KESTERSON KOLLECTIONS
NEWSLETTER
Volume 30 February 2002
Christine Walters
New information on the Kestersons is hard to find these days. The information highway on the Internet is getting filled up with Duplications! There are people on the Rootsweb and Ancestry.com sights that have uploaded up to 6 or 7 open files on the exact "same" people! If any of you are guilty of that practice wouldn't it be nice if you could just delete the "old" files and keep the up to date latest one? Most of you know that Rootsweb and Ancestry have merged their files so everything that you entered is now duplicated on the other. Time to clear out the debris folks!! What used to be the best tool on the Internet has now become a clogged wheel.
Hi there.. Well here it is almost springtime again. Christmas is over, the New Year is in and we didn't have to deal with any snow so far this year! (As I write this on January 16th). I haven't been able to make any trips, or go anywhere this year and I really want to get down to Southern IL and check out a few things. I live right here so whats my problem? Time, Energy and Money I suppose.
I've added some old obits from the Lafayette Co MO Kestersons.
AND take special note that two of the obits refer to the myth of our
"Patrick Henry" Ancestry, and please REMEMBER that this is NOT true.
Some of the "older" Kesterson Researchers, namely Kestie Hammond and
William Breckenhauer thought that the wife of our William Kesterson Sr of
Greene Co TN was married to Ann "Henry", sister of Patrick Henry. I've read everything in my local library on his family and none of his sisters married a Kesterson. I don't know where they got their information about this. I think I did read that he had a sister who married a man with the surname of "Christian" - a far cry from Kesterson but yet similar. If any of you ever come across anything that verifies this info please let me know.. I'll gladly eat my words.
Leland D Kesterson born 7 Dec 1821 Greene County TN, the son of John Henry & Sarah (Davis) Kesterson Jr. I have found a cemetery listing for him and his second wife Mary (Johnson). For those of you who don't have this information here it is. Leland died in 1903, Mary died 15 June 1922. They are both buried in Damascus Cemetery, Clackamus Co OR. Also in the same cemetery are two of his sons - Charles Franklin Kesterson 1868 - 21 October 1956 and his wife Elva Tryphena (Richey) 1868-1950 and Joel Hilloch Kesterson 26 February 1872 - 2 June 1946. Leland, Mary and Joel are all in Plot # 107 and along with them is a Nancy Carter with no date. Charles and his wife are in Plot # 78 along with some of the Richey family. ALSO in this plot is the name Carter again - no dates. There is an Emma Kesterson in Plot # 134 and I don't know who she is. Would any of you know who she belongs to? Buried in the same plot next to Emma is Benjamin, Sarah and Carrie Halstead and there are no dates on any of these graves. For many years we wondered what happened to Leland D - now we know for
sure!!
Rose Roxby is looking for the parents of the mysterious John Dewitt Kesterson. Other Kestersons in the Washington Co OH area are George Ernest Kesterson born 7 Oct 1867. Father of George Ernest was William Franklin Kesterson born 1823 Augusta Co VA so it would be logical to think that John Dewitt belongs to this group. William Franklin Kesterson died in Washington Co OH in 1916. Willis, a son of Wm Franklin was also in the area but I have a list of his children - none were named John or Dewitt that I know of. BUT - there was a huge gap between 1878 and 1887 where no children were born. Could be that John Dewitt was the son of Willis and no one has identified him as such yet. The fact that John Dewitt named a son John Willis is true to form for the use of the name Willis. Same goes for Sylvester, another son of Willis, who could be the father of John Dewitt - there is a gap from 1881 -1892 where no children were listed for him. Sylvester also lived in Washington Co OH. I would have to go with the belief that John Dewitt Kesterson was the son of either Sylvester or Willis Kesterson, sons of William Frankin Kesterson. Rose - you need to dig deeply into Washington Co OH records and find out more about Sylvester and Willis Kesterson. I'll help where I can.
Of current interest is the death of Robert Earl Kesterson of Henderson NV October 28, 2001. He was born 12 Aug 1920 Key West, Monroe FL. Robert was active in Henderson NV Politics and his wife Lorna (Jolley) Kesterson was the Major of Henderson for several years. If my information is correct, Robert was a son of Noah Jack & Pauline (Oberwaiser) Kesterson a descendant of the Hazzard Kesterson family of Campbell Co TN. Hazzard was the son of John Kesterson of Augusta VA and Jefferson Co OH who I believe to be the son of John b 1712 and on back to Thomas. The obituary and a picture of Robert Earl is on the "Kesterson Obits" page. If any of you need a transcript of the obituary, just let me know and I'll mail you one.
Another death to report is that of Howard E Kesterson 23 November 2001. Howard was born 9 October 1929 in Clayton, Adams Co IL a son of Harvey Elmo & Lulu (Howell) Kesterson. Howard comes from the Pike Co IL/Caldwell Co KY Kesterson and goes all the way back to Thomas Kesterson our immigrant. Although I never met him he was my 4th Cousin. Howard lived just a a couple hours south of me.
And yet another death! Seems I'm full of good news this time! Joseph E Kesterson Jr. of Bayard, Grant Co WV was born 11 May 1912 Connellsville, Fayette Co PA the son of Joseph & Mae F (Heines) Kesterson Sr. He died 15 November 2001 in the Garrett Co MD Hospital. His ancestry goes back through George W & Margaret (Summers) Kesterson of Baltimore MD the s/o John & Mary (Haynie) Kesterson of Northumberland VA. John was the son of John Smith Kesterson who was the son of Sarah Kesterson d/o George s/o Thomas.. If that is confusing just email and I'll explain. I'm not really positive of this line but feel sure that its probably correct. From the Obit on Joseph it appears he had no children.
I find it curious and interesting when I come across people with the middle name of "Kesterson". I always wonder how they got that particular middle name. I had collected several of these people but in the recent redoing of my computer, I seem to have lost that file. Here are the ones I can "remember" and pull out of my head.
CHAPMAN FAMILY: Alexander Kesterson Chapman is/was from Grants Pass, Oregon and graduated from Oregon Agricultural College in 1909 with a degree in electrical engineering. While a student at the College he collected a series of photographs, some of which appeared in the Yearbook the same year. In 1999 Evelyn Chapman Back, daughter of Alexander donated the collection. Maybe some of you know who Alexander was and can tell us about him.
MARK FAMILY: Alexander Kesterson Mark was born 23 December 1822 in Harlan KY, died 19 July 1895 McMinnville OR. Alexander was the son of John Mark & Martha Frances Forrester who were married in Harlan KY 18 July 1818. Alexander married Sarah Jane Jordan after he reached OR. John and Martha were already in their 50's when they set out for OR in 1847 from their Johnson Co MO homestead. The Mark family is featured as "Pioneer Family of the Month" on the End of the Oregon Trail Website. Some really good pictures of the Mark family are on the Website - Alexander included and a "reunion" picture. This is but one of the families that went West on the Oregon Trail. I wonder where the "Kesterson" Konnection is?
OSBORNE FAMILY: The Osborne family used Kesterson as a middle name quite often. Andrew Kesterson Osborne was born in the early 1800's. Andrew was married to Martha Gilreath 6 June 1846 in Whitley KY. I don't have anything more on him? Do you? From somewhere in my magic bag of Kestersons, I found another Andrew Kesterson Osborne born 1915, might have been Snyder OK. Andrew died 12 September 1999 in Bountiful UT. Isaac Kesterson Osborne was born 21 February 1847 in Blackwater, Lee Co VA died 20 February 1901 Albia, Pulaski KY. Isaac was married to Nancy Ann Davenport 23 December 1869 in Whitley KY. So with this information I think we can safely assume that the Osborne/Kesterson connection came about in or around Lee Co VA. James Kesterson Davenport born 24 June 1884 Ashe Co NC married Mary Elizabeth Latham 12 June 1904 also in Ashe NC. James was the son of Thomas Jefferson Davenport born Jefferson TN & Mary Lavina Parsons born Grayson VA. Mary Lavina Parsons was the daughter of Edmond Parsons & Charlotte Osborne. The name Davenport has roots in Northumberland Co VA. The Osbornes go back to Montgomery VA to 1781 and they passed through Jefferson Co TN on their way to KY I suppose. I've looked pretty deeply into this line - but can't find where the Kesterson fell into it.
RENTFROW FAMILY: John Kesterson Rentfrow 10 October 1843. Information found in the Bible records of Hensley & Elizabeth (Rentfrow) Hickman and the website of Marty and Karla Grant. I'm not sure what county he was born in but the website mentions Burke, Buncombe & Yancy Co NC and Central TN.
REYNOLDS FAMILY: Charles Kesterson Reynolds was born in 1892/ died 1945. He was married to Berlena Ramsower about 1912. Berlenas parents lived in Macoupin Co IL but the page I found this information on didn't tell us where Charles was from.
WEAVER FAMILY: John Kesterson Weaver born 23 August 1842 died 3 August 1864 Ashe Co NC. He is on the 1860 Ashe NC Census age 17 living with his parents Hiram & Zilphia (Ashley) Weaver. Hiram was son of Joshua Weaver of Lee Co VA.
Another thing I want to talk about in this issue is Larkin, Peter and Robert Kesterson.
Larkin is first found in Pope Co IL in 1818 on the tax list and has a wife but no children yet. In 1820 he is listed on the Pope Co Census as 16-26 years of age - has a wife 16-18 years of age. His wife (Mary "Polly" Ledbetter) is 16-26 years old and he has a son under 10. With these two documents its safe to say that he married about 1818 - his first child was born in late 1819 - early 1820. From various files on the internet it looks as thought he had 5 children. William, Robert, Nancy, Louisa and Sarah. The girls, strangely enough, are mentioned in the will of Henry Ledbetter (Proved 23 September 1841 Gallatin Co IL) but the boys are not. The girls are listed as the "heirs" of Polly Kestensen so its apparant that Polly died prior to 1841.. Why wouldn't the boys be included?
Peter is on the 1820 Pope Co Census same age bracket as Larkin. Peter is married and has two daughters by 1820.
Robert is older, age 26-45 but his wife is 16-26 so I think Robert is around 26 rather than closer to 45. He is also married and has a daugther by 1820
Its clear to me that the 3 men were probably brothers.. Larkin, Peter and Robert all born around the same time, Robert being the oldest. As shown above I've found information on Larkins children - but nothing on Peter or Roberts children except for Robert Kesterson who married Julia McLearen in 1841.. Robert could be the son of any of the 3 brothers. This Robert remains in the Pope Co IL area through 1830, can't find him in 1840 but he's in Bond IL in 1850 and 1860.
Richard Kesterson turns up in Cass Co IL and is married to Nancy Jane Husted 13 August 1840. Now I know in my heart that Richard is the son of one of these 3 men. Its either Larkin, Robert or Peter. We have found two of Richards children.. One is Arvilla who married Henry Seymour and the other is Richard Henry Kesterson who married Missouri Alice Gilliland in Nemaha NE in 1881. This leg of the family moved out west to NE/OK/OR..... Richard Henry Kesterson names his first son Larkin Nelson Kesterson born 14 Aug 1886. There is no doubt in my mind that young Larkin is named after his Great Grandfather Larkin Kesterson of Pope Co IL.. The question remains.
We have no early Kestersons in the Southern IL area when Robert, Peter and Larkin were born - between the years of 1775-1794. We also don't know where they were born - maybe somewhere other than IL! Are Robert, Peter and Larkin from Ohio? Are they the descendants of one of the Meriday/Jeremiah family? We have some reason to believe that they were from OH as Richard on the 1880 Census states he was born in IL, his father was born in OH - his mother in NC. If anyone comes across this group of names in either IL or OH let me know. I have a feeling that these 3 in IL are connected to the 3 that traveled KY/OH/IN - the Meriday Kesterson Group..
WHATS NEW ON THE KESTERSON WEBSITE: I have added the 1870 Census of all the Kestersons I've found so far. I'm sure I probably missed some but when they turn up I'll add them. Does anyone out there subscribe to Ancestry.com Census sites? I just can't afford to add that to my list - if anyone has it could they please pull off the Kesterson people and send it to me?
I'm still going through the 1880 Census when I get time and I'll have that online soon.
NEW MEMBERS
Ginger Diane Kesterson (Greene Co TN) / Billie Howard 1933 / George R 1896 TN / Joseph Washington 1869 / William Alexander 1841 / Isham Bailey 1814 TN/ William Jr 1760 VA / William Sr 1735 VA / John 1712 VA / George 1674 VA / Thomas 1648 England
Mrs Neil Simms (Claiborne Co TN) / Neil Snead Sr / Mary Overton / Martha Jane Kesterson 1850 TN / Reuben Kesterson 1820 / David Chadwell Kesterson 1770 Claiborne TN
Brad Blackwood (Howard Co AR) / Knox S 1909/ Braddock 1879/ Andrew Jackson 1827 TN / Rebecca Kesterson 1812 TN
Audrey (Hager)Moran I "think" that Audreys ancestor is a daughter of Hazzard Kesterson. Nothing concrete so far - but she was in the right place at the right time. Audrey / Dick Hager / Flossie LaMay 1912 / John Milton LeMay 1869 Oh/ John R LeMay 1840 / 1808 VA / Hazzard Kesterson 1787 VA / John 1742 VA / John 1712 VA / George/ Thomas **If anyone has any information on the LaMay/Kesterson family - let us know!!
Rose (Kesterson) Roxby / John Willis Kesterson / John Dewitt Kesterson 1882 Belpre OH
Dolonne "Donnie" Beem / Lorrainne Austin (Ochs) 1928 / Essie Kesterson (Austin) 1898 / Wm E Kesterson / Wm Kesterson / John Kesterson. Also a double descendants from Nancy Victoria Blackwood (wife of Wm E Kesterson ) back through John M Blackwood/Rebecca Kesterson (Blackwood)
Trixie (Stieg) Kautzmann / Cally Mae Cline/ Alfred James Cline 1895 MO / Fanny Belle Kesterson 1874 IA / Thomas Jefferson 1842 TN / Charles 1819 TN / Thomas 1798 TN/ John 1760 VA/ William 1735 VA/ John / George / Thomas
Roxanne & Gary Hicks and her brother in law, Steve Hicks Gary and Steve Hicks / Hazel Vaughn 1927 KY / Sam Howard Vaughn 1910 KY / Betty May Jones 1897 IN / Mary Kesterson 1856 IN / Jonathan & Mary (Painter) Kesterson. We are still trying to work out whether or not Meredith Kesterson is the father of Jonathan
Faye Arnett Rouse / Agnes Crowell 1919 MS / Elvira Mitchell 1888 MS / John Dale Mitchell 1857 MS / Mary Susan Bouchillon 1832 SC/ Lucinda Palmer 1812 SC / Mary Jane Hayes 1776 VA / Thomas Hayes III 1730/ Ann Kesterson 1705/ George Kesterson 1674 / Thomas 1648. The Hayes/Kesterson connection is the oldest in our line so far.
Jan GriffithGrandaughter of William Henry Kesterson 1888 Meigs Co OH s/o John Lewis Kesterson 1861 Athens Co OH. I suspect that Wm Henry and John Lewis are part of the Meriday/Jeremaih Kesterson line but definitely unsure at this point.
And that would be it for this issue. Everyone please enjoy your summer and do something exciting this year.
