The Kesler Family
Third Generation in America

7. JOHANN MATTHAEUS KESLER³ (Johann Philip², Johann Adolph¹, Georg Philip, Theiss) translated John Matthew but better know as Mathias, son of Johann Philip and Albertina Christina (Olgart) Kesler, was born 31 Jan 1757 in Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania. He was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, on 13 Mar 1757. Mathias died in 1818 in Fairfield Co., Ohio.

After his baptism Mathias next appears at age 14 when he was confirmed at Zion Evangelical Church, Manheim, Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania, on Pentecost 1771. His name is written as Matthew in the Pennsylvania German church records but in the Pennsylvania civil records such as tax lists and military rosters he is listed as Mathias. After he left Pennsylvania he went exclusively by Mathias.

About the year 1778 while still in Pennsylvania Mathias married Eva -. Family tradition gives her last name as Gross but I have not yet confirmed this. Eva was born about the year 1759. She was 23 years old when she was baptized and confirmed on the same day 25 May 1782. Eva died before 1814.

From May 1781-the Fall of 1785 Mathias served in Captain Patrick Hay's Company Lancaster County Militia. At this same time he was an active member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Manheim, Pennsylvania. In 1780 he was elected "teacher" and was on the church council.

In 1785/6 Mathias moved his family to Upper Antietam Hundred, Washington Co., Maryland. He served as a supervisor of a road in 1794-5 and 1805-6 and perhaps at other times. He apparently remained an active church member. Several of his children were baptized at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Hagerstown, Maryland.

Mathias moved again with his family in late 1806 or early 1807 to Fairfield Co., Ohio, where he first appears in the 1807 taxlist. He was one of the founders of Israel's Church, (Dutch Hollow Church) in Clear Creek Twp., Fairfield Co., Ohio, in 1812. He was elected Lutheran elder and was the Lutheran in charge of erecting the new church building.

It was during this period that his first wife died and he married Mrs. Barbary Neff a widow. Their prenupital agreement is dated 7 Feb 1814 and is on file in the Recorder's Office in Lancaster, Ohio.

Mathias wrote his last will and testament on 2 Apr 1817 and signed it in German. The will was produced on 28 Mar 1818 in the Fairfield County Court of Common Pleas.

Children:

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