Kessler-Keslar-Kesler Family History & Archive
Facts, Analysis, and Narrative about the Johann George Bernhard Kessler Lineage
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Website introduction
Introduction
Welcome to the family history site for those families with the surname of Kessler, Keslar, and Kesler who are descended from Johann George Bernhard Kessler (1711-1792) and his son, Andreas Kessler/Keslar (1746-1809).
This site is a resource for descendants of Johann George Bernhard Kessler to identify their ancestors, learn about events and perspectives of each generation, and contribute stories, photos, and other artifacts so that we have a living history that can be accessed by future generations. Your last name might be spelled Kessler, Keslar, or Kesler, but these variations do not change the fact that many of us are genetically related to Johann George Bernhard Kessler (1711-1792) and his Swiss wife, Anna Catherine Hauswirth (1714-1768).
Included is detailed narrative describing the genealogical history of Andreas Keslar/Kesler/Kessler and three lines of his descendants consisting of those who:
- Remained in Frederick County, Maryland (Kessler line),
- Traveled with Andreas in 1796 from Jefferson Township, Maryland to Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania (Keslar & Kesler lines), and
- Relocated from Frederick County, Maryland to Botetourt County, Virginia.
The contents of this site focus on the family history including our European heritage through the time that the family arrived in the American colonies in 1751 and continuing through present time. The family’s European roots are also presented with as much detail as was possible to obtain or surmise.
The Foundation: Johann Georg Bernhard Kessler (1711–1792)
Our American story began in 1751 with the arrival from Germany of Johann, his wife, Anna Catherine Hauswirth, and two sons, Johannes and Andreas. Another son, Isaac, and likely a daughter, Susanna Catherine, died in infancy before Johann and Anna left for the English colonies. Anna Margaretha was born two years after the family arrived.
- Johannes (1742–1826): Likely the father of many early Frederick and Washington County Kessler’s whose exact parentage remains a research mystery.
- Isaac (1744–1747): Died before the family traveled to the colonies.
- Andreas (1746–1809): Our primary progenitor, whose 1796 westward migration created the “bi-modal” split in our family history.
- Susanna Catharine Kessler (1749–unknown): It is likely that Susanna died in childbirth as there is no evidence that she traveled with her family to the “new world”.
- Anna Margaretha (1753–1831): Carrying the family legacy into the mid-19th century.
The family arrived in Philadelphia and settled in Frederick County, Maryland, establishing a farm on Lander Road in Jefferson Township, six miles west of Frederick City. Johann likely directed farm activities during the 1750s and 1760s but eventually yielded those duties to Johannes and Andreas as he aged. He was 60 years old in 1771. Little is known about Johannes. It is possible that he left the farm and relocated, leaving Andreas in charge of overseeing the homestead.
Andreas Kessler/Keslar (1746–1809)
Andreas was a pivotal figure in our family history for a number of reasons. He fathered a large number of male children. He very likely directed farm activities from the 1770s until the mid-1790s. At the age of 50, however, only four years after his father died, he uprooted his life, traveling with a number of his children and their families from Jefferson, Maryland to Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. His oldest son, Andrew (1770-1860) remained behind, assuming responsibility for the Jefferson Township homestead. Another son, Johannes, relocated to Virginia. These events changed the course of our family history. Each of these “branches” are explored in detail on subsequent pages.
European Origins (1190-1751)
Kessler family records date back to 1190 in the Rhineland-Palatinate region of southwestern Germany. The family originally resided in Winden im Elztal, a small municipality in the district of Emmendingen in Baden-Württemberg, Germany.
Johann George Bernhard Kessler (1711-1792)
Many Rhineland-Palatinate Germans emigrated to the American colonies during the 1700s, often arriving at the Port of Philadelphia, portrayed here in 1752. From there, they dispersed, taking advantage of generous acreage offers designed to populate western areas of different colonies
The Maryland Kesslers
Andrew, Mary, Jacob, Samuel, & David
The original homestead from 1751 was located in Jefferson Township, Maryland and remained in the family for 150 years. Andreas’ oldest son Andrew assumed responsibility when Andreas and other siblings left Maryland for western Pennsylvania in 1796.
The Pennsylvania Keslars & Keslers
1.3 Andreas Keslar (1746-1809)
In 1796 at age 50, Andreas and sons Johannes, George, Peter and William relocated from Maryland to Donegal Township, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. During the following years some family stayed in western Pennsylvania while others participated in the great westward migration.
The Botetourt County, Va. Kesslers
1.3.2 Johannes (John) Kesler (1772-1850)
Andreas’ second son, Johannes, or John, born in Jefferson Township, Maryland, married Nancy Waskey, a neighbor from a nearby farm. John and Nancy relocated from Maryland to Rockbridge County, Virginia sometime in 1802 or early 1803.
Research Resources & Notes
Many lessons have been learned over the years of conducting this genealogical research. Notes, limitations, and additional resources are described on this page.
