age 26-45

1822 Merida Kesterson in Hocking Co OH
Solomon Cox and Mary Dixon Williams Cox deeded land in Hocking County to Merida Kesterson December 14, 1822, according to Hocking County Deed Book A, page 336. They were involved in another land transaction there June 13, 1828, according to Hocking County Deed Book B, page 88.

1824 Meriday Kesterson has a son Meriday Jr

1824 Merido Hesterson in Meigs Co OH
Abram Zim to Merido Hesterson, May 11 1824 Land Deal Meigs Co OH. Vol 1 Pg 536 40 Acres Lot 640. Alson in Meigs Co around the same time Thomas Brooks to Thomas Kesterson Land Deed Deal Nov 8 Meigs Co OH Vol 2 Pg 142 26 Acres Lot 640 Lot # Comments 17

1826 Merida Histerson in Meigs Co Ohio
Merida Histerson & wife to Matthias Holden Dec 4 1826 Meigs Co OH Vol 2 Pg 381 40 Acres Lot 640 Lot # 17. Also at that time Wm Kesterson & Wife to James Townsend Dec 4 Meigs Co OH Vol 2 Pg 355 26 Acres Lot 640 Lot # Comments 17

1833 1834 Meriday Kesterson in Shelby Co IN
Land Deed Book D, Meridy and Mary KESTERSON of Marion Co IN 465

1835 Meridia Kesterson Land Record
Land Record: Certificate 17814 IN0700.173. 16 Apr 1835. Meridia Kesterson of Monroe County IN. The north west quarter of the Northwest quarter of section 36 in township 10 north of range 2 east in the district of lands subject to sale at Indianapolis IN containing 40 acres. Signed by Andrew Jackson by ? Secretary Authority: April 24, 1820: SALE-CASH ENTRY (3 Stat. 566)

1836 Meriday Kesterson in Monroe Co IN
BOOK 1 4 Apr 1836 Index of Deed Records of Monroe Co IN. The data is listed as grantor Meriday Kisterson, record number 2061, grantee: William Snider, date of deed is 1836 April 04, Book E, Page 90.

1838 Meredy Kesterson Crawford Co IN
Land Record: Certificate 13207 IN2740.171 15 Aug 1838. Meredy Kesterson of Crawford Co IN Jeffersonville Land Office. The North East quarter of the North West quarter of section 5 in township 34 of Range 2 east in the district of lands subject to sale at Jeffersonville IN containing 36 acres. Signed by Martin Van Buren 15 Aug 1838 by ? Secretary

1840 Maridd Kesterson married Ellen Freed Crawford Co IN
Date of Marriage: 12 January 1840

1840 Meriday Kesterson Sr on Dubois Co IN Census
Meriday is 50-60 years of age born between 1780-1790, his wife is 40-50 years old, there is 1 female 10 to 16 years and a male 5 to 10 years old.

1840 Meriday Kesterson Jr. on Dubois Co IN Census
Meriday Jr is 16 to 20 years old born 1820-1824, Female is 30-40 believed to be his mother, and there is one male under 5 years of age. Perhaps a younger brother?

1840 Merida Kesterson Land Record: Land Record: Certificate 25359 IN2330.372. 1 October 1840. Merida Kesterson of Dublis Co IN. The South West quarter of the South East quarter of Section 10 in township 1 south of range 3 West in the district of land subject to sale at Vincennes IN containing 40 acres. Signed by Martin Van Buren

Other things happening in Dubois IN that year were - Squire Kesterson married Rebecca Watson, Jonathan Kesterson married Mary A Painter and Jonathan was age 20-30 on the Dubois CO IN Census. This tie to Jonathan is important because as you will see later, Jonathan was the father of Alfred Kesterson who married Martha Beaty. Alfred an apparent descendant of Jeremia Kesterson. You can find this information on "Jeremia's" page.

1843 Meriday Kesterson married Mary Christenbury
We know he must have married her - but When/Where?

1844 Meriday Kesterson has a daughter
Mary A Kesterson born 22 August 1844 Arkansas

1849 Meredy Kesterson m Nancy Larten
8 Apr 1849 Greene Co IN. This is Meredy "JR"

1850 Meriday Kesterson Sr on 1850 Greene Co IN Census
Meriday is age 66 born in VA 1784, his wife is age 24 born 1826 Oh and there is a daughter Mary age 4 born 1846 AR.

Meriday Kesterson Jr is also on this census age 26 born 1824 in Ohio. His wife is Nancy b 1826 Tn, Female named Polly age 6 about 1844 AR, Lucinda age 1 born 1849-50 IN, Polly age 54 born 1796 VA is Meriday's mother. Polly age 6 cannot be a daughter - Nancy and Meriday Jr didn't marry until 1849. She is thought to be listed twice -once with Meriday Jr and also with Meriday Sr.

There is also a John Kesterson born 1807 OH listed on this Census.

1852 Merida Kesterson Sr in Indiana State Prison
Meriday Kesterson Sr, occupation a Laborer was convicted of Grand Larceny in Greene Co IN. He was to serve 2 years and was received at the prison on September 30. He was discharged due to his death on March 5 1853. He died of dropsy at age 66. His description - 6'3/4" Tall, light complexion, grey eyes and hair dark with a mixture of grey. The prison records say he was born in South Carolina, but I doubt that is true. He was "Intemperate". Remarks - Face of an open and firm character, nose very long. Has a wife and one child in Greene County near Black Creek; No education.

1852 Meriday Kesterson Jr in Indiana State Prison
Merida Kesterson, Jr, occupation Laborer was convicted of Grand Larceny in Greene County IN. Was to serve a term of 2 years and received at the prison September 30 1852. He was discharged on 30 September 1854 by expiration of sentence. Age 27. Merida Jr was 5" 10" Tall, Sandy complexion, Hazel eyes and Hair Black. He gives his nativity as Ohio. Remarks - A small scar on left arm, also one on right foot on instep about 2 inches long; countenance open and scar on back of head 2 or 3 inches long. No education

The Mary Ann Kesterson & Henderson Straley Proffitt Family
1902-1904 Lewis, Washington
Picture - Courtesy of Jenna Cain
1st Row: Mary Ann Kesterson Miller Proffitt, George Benjamin Proffitt, Ida Belle Proffett, Henderson Straley Proffitt
2nd Row: Florence Finnette Proffitt, Lou Ada Phoebe Alice Proffitt, John Andrew Jackson Proffitt, Sarah Ellen Proffitt, Samuel Lehman Proffitt

Mary Ann Kesterson was the daughter of Meriday Kesterson Sr (one of the subjects in the Kesterson Story Legend) & Mary Ann Christenbury. There was such a very large age difference between Meriday and Mary Ann Christenbury that I used to think that the 1850 Census was Meriday and a Grandaughter along with a Great Grandaughter. Upon meeting Jenna Cain and discussing this family for many years, we have determined that she was in fact a wife. They are on the 1850 Census

Generation 1

MERIDAY KESTERSON SR born Abt 1784 in VA and d 5 Mar 1853 in Greene IN. He married (1) Polly Erwin 2 Jun 1820 in Athens OH. She was born Abt 1796. He married (2) Ellen Freed 12 Jan 1840 in Crawford IN. He married (3) Mary Ann Christenbury Abt. 1843, daughter of Hiram Christenbury and Lucy ?. Mary Ann was born 1826 in OH.

Child of Meriday Kesterson and Polly Erwin is:

1. Meriday Kesterson Jr b. 1824 Probably Meigs Co OH

Child of Meriday and Mary Ann Christenbury is:

2. Mary Ann Christenbury b 22 Aug 1844 AR d 28 Aug 1922 Randall, Lewis WA

Generation 2

MERIDAY KESTERSON JR was born 1824 probably in Meigs Co OH. He married Nancy Larten 08 Apr 1849 in Bloomfield, Greene Co IN. She was born 1826 in TN. What happened to Meriday Jr? Did he die? Was there a divorce? We don't know - but Nancy was married to Electeous Atwood sometime between 1856 - 1858 and we know where. Electeous was born in MO in 1833 but moved to Monroe IN then apparently back to MO with Nancy. The Kesterson children were listed as Atwoods on the 1860 Howell Mo Census and on the 1870 Andrews MO Census. Strangely enough we found Electous Atwood on the 1870 Franklin KS census living alone as a Carpenter. Researcher Tom Atwood (mentioned above) is an Atwood descendant.

Children of Meriday Kesterson and Nancy Larten are:

1. Lucinda Kesterson b. 11 Dec 1849 IN
2. Phoebe Kesterson b. 1855 IN
3. Thomas J Kesterson b 1856 IN

MARY ANN KESTERSON was born 22 Aug 1844 in AR according to the information we have found, and died 28 Aug 1922 in Randall, Lewis County WA.

She married (1) James R Miller 1859 in Howell Co MO or Bradley TN. He was born 1837 in NC. She married (2) Henderson Straley Proffitt 07 Sep 1865 in West Plains, Howell MO. He was born 30 Aug 1840 in Yancey NC, and died 24 Sep 1928 in Centralia, Lewis WA.

The researchers have determined that Mary Ann was raised by her "older" brother Meriday Kesterson Jr and his wife Nancy Larten. What happened to Mary Ann Christenbury the mother of Mary Ann?

Photo courtesy of Jenna Cain

Children of Mary Ann Kesterson and James Miller are:

1. John A Miller b 29 May 1861 d 31 May 1868

2. Mary B Miller b 11 Nov 1863 AR d 27 Feb 1881 TX

Children of Mary Ann Kesterson and Henderson Proffitt are:

3. Sarah Ellen Proffitt 5 Aug 1866 West Plains, Howell MO - 18 Sep 1945 Centralia, Lewis WA

4. Florence Finette Proffitt 27 Jan 1869 West Plains, Howell MO - 9 Aug 1952 Centralia, Lewis WA

5. John Andrew Jackson Proffitt 20 Mar 1871 Joplin, Jasper MO - 11 Feb 1955 Centralia, Lewis WA

6. Harvey J Proffitt 27 Sep 1873 Joplin, Jasper MO; - 1 Nov 1873 Joplin, Jasper MO

7. Ada Alice Proffitt 22 Sep 1874 Joplin, Jasper MO - 19 Jun 1965 Auburn WA

8. Ida J Bell Proffitt 10 Jun 1877 Dennison, Grayson TX - 19 Mar 1936 Loma Linda CA

9. Samuel Lehman Proffitt 10 Sep 1879 Sherman TX - 2 Aug 1958 Centralia, Lewis WA

10. Nettie Proffitt b/d 26 Jul 1883 TX

11. William H Proffitt 23 Sep 1884 - 26 Jan 1885 TX

12. George Benjamin Proffitt 25 Jun 1888 Centralia, Lewis WA - 14 Aug 1956 Centralia, Lewis WA

Generation 3

LUCINDA KESTERSON d/o Meriday Kesterson Jr was born 11 Dec 1849 in IN, and died in Prob. Andrew MO. She married Harvey Cline 03 Apr 1870 in Whitesville, Andrew MO, son of Lewis and Sarah Beaver. He was born 25 Nov 1840 in Monroe OH, and died in Prob. Andrew MO

Children of Lucinda Kesterson and Harvey Cline are:
1. Ada Cline
2. Harry Edgar Cline
3. Arnon Ogden Cline
4. Norman Garfield Cline
5. Paul Curtis Cline
6. Lucille Maude Cline
7. Victor Cline

MARY B MILLER d/o Mary Ann Kesterson was born 11 Nov 1863 in AR, and died 27 Feb 1881 in TX. She married L D Lamb 5 Nov 1878

Child of Mary Miller & L D Lamb

1. Julia Ann Lamb 15 Feb 1881 - 27 Feb 1881.

SARAH ELLEN PROFFITT d/o Mary Ann Kesterson & Henderson Proffitt, was born 05 Aug 1866 in West Plains, Howell MO, and died 18 Sep 1945 in Centralia, Lewis WA, buried in Silver Creek Cemetery. She married (1) William H Peoples 27 Jun 1883 in Howell MO, son of John Peoples and Martha Easterly. He was born 1858 in Bradley TN, and died Bef. 1891 in Denison TX. She married (2) Joseph Carter McAllister 28 Mar 1891 in Centralia, Lewis WA. He was born 03 Feb 1846 in Carter MO, and died 23 Jun 1918 in Randle, Lewis WA. She married (3) William B Stine 20 Apr 1921 Lewis WA. She was divorced from William B Stine 24 Aug 1923. She married (4) Clarence E Belles 24 Dec 1927 in Centralia, Lewis WA, son of William Belles and Julia Shantz. He was born 1895 in Centralia, Lewis WA.

Children of Sarah Proffitt & William Peoples are:

1. Anne Peoples abt 1888 Denison TX

2. Gertrude Willa Peoples 30 Jul 1888 Denison, Grayson TX - 18 Jan 1942 Vancouver, Clark WA.

Children of Sarah Proffitt and Joseph McAllister are:

3. George Henderson McAllister b 24 Sep 1891 Centralia, Lewis WA d Dec 1968 Mesa AZ m Myrtle Ann Cox 04 Apr 1915 Randle, Lewis WA b 22 Oct 1889 Clay Center KS d Mar 1977 Payette ID

4. Grace Lee McAllister 3 Sep 1894 Centralia, Lewis WA - 28 May 1962 Tacoma WA

5. John Paul McAllister b/d 27 Feb 1897 Randle, Lewis WA

6. Mary Ruth McAllister 7 Mar 1898 Randle, Lewis WA - 2 Apr 1918 Randle, Lewis WA

7. James Meredith McAllister 21 Jul 1900 Randle, Lewis WA - May 1983

8. Franklin McAllister 1905 - 1945

9. Ellen Adelle McAllister 15 Aug 1907 Randle, Lewis WA - 13 Dec 1989 Florence OR

10. John Carter McAllister b 05 Sep 1911 Randle, Lewis WA.

FINNETTE FLORENCE PROFFITT d/o Mary Ann Kesterson was born 27 Jan 1869 in West Plains, Howell MO, and died 09 Aug 1952 in Centralia, Lewis WA. She married Benjamin Bartoe Todd 30 Oct 1887 in Dripping Ss X, son of William Todd and Mary ?. He was born 16 Sep 1861 in Notasulga AL, and died 12 Dec 1956 in Centralia, Lewis WA.

Children of Finnette Florence and Benjamin Todd are:

1. Virginia Todd b/d 28 Feb 1889 WA

2. Reta Florence Todd 14 Feb 1899 Centralia, Lewis WA - 11 Nov 1994 Lacey, Thurston WA

3. Benjamin Bartoe Todd Jr 16 Feb 1902 Centralia, Lewis WA -20 Feb 2000 Gig Harbor, Pierce Co WA.

4. Paul Proffitt Todd 28 Mar 1910 Centralia, Lewis WA

JOHN ANDREW JACKSON PROFFITT s/o Mary Ann Kesterson was born 20 Mar 1871 in Joplin, Jasper MO, and died 11 Feb 1955 in Centralia, Lewis WA. He married (1) Mary Rose Ward 29 Mar 1891 in Lewis WA, daughter of Richard Ward and Fflorence. She was born Mar 1874 in KS. He married (2) Stella Angeline Somerville 03 Jun 1911 in Centralia, Lewis WA, daughter of John Somerville and Nancy Phillips. She was born 25 May 1894 in Napavine, Lewis WA, and died 29 Jan 1938 in Ellensburg, Kittitas WA. He married (3) Ethel N Dickerson 14 Sep 1936 in Lewis WA, daughter of Wm Dickerson and Lela Fleming. She was born 29 Mar 1883 in Hamptonville NC, and died 20 Apr 1974 in Hayward CA.

Children of John Proffitt & Stella Somerville are:

1. Hartzel Lee Proffitt 23 Nov 1912 Centralia, Lewis WA

2. Mildred Alberta Proffitt 8 Jan 1916 Chehalis, Lewis WA - 7 Jun 1983 Edmonds WA

ADA ALICE PROFFITT d/o Mary Ann Kesterson was born 22 Sep 1874 in Joplin, Jasper MO, and died 19 Jun 1965 in Auburn WA. She married Wm Austin Blankenship 27 Aug 1892 in Centralia, Lewis WA, son of Barnet Blankenship and Mary Van Burkleo. He was born 13 Mar 1867 in Morton, Lewis WA, and died 16 Jan 1942 in Randle, Lewis WA.

Children of Ada Proffitt and Wm Blankenship are:

1. Virginia Mae Blankenship 22 Jun 1893 Vance, Lewis WA - 25 Jun 1982 Zenith WA

2. Evan Stralia Blankenship 24 Aug 1895 Randle, Lewis WA - 19 Oct 1979 Vancouver, Clark WA

3. Mary Lee Blankenship 3 Mar 1898 WA - 23 Dec 1980 Portland, Multnomah OR

4. William Ernest Blankenship 15 Jan 1902 Morton, Lewis WA - 30 Jun 1968 Morton, Lewis WA.

IDA J BELL PROFFITT d/o Mary Ann Kesterson was born 10 Jun 1877 in Dennison, Grayson TX, and died 19 Mar 1936 in Loma Linda CA. She married Thomas Edward James 24 Mar 1896 in Lincoln Creek, Thurston WA. He was born 24 Mar 1870 in Grand Mound, WA, and died 28 Jun 1946 in Inglewood CA.

Children of Ida Proffitt and Thomas James are:

1. Audrea Adelle James 27 May 1901 Grand Mound, WA - 24 Dec 1981 Los Angeles CA

2. Camille Annette James 12 Jun 1897 WA - 3 Sep 1975 Pomona, Los Angeles CA m Ora Chester Pickens

SAMUEL LEHMAN PROFFITT s/o Mry Ann Kesterson was born 10 Sep 1879 in Sherman TX, and died 02 Aug 1958 in Centralia, Lewis WA. He married (1) Willehmene Jessie Hill 26 Oct 1904 in Centralia, Lewis WA, daughter of Wm Hill and Elizabeth Babbitt. She was born 21 Oct 1883 in Tekamah, Burt NE, and died 12 May 1943 in Centralia, Lewis WA. He married (2) Grace E Dyke Abt. 1946. She was born 24 Feb 1895 in Warrensburg MO, and died 21 Oct 1982 in Omak WA.

Children of Samuel Proffitt and Willehemene Hill are:

1. Lehman Maurice Proffitt 21 Jul 1906 Centralia - 27 Mar 1990 Centralia, Lewis WA

2. Dean Algene Proffitt 30 Nov 1907 Centralia, Lewis WA - 15 Nov 1984 Palm Desert CA

GEORGE BENJAMIN PROFFITT s/o Mary Ann Kesterson was born 25 Jun 1888 in Centralia, Lewis WA, and died 14 Aug 1956 in Centralia, Lewis WA. He married (1) Mary Jane Young 24 Dec 1908 in Randle, Lewis WA, daughter of Charles Young and Harriet Cunningham. She was born 26 Oct 1887 in Centralia, Lewis WA, and died 02 Apr 1972 in Centralia, Lewis WA. He married (2) Leona Chilcoat Bef. 1956. She was born Jan 1885 in TX.

Children of George Proffitt and Mary Young are:

1. Lora Marie Proffitt 29 Nov 1909 Lewis WA

2. Lorna Harriet Proffitt 1911 Centralia, Lewis WA - Las Vegas, Clark NV

3. Charles Henderson Proffitt 22 Aug 1912 Lewis WA - 15 May 1992 Centralia, Lewis WA

4. Georgia D Proffitt 17 Nov 1914 Lewis WA - 27 May 1979 Los Angeles CA m Robert Smith

Researchers for this family are as follows.. Just click on their name to contact them

Jenna Cain

Don Atwood

Bill J Proffitt

Sandie McBride