Contributors "Brother Claude" (Dan Lane) & Sharland Reeves
Contributed by Br. Claude sent to him by Katta Taylor
The mystery of Dolla Kesterson, daughter of Mary still remains a bit of a mystery. The obituary of Dolla says she was born 21 July 1875,
but the Census of 1900 shows her birth in July 1878. Whether it be 1875 or 1878 it is still clear that she was not the daughter of Patrick Henry
Kesterson, further proven by the fact that she is not mentioned in his military pension papers. So who was the the father of Dolla? By most
accounts he would have been F.M. Arrington. Mary married F.M. Arrington on 28 December 1878 in Burnett County TX which as you can see is
a few months past the birth of Dolla if the 1900 census can be believed.
We can find no time frame when Mary and Mr. Arrington ever lived together. In 1900 Mary, her daughter Dolla and son Joseph are all living in the household
of what looks to be a Mr. Barnard? Barman? Bassman?. This man born in September 1873 indicates Mary as his mother and Dolla and Joseph as siblings. In the household
next door Thomas Jesse is listed as a boarder in the home of William Askew. The other daughter Sallie is now married to John H. Lane, living in Williamson Co TX with her family.
If Dolla was an Arrington by birth, she apparently never used that name. She was always known as Dolla Kesterson and the mystery remains open.
Mary Susan (Hale) Kesterson, widow of Patrick Henry Kesterson, moved her
family to Texas sometime between 1873 & 1875. Her husband Patrick had died on the 4th of April 1872 in Greene County TN.
The photo above had to have been take just before his death. Sallie kate was born in July 1871 so could not have been more than 9 months old in this photo.
Mary Susan had three children at the time they all moved to Texas - Joseph, Thomas Jesse and Sallie Kate. The oldest, Joseph, was about 8 years old and the
youngest was Sallie Kate around 1-2 years old. In 1875 she gains complete custody and
guardianship of the three children through the
courts of Burnett County TX.
The man with the beard is her brother Alf Hale.
His daughter is on the far right. (Photo contributed by Brother Claude)
Patrick H Kesterson Co G 8th TN Inf Pvt
Enlisted 7 Mar 1862 Capt Bewley. Mustered in May 15 1863 by Lt Odgen. He was appointed 2nd Lt by Col Beeve on Nov 1 1863 to fill a vacancy by the resignation of David Hill. Sometime in early spring, March or April, Patrick became ill and was unable to continue on with his company. His commanding officer had orders to move out and Patrick had to stay behind. He continued to be ill through the months of Jul and Aug and by Sep/Oct he was listed as AWOL. His illness occured while serving in Strawberry Plains TN and that was the 1st known sighting of him until he reported to his commander in May of 1865. He had been considered a deserter from 18 Apr 1864 until he reported in under arrest at Shield Mills TN, in obedience to orders from Brig. Gen. Tillson. Discharged 30 June 1865. Patrick was born in Greene Co TN in 1833 the son of Thomas & Nancy Carroll (Jackson) Kesterson. He married Mary Susan Hale on 21 February 1867. Patrick died in 1872 and is buried in the Old Mill Cemetery in Greene Co TN where he lived his entire life. The father of Joseph, T Jessie and Sally Kesterson.
Letter from Nancy Kesterson (Mother of Patrick) to her son Charles (brother of Patrick)
July 22 1964 Greene County Tennessee
Dear Son daughter & granchildren
I this day seat myself to let yew no that wee are not all ded yet wee are still onn the land of the living and in tolerable good helth at this time and my first wish is that I trewly hope that theese few lines will reach yew all enjoying the same kind flessing well charles it has ben so long since I hav wroat to yew or heard from yew that I hardly no how to begin but I will give yew a little sketch about the rebels they have ruind us all and our cuntry too I can not tell yew half as bad as they have dun they have dun everything that can be mentioned from as lo down as steeling a dish rag up to the willfuliest muder that can bee mentioned they hav sliped to mens fields and has shot them down whilst at work bee cause they would not forsake that glorious government that has protected us all and rebell against it and fight for the so called sothern confederacy that what aint know ner never was ner never will bee they have murdered women and children and has striped them naked and whiped them to make them tell where their brothers husbands or fathers were whilst they was lying hid in the woods or maby in some ground hole or other to keep out of their hands and bee cause they would not tell they would take every thing from them that they had and maby burn their house down
They have stolt every horse and mule that was in the hole cuntry they hav tuck nig from mee and has even tuck old Jonneys old sorrell mair they tuck every one wee had and nearly every thing else only what wee could hide from them but I think wee will hav anuff to live on yet but I can not tell you half them meannefs they did doo so yew must come and see us all if yew can and then wee will talk all about it urial is at home him and famly is all well thomas is living at the home place the rebs run him o out off cock county last fall was two years ago him and famly is well well the rebs has had them runn away from home tow or three times Patrick H is here he is in tolerable helth only he has loft his speech he belongs to the federal army and hs ben exposed so much that he tuck cold last winter and it settled on his lungs he has not talked any for about .. 5 .. months his regment is in georgia he belongs to the 8th E. tenn Infantry well charles wee are agouing to the yellow springs amonday and I wish yew was hear to go with us yew must come and see us if yew can when the war is over but I am afraid that it wont end soon so I must close for the present write soon as this comes to hand and direct your letter to William Courtney Esq russeleville Jefferson Co E Tenn
John & Nancy Haun to Charles Kesterson and Family - no more room
Born 30 November 1867 Greene County TN Died in 1941 Oldest son of Patrick & Mary (Hale) Kesterson Click here for
Texas Guard Oath
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With their son Robert Kesterson
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T. J. Kesterson (Steve) was born in Greene
Co TN Apr 4 1869, came with his parents to Burnett Co TX in 1873, later
going to Williamson Co where he resided until1890, since which time he
has made his home in Armstrong Co until his death at Amarillo 12 Mar
1914. Several months ago he had to submit to an operation for cancer of
the bowels. It was hoped he would be fully restored to health, but
later, it was found tht another operation was necessary and Monday of
last week, he was again treated. It was thought he would soon recoverbut
a sudden change Thursday ended his life. Mr Kesterson was a man of
splendid qualities - a good citizen, a kindneighbor, a devoted husband
and father. He fulfilled all the duties of a man. Perhaps no man in
Armstrong Co had more friends and we doubt if he had an enemy. He was
one of our most progressive farmers and did much toward the advance of
our county in the argricultural line. Mr Kesterson married Miss Pearl
Askew 13 years ago and to them two children were born. Robert and Mary,
who survive him. Other immediate relatives are Mrs Mary Arrington
mother, Mrs D. C. Dodge of Celest and Mrs J. H. Lane of Williamson Co
sisters. Joseph Kesterson of Lubbock a brother. Funeral services were
held at the Methodist church of which deceased was a member. Conducted
by Rev. W. H. Averyt assisted by Revs. Thornton and McKenzie, the house
being filled to its capacity by his neighbors and many friends from
other points. The ceremonies at the grave were under the guidance of
Goodnight Camp W O W, the impressive services adding solemnity to the
occasion. With the passing of Mr Kesterson, the Goodnight community
loses the last but one of the oldtime residents. Col Charles Goodnight
remaining.
"Tintype traditionally identified as Sallie-Kate Kesterson Lane, c. 1889.
However, Br. Claude Lane believes it to actually be her mother,
Mary Susan Hale Kesterson Arrington, c.1867.
Photo from Brother Claude
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Br. Claude Sharland Reeves |
