KESTERSON KOLLECTIONS
NEWSLETTER
Volume 26 February 1 2001
Christine Walters
KESTERSON KOLLECTIONS
NEWSLETTER
Volume 26 February 1 2001
Christine Walters
An error in the last edition.. Barbara (Jones) Carrow is a descendant of David Parker Kesterson & Mary Ellen Lockwood. I typed in David Parker JONES instead of Kesterson. I'm sure that those of you from this line caught my mistake - but just in case you didn't I thought I better set the record straight.. Sorry about that Barbara - must have had too many Jones' on my mind!
The Kesterson Kollections Website has a "Search Engine" now. All you have to do is type in the name you are looking for - and - its there. Its really neat - try it. There are new additions - Marriages are up finally! I've redone the "Births" page, so its much easier to read. We have new members so be sure to visit the Kesterson Descendants Page and see who else has joined your family line. Always remember - if you need more information or have questions write me, email me - phone me. I have a lot of information now - its getting harder to get it all out. There are several new people that have found us this time. I hope I don't leave anyone out.
Wiley Otis Ford has joined the group. Willie is a descendant of Vincent Kesterson through Octavia Kesterson (1842 AR-1881 Milam TX) who married John Covington Ford Jr. (1834 Hart KY) Here is his info from Octavia and John Covington down to Wiley. Charles Lafayette Ford 1868 Pulaski AR - 1958 Dewey OK m Anna Rebecca Pierce
Ambus Covington Ford 1898 Williamson TX - 1988 Garfield OK m Eunice Viola Vanraken. Wiley Otis Ford 1944 Garfield OK m Mary Jane Branham d/o Willis & Mary McLure Branham
Another Arkansas researcher is Gloria Gail Tyson. Gloria is part of the Howard Co AR group - one of the largest we have today beginning with John Kesterson 1807-1877 Howard AR & Malinda Dorsey Kesterson/William Kesterson 1834-1881 Howard AR & Hannah Parker Jones/Frank Columbus Kesterson 1876-1972 Howard AR & Onie Lee Dwyer/Elva Onie Kesterson 1907-1997 Howard AR m Evit Henry Chandler/Anna Marie Chandler m Dallas Wayne Tyson father of Gloria.
Tammy Jo Bradshaw is a descendant of Sylvester Welch Kesterson. Tammy Jo Lloyd - Ellen M Odean - Cecile Eva Kesterson m Andrew Odean lived in NE - Arthur Lemuel Kesterson m Arvella Hubbel Mills IA to NE - David Parker Kesterson m Mary Ellen Lockwood Mills IA- William Thomas Kesterson m Hannah Ulred Mills IA - Sylvester Welch
Marjory Kennedy from Bel Air MD has contributed her husbands family line. John B (Jack) Kennedy, Jr. is a descendant of the Sylvester Welch Kesterson group. His line goes - John B (Jack) Kennedy m Marjory - John B Kennedy Sr 1910-1981 m Mary L Dail - Myrtle Kesterson b 1883 m Wm Arthur Kennedy - Jonathan Sylvester Kesterson 1852 Anderson TN m Parly Long - Louisa Kesterson - Sylvester Welch Kesterson.
James R Kesterson from the Greene County TN clan is part of our group now. I have his line from William 1735-1821 Greene TN & Ann Kesterson. John Kesterson Sr b 1760 Fauquier VA died in Greene TN/Thomas Kesterson 1797-1839 Greene Tn m Nancy Carroll Jackson/John Thomas Kesterson 1828 Greene TN m Louisa Caroline Hurley/John Thomas Kesterson Jr? 1865 Cocke TN - d 1931 Greene TN m Nancy Redinour/ James R Kesterson 1896-1938 Greene TN married Mildred Garner. I still need James to send me the descendants of James R Kesterson and wife Mildred.
Benny Lee Kesterson has come on board with his family line. Benny belongs to Jesse James Kesterson b 1886 in Anderson TN, the "adopted" son ( we think) of Thomas Armstrong & Sarah (Russell) Kesterson. Thomas Armstrong was the s/o James Roland Kesterson s/o Sylvester Welch Kesterson. We don't know a lot about the story of Jesse but it is thought that his parents left him with Thomas and Sarah and never returned. The search is on to find the "real" parents of Jesse. Apparently Jesse never talked about his personal life to anyone. Benny lives in Arizona.
Sheila Brooks Thornton comes forward from the "Fallin/Kesterson" branch of the family. The Fallins of Northumberland Co VA have a very impressive pedigree and became a part of the Kesterson Family with Hannah Kesterson d/o George & Elizabeth Kesterson s/o George and Aquilla Fry Kesterson s/o Thomas. Sheila's line from Hannah Kesterson Fallin: Fleet Fallin 1847 GA/John Hobson Fallin 1852 GA/Jesse Fallin 1806-1884 d in AL/Richard Fallin 1829 GA d AL 1905/Mary Elizabeth Fallin 1860 Harris GA - d 1912 AL m James Levee Thornton/ Dora Lee Thornton 1881-1961 AL m Albert Y Akin/Mae Lizzy Akin m Willis H Ward/Rosie Lee Ward m James Truman Brooks.
Roger G Thornton is another "FALLIN" descendant. His ancestry with the Kestersons starts with Hannah Kesterson 1742 m Charles Fallin IV/John Hobson Fallin/Burnetta Penda Fallin 1834 GA m Frank Ware/Martha Ann Ware 1856-1916 AL.m Samuel M PUGH/Willie Lee PUGH 1884-1965 m John P SLAUGHTER/Margaret V SLAUGHTER m Fletcher J THORNTON.
Very happy to have recently met Tonda Hudson. Tonda is a descendant of the Caldwell Co KY Kestersons through Louisa Kesterson who married Jesse BOWLING. Louisa was the d/o John and Nancy Cadwell Kesterson. Tonda's line is: George Kesterson Sr/John Kesterson/Louisa Kesterson (Bowling)/Joseph Bowling/John William Frances Bowling/Joseph William Bowling. Tonda is especially interested in trying to find out the parents of Jesse Bowling and to get the Bowling Family connections.
Just found Deana Biggers Mullins a few days ago. Deana is from the ever growing group of descendants of Samuel Kesterson & Eliza (Green)?. Here is her line: Samuel Kesterson/Mary Magdalene Kesterson (Townsend)/James Samuel Townsend/Granville Page Townsend/Venie Mae Townsend (Biggers)/Deana.
Gary Conley is another Kesterson/Hopper Family Descendant. Just in the nick of time - to get into this months issue. Garys line is as follows: Thomas Kesterson 1648 England/George Kesterson 1674 Northumberland VA/John Kesterson 1712 Northumberland VA/William Kesterson 1735 Northumberland VA & Ann died in Greene TN/Rhoda Kesterson 1759-1831 & Blackgrove Hopper/Dorcas Hopper 1798 Greene TN & James Neill/Rhoda Ann Neill b 1818 & George Smith Tetrick/Henry Tetrick 1845-1921 Drury MO & Jane Upshaw/Silas Younger Tetrick 1875-1968 MO & Sara Woods/Alva Tetrick 1898-1941 MO & Millie A Freeman/Chrestina Tetrick & Elmer John Conley (parents of Gary). Gary sent me information on Henry Tetrick
Has anyone out there ever looked into the European Kesterson Families? Charles Kesterson in Marshallfield IA has asked me that question and I don't have any good answer as to why none of us have ever gone back further than Thomas. If any of you have any UK contacts please let Charles know about them. Maybe we can get something started to extend the family back into England. I have never done done it because I don't have the time. We do know that Thomas was baptised 17 Dec 1648 (we are using that as a birthdate) in St Giles Cripplegate London England and that his fathers name was John per the Baptism Record. Other children listed for John were John Kesterson (Jr) b 1647 and Rosamond Kesterson b 1650. William Wildey the sponsor for Thomas to the US was baptised 10 years earlier in 19 Oct 1638 in St Dunstan, Stepney, London England and I'm told that the two areas were close together. I would imagine that this would be the place to start the research in England.
Here is that old and timeless little poem that still has some meaning.
You got it from your father, it was all he had to give,
So it's yours to use and cherish, for as long as you shall live,
If you lose the watch he gave you, It can always be replaced.
But a black mark on your name, son, Can never be erased.
It was clean the day you took it, and a worthy name to bear,
When he got it from his father, there was no dishonor there
So make sure you guard it wisely, For when all is said and done,
You'll be glad the name is spotless, When you give it to your son.
Art Mix (George Kesterson) 1896-1972 in at least 141 westerns and 13 serials.Don't confuse the George Kesterson (1896-1972) version of "Art Mix" with the Art Mix personna of ultra low budget film creator (used loosely) Victor Adamson, aka Denver Dixon, aka as Art Mix. Les Adams adds that Mix was often higher on the henchie list, performing some action that set him apart from just being the third, fourth and fifth man on the gang's henchie pecking order. Before becoming a full-fledged sound western henchie, Mix/Kesterson was a range hero ... for a very brief time. He starred in WEST OF THE ROCKIES (Davis, 1929), SAGEBRUSH POLITICS (Hollywood, 1930) and THE RAWHIDE TERROR (Security, 1934), and the last two were for Victor Adamson/Denver Dixon ... you know, the "other" Art Mix.
As best I can recall, there was a lawsuit --- or at least some legal wrangling --- between Adamson and Kesterson on the use of the "Art Mix" name ... and Kesterson was allowed to continue to use it ... which he did ... to his grave. Jim Tipton's Find A Grave site has a photo of the marker for Kesterson at Forest Lawn Location is Vale of Memory Lot # 1662 - Glendale CA
As soon as I get a chance I will put the picture of the Grave Marker up on the Website. The site I found all this on (including pictures) is http://www.surfnetinc.com/chuck/henchie7.htm
How About This?? Sounds like an interesting store. If anyone lives in this area maybe you can check it out and while your at it - maybe find out why there is a KESTERSON Street in San Leandro CA. Pot O' Gold 15049 Kesterson Street San Leandro CA 94579. One of us has a street named after them - wonder who and why?
Have I ever mentioned our "Movie Star" before? Some time ago I heard about him and a little while ago I found this on the Internet. He went by the name of Art Mix and his real name was George Washington Kesterson (Jr). When we first heard about him - we didn't know who he descended from - now we do. George was born 18 Jun 1896 (Pike County I think). He died 7 Dec 1972 in Riverside CA. George was the s/o George Washington Kesterson (Sr) b about 1875 & Nancy Helen Manker both of Pike Co IL. George Sr was the s/o Jeremiah Jefferson Kesterson 15 Jul 1840 Caldwell KY-7 Aug 1899 Pike Co IL & Nancy Jane Parker. Jeremiah was the s/o Peter Kesterson 1800 Christian KY - 1864 Pike Co IL & Betsy Cherry. Peter was the s/o George Kesterson Sr & Lettice Baker of Greene Co TN & Caldwell Co KY. Andrea Mitchell is the Great Neice of Art Mix
I am really excited about some old Confederate Soldier Letters that I received from Mary Ann Deane a descendant of John Kesterson, the brother of Vincent Kesterson. I have put the letters up on the Kesterson Website and they are a "must read" for all of us. Most of the letters were written by Augustus Cabot Abernathy known as "Cabot". I know he is not a Kesterson Descendant but his sister, Nancy Catherine Abernathy, was married to one of our own so he can be considered "family". John Kesterson, the Methodist Minister was the father of William Kesterson 7 Jul 1828 TN - 22 Oct 1860 Sevier AR. William married Nancy Catherine Abernathy 9 Apr 1836 TN - 16 May 1916 TX on 27 Mar 1854 Sevier Co AR. They had three children - Walter Augustus 1857, Mary Francis 1859 and Alice Alva. William died very young, leaving Nancy Catherine a widow. Her father Buckner Abernathy took care of Nancy after Williams death. The last year of the civil war Buckner Abernathy and his family left their property and moved to east Texas because of the Jay Hawkers in Ark. The Kesterson's & Abernathy's were southern sympathizers and things would not be healthy for them had they stayed. I hope that those of you who do not have computers can get to one, so you can read the letters. They are open, honest and heartbreaking. Cabot was never to return home, he died at the Battle of Atlanta 22 Jul 1864.
NOW WHO MIGHT THIS BE????
Daniel Kesterson age 62 born in GA on the 1880 Union Co MO Census. Mary is listed with him age 49, William age 10 and Cordelia age 1. Ellen Martin an orphan age 12.... Being 62 in 1880 makes his year of birth about 1818. The only Daniel that I know of is Daniel C the s/o William Kesterson/Mary Bailey from Greene TN. He fits the correct age and I don't have any idea what happened to this Daniel. He was married to Susannah Owens and had several children in Greene TN between the years 1843-1850. Is this perhaps a second wife for him and additional children? If you have any ideas - I'm all ears. Another possibility is that he is Daniel Kesterson ancestor of Pattie Brooks. Her line is: Corbet Kesterson 1918/Alvie Evander Kesterson 1886/Daniel birth ?. Daniel was in IL in 1886 when Alvie was born living with an Indian woman named Reene believed to be Cherokee or maybe Choctaw. Patti does this sound like it could be your Daniel?
Iowa researchers can you verify that William Nathan Kesterson 1856-1917 (s/o Solomon Thomas Kesterson) was a Justice of the Peace? I saw some marriages he performed in Monona IA in 1888 and just wondered.
From the HISTORY OF PIKE AND DUBLIS COUNTIES INDIANA.
George W KESTERSON, a prominent young farmer of Columbia Township, Dubois Co. IN, was born August 6 1861; he is the only child of Albert and Martha E (Beaty) Kesterson, who were born and married in Dubois County, where they remained until the Rebellion, when Mr. Kesterson enlisted in Company G, Forty-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, he was killed in battle, at Perryville KY, October 8 1862; the mother married John W Simmons, who is now deceased and still resides in Columbia Township. Our subject, Geore W., made his home with his mother and step-father and received a good common school education. He was married March 9 1881 to Miss Lucinda Nicholson, daughter of Joseph H and Elizabeth (Coonrad) Nicholson. To them were born three children: Charles C., William F. and Ida E. Mrs Kesterson was born November 13 1863. They own a good farm of eighty acres, and are energetic and enterprising young people. Mr Kesterson is a Democrat in politics.
I have a general plan to start adding some of the Allied families to the site. Names such as Blackwood/Fallin/Hopper/Courtney/Bowling and some of the others that have some lengthy. I have the descendants on a lot of these families as they entered into the Kesterson Line but what I need is some background on the family in general. For instance - where did the Courtneys' originally come from - how did they get to the place where they met and became a part of our Kesterson line. These are just some of my plans - that I probably can't live long enough to finish. But then I never thought I'd get this far on the Kesterson line either!
Now there was another Samuel in Pike AR 1844 and 1848, but this can't be the same Samuel because Samuel and Eliza were having children in TN during this period. The Samuel on the 1844 and 1848 Pike Tax List was the son of John and Malinda Dorsey Kesterson.
The Samuel/Eliza family descendants must now concentrate their efforts in TN to find their roots. Samuel and Eliza were not closely connected to John and Malinda in Sevier/Howard Co - nor were they connected to Vincent and Dolly Kesterson in Saline Co. Now then we also have to look to Meredith, William and Jonathan Kesterson - the traveling brothers who we really have to get a handle on someday soon. These 3 brothers started out from VA - went to KY/TN on to AR at one point - around 1844 to be exact. and then to IN/OH and back into VA. Mary Ann Kesterson was a d/o Meredith born in AR around 1844 so we can place the group there around that time period. Samuel might have been a son of any of the 3 and he might well have decided to stay in AR when the rest of the family moved on. There are too many options but I'll keep trying to knit them together whenever I can. I think that it is futile to keep trying to connect Samuel and Eliza with the two Arkansas Groups. I think they are from TN and thats the place to look into. When I went back to look in TN (both 1840 and 1850) nothing was even remotely close to this couple. Maybe some of you can find something I missed.
Found an interesting story/obit of a man named George S Watson in Montesano, Grays Harbor WA. The story was long and to much to include here but he was accidently killed and his body was taken to "Undertaker Kesterson" on Main Street 9 August 1900. The story was in the Montesano Vidette Newspaper. So which one of our Kesterson's would this have been? The only family I know of that lived there is that of Sarajane Storms line. This would be George Harvey Kesterson s/o John J Kesterson s/o John Henry Sr of Lafayette MO. George Harvey marreid in Montesano but I am told he owned the Kesterson Lumber Mill. His children would have been to young in 1900 to be working at much of anything.
As most of you know - I have the Kesterson Kollections Website up on Angelfire. They have recently given us more space. Now I have room to add pictures and I'll start doing that as soon as I can get to it. The Family Tree Maker Site also lets us add photos. I have just this month put all the Kesterson Marriages on line - I think it would be great to add the pictures to this information so if you have pictures of your ancestors as a couple email it to me. ANY picture of ancestors will do -I'll find the place to put them.
We need to talk about the Samuel Kesterson/Eliza Green family a little. More and more of their descendants are coming to light and we still can't really prove anything about Samuel and Eliza. Where did the maiden name of Green come to be given to Eliza? All I have is an 1860 Census with her name listed, age 40 born in TN. Samuel lists his age as 46 born 1814 TN. So with that I look back to TN and I don't find much. Where did they marry? Well the first 5 children on the census, Lucy, Mary, Martha, Francis and James are all born in TN before 1848. This proves that Samuel and Eliza got to AR between 1849 and 1854 when the next child is born.
Remember to check out the Family Tree Maker Site - I have added over 1000 new people. Also check out the Kesterson Site on Angelfire as I have added Marriages to that one and updated some of the other pages. I want to thank you all for you ever continuing contributions. Without you we wouldn't be anywhere near where we are today.. Thanks and more Thanks..
