1.3.1 Andrew Kessler (2 Nov 1770-d: 1 Jan 1860 Jefferson, Frederick, Md.)
Andreas’ son Andrew remained in Maryland rather than follow Andrew’s father, Andreas, to western Pennsylvania in 1796. Andrew and his children continued to operate the original family farm and expand the family’s farm holdings in Jefferson, Frederick County, Maryland for much of the next century after Andreas and some of his sons departed for Pennsylvania.
The family surname of this branch is spelled ‘Kessler’.
1.3.1 Andrew Kessler (Kessler line)
Andrew was born 2 Nov 1770 and died 1 Jan 1860 in Jefferson, Maryland at age 89. He was the first of our family line who was American by birth. He married three times, and fathered nine children. He was a young man during the American Revolutionary War and a young adult at the time of the adoption of the Constitution and election of our first president. He was witness to many significant events in the formation of our country.
His birth occurred at a tumultuous time. In March of 1770, the year he was born the Boston Massacre occurred when British troops fired into a Boston mob that was demonstrating against British troops at the Boston Customs Commission. The event inflamed tensions with Britain and fueled subsequent protest activities that culminated five years later in the onset of the Revolutionary War.
In 1775 Patrick Henry exhorted the Virginia Legislature to “Give me Liberty or Give me Death.” Although only five years old when the British colonies issued their Declaration of Independence in 1776, Andrew lived through the long, protracted Revolutionary War, which continued until the colonies were given their independence by England in 1783, when he was 13 years old.
The new nation was ruled under the weak Articles of Confederation for the next decade, while Andrew was in his teens. In 1788 the Constitution was ratified. The following year elections were held to elect a President and members of Congress. The first U.S. Congress was seated and one of its first acts was to draft and enact the Bill of Rights.
By this time Andrew was approaching adulthood and was certainly aware of these important events. He likely participated in presidential elections for George Washington, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson into the early 1800s.
He also lived through the events that led to the Civil War. He died in January 1860, the same year in which Abraham Lincoln was elected President and South Carolina seceded from the Union.
Growing Up as a First Generation American
Andrew was born 19 years after the family immigrated from Germany and likely spoke German and inherited many German customs and traditions. His early years were spent on the family farm, learning all aspects of operating a farm to support the family.
In 1796, at age 26 and still unmarried, Andrew became the head of the family when his father, Andreas deeded the family farm to him and, along with several of Andrew’s brothers and their families, left the Maryland farm, bound for western Pennsylvania. From that time forward, Andrew served as family head of those who remained in Maryland. He provided parental oversight to his brothers who did not accompany Andreas to Pennsylvania and were not yet married. They included Jacob, aged 14 years old in 1796, Samuel who was 10 years old, and David, who was six years old.
Andrew married Catherine Wertenberger (1773-1810), who was three years younger, in 1798. This first marriage resulted in the birth of Andrew’s first three children: Samuel (1799), Israel ‘Jerry’ (1808), and William (1810), who was born the same year that his mother died. It is not known if her death was childbirth related. All of Andrew’s children were born after his father Andreas had departed for western Pennsylvania.
After Catherine died and with three young children, Andrew married Mary ‘May’ Smith (1886-1848), who was 16 years younger. She was the mother of his other children: Rebecca Ann (1812), Emanuel (1813), Amelia Ann (1815), Andrew Jr. (1817), Absalom (1818), and Lucinda (1821). Since May was still alive when Andrew married his third wife, Mary Marshall (1790-aft. 1860) on 10 Dec 1830 we assume that Andrew and May divorced. May did not die until 1848.
The family was very religious as suggested by the biblical names of many of Andrew’s children. They attended either St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, which was organized in 1825, or Jefferson United Church of Christ (currently Jefferson United Methodist Church), which evolved from the German Reformed Church, an early Protestant denomination brought to this country by German and Swiss immigrants in the 18th century. The two churches shared a building until both congregations built their own houses in the 1840s. Andrew is buried in the Jefferson Reformed Cemetery located behind St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Andrew Jr. is buried in the graveyard of Jefferson United Methodist Church, close to the front entrance.
Some of his children and their descendants remained in Jefferson while others became part of the great American westward migration.
Over the years, Andrew and his sons increased their wealth significantly. In addition to the original farm conveyed from Andreas, Andrew owned an additional farm on Frederick and Harpers Ferry Road east of Jefferson and a house in Jefferson. The following maps illustrate the location of Andrew’s properties in 1858, two years before his death.
1858 Map of Jefferson — Two Years before Andrew’s Death
1858 Map of Jefferson Township — Two Years before Andrew’s Death
1873 Map of Jefferson — Thirteen Years after Andrew’s Death
Andrew’s Last Will and Testament
Andrew’s last will and testament is dated 12 Jan 1860. Andrew Jr. is designated as executor. Andrew left a house and lot that he owned in the Town of Jefferson to his wife, Mary, for use until her death, at which time it conveyed to his sons Andrew & Israel and their heirs. He also left her $150 and all of the household and kitchen furniture, beds and bedding.
He left the farm located on the road leading from Jefferson to the Point of Rock to his two sons Andrew & Israel, but required them to make a yearly payment to Mary of fifteen bushels of good wheat, two hundred weight of pork, and two barrels of corn.
He left his farm located on Frederick and Harpers Ferry Roads to his son Absalom P. Kessler. To the other children, he left the following:
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- One thousand dollars each to daughters Amelia A. Yaste, Lucinda Carrick, and Ann Rebecca Lightner
- Two thousand dollars to his son Emanuel.
- One hundred dollars to each of his grandchildren, Susan and Sarah (children of my deceased son William) & Henry N., Edward, Samuel (children of my deceased son Samuel).
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His will also indicated that any outstanding debts at the time of his death be paid “one half out of the farm herein before devised to my sons Andrew and Israel and the other half out of the farm devised and in trust to my son Absalom P. Kessler.”
Andrew’s Children
This section presents information about each of Andrew’s nine children. Additional details will be added as time permits.
There are a few issues that I have had to deal with in developing the details about Andrew’s children:
- Andrew had a son named Emanuel. In my family tree I originally had his birth year listed as “Abt. 1809”. If this were correct, his mother would have been Catherine Wertenbach Kessler. However, I located an Emanuel Kessler who resided in Mifflin Township, Richland County, Ohio, according to the 1850 U.S. Census. His birth location is listed as Maryland, suggesting that this could be Andrew’s son. However, there are two records that suggest that he was born in 1812 or 1813. If this were true, his mother would be Mary “May” Kessler, Andrew’s second wife. Also, the “Ohio” Emanuel died in 1853, but Andrew Kessler left $2,000 to his son Emanuel in 1860. I have been unable to locate any Maryland records suggesting that Emanuel lived in Maryland as an adult. I have proceeded with the assumption that the “Ohio” Emanuel was Andrew’s son.
- Another problem that I encountered in the family tree was that I, like many other Ancestry family trees, had Rebecca Ann Kessler (b: 6 Mar 1812 – 12 Jun 1880) included in the family tree twice, as the daughter of Andrew but also as the daughter of his brother, Jacob. Her birth certificate lists her mother’s name as Rachel, which is the name of Jacob’s wife, and it appears that this Rebecca Ann never married. However, to complicate matters, in Andrew’s last will and testament, he left one thousand dollars to Ann Rebecca Lightner. There is an Ann R. Lighter in the 1850 U.S. Census in Frederick, married to John Lighter, but she is only 20 years old, born in 1829 or 1830. Also, in Andrew’s will, she is listed last, after two other daughters, suggesting she was born after Lucinda, who was born in 1821. Was Ann Rebecca the only daughter of Andrew and his third wife, Mary Marshall, whom Andrew married in December 1830, or was she the last child born to his second wife May, and possibly part of the reason that Andrew and May separated? I have elected, based on Andrew’s last will and testament, to differentiate between Rebecca Ann, daughter of Jacob, and Ann Rebecca, daughter of Andrew.
- 1.3.1.1 Samuel (1799-1830) married Mary Ann Stonebraker Nicodemus on 14 Dec 1822. They had five children, who eventually migrated to Iowa, Illinois, and Ohio. He lived in Maryland until his death at age 31.
- 1.3.1.2 Israel ‘Jerry’ (1808-1883) married Sarah Boteler Kessler on 5 Feb 1838. They had one son and spent their life in Maryland.
- 1.3.1.3 William (1810-1860) spent his life in Frederick County, Maryland.
- 1.3.1.4 Emanuel (1809-1853) married Mary ‘Polly’ Sigler who was from Richland Ohio and raised his eight children in Ashland, Ohio.
- 1.3.1.5 Rebecca Ann (1812-1880) married John Lighter. She lived in Maryland throughout her life.
- 1.3.1.6 Andrew Jr. (1817-1896) married Loretta ‘Laura’ Smith Lamar on 9 May 1837. He fathered eight children, succeeded his father as family patriarch, and expanded the family’s land holdings and wealth in Jefferson County over his lifetime. He played a prominent role during the Civil War.
- 1.3.1.7 Absalom (1818-1899) married Catharine Margaret Wertenbaker on 26 Nov 1838. They had four children and spent their life in Frederick County, Maryland.
- 1.3.1.8 Lucinda (1821-1902), married Joshua Lippey and had twelve children, most of whom spent their lives in Middletown, Frederick County, Maryland.
- 1.3.1.9 Ann Rebecca Kessler Lighter (b: Abt. 1820-d: 12 Jun 1880 Frederick, Maryland) married John Lighter on 30 Mar 1846. They had three children.
U.S. Census Entries
1790: Apr 1791 p 34 of 61 (221-222). Likely Andreas. Son Andrew was 21 years old. 5 males under age 15, 3 males age 15 & older, and 3 females
1800: Frederick, District 3, Md. (p. 12/22 dd mmm) Andrew Keffer (Kesler), 4 males under 10, 1 male 26-44, 1 female 26-44.
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: Not found
1850: Jefferson, Frederick County, Md (21/24 Aug 9) Andrew Kepler 80, Eliza Boteler 40. Note: Living next door to son Israel, age 43
MATERNAL ANCESTRY: CATHERINE KESSLER, MARY SMITH, AND MARY MARSHALL
Andrew was married three times. He married Catherine Wertenbaker in 1798 and fathered five children: Samuel, Henry, Israel, Emanual and William. Catherine died in 1810. He then married Mary Smith in 1811 and fathered five children with her: Ann Rebecca, Amelia Ann, Andrew Jr., Absalom, and Lucinda. Finally, he married Mary Marshall in 1830 and they had no children.
The causes of the end of Andrew’s last two marriages are not known. Since Andrew married Mary Marshall in 1830 but Mary Smith did not die until 1848 we can assume that they divorced. Andrew signed a last will and testament in 1860 leaving “to my wife Mary Kessler for and during the term of her natural life the House and Lot owned by me in the Town of Jefferson, after her death it is my will and I hereby devise it to my sons Andrew & Israel to them and their heirs forever. I also give and bequeath to my said wife One Hundred and fifty dollars in money, together with all the household and kitchen furniture, and beds and bedding that I may have at the time of my death.”
Also, he left a “… yearly payment to my wife, Mary, during her life, of fifteen bushels of good wheat, two hundred weight of pork and two bushels of corn.” Given the marriage dates identified on Ancestry.com, it is highly likely that this was Mary Marshall, his last wife.
Included below is the text from Andrew’s last will and testament:
Wills of Maryland
Kessler, Andrew, Sr. – Mechanicstown – Fredk’ Co. -Vol 14 (1855 -1860) – pg 467
Liber GH-1 Folio 467 proved 12 Jan 1860 Will of Andrew Kessler [Jr.]:
In the Name of God, Amen. I, Andrew Kessler of Frederick County do make, & xxxx my Last will & Testament. First, I commit my soul into the hands of Almighty God and my body to be decently buried by my Executor.
In the first place, I give and devise to my wife Mary Kessler for and during the term of her natural life the House and Lot owned by me in the Town of Jefferson, after her death it is my will and I hereby devise it to my sons Andrew & Israel in xxxxxxxx to them and their heirs forever.
I also give and bequeath to my said wife One Hundred and fifty dollars in money, together with all the household and kitchen furniture, and beds and bedding that I may have at the time of my death.
Secondly, I give and devise to my two sons Andrew & Israel in xxxxxxxxxx to them and their heirs forever the Farm lying on the road leading from Jefferson to the Point of Rocks, but inso devising said farm I hereby expressly charge the same with the yearly payment to my wife Mary during her life of fifteen bushels of good wheat, Two Hundred weight of pork, and two barrels of corn.
Thirdly, I give and devise to my son Absalom P. Kessler the Farm lying on the Frederick and Harpers Ferry Roads, in trust, that he shall, during his life take, and receive, the rents and profits thereof and apply the same to the support and maintenance of the children which the said Absalom now has, or may hereafter have; and, after the death of my said son Absalom I give and devise the said Farm to the children of my said son Absalom, to them and their heirs forever.
Item – I give and bequeath to each of my daughters Amelia A. Yaste, Lucinda Carrick, and Ann Rebecca Lightner, one thousand dollars.
Item – I give and bequeath to my son Emanuel two thousand dollars.
tem – I give and bequeath to each of my grandchildren Susan and Sarah (children of my deceased son William) & Henry N., Edward, Samuel (children of my deceased son Samuel) one hundred dollars.
In case the personal property left at my death should not be sufficient to pay the pecuniary legacies herein before made and given, it is my will that the deficiency shall be made up one half out of the farm hereinbefore devised to my sons Andrew and Israel and the other half out of the farm devised and in trust to my son Absalom P. Kessler & I hereby expressly charge the deficiency upon said farms in the proportion above designated.
And lastly, I do hereby constitute my son Andrew Kessler as my sole executor.
