Mrs. Ann Kesterson born 1805 died 4 July 1897

The First Methodist Church corner of Poplar & 2nd St. Memphis TN.
(Contributed by Cleo Miller Webb)

The Sunday School was formed in 1833 with Miss Ann Hardaway as its first Superintendent. She had arrived in Memphis with her father and her brothers and sisters on the Steamboat Brandywine May 8 1832. Her father was Joseph Hardaway who fought in the Navy during the Revolutionary War. He was born about 1761 Prince George Co VA. His second wife and the mother of these children was Sarah Paine. They were married 14 May 1799 Warren Co NC. She died in Robertson Co TN 22 Dec 1816. Their children were: Ann Hall Hadaway who married the Rev. John Kesterson May 13 1847. She was b1805 d 1897. Catherine Jane (Kate) died unmarried 27 Jan 1845. JamesPaine Hadaway d 23 Jul 1846. Joseph Hadaway III returned to Robertson Cotolive. Lemuel P Hadaway d Oct 1849. John P Hadaway d Mar 1849. CharlesH Hadaway d 13 Aug 1847 in Paris TN.

First Methodist Church Roll from 1835-1858 shows - John T. Kesterson, Ann Kesterson and others ** although this report states that John P Hadaway died Mar 1849 there is a John P. Hardaway age 36 (b 1814 NC) living in the home of Ann (his sister) and her husband John Kesterson Shelby TN 1850. He obviously did not die Mar 1849. From - Ansearchin News July-Sep 1969

MRS. ANN KESTERSON OUR OLDEST MEMBER

Sister Kesterson is eighty-eight years of age, the oldest member of our Church, and one of a very small number left who worshiped in the "Old Meeting House." She also holds the honorable place of being the first Superintendent of our Sunday-School, which was organized in 1833, just sixty years ago. Though infirm physically for many years she has attended Church regularly whenever possible to get there. She is largely equipped in the scriptures, much of which doubtless is the result of her earnest work in the Sunday-School in those early days.

We append the substance of an interview with her, a few days ago, which will give some idea of the work as prosecuted in the beginning times of our Church and Sunday-School effort.

INTERVIEW

I landed in Memphis on the "Steamer Brandywine" on May 8, 1832. There was a hotel on the corner of Main and Winchester streets, where I stopped. The second day after I came they commenced raising a Methodist Church, of which Rev. Francis A. Owen was pastor.

The people being poor we had much difficulty sometimes in meeting our obligations. We got up a sewing society of which I was principal. I made fancy things and raised vegetables to sell to the steamboats plying the Mississippi, I would watch for a boat and send the servants down to the landing and sell the vegetables and we raised a great deal of money for the Church in that way.

The advantages for obtaining knowledge of any character are very different from what they were sixty years ago. As I look back I see how good the Lord has been to me and I can but feel that I have not done enough for Him. I see now that many, many times I might have done a great deal more. I was born Sept. 10th 1805 and am now in my 88th year of age.

Ann Kesterson died July 4, 1897; buried the next day in Turley section, Lot 612, Div. 5, #111, Elmwood Cemetery; lies in an unmarked grave.

Her husband, John Kesterson was a Methodist Preacher.

From a letter written by Emma Kesterson Rhodes/Daughter of John:

Fathers native state was Georgia. his parents had 4 children, 2 boys and2 girls. John, Vincent, Mary and Susan. Their mother died when they were young and their father left on a trip from which he never returned. They did not know what ever became of him. Their grandmother raised them. Aunt Susan never married. Uncle Vince left West TN and moved to Searcy AR.Some of the children may be their yet. (His wife was Sally??) Aunt Mary married a COMBS or McCOMBS and settled near Searcy AR. My father John Kesterson was a Methodist Preacher. He used to tell about preaching in the mountains of TN but he left there and came to West TN where he married my mother and lived there until he died. This was in Shelby Co near the MS line. He lived there until his second marriage. We children never did live in MS but all came to AR. He came out there to visit us, died while there and is buried there now. John Kesterson married a Mrs Poole who had one son Latchook. The rest is scribbled and unreadable. then - John Abernathy departed this life 19 Apr 1863. Her address at the time of the writing which was 9 Sep 1921 was Center Point AR..

John Kesterson born 16 October 1797 in Granville SC died 18 April 1863 in Sevier Co AR.
He was visiting his daughter when he became ill and died there.

John was A Methodist Minister and there are several writings where he appear in documents of "Methodism in Alabama". Received 1818. Located 1824