1.3.1.2 Israel ‘Jerry’ Kessler (b: 25 Feb 1808-d: 20 Apr 1883 Frederick, Md.)
Israel ‘Jerry’ Kessler became Andrew and Catherine’s oldest surviving son when his older brother Samuel passed in 1830 at the age of 31. We know that he was referred to as Jerry within the family because that is the name listed for him in the 1860 U.S. Census.
The information we know about Israel comes to us from census data, maps of the Jefferson area, and his father’s last will and testament. Israel’s birth mother, Catherine, died when he was only two years old, possibly related to childbirth complications with Israel’s brother William. His father remarried a year later and Mary ‘May” Smith, the new wife, likely was the only mother that Israel ever knew.
The 1858 map shown earlier suggests that Israel had taken over operation of the family farm even though he did not actually own it. The names I. Kessler and A. Kessler are listed adjacent to each other. This map was made less than two years before Andrew’s death, and it is likely Andrew and Mary were living in the town of Jefferson by that time.
When his father, Andrew (1770-1860) died, he left this farm equally to Israel and Andrew Jr. However, on the 1858 map, a farm at the intersection of Lander and Sigler roads is listed as property of A. Kessler Jr. It is likely that after their father died, Israel purchased Andrew’s share of the old family farm, enabling Andrew Jr. to resolve any debts incurred when he purchased his own farm.
In the 1850 U.S. Census Israel indicated that his real estate value was $1,000, but in next U.S. Census, taken after his father died, he had real estate valued at $9,000. The 1873 map included above lists the original farm as belonging to I. Kessler. The following map illustrates three farms. The farm at the top belonged to Absolem P. Kessler, in the middle is the old homestead labeled I. Kessler and owned by Israel (Jerry), and the farm at the bottom belonged to Andrew Jr.
Marriage and Children
Israel does not have a separate entry in the 1810, 1820, and 1830 U.S. Census, suggesting that he was included as a member of his father’s family in those years.
Israel married Sarah Boteler on 5 Feb 1838. There is an entry for him in the 1840 U.S. Census next to an entry for his brother, Andrew Jr. His entry includes a male aged 30-40, which matches his age, but the entry lists two females as well, one age 10-14 and the other age 15-20. Who were these females? And why is Israel’s wife, Sarah, not included? It is likely that one of the females is Israel’s youngest sister Lucinda, age 19. Perhaps Sarah, age 27, was the other, but the census-taker placed the entry in the wrong “age” column.
There is no evidence that Israel and Sarah had children. Israel died on 20 Apr 1883 at the age of 75.
U.S. Census Entries
- 1810: Frederick County, Md. (p. 74/105) Andrew Kepler (Kessler)
3 males under 10 – Israel (1808), Emanuel (1809), William (1810)
1 male 10-15 – Samuel (1799)
1 male 16-25 – ?
1 male 26-44 Andrew (1770)
1 female 45+ Catherine ??? (1773)
2 slaves. - 1820: Election District 3, Frederick County, Md. (p. 14/14) Andrew Kesler, 1 male under 10, 1 male 10-15, 2 males 16-25, 1 male 45+, 1 female under 10, 1 female 10-15, 1 female 26-44, 3 slaves. Note: Hard to locate the 1820 Census record. When Census digitized, they listed his name as Ambrud Kuter (can you believe it – government employees!!!!), but the handwriting is crystal clear and says Andrew Kesler.
- 1830: Election District 1, Frederick County, Md. (p. 29/30) Andrew Kisler, 2 males 10-15, 2 males 20-29, 1 male 60-69, 1 female under 5, 1 female 5-9, 1 female 15-19, 1 female 40-49, 3 slaves.
- 1840: Israel Kessler – Age 30-40, 2 females age 10-14 & 15-20. Neighbor to brother Andrew Kessler, Jr.
- 1850: Jefferson, Frederick County, Md (20/24 Aug 8) Israel Kessler 43 (farmer), Sarah Kepler (36) Note: Living next door to Andrew Kessler Sr age 80 and Eliza Boteler age 40
- 1860: Jefferson, Frederick County, Md (20/24 Aug 8) Jerry Kessler 52 (farmer), Sarah 44, Thomas Kessler 60, Mary Kessler 62
- 1870: Jefferson, Fredrick County, Md. (18/38 1 Aug) Israel 62 (farmer), Sarah 55, Harry Lighter 17 (farm laborer), Frank Kalipp 17, Mary Johnson 13
- 1880: Jefferson Township, Frederick County, Md. (21/33 15 Jul) Israel Kessler 72 (farmer), Sarah 65, Clarence Lightner 28 (nephew)
Legal Proceedings
Frederick Co, MD – Equity Court Abstracts
JLJ-3, 657-663 – KESSLER, LIGHTNER, THOMPSON – #FC
John C. MOTTER, assignee of William H. LAKIN, assignee
of Willliam WILCOXON, mortgagee of Sarah N. KESSLER
– Report of Sales – Equity #6210 – Dec 1893
LAND – 4 acres, 1 mile south of Jefferson on Jefferson to Catoctin Road.
Improved with a 2-story log weatherboarded house, small back building,
stable, spring house and apple orchard.
Then occupied by Clarence LIGHTNER.
Devised to Sarah N. KESSLER by Will of Israel KESSLER on 8 Jun 1882
(Will JPP-1, 427).
Previously to Israel KESSLER from Edward L. BOTELER & w/ Prudence C.
in Oct 1842 [HS-18, 170].
Mortgaged at $200.
SALE was held 30 Dec 1893 on the premises: high bidder was:
– Thomas S. THOMPSON at $545
Filed 1 Feb 1894.
Henry Boteler (father of Sarah) and Ms. Jane Lee
Court Records – 1847 – Jane’s Property Rights
Preamble: Whereas, it hath been made to appear to this General Assembly of Maryland, that a certain Jane Lee, a colored woman, was, on or about the year eighteen hundred and twenty-three, manumitted and set free by a certain Henry Boteler of Washington County, and that subsequently, in the year eighteen hundred and twenty-nine, she purchased a small tract of land in said county, the deed for which was duly executed and recorded in the land records of said county, and that said Jane has since lost her deed of manumission, which had not been recorded, and that the heirs at law of said Henry Boteler, now deceased, have, up to the present time, recognized and acknowledged her freedom, but in consequence of her advanced age, are by law prohibited from granting new manumission papers; and whereas, said Jane cannot legally hold and dispose of real estate, in consequence of the loss of said freedom papers.
Empowered to hold real estate: Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Maryland, that Jane Lee, a colored woman of Washington county, be and she is hereby authorized and empowered to hold, possess and dispose of a certain tract of land in said county, containing two and three-quarter acres, as set forth and described in a deed made to her by a certain Jacob Norris, and duly recorded in the land records of Washington county, in liber L. L., folios two hundred and three and four, in a full and ample a manner as she could have done if she was in possession of her freedom papers, and law to the contrary notwithstanding.