The American colonies were prospering, and their combined population exceeded 1.5 million by the time the Kessler family started farming in Jefferson Township. Frederick was heavily populated by German immigrants. It was possible to attend churches where services were conducted entirely in German and to interact with many who also spoke the language.

When the family arrived in 1751, Johannes was nine years old and Andreas was seven years old. As Johann began clearing land and operating his farm, his two sons likely spoke German and helped their father with farm chores and activities.

Major historical events that would shape the future of their new country were happening during the second half of the 18th century, but it is likely that the family’s location in the countryside outside of Frederick Town, limited understanding of the English language, and the challenge of establishing an economically viable farm consumed most of their time, effort, and attention.

The French and Indian War raged along the Appalachian mountain frontier and beyond from 1754 until 1763. The French had constructed a series of forts from Canada to what is now Pittsburgh and, with their native American allies, were destroying settlements, killing settlers and threatening the American colonies. Much of this fighting occurred in western Pennsylvania where Andreas and his family would relocate several decades after the end of the French and Indian War.

Events during the 1760s, as Johannes and Andreas grew to adulthood, set the colonies on a path to revolution. George III ascended to the throne in 1760 and appointed political leaders who favored a stricter policy toward the American colonies. This resulted in passage of the Sugar Act in 1764 and the Stamp Act and the Quartering Act in 1765. By mid-1765, colonial activists and political bodies were actively protesting “taxation without representation” and the protests grew violent. While the Stamp Act was repealed in 1766, the Townshend Acts were enacted in 1767, imposing duties on glass, tea, and other items imported into the colonies. The Americans reacted by adopting non-importation agreements and refusing to buy British goods. Formal and informal protests and objections continued through the remainder of the 1760s. The stage was set for the events that followed in the 1770s.

The 1760s were likely a time of prosperity and economic success for the Kessler family as their farm matured and the colonial economy expanded. Andreas and Anna Marie Rehman married in October 1768, and it is likely that older brother Johannes married during this decade as well.

The 1770s were a time of revolution and no matter what level of isolation existed on the Kessler farm, family members likely closely followed unfolding events whenever they had occasion to travel into Frederick Town. The Boston Massacre occurred in March 1770, setting off a series of events leading to the rebellion that was fueled in 1775 with the Battles of Bunker Hill and Breed’s Hill. The colonies signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and the Revolutionary War raged over the next seven years, culminating in Cornwallis’ surrender at Yorktown in 1781 and the signing of the Paris Peace Accord whereby Britain recognized the United States as an independent nation.

Little is known about the Kessler views on the revolution and their loyalties to one side or the other. There is some evidence that Kesslers were involved in some of the Revolutionary War activities, but it seems that for the most part, the family continued to operate the family farm and avoid conflict during the revolutionary period.

As they grew to adulthood, brothers Johannes (John) and Andreas purchased some of their father’s land and some land for their farms on the edges of what is now called Jefferson, Maryland, 12 miles south of the City of Frederick.