The Kessler, Keslar, and Kesler family story begins in southwestern Germany and continues with the arrival of Johann George Bernhard Kessler and his family in the American colonies in 1751. After reaching Philadelphia, the family settled in Frederick County, Maryland, where they established a homestead in Jefferson Township.
For the next four decades, the family’s story centered on that Maryland homestead. Johann raised his family there, and his son Andreas came of age, married, raised children of his own, and gradually assumed a larger role in family affairs.
In 1796, the story changed dramatically. Andreas left Maryland with several sons and their families for western Pennsylvania, while his oldest son Andrew remained on the Maryland homestead. A few years later, another son, Johannes, moved to Virginia. From that point forward, the family history develops along three major geographic lines.
Kessler family records trace the family to southwestern Germany as early as 1190. The family later lived in Winden im Elztal, near Emmendingen in present-day Baden-Württemberg. Over the centuries, generations of Kesslers lived in this region before Johann George Bernhard Kessler and his family began the journey that would eventually bring them to America in 1751.
In 1751, Johann George Bernhard Kessler arrived in the American colonies with his wife and children. The family traveled from Philadelphia to Frederick County, Maryland, where they established a homestead in Jefferson Township. Over the next four decades, Johann and his family established their homestead and became successful farmers and members of the Jefferson Township community.
Andrew and other family members remained in Maryland after Andreas departed in 1796, continuing the Jefferson Township line.
Andreas and several sons moved west to Westmoreland County in 1796, beginning the Pennsylvania branches of the family.
Johannes “John” Kesler followed his wife’s family to southwestern Virginia in the early 1800s, settling in Botetourt County.