KESTERSON KOLLECTIONS
NEWSLETTER
Volume 29 November 1 2001
Christine Walters
KESTERSON KOLLECTIONS
NEWSLETTER
Volume 29 November 1 2001
Christine Walters
1880 Fairfields, Northumberland, Virginia
1880 Fairfields, Northumberland, Virginia
1880 Fairfields, Northumberland, Virginia
1880 Charlottesville, Albemarle, Virginia
1880 Russellville, Hamblen, Tennessee
**I'm at a loss as to who the parents of James L Kesterson might have been. I seem to have trouble making connections in the Hamblen/Jefferson TN area. Teresa Kingsley - do you have any ideas? Strangely enough I have information that William L was a twin to David W Kesterson who does not show up on this census but is on the 1900 Census showing a birthdate of Nov 1879. So thats a small mystery. What I do know about this family is that most of them are buried in the Bent Creek Cemetery in Hamblen TN. Valles L lived 7 Oct 1875 - 17 Oct 1882, Mary L lived 5 Feb 1878 - 30 Oct 1882, William L(loyd) himself lived 12 Dec 1879 - 21 Jan 1939 and buried under the name of Lloyd Kesterson. They had 3 other children - one Infant born and died in 1883, Clyde who lived 25 Oct 1885 - 18 Mar 1886 and Myrtle born Dec 1889. Myrtle and William (Lloyd) are the only children to reach adulthood. Myrtle was still living at home on the 1920 Census at age 31 so she may never have married. David W did reach the age of 20 by the 1900 census and William Lloyd of course, also reached adulthood. If anyone can fill in some of the gaps in this line, I'd appreciate it.
1. David Chadwell Kesterson born about 1770 was the son of John Kesterson probably born around 1740 in or around Lee County VA. John was married to Nancy Jane Chadwell. David married Elizabeth Lanham, they settled in Claiborne Co TN. We need to find Johns parents.
2. Jeremia and Meriday Kesterson both born 1768-1700 in Winchesters/Fairfax VA. They left VA and lived in Pulaski KY, Athens OH settling in and around the area of Dubois Co IN. I can't understand why we can't get a better handle on these two. Who were their parents?
3. John and Vincent Kesterson born 1797 - 1800 in NC and GA.. We know they are brothers! One says he was born in NC the other says GA.. We know they are connected to the Weatherby Family in GA and we know that they were orphaned as young children along with their two sisters Sally/Susan and Mary. Vincent settled in Saline AR and John is our Methodist Minister who roamed the Hills of TN. He lived in many places but his children seem to have settled in Sevier Co AR. I think the parents were John and Sally Kesterson but who know?
4. Unknown Kesterson who married Nancy Tinsley and fathered her 3 children. Nancy is on the 1840 and 1850 Knox KY Census - Widow both times. I can't help but believe that she is connected to the Meriday/Jeremia line. Nancy moved with her children to Mercer Co MO.
5. John, Rebecca, Lucinda and Samuel Kesterson. All married in Hardeman TN and at least 3 of them went to Sevier/Howard Co AR. They are not closely attached to Vincent and John who also lived in AR. John married Malinda Dorsey - Rebecca married William Blackwood and they are well documented. Lucinda married Zachariah Richardson and ? Samuel is very questionable as there was another Samuel in Pike/Columbia AR but doesn't appear to be this one. There was one in Tippah MS who had two sons and seems to have disappeared. I think this is the Samuel we are talking about here. Who were the parents of the 4 Kesterson married in Hardeman TN?
6. Clara Kesterson who married Isaac Moore - Most of us agree that she has to be the daughter of Hazzard Kesterson who moved from Augusta VA to TN. Clara married Isaac in Augusta VA in 1833. They settled in Miami Co IN. Who was her father?
7. Samuel and Eliza (Green?) Kesterson. He was born about 1814 and is the one that some think might be the brother of John, Lucinda and Rebecca. He lived near them and he might well be the correct one. Both Samuel and Eliza were born in TN but there is nothing concrete with which to tie them to John.
8. Squire Kesterson born 1815 was married to Rebecca Watson. Squire was killed in a shoot out in Dubois Co IN and he has to be part of the Meriday/Jeremiah Family but cannot seem to find the link.
9. Richard Kesterson b 1820 Cass Co IL married Nancy Jane Husted. We think that Richards father was from Ohio. Richard and Nancy lived in Nebraska for awhile and then moved to OR.
10. James Kesterson born 1825 married Caroline Wester. James is from the Hamblen/Jefferson Co TN area - might be part of the Greene TN group.
11. Penelope Kesterson an apparent orphan was living with another family in 1850 Hamilton TN. By all appearances she should be part of the David Chadwell Group as they are the only ones I know that lived in Hamilton TN. Penelope married John Pellum and after the Civil War they moved to the St Louis MO area.
12. William Kesterson b 1836 in MS is probably the son of Samuel Kesterson who lived there in 1840. William and his brother John were living in other homes in 1850 so apparently their parents had died. William married Mary Catherine McPherson and they moved to TX
13. Eliza Jane Kesterson is listed in the home of Elizabeth Kesterson widow of Hazzard Kesterson in 1850. Its apparent that she is their grandaugher. Born in 1842 Eliza Jane married Wm Ward in 1855. We need to find out who her father was.
14. William Henry Kesterson was born about 1865 Byersville OH and married Martha Mae. William must also be part of Jeremiah and Meriday families but hard to tell which ones. There were two William Kestersons in Athens Co OH Sr and Jr..
15. Ira Washington Kesterson born 1870 married Elizabeth Jennifer King. They lived in Custer OK. I believe he is related to the VA/WV Kestersons. Lewis Merriweather Kesterson had a son named Ira born about 1875 in Wood Co WV that we have no further info on. I have one of those "gut" feelings they are the same.
16. Lizzie Kesterson born Jun 1874 married Frank Elgin Hammond 7 Oct 1894 in Lawrence Co AR. She had a sister called Lessie born Jan 1889 AR according to the 1900 Census - she was 22 in 1910 and still living with them. SO - if you have any info greatly appreciated.
Hi Everybody. Well I guess we all feel that we are living in some strange and difficult times right now. Its really hard for me to understand the hatred that these Terrorists have for us. I guess the US stepped on their toes somewhere along the line but I don't really think this is the right way to get our attention. I'm expressed my feelings and thoughts on the day this happened - its on the Kesterson Kollections Website - main page - just click on the "ribbon". To those of you who knew people or had relatives involved in this awful event - you have my prayers. Your friends and loved ones didn't die in vain - because of this tragedy we are all more aware, awake and alert. We have to put an end to the terror if we are to ever sleep well again. Our President is doing a wonderful job and I feel secure with what he is doing. God Bless America...
You all probably know that I bought the 1880 Census on CD. Its amazing and I've found so many of the Kestersons in 1880 that I had lost and I've been able to extend some families. If there anything you want looked up on these CD just ask. I really don't mind doing it at all. I'll be putting some of the information I came across in this issue. When searching the 1880 Census you have to use every combination of spelling there is.. Festerson, Hesterson, Kisterson and it gets much worse! I resorted to a first name search on one person and the name came back spelled KERTUSON. Now who would have found this? Another was Kertenson and it goes on.
I didn't know this - did you? Mike Middleton sent this to me:
DEEDS -- From the "Minnesota Genealogical Society Newsletter - "In the lower left hand corner of most old deeds, you will find signatures of two to four witnesses. The first one is always from the husband's side. The next one is always from the wife's side. That is to protect her 1/2 dower right under the law. Nothing you will ever use will give greater clues to maiden names than witnesses on old deeds." We need to keep this in mind!!
I just found out from Sarajane Storm that the original owner of the land on which the Kesterson Wildlife Refuge stands is that of Irving E Kesterson. His 2nd wife Martha donated the land. Irving was b about 1891 in Gold Hill OR d 13 Aug 1958. He was the son of George Harvey Kesterson of Lafayette Mo, s/o John J Kesterson, son of John Henry Kesterson Jr son of John Henry Sr who was the son of William & Ann Kesterson of Greene Co TN.
Remember last issue the story of the rainstorm that shifted an apple tree 200 yards downhill, demolishing a fence and barn on the way, and stopped upright, rerooted itself and continued to bear fruit? The place where this happened was the on the Alonza Kesterson Farm in Pomeroy OH. Shirley Cogar is a descendant of this family and heard the story from his grandaughter. Their farm was located by the Meigs County Fairgrounds and the new highway took most of the farm. Alonza Kesterson was born 6 Apr 1853 Wood Co WV d 21 Oct 1935. He was the s/o John Siphon Kesterson s/oWillis & Catherine (Gregory) Kesterson. I wonder if the tree is still alive and well today? A picture of it would make a nice family story.
The 1880 Census held 568 + Kestersons. If you want to know if your family is on there just ask me because its much to large to put everything in the Newsletter. Eventually I'll get them on my website - but it will take awhile. From time to time I'll put some of it on here because I'm trying to work out the identity of some of them. The following entries are a bit strange and unexpected. A lot of "freed" slaves took their masters surnames, I think that this might be the case here. Does anyone know for sure? The MU stands for Mulatto and of course the B stands for Black. The oldest is Samuel age 68 born 1812 in VA. I don't have any Samuel in my files born around that time - White or Black..... I hope that if anyone knows anything about the "Black" Kesterson Families in America that you would have them contact me. Or if any of you happen to read this - please get in touch.
Samuel KESTERSON Self M M MU 68 VA Occ: Farmer Fa: VA Mo: VA
Jane KESTERSON Wife F M MU 68 VA Occ: HK Fa: VA Mo: VA
Humphrey KESTERSON Self M M B 50 VA Occ:Farm HandFa: VA Mo: VA
Harriet KESTERSON Wife F M B 38 VA Occ:House K Fa: VA Mo: VA
Henry KESTERSON Son M M B 27 VA Occ:Fisherman Fa: VA Mo: VA
Eliza J. KESTERSON DauL F M B 25 VA Occ:House K Fa: VA Mo: VA
Frances A. KESTERSON Dau F S B 22 VA Occ:At Home Fa: VA Mo: VA
James KESTERSON Son M S B 19 VA Occ:At Home Fa: VA Mo: VA
John KESTERSON Son M S B 16 VA Occ:Sailor Fa: VA Mo: VA
Samuel A. KESTERSON Son M S B 13 VA Occ:At Home Fa: VA Mo: VA
Martha A. KESTERSON Dau F S B 12 VA Occ:At Home Fa: VA Mo: VA
Mary E. KESTERSON Dau F S B 9 VA Occ:At Home Fa: VA Mo: VA
Harriet KESTERSON GDau F S B 9M VA Occ:At Home Fa: VA Mo: VA
Margaret KESTERSON Dau F S B 16 VA Occ:At Home Fa: VA Mo: VA
Silvy KESTERSON Dau F S B 21 VA Occ:Farm Hand Fa: VA Mo: VA
Silva HOLLY Self F W MU 45 VA Occ: House K Fa: VA Mo: VA
Gilbert FLYNT Son M S MU 23 VA Occ: Sailor Fa: VA Mo: VA
Samuel KESTERSON Son M S MU 18 VA Occ: Farm Hand Fa: VA Mo: VA
Eugene HOLLY Son M S B 13 VA Occ:Cook On Vessel Fa: VA Mo: VA
Peter BLACKWELL Son M S B 08 VA Occ: At Home Fa: VA Mo: VA
Mary OPIE Dau F S B 05 VA Occ: At Home Fa: VA Mo: VA
Gustavus BLACKWELLSon M S B 01 VA Occ: At Home Fa: VA Mo: VA
David E. BUNCH Self M M W 65 VA Occ: Farmer Fa: VA Mo: VA
Margaret BUNCH Wife F M W 60 VA Occ: Keeping House Fa: VA Mo: VA
William KESTERSON Other M S MU20 TN Occ: Farm Laborer Fa: TN Mo: TN
Ida MOONEY Other F S W 13 VA Occ: House Servant Fa: VA Mo: VA
William - BORN IN TENNESSEE - probably not a part of the above mentioned family
The oldest living Kesterson on the 1880 Census was Catherine (Gregory) Kesterson widow of Willis H Kesterson living in the home of her son Cyrus B Kesterson. It doesn't often happen but Willis & Catherine Kesterson were found on the Census throughout their lives from the time they married in 1808. From 1810 through 1880. They always lived in Augusta VA/Wood WV. This family line was well documented throughout the years but still has some empty holes.
The youngest member of the 1880 Census is Wm L Kesterson 5 months of age:
James L. KESTERSON Self M M W 25 TN Occ: Farmer Fa: TN Mo: TN
Susan E. KESTERSON Wife F M W 22 TN Occ: Keeps House Fa: TN Mo: TN
Valles L. KESTERSON Son M S W 4 TN Fa: TN Mo: TN
Mary L KESTERSON Dau F S W 2 TN Fa: TN Mo: TN
Wm L. KESTERSON Son M S W 5M TN Fa: TN Mo: TN
Lewis J. WILLIAMS Other M S W 17 TN Occ: Farm Laborer Fa: TN Mo: TN
For those of you keeping track of the "Old" Northumberland Family Line I have found one item of interest. Not critical to the Kesterson Research however! John Smith Kesterson - remember him? He was the illegimate son of Sarah Kesterson d/o George and Elizabeth Kesterson s/o George and Aquilla Fry Kesterson. John was first married to Winifred Garner and then he married Mrs Nancy Haynie a widow with one daughter. I have found that his 2nd wife was born Nancy Smith 15 Mar 1769 probably in Northumberland VA. She was the niece of William Anderson who was security for her first marriage to Maxamilian Taylor Haynie a widower. They married on 17 May 1791. I have the book of Northumberland Co marriages 1783-1850 if any of you want anything looked up.
I did a special webpage for our "Kesterson Cowboy", George Washington Kesterson, also known as Art Mix. I've had the material to do this for years but just never found the time. Art Mix was a Western Actor in the 1920-40's. He made a lot of Western/Cowboy movies and even acted in one movie with John Wayne!
Andrea Mitchell and Nancy Hatmaker are both descendants of Georges line and thats why I finally made the time to do the page. They were both Neices of George. Its unknown at this moment if George ever had children of his own, but at this point its doubtful. I myself am a distant cousin of Georges as he came from the Caldwell Co KY Kestersons (George and Lettice Baker Kesterson).
At the moment I'm looking for pictures of our Ancestors. I have the room to put these pictures on the website now so I want to take advantage of it. If you have any you want to share just scan them and email them to me. I'm working them in where ever I can. Pictures of Tombstones, Cemeteries, Churches, Town where they lived, Wedding, birth - any kind. Remember that Our Website is open to the world, so the more we have out there, the more likely we are to attract other members of our family. You can see from the New Members all the time that its working.
We still have a lot of Kesterson families that are not connected back to Thomas or any of the other large groups. Maybe its time to review some of them and see if anyone has found anything that could help.
NEW MEMBERS
Please welcome George Kesterson the newest member of the Sylvester Welch Line. His line is: George Kesterson / Martin Luther Kesterson 1918 WV/ Jesse James Kesterson 1886 Anderson TN / Thomas Armstrong Kesterson 1853 Anderson TN / James Roland Kesterson 1828 Anderson TN/ Sylvester Welch Kesterson 1785 VA / John Kesterson 1742 Northumberland VA / John Kesterson 1712 Northumberland VA/ George Kesterson 1674 Northumberland VA and then Thomas.. Some day we have to go into more detail on Sylvesters very large family!
The Fallin Family is still going strong. Larry Thomas Britt is the newest cousin. His line is Larry 1946 / Johnnie Hilda Morris 1928 GA/ Flossie May Jackson 1898 GA / Rosa A Fallin 1872 GA / Asa P Fallin 1823 GA / Thomas Fallin 1780 VA / Hannah Kesterson 1742 VA / George Kesterson 1674 VA / Thomas. This family settled in Upson Co GA.
Chris Walker is a probable descendant of the Hazzard Kesterson line: Dennis Walker / Louvenia Massengill 1899 / Lula Ward 1884 / Riley Harrison Ward 1864 / Eliza Jane Kesterson 1840. Eliza Jane is on the 1850 Campbell Co TN Census living with Elizabeth Kesterson the widow of Hazzard. Eliza Jane Kesterson is age 8 on this census. Living with Elizabeth gives the probability she is a grandaughter but this has not been verified.
Hello to Katherine (Johnson) Ogilvie a descendant of the Greene Co TN clan.. Her line is Katherine / Grayson Michael Johnson / Grayson Ora Johnson / Ora Johnson 1899 / Geo Willis Johnson 1854/ Elizabeth Howell Pettit 1818 TN / Jane Courtney/ Sarah Kesterson 1758/ Wm1735 / John 1712 / George 1674 / Thomas 1658..
Mercy "Rosemary" Draper Reeves a descendant of the Caldwell KY line. Rosemary / Mildred McCuen / Ida May Benn 1901/ Harriet Elizabeth Kesterson 1872/ Berry A 836 KY / Peter 1800 KY / George 1765 VA / Wm 1735 VA / John 1712 / George / Thomas
Yvonn Allen a descendant of Samuel Kesterson/Eliza Green. Yvonn's line - Martha Lynn Autry (Simmons) / Love Zachary Engles (Autry) / Martha Isabelle Love (Engles) / Lucinda Jane Kesterson (Love) / Samuel Kesterson & Eliza (Columbia AR).
Dale Kendrix also a descendant of Samuel & Eliza. Dale/ Nora Ethel (Kendrix)/ Leona Annis Kesterson(McCracken)/ Squire Wm Kesterson / Samuel and Eliza.
Robin Kesterson Harned is from the IA group. Robin / Arlo Gerald Kesterson 1917 / Arlo Lyle Kesterson 1892 / Andrew Jackson Kesterson 1858/ Solomon Thomas Kesterson 1833 IN/ Wm Thomas Kesterson 1808 VA / Sylvester Welch Kesterson 1785 VA / John 1742/ John 1712/ George 1744/Thomas
Nancy Hatmaker comes from the KY line. Nancy / Marie Estelle (Gomes) 1909 / Geo Washington 1871 IL/ Jeremiah Jefferson 1840 KY / Peter 1800 TN / George K 1765 VA / William 1735 VA / John 1712 VA/ George/ Thomas
Kevin Kesterson and his father Daniel Kesterson both descend from the Caldwell Co KY group. Kevin/ Daniel / Melvin / Thomas Jefferson 1898 IL / George Washington 1871 IL / Jeremiah Jefferson 1840 KY/ Peter 1800 TN / George 1765 VA / William 1735 VA/ John 1712 VA / George 1674 VA and Thomas 1648.
Todd ( & Sherrie) Rausch also from the Caldwell KY Group. Todd / Theodore Rausch / Opal Bunch (Rausch) / Lillie Davis (Bunch) / Nancy June Kesterson 1849 IL / Harvey Kesterson 1824 KY / John Kesterson 1796 TN / Geo Kesterson Sr 1765 VA / Wm 1735 / John 1712/ Geo 1674/ Thomas
Jodi Wetterau-Kesterson is a Kesterson by choice you might say. She is adopted but thankfully has a healthy interest in her Kesterson Ancestry. Jodi / Melvin Harvey Kesterson 1939 OR / Glenn H Kesterson 1895 OR / Geo Harvey Kesterson 1870 MO / Leland D Kesterson 1821 TN / John Henry Kesterson Jr 1797 TN / John Kesterson / 1765 VA / Wm Kesterson 1735 VA / John 1712 / Geo 1674/ Thomas.
Ben Owen Kesterson is a member of the Jonathan & Mary Painter Kesterson line. Ben Owen / David Allen 1952 AZ / Richard Owen 1912 IN / Wm Franklin 1884 IN/ Geo Washington 1861 IN / Alfred 1841 IN / Jonathan 1818 OH. Jeremia is either the father or grandfather of Jonathan. (I think)
And thats another Issue closed. I hope that you all have a safe and happy Holiday Season and I hope that we all stand tall and proud in this time of uncertainty.
Chris
