1.3.2 Johannes (John) Kessler (Kessler and Kesler lines)
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1.3.2 Johannes ‘John’ Kessler (Kesler b: 24 May 1772-d: 1 Feb 1850 Botetourt County, Va.)
and Nancy Waskey m: 8 Mar 1794 (b: 1779-d: 1852 Botetourt County, Va.)
Andreas’ second son, Johannes, or John (24 May 1772-1 Feb 1850) was born in Jefferson, Frederick County, Maryland just before the start of the Revolutionary War. He died on 1 Feb 1850 in Botetourt County, Virginia at the age of 77 years.
Although we don’t know the extent of family awareness of current events in the late 1700s, it is likely that Andreas and his sons were aware that there was a rebellion against English rule during the 1770s and 1780s. By the time that John reached early adulthood, England had conceded the war and the colonies were working to build an effective system of governance, first under the Articles of Confederation, and then the U.S. Constitution, finally ratified on 21 June 1788. The new government under the U.S. Constitution began on 4 March 1789, when John was almost 17 years old.
The Kessler farm in Jefferson, Frederick County, Maryland was located close to two farms owned by Waskey family members. This is likely how John met Nancy Waskey (1779-1852). They married on 8 Mar 1794 and had seven children.
Nancy’s parents were George Waskey Jr. (1741–1787) and Margaret Heim Waskey (1744-1827). Nancy grew up in Jefferson, Maryland, not far from the Kessler farm. Nancy’s mother Margaret purchased land in Frederick County, Maryland in 1791. Seven years later, in 1798, she purchased 378 acres of land in Rockbridge County, Virginia near the location of the now famous natural bridge and she and Nancy Waskey’s father George Jr. relocated to Rockbridge County. John and Nancy Waskey Kessler remained on Margaret’s Jefferson, Maryland farm.
According to land records Margaret Heim Waskey sold her land in Frederick, Maryland to John Kessler’s brother Andrew Kessler on Oct 31, 1804. John and Nancy likely relocated from Frederick to Rockbridge County, Virginia and began searching for suitable acreage sometime in 1802 or early 1803.
The following map from 1856 shows three Kessler farms along present-day Landers Road in Jefferson. To the right in the non-green area are two farms owned by Waskey family members. It is likely that the land purchased by Andrew in 1804 is either the farm labeled A. Kessler (Absolem) or L. Kessler (Lloyd), or both, since they are adjacent to the Waskey land show in this map.
John and Nancy’s first three children were born in Frederick, Maryland: Polly in 1794, Samuel in 1795 and Christopher Lee in 1802. The remaining children were born in Virginia: Margaret Agnes in 1803, John in 1804, Sophia in 1806 and Nancy in 1810. According to land records Margaret Heim Waskey sold her land in Frederick, Maryland to John Kessler’s brother Andrew Kessler on Oct 31, 1804. This suggests that John and Nancy likely relocated from Frederick to Rockbridge County, Virginia and began searching for suitable acreage sometime in 1802 or early 1803.
On March 21, 1805 John Kessler of Rockbridge County, Virginia purchased 156 acres located in Botetourt County, Virginia from Michael C. Stevens named Cedar Ridge (now named Simmons Ridge). The acreage was on Catawba Creek, a tributary of the James River beginning at 2 White Oaks corner to Greenwoods. On November 23, 1808, an additional 73 acres was purchased from Frances Preston, William Kyle and Peter Crowder. It is important to note that this land was purchased in close proximity to land purchased by Jacob Kessler in 1785 and there IS NO KNOWN relationship between these two Kessler families.
Waskey Family
The Waskey family arrived in the colonies in the early 1700s. A book titled Botetourt County Virginia Heritage 1770-2000 by S. E. Grose provides a detailed history of the Waskey family. George Waschke (1712-1766) arrived at Savannah, Ga. on 7 April 1735 after a journey from Moravia to Germany to England. On 23 Feb 1736 his mother Anna and Juliana Jaeschke arrived at Savannah and George married Juliana on 10 Jun 1738. At the end of 1738 they moved from Georgia to Germantown near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Their son George Waskey Jr. (1741–1787) married Margaret Heim (1744-1827) and they lived in Frederick, Maryland. Their daughter Nancy Waskey married John Kessler in Frederick, Maryland in 1794.
In 1791, Nancy’s mother, Margaret Heim Waskey purchased land in Frederick County, Maryland. On Jun 5, 1798 she subsequently purchased 378 acres of land from John and Mary Hamilton in Rockbridge County, Virginia near the location of the now famous natural bridge. She and Nancy Waskey’s father George Jr. relocated to Rockbridge County after making this purchase while John and Nancy Waskey Kessler remained on Margaret’s farm near Frederick.
Nancy Waskey’s brothers George Waskey III (1776-1850) and E. Christopher Waskey (1778-1850) also relocated to and eventually died in Botetourt County. Christopher Waskey purchased Beale’s Mill in 1818 and turned it into Waskey’s Mill which was operated there until at least 1846[2].
Included below is a map of the Catawba Creek area in Botetourt County dated 1885[3]. Note that there are several Kessler homes noted on this map on or near the Fincastle-Covington Turnpike, north-west of Fincastle. These are likely our relatives since one home next to a Kessler home is labeled Dooley. John and Nancy Kessler’s daughter, Nancy Mary married Stephen Dooley on Oct. 8, 1832. This is likely her home.
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Information provided from Karen Kessler about this lineage:
Karen Kessler <kesslerwv@aol.com> Tue, Mar 26, 2013 at 11:17 AM
To: Thomas Kessler <kesslertg@gmail.com>
Name: John KESSLER
Birth: 1775 PA
Death: Feb 1850 Botetourt Co., VA
Religion: German Baptist
Father: Andreas KESSLER (1746-1809)
Mother: Anna Maria (Rehmen) RAMA (1752-1840)
Misc. Notes
Please note—
It has not yet been proven that Andrew and Anna Kessler are Johns parents. It should not be assumed that this is so. Death date of John Kessler son of Andreas and Mary Rama Kessler is reported to be 16 Dec 1840. From the 1850 Botetourt Co., VA mortality schedule we see that John’s widow Nancy reported the death of John was in Feb 1850 at the age of 75 years, caused by old age, and was born in Pennsylvania. This would make him born in 1775. Bible records from the Andrew Kessler family show that their John was born 24 May 1772—–
According to a deed dated 23 Nov 1808 this John came from Rockbridge Co., VA to purchase 156 and 73 acres on the waters of the Catawba Creek. Deed book 9 :545. This land happens to be located about one mile from the tract purchased by a Jacob Kessler in 1785. The land was at Cedar Ridge (now called Simmons Ridge) at the headwaters of Catawba Creek, 5 miles north of Fincastle, VA on old Rt 655 which was the old turnpike to Covington, on the east side of the road. (I don’t think this Jacob Kessler is related. KC)
It is reported that John and Margaret Kessler (John’s daughter) Hamilton acquired the John Kessler farm with Issac Austin after John died in 1850. The farm was sold to a widow, Mildred Elizabeth Slusser in 1871. By 1891 Mrs Slusser had married a Nicholas Co., WV man named C.C. Cahoon. July 1, 1895 as a result of a suit the land was conveyed to Mildred E Cahoon, wife of C C Cahoon and children, deed book 54 pg 508. Mrs. Cahoon sold the farm to George Simmons in 1891. In 1935 C. V. Holt bought the farm from the Simmons family and was still living there in 1993. Mr Holt was 94 years old and had the farm up for sale at $1000. per acre in 1995.
Feb 2002- Charlotte Haymaker writes- In 1995 Mark (her husband) and I found C.V. Holt as the last owner of John Kessler property. I called Mr. Holt and ask permission to go on his land and search for the old cemetery. Mark found it and it has about 45 graves, with two or three head stones. One of them was a Simmons lady. He also found the remains of an old saw mill. Mark told Conrad Riffle where it was. The property has been sold. The old Holt house has been replaced with a new one. I heard people up north bought it. I would guess that John Kesler is buried in the cemetery on the farm. The Simmons are in there too. We talk to a neighbor and he told us the Kessler house was torn down in the eighty’s. Told us he played in it as a child. The stone fireplace was still standing. In May 2002 we went to see the cemetery but were refused to be allowed on the property by the new owners.
Conrad Riffle says they were married at Mount Zion Lutheran Church 3 miles north of Jefferson, MD
According to Morris Kessler, author of “Out From The Blue Ridge”, there were three John Kessler’s living on the Catawba Creek at about the same time our John lived there.
Author’s note about Morris’ book: I own this book. There are numerous mistakes in the book about our line of Kesslers. Readers should take care about assuming that all the information is correct.)
US Census Information about John and Nancy:
- 1790 US Census (April 1791): Apr 1791 Keep in mind that Johannes (John), son of Andreas was only 18 in 1790. So this might be the brother of Andreas. Two possibilities-
—- John Kesler (p. 12/61 – 177-178) 2 males age 14 or less, 4 other males, & 1 female.
—-John Fessler (p. 38/61 229-230) 3 males age 14 or less, 1 other male, & 3 female. - 1800 US Census: Frederick, District 1, Md. (p. 1/22 dd mmm) John Kessler, 1 male under 10, 1 male 26-44, 2 females under 10, 1 female 26-44. NOTES: Is this Johannes, son of Andreas? Was John still in Frederick in 1800 or gone west (search for evidence!)? John had 1 daughter (Polly) born in 1794, but who was female under age 10? John had one son born in 1790s (Samuel), so that fits. If this is John, born in 1772, his age fits. But wife Nancy Waskey was born in 1779, so she was not age 26-44 in 1800. Another entry in same 1800 US Census: John Kessler in the Emmitsburg District #4 Frederick Co., Maryland
one female under 10 (Polly); 2 males under 10 (Samuel & ?); one male 26-45 (John Maybe he was b, 1775); one female 16-26 (Nancy Waskey Kessler) - 1810 US Census: 1810, Botetourt, Va. (p. 34/66 dd mmm) This is likely John, son of Andreas. Everything fits:
2 males>10 = Christopher (1802) & John (1804); 1 male 10-15 = Samuel (1795); 1 male 26-44 = Johannes (1772)
2 females>10 = Margaret (1803) & Sophia (1806); 1 female 16-26 = Mary Polly (1794); 1 female 26-44 = Nancy Waskey Kesler (1779?)
Other 1810 US Census entries in Botetourt (likely not our John)
Botetourt Co., VA 1810 John Kesler Jr (I don’t think this is ours)
3 males 16-26; 1 male 45+; 1 female 10-16
4 females 16-26; 1 female 45+; Then probably 1 in agriculture.
Botetourt Co., VA 1810 John Kesler (I don’t think this is ours)
2 males 10-16 (Samuel & ?); 1 male 16-26; 1 male 45+
2 females 10-16 (Polly & ?); 1 female 16-26 (Nancy Waskey Kessler)
1 female 26-45; No one’s occupation was listed.
Other 1810 US Census entries in Westmoreland County and Maryland:
1810 Donegal Twp. Westmoreland Co., PA census
Page 39 # 1906-KESLAR JOHN -Donegal Son of Andrew. There was:
1 man and woman, 45 and on; (our John Kessler was only 35 and Nancy Waskey was only 31); 2 boys under 10 (John & Christopher) ;
2 boys10-16 (Samuel & ?); 2 girls under 10 (Margaret & Sophia) (Where is Polly?)
1810 Northumberland Cty., MD, Point Twp, there was a John Kesler: One man and one woman, 26-45; 2 girls.
- 1820 US Census: Botetourt, Va. (p. 30/57 dd mmm) This is likely John, son of Andreas. Things fit. 3 males 16-25 = Samuel (1795), Christopher (1802) & John (1804)
1 male 45+ = John (Johannes 1772); 2 females 10-15 = Nancy Mary (1810) & Sophia (1806); 1 female 16-25 = Margaret (1803) or Mary Polly (1794) ???????; 1 female 45+ = Nancy Waskey Kesler (1779?) - 1830 US Census: 1830, Botetourt, Va. (p. 77/146 dd mmm)
John Kesler Sr; 1 male 0-4 = ?; 1 male 60-69 = John (Johannes 1772 age 58); 1 female 60-69 = Nancy Waskey Kesler (1779, age 51) - 1840 US Census: 1840, Botetourt, Va. (99/10 dd mmm) John Kesler Sr
1 male 10-14 = probably a grandson; 1 male 70-79 = John (Johannes 1772 age 68)
1 female 70-79 = Nancy (1779, age 61) - 1850 US Census: John Kessler (1.3.2) died in February of this year, before the census was taken. Nancy was living with her married daughter, Margaret:
1850 US Census: Botetourt County, Va. (216/268) John Hamilton 42 (1808 farmer), Margaret 50, Absalom D. 22, Nancy R. 19, John 12, George 11, Lewis 8, Madison 6, Nancy Kesslar 71 (1779)
Legal Documents and Actions Involving John Kessler:
(The equity side of the court of Chancery dealt with thousands of disputes over inheritance, wills, lands, debts, marriage settlements, apprenticeships, etc., from the late fourteenth century. Most of its records are in English, and give more detailed information than do common law records. Before 1558, these records have been well listed, detailing both the parties and the subjects of dispute, in a collection known as the Early Chancery Proceedings)
-FIRST ONE-
A letter of notes about John Kessler from Charles T. Burton, researcher of Troutville, VA, he says:
“Recently I located the papers of a Chancery Suit over the land that was once owned by this John Kessler, on the waters of Catawba Creek. This suit was brought by James H. Crowder against John Hamilton and other heirs of John Kessler, who died without a will leaving “Samuel, Christopher, John, Polly (who married Barton Ray) Margaret (who married the said John Hamilton), Sophia (who married John Bierly), Nancy (who married John (this was a mistake on Mr. Burtons part…his name is Stephen Dooley). By consent of their heirs, sons Christopher and John have received their part of the land. Son-in-law John Hamilton purchased the interests of the other heirs except that of Polly Ray (who had moved west) and except the interest of Margaret, his first wife, who was a daughter, and who was deceased. Margaret’s children and heirs were: David Hamilton (m. Nancy), George Hamilton, Madison W. Hamilton, James Hamilton (m. Ellen), Mary Hamilton, widow of Absalom D Hamilton, etc.”
On these sheets I spell the name with two “s’s, but in most of the records, only one is used.
-SECOND ONE, WHICH IS WHAT CHARLES BURTON REFERENCED FROM-
Kessler Notes from Bill filled by Crowder vs Hamilton
(copy of first part of bill)
Copy of bill of Chancery suit, ended 1933
Crowder vs Hamilton
To the Hon. R. M. Hudson, Judge of the Circuit Court of Botetourt: Humbly complaining, showeth unto your Honor, your orator, James H. Crowder, that on the 16th day of March 1866 he bargained with John Hamilton for a certain tract of land containing about 160 acres, & the said John Hamilton sold to your orator the said tract upon the conditions named in the article of agreement between the said Hamilton & your orator, which is here with marked (A) & prayed to be read as part of this bill.
Your orator furthers represents that the land was formerly the property of one John Kessler, who died intestate leaving, (1) Samuel Kessler, (2) Christopher Kessler, (3) John Kessler, (4) Polly Kessler who married Barton Ray (5) Margaret who married the said John Hamilton, (6) Sophia who married John Bierly (7) Nancy who married Stephen Dooley, his children and heirs at law. —-that Christopher & John have had their portions assigned them (by consent) out of the land left by the said John Kessler Sr., ** and the said John Hamilton purchased all the interest of the other heirs, except that of Polly Ray and Barton Ray her husband (who have removed to the west) & your orator is not informed, nor are her relatives here informed of her residence) & also except the portion of his first wife, Margaret Hamilton who was a Margaret Kessler, in which portion the said Margaret, having departed this life; the said John Hamilton has now a new life estate as tenant by courtesy; & the remainder being in the children of the said Margaret by the said Hamilton & the wives of such are married, to wit:
(1) David Hamilton and wife Nancy, (2) George W. Hamilton, Madison W. Hamilton, (4) James Hamilton and wife Ellen, (5) Absalom D Hamilton, deceased, his wife Mary and her children by the said A D Hamilton, and the heirs of Samuel Kessler, deceased, having deeded their portions to John Hamilton as to the court will more fully appear by reference to exhibit marked (B) and Stephen Dooley and Nancy his wife, having given a title bond for the interest of the said Nancy in the said land, & all the purchase money having been paid as will appear by exhibits marked (C) & (D), & John Bierly, and Sophia his wife, having given their bond herewith filed marked (E) and prayed to be read as part of this bill to give good title to their interest in said land to Isaac Austin, by the said Austin having transferred the same to John Hamilton, as will fully appear from above exhibits.
Your orator thus shows that John Hamilton had a good and valid title to all the said land except the interest of Barton Ray & Polly his wife, & that of his own wife Margaret, and had a life estate by courtesy in the last-named interest. The said Barton Ray and Polly his wife cannot be heard from.
Your orator would further aver that the sale of this land is an advantageous one to the infant heirs mentioned.
In consideration of the premises & in as much as your orator is remediless save in Court of Equity, when matters of this kind are properly cognizable, your orator prays that john Hamilton, and Elizabeth his wife, David Hamilton and Nancy his wife, George W. Hamilton, Madison W. Hamilton, James Hamilton & Ellen his wife, Mary Hamilton, widow of Absalom D. Hamilton, infant children of the Mary Hamilton by the said Absalom D. Hamilton, & Barton Ray & Polly his wife, may be parties defendant to this suit, & that said defendants may make full and true discovery of the matter aforesaid, – that a proper guardian ad litem, may be appointed the infant defendants to defend their interest in this suit, – that your Honor may confirm the above mentioned sale to your orator 7 appoint & Commissioner to make a good & valid title to said land as soon as the purchase money shall be paid, and that said Commissioner be directed to collect the balance due under the contract & make distribution to them entitled thereto, & that your Honor will make such order in reference to the portion of Barton Ray & Polly his wife as may seem right, — and give such other further & general relief as the nature of this case requires, or to equity may seem meet & your orator will pray etc etc….. He asks the court to decree a sale and distribution.
In 1871 a supplemental bill was filed saying that Christopher was dead and that his son Archibald was his only heir and ask that Archibald Kessler and Christopher’s widow Elizabeth Kessler be added to the list of defendants.
Another supplemental bill explained that the land involved in the suit was four-seventh’s of John Kessler’s 229 acres which was 5 miles from Fincastle on the East side of the turnpike to Cton, (Note: this was the 156 plus 73 acres purchased in 1808 by John Kessler of Rockbridge Co., VA from John Blaze, et 1 July 1895 As a result of this suit, the land was conveyed to Mildred Elizabeth Cahoon, wife of C.C. Cahoon, & her children (see Deed book 54 page 508) and was called 155 acres.
John Kessler had no will. Each child received 24 acres, but Christopher was in the process of buying John Kessler Jr’s 24 acres when Christopher died, Conrad Riffle has the deed where John Kessler Jr. and his wife Susan completed the sale to Christopher’s second wife Elizabeth (Hamilton) Kessler. Then John Hamilton and his wife Margaret (Kessler) Hamilton bought up some of the other particles of that land from other members of the family. John Hamilton ended up owning 5/7ths of John Kessler………….
I have a deed dated 16 Mar 1869 made between A W Kessler of Greenbrier Co, WV and Elizabeth A Kessler of Botetourt Co., VA.
The following information was submitted by Conrad Riffle to the 1999 Botetourt, VA Heritage Book Book……
John Kessler had lived near Jefferson, Maryland, and the Waskey families lived on adjoining farms next to the Kessler farms. John Kessler married Nancy Waskey, the daughter of Margaret Waskey. The proof that our John Kessler was the son of Andrew Kessler in Jefferson has turned out to be the hardest task of my many years of research. Andrew’s son Peter left behind his old family Bible showing a John Kessler born May 24, 1772, which is very close to the age we calculated for John’s birth. Circumstantial evidence points to Andrew Kessler. A strong point is that Andrew Kessler Jr. bought the farm of Margaret Waskey, in 1804 and she moved down to Natural Bridge, VA. The 1808 Deed says John Kessler previously lived at Natural Bridge, VA. It is easy to conclude that Nancy and John lived with Margaret at Natural Bridge until they purchased their farm on Rt 655.
Recorded in Will Book H pgs 87-89 Botetourt County Circuit Court
April 27th 1850 Sale Bill John Hamilton ?? of John Kessler dec.d Pg 87
-
- John Hamilton 3 Barrels .25
Philip Manga shot gun 1.75
John Keslar 3 flower barrels .20
Richard Peacok 2 crocks .17
Phillip Manga 4 crocks .13
Elizabeth Thomas 2 crocks .08
John Hamilton 1 crock .13
Elizabeth Thomas 1 stone jar .25
John Hamilton 1 jug .01
Isaac Austin 1 churn .15
Chr Kessler 1 fat can .20
Elizabeth Thomas basket and Lot of Irons .31
John Hamilton 2 half bushels .13
James M. Feral Bucket and can .13
Chr Kessler shovel and tongs . 92
Chr Kessler Hilliands?? 1.15
John Hamilton 1 kettle .26
George Croft tee kettle .85
George Croft Oven .57
Elizabeth Thomas Small oven .32
John Hamilton skillet and lid .13
Richard Peacock iron wedge .31
James Thomas Hoes and fork .16
? Teril? set of gears .41
John Hamilton pot rack .75
? Kessler crop and cut saw 5.50
David Noffsinger flax Heackel? 2.00
Isaac Austin Clevice .06
James Thomas Pot Hook .25
Richard Peacock Box .16
Phillip Magna Bread baskets .07
End of page $18.99 - page 88
Isaac Austin Horie? .26
John Austin Dough Tray .06
Phillip Magna small tray .02
Jno Kessler foots Adz .60
Phillip Magna Axe and braf? bit .03
John Kessler hatchet .20
James Thomas Axe .31
Chr Kessler Bread .25
Chr Kessler drawing knife .29
A. Wright Harnesses .06
Chr Kessler Augers .27
John Kessler Lot of chisels .38
John Hamilton Lot of chisels .52
Jno Hamilton hand saw .30
John Kessler Lot of augers .28
James Thomas Augers .50
John Kessler Harrow 1.20
John Thomas cow bell .52
Chr Kessler Sithe anville .23
Chr Kessler one Peck .20
James Thomas bucket .36
Chr Kessler Lot of Iron .12
John Kessler Lot of Iron .12
James M. Feriell Lot of Iron .13
John Thomas Cag .28?
Philip Manga powder horn .06
John Kessler 3 barrels .06
Isaac Austin chest .25
George Croft Cow and calf 15.00
Elizabeth Thomas Cow 18.80
John Hamilton 2 Hogs 3.80
Jacob Soop one hog 3.??
End of page $48.41 - pg 89
Chr Kessler 2 bolts .13
Jno Hamilton set of plates .10
John Hamilton set of cups and saucers .10
James Thomas set of cups and saucers .15
Richard Peacock 1 set plaits .10
John Hamilton 1 set knives and forks .10
William Dooley pitcher .12
John Thomas set of plates .10
John Thomas coffee mill .13
A Wright coffee pot .13
Elizabeth Thomas cannisters .08
Philip Manga looking glass .08
John Hamilton Quilt .63
William Dooley Quilt .90
A W Kessler Quilt 1.70
John M Mading table cloth .13
John Kessler table cloth .13
John Hamilton table cloth .58
John Hamilton tow lining .45
John Hamilton set of chairs .25
John Kessler folding leaf table 2.00
John Thomas cupboard 1.75
John Kessler chest .50
John Hamilton 1 Bead 1.50
11.60
48.21
18.99 - Kept by the widow 1 Bead
and one chest at the appraisment 11.50
$89.40
Aft Botetourt Co ???? Court, 1850:
This Sale Bill of the personal property of
John Kessler dec. was returned to court and
ordered to be recorded.
A copy Teste
Wm. Robinson D.C.
- John Hamilton 3 Barrels .25
Marriage: 8 Mar 1794 Fredrick Co., MD
Spouse: Nancy WASKEY
Birth: 1779 MD
Death: aft 1852 VA
Religion: German Baptist Brethren (Dunkers)
Father: George WASKEY Jr. (1741-~1784)
Mother: Maria Margaretha HIME (ca1744-1827)
Misc. Notes
Charlotte Haymaker was the one that told us that our John Kessler married Nancy Waskey and NOT Mary McCray. We found Charlotte through a Dr. Kessler who is a relative of hers that wrote to Kent Kessler. Charlotte’s connection led us to Vicki “Babe” Waskey and her help connecting the Waskey family.
Nancy moved in with daughter Margaret Agnes after she was a widow and was listed in her household in the 1850 VA Census. In some records Waskey is spelled Waschki. She was referred to as still being alive in 1852 in the letter from Kate Waskey that I have in my possession.
Children
1 F: Polly KESSLER
Birth: ca Dec 1794 Frederick Co., MD
Death: 1888 Adair Co., MO
Spouse: Barton RAY
2 M: Samuel D KESSLER
Birth: 8 Sep 1795 Frederick Co.,MD
Death: 11 Dec 1856 Botetourt Co., VA
Spouse: Nancy BEANE
3 M: Christopher Lee KESSLER
Birth: 28 Aug 1802 MD
Death: 13 Feb 1869 Botetourt Co., VA
Spouse: Sarah Greenwood BUTT
Spouse: Elizabeth Ann HAMILTON
4 F: Margaret Agnes KESSLER
Birth: ca 1803 VA
Death: 31 May 1861 Botetourt Co., VA
Spouse: John William HAMILTON Jr.
5 M: John KESSLER Jr.
Birth: ca 1804 VA
Death: 1871 Botetourt Co., VA
Spouse: Susannah HAMILTON
6 F: Sophia KESSLER
Birth: ca 1806 VA
Spouse: John BIERLY
7 F: Nancy KESSLER
Birth: 1810
Spouse: Stephen DOOLEY
Last Modified: 6 Oct 2012
Created: 26 Mar 2013
Please report corrections or additions to…
Karen Kessler Cottrill
email-KesslerWV@aol.com
Notes Related to Waskey Family:
Karen Kessler <kesslerwv@aol.com> Tue, Mar 26, 2013, 11:30 AM to me
Name: George WASKEY
Birth: ca 1712 Kunewalde, Morvaia
Death: aft 1779 Philadelphia, PA
Occupation: Carpenter
Father: Unknown WASCHKE (1678-1722)
Mother: Anna UNKNOWN (ca1682-1752)
Misc. Notes
Original name was spelled Waschke. Sept 2005-The spelling of Waschke changed when the family learned to speak English. In the records of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Frederick, Maryland there are three spellings Waschke, another, and Waskey. Notice that we still pronouce it as Wasch ke. This means that the sound is there even though it is not indicated in the current spelling of Was-key. To be spelled as we pronounce it our name would have to be spelled Wask-key. BTW in Moravia the name is known in both its German and Czech forms as Waschke and as Vas^ek– the ^ is a “hi-czech” and indicates in Czech that the s is a sh. So the name is Va shek. Which derives most likely from the Czech word for Vlad or Romanian.
Jack Waskey jwaskey@daltonstate.edu
Moravian immigration to the British Colonies of North America dates from the year 1735, when in March, the Ship “Two Brothers” , Capt. Thompson, landed at Savannah, GA. George Waschke was a passenger. On Feb 16 1736, the “Simonds”, Capt Frank Cornish, landed at Savannah the second colony: Anna Waschke and Juliana Jaeschke were passengers.
((In a message dated 3/30/06 4:48:57 PM, jwaskey@daltonstate.edu writes:
This ship experienced a great storm at sea. The eight Moravians in the company prayed calmly for deliverance for the ship and its passengers. Their prayers made a great impression on John Wesley who was also a passenger. He recorded the event in his diary. So you Methodist should sit up and take notice.
Rev. Jack Waskey, Pastor Morton Memorial PRESBYTERIAN Church))
The Morvians, who had been granted by the Goergia Trustees, in 1734, a tract of 50 acres near Savannah, and in 1735, two lots “in the new town”, began to clear the land and erect dwellings. The prospects of these small colonies, however received a sudden check in 1737, for when the Spaniards of Florida endevored to expel the English from Georiga, the latter called upon the Morvians to join in taking up arms against them. This they refused, having declared in London, “that they neither could nor would bear arms on any consideration”, and eventually those who had not returned to Europe were transferred to Germantown, Pennsylvania in the later part of Jan 1738, and the mission abandoned. The Georiga states were not sold until 1801.
Geri Ellerbrock states in an email May 2003- In 1762/63 his sons George (Jr.) and Christian Waskey were witness for a will of Rudman Robeson – City of Phila. Pa…City of philadelphia-Gentleman book M pg 474 will written 23 Dec 1762 proven 21 Feb 1763 witness: George and Christian Waskey and Nicholas Weber. So we know that in 1763 George ( Jr.) was in Phila. Pa. He is a Revolutionary War Patriot of PA and in 1779 he was still living in Germantown, PA, totally blind and some of his descendents have moved to Baltimore, MD.
George Waschke, his wife and mother arrived in PA from GA 1737
GEORGE WASCHKE, born in Kunewalde, Bohemia; a carpenter; was in Herrnhut in 1733; was reproved for his gay clothing (violette Kleidung) and Augustine Neisser was commended to him as a model for simple and honorable clothing; was one of the first group of ten to go to Georgia; his wife Juliana, nee Jaeschke, who arrived in Georgia February 23, 1736, married Waschke in Georgia, and his mother Anna followed in the second group. The three Waschkes left Georgia for Pennsylvania, probably for Germantown, in 1738. Juliana Waschke died in “the falls of the Schuylkill” in 1766 and was buried in “Levering’s graveyard”. In 1744 he and his five children were in Bethlehem, probably as visitors, for the Waeschkes never joined the Moravian Church in Pennsylvania. In 1779 George was living in Germantown, totally blind. Some of his descendants moved to Baltimore.The house in which George and his children stayed in Bethlehem is called the
Gemeinhaus (built in 1741). I think that translates as church-house. It’s a large cream-colored building with two flights of stairs. I’m pretty sure that there are signs telling about each building.
From the book “The Moravians in Georgia 1735-1740 by Adelaide L. Fries.”
There are several references to Waschke and Jaschke in this book including one on pg. 158 that says “It was a serious mistake that sent Juliana Jaschke to Savannah with the second company. A seamstress was badly needed, and she had been so minded she might have been very useful, but in a list giving very briefly the standing of each one in the ‘Society”, it is curtly stated that she was ill-mannered, and obstructing everything.” Soon after her arrival it was suggested that she marry Peter Rose, but the lot forbade and he found a much better helpmeet in the window of Fredrich Riedel. Waschke thought he would like to marry Juliana, but she refused, even though Bishop Nitschmann, Mr and Mrs Toltschig pled with her. Her preference was for George Haverland, and the results was an uncomfortable state of affairs, which disturbed the leaders of the “Society” not a little, for living a they did as one large family it meant constant friction on all sides. They did not know weather to force Juliana to submit to their authority (as a member of the “Society she had pledged herself to obedience to the duly elected officers), or weather they should wait and hope for a better frame of mind. At last they referred it to the lot which read “Juliana shall not marry anyone yet.” This settled the question for the time being but did not improve the spirits of the parties concerned.
pg 174—-
On the 10th of June the matrimonial troubles of George Waschke and Juliana Jaschke had been happily terminated by their marriage. Waschke had been one of the discontents ever since the arrival of the second company, but when his marriage was finally arranged he professed himself contrite and promised all obedience to the rules of the “Society,” so long as he stayed in Savannah, though he retained his desire to leave as soon as possible. Juliana also had greatly improved in her behavior before the wedding. This wedding was the cause of a very interesting discussion among the Morvaians as to who should perform the ceremony. “In Afternoon the Brethren met to decide who should be appointed to marry Waschke and Juliana.
pg. 188—-
“Gotthard Demuth and his wife, George Waschke, his wife and mother, Augustin Neisser, Gottlieb Demuth, and David Jag, those who remained giving them money and provisions for their journey to Pennsylvania. (It doesn’t say if they traveled by land or sea). Gotthard Demuth and his wife settled in Germantown (and yes, Germantown is a section of Philadelphia) later moving to Bethlehem and joining in the organization of that Congregation. In 1743 they were again living in Germantown, where Gotthard died the following year. Regina subsequently married David Tanneberger and moved once more to Bethlehem. Gottlieb Demuth lived at several places, but finally married, and settled in the Moravin Goshenhopper, and the Waschkes and Augustine Neisser who went to Germantown, never rejoined the Church.
TO AMERICA IN 1735
After an unsuccessful attempt to establish a Moravian settlement in Georgia (1735-1740), the Moravians settled in Pennsylvania on the estate of George Whitefield. Moravian settlers purchased 500 acres to establish the settlement of Bethlehem in 1741. Soon they bought the 5,000 acres of the Barony of Nazareth from Whitefield’s manager, and the two communities of Bethlehem and Nazareth became closely linked in their agricultural and industrial economy. Other settlement congregations were established in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland. All were considered frontier centers for the spread of the gospel, particularly in mission to the American Indians.
Bishop Augustus Spangenberg led a party of men to survey a 100,000 acre tract of land in North Carolina, which came to be known as Wachau after an Austrian estate of Count Zinzendorf. The name, later anglicized to Wachovia, became the center of growth for the church in that region. Bethabara, Bethania and Salem (now Winston-Salem) were the first Moravian settlements in North Carolina.
Bethlehem in Pennsylvania and Winston-Salem in North Carolina became the headquarters of the two provinces (North and South), which developed as the Moravian Church in America became established as an autonomous church body after the Unity Synod of 1848. The church spread out from the geographical centers of Bethlehem and Winston-Salem, following German emigrants to the Midwest. At the end of the nineteenth century they responded to the spiritual needs of Moravian refugees of German ancestry who were fleeing to western Canada because of persecution in Eastern Europe. Such wide geographical spread caused the Northern Province to be divided into Eastern, Western and Canadian Districts”
Marriage: 10 Jun 1737 Savannah, Chatham Co., GA
Spouse: Juliana JASCHKE
Birth: 24 Apr 1716 Sehlen, Moravia/Germany
Death: 10 Feb 1766 Falls at Schuylkill, PA
Burial: Leverings Graveyard
Occupation: Seamstress
Father: Kristian JASCHKE (1686-1754)
Mother: Juliana UNKNOWN (1697-1732)
Children
1 M: Christian WASKEY
Birth: 28 Sep 1738 Old Germantown, (now part of Philadelphia), PA
Death: 1817 Harford Co., MD
Spouse: Unknown UNKNOWN
Spouse: Ann BIRKHEAD
2 M: George WASKEY Jr.
Birth: 6 Jan 1741 Old Germantown, (now part of Philadelphia), PA
Death: between1784/93 Rockbridge Co., VA
Spouse: Maria Margaretha HIME
3 F: Unknown WASKEY
Birth: 29 Jul 1742
Death: 9 Aug 1751/52
4 F: Magdalena WASKEY
Birth: 30 Oct 1743
5 M: Augustine WASKEY
Birth: 8 Dec 1746 Frederick, Frederick Co., MD
Death: 10 Dec 1832 Frederick Co., MD
Spouse: Catharina Salome SCHAU
6 F: Sophia WASKEY
Birth: Jan 1750
Death: 7 Aug 1752 Germantown, PA
7 M: Unknown WASKEY
Birth: 29 Jul 1751
Death: 8 Aug 1751
Last Modified: 31 Oct 2006
Created: 26 Mar 2013
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Karen Kessler Cottrill
email-KesslerWV@aol.com