Rebecca Kester's Kester line
Rebecca Kester's Kester Line
To main page of this section
To Webster line
To Opdengraef line
To Doors/ Tysen line
Kaldenkirchen is a small village in the forest near the Dutch border,
and near Krefeld and Kempden. It escaped two world wars, and the Catholic
and Reformed churches that the Kusters and the Doors attended still stand
there, across the street from each other.
"The church has played a signicant role in this family's history. The
medieval coat of arms for the Custer family is a cross with two crossbars.
The family name of Custer is the anglicized form of the German Kuster,
which means "one in charge of the sacristy where the sacramental vessels
are kept." This suggests that someone in the family held that position.
Even today in Germany the custodian or sexton of the church is called the
Kuster. " (Chester E. Custer)
Ken Reed cited from The Pound and Kester Family by John E Hunt, 1904,
the name Kester from German word "Kuster" or "Kuester" which is closely
allied to the Holland family name of Koster. Never says what it means.
The name is difficult to pronounce in English and so evolved into Kester,
Koster, and Custer.
Reiner Kuster b abt 1542 d 7/3/1616, Kaldenkirchen. m Unknown. (Custer)
Children:
Johannes Kuster b 1576 Kaldenkirchen, Germany, d 4/8/1650.Kaldenkirchen.
m _____ Walburgis in 1598. (Custer) White has Walburgis b in 1575/6
also Kaldenkirchen. I don't know if Walburgis is even her first or last
name. Johann was a bailiff.
Children: (other children besides ARnold from Arlyn, [email protected]
Judt (or Judith) b 1601 Kaldenkirchen d ? m 10/24/1621 Hein Goetzen
White has her b bef 1609.
Herman b 1603 Kaldenkirchen d 4/7/1648 m 1627 Kaldenkirchen (apptly, from
Kaldenkirchen parish registers along with births of six children to them)
Christina Tiese/Stynrea His marriage record (Niepoth) cites Johannes
and Steyngen Tieses as Herman's parents. Arnold and Catherine also
sponsors at baptism of Herman's youngest daughter.
Metgen Mechthildis b 4/1609 (White has her b bef 1609) Kaldenkirchen
m 2/17/1635 Kaldenkirchen Ruth Lehens
Lambertin b 9/20/1609 Kaldenkirchen m 5/21/1633 Kaldenkirchen Itgen Benges
Godefried b 10/17/1613 Kaldenkirchen
Maria b 4/21/1615 Kaldenkirchen d 9/23/1623 Kaldenkirchen
Reiner b 5/18/1618 Kaldenkirchen
Catharina b 8/11/1619 Kaldenkirchen d 6/12/1635 Kaldenkirchen
Arnold (Aret or Arets) Kuster b abt 1606. Kaldenkirchen,
d 11/24/1679, Kaldenkirchen, Germany
He m Catharine von Haren, dau of Cristopher Von Haren,
who was a surgeon, accdng to White.
on 10/13/1629 in Kaldenkirchen, Germany
EAch of his sons named his first born after him.
White has Catherine d either 1/24/1679 or 11/15/1686; there are
two death records for Catherine (Trin) Kuesters.
In support of placing Paul as the son of Arnold, White argues that
there were only twomen named Kuesters on the parish registers in
Kaldenkirchen in the time pd that Paulus would have been born;
Hermann and Arnold. Hermann m Christina Tieses in 1627 and had
six children bapt betw 1628 and 1638, none named Paulus.
Maria Kusters b 7/21/1630 Kaldenkirchen
Johannes Kuster b 5/9/1632 Kaldenkirchen Ken Reed isn't so sure
of name, has 1632-1633. White doesn't cite a name for this child!
Henricus Kusters b 5/26/1632 Kaldenkirchen White has 5/26/1635; I
don't know if 1632 is perhaps my typo.
Catharina Kusters b 5/17/1637 Kaldenkirchen
Mattis/Mathias Custers b 6/1640 Kaldekirchen, m Noulis Guys Kaldekirchen
White has him m 10/2/1661 Cornelia, surname unknown. I wonder if
there were two Mattis' in the two Kuesters families in Kaldenkirchen?
Lambert Kusters b 9/7/1642 Kaldenkirchen
?? Kuester b 1643 Kaldenkirchen White has around 1644
?? Kuester b "around" 1646 Kaldenkirchen
Lucia Kusters b 2/14/1648/9 Kaldenkirchen d 3/31/1649 Kaldenkirchen
Paulus Kuster b betw 1640 and 1646, Kaldenkirchen, records of
the Catholic church in Kaldenkirchen missing for that period.
Raised Roman Catholic. d February 1707 old date 1708 new date.
He and his wife prob both buried Germantown Mennonite Cemetery.
m Gertrude Doors 10/16/1668 in Reformed
Church at Kaldenkirchen, from Parochial Register of Reformed church
at Kaldenkirchen. They had seven known children; possibly
more. They went to Germantown sometime after bp of Catrin in 1687,
and May 1691, taking three sons, ARnold, Johannes and Hermanus.
The fate of Matthys and Reiner is not known, left behind or died
previously. Anna and CAtrin not mentioned in America at all, either,
they may have died in Germany, etc. Johannes and Paul naturalized
5/7/1691 in Philadelphia. Paul was a stonemason and bricklayer,
people in Philadelphia were beginning to build houses from stone.
Paulus and Gertrude had belonged to the Reformed Church in Kalden-
kirchen, prob to avoid persecution as Mennonites, but prob had
instilled Mennonite Quaker values in their children. Gertrude
prob had not forgotten what her parents went through. When they
arrived in Germantown, they became Mennonites. They must have been
among the earliest Mennonites there, maybe the second Mennonite
family. They lived in Germantown. On listo ftaxables in 1693.
However, Jean White in "The descendants of Paulus and Gertrude
Kusters, Castor Society, 1991, has Paulus and Gertrude were
sponsors of their twin graddaughters baptism on 10 Dec 1696 and
so could not have come to PA before then. White thinks they prob
came around 1700, as that is when the first record of Paulus
occurs; when he was chosen a committeman of the Germantown Corporation.
His son Arnold refused to be a committeeman
because of "conscientious scruples". Jan Lensen, the lst Mennonite,
also sought to be excused on the grounds "his concience would
not allow it" bec it involved taking an oath. Some of their descendants
married members of other early Mennonite families. (Kuster)
It is interesting that Paulus Kester and family seem to have been
quite close to the Godschalks, according to White. The Godshcalks
were a line of Mennonite Bishops from one of the nearby towns where
several members of Original13 families were born or were baptized.
They were the first Mennonite bishops in this country. They remained
Mennonite through thick and thin, like when nearly everyone else had
become Quaker. Peter, son of Hermanus the son of Paulus (1677-1760)
married Godschalk Godschalk's sister, Ann, and was chosen to adm
the estate of their father, Jacob Godschalk the original bishop.
I don't know how White gets Hermanus suddenly born in 1677; under
his birth, she cites two baptismal records for Hermanus Kuesters
son of Paulus and Gertrude, one b 1681, the other b 1682, apparently
an earlier child had died.
The baptismal record of Reiner in the REformed church at Kaldenkirchen
contains the interesting note that his mother "for a period of time
was unable to use her mental faculties" and "Theiss and Agnes Doors
promised to assume responsibility for the child in her behalf".
She clearly had an episode of very serious mental illness. Gertrude
was the granddaughter of Mennonite bishop Herman Op den Graef
See Opden Graeff page (Custer)
The wording is unequivocal; the woman had a psychotic episode
of some sort, possibly postpartum depression. It doesn't say she
was unable to care for her child, which is very common with post-
partum depression, the woman may find it difficult to get out of
bed or to deal with the baby, it says she was out of her mind. The
author of the article "Kesters and Doors", in citing this, states
after quoting this exactly that this doesn't really mean she was
mentally ill, "she was under psychological stress or emotionally
distraught".
White, quite interestingly, doesn't cite what the record actually
said, at all. She writes only. "this entry goes on to say that
the father was of the Roman Catholic religiona nd the mother a member
of the Reformed Church. Then it states that for a period of time
the mother was under psycholgical stress or emotionally distraught.
Consequently, the grandparents assumed the responsibilities associated
with the child's baptism in her behalf. The witnesses to the baptism
were..." (p 29) White's mental filters are unique. She not only
doesn't bother with sources she doesn't trust, she doesn't cite what
she doesn't LIKE. The author of "Kesters and Doors" proceeds to deny
that Gertrude was ever mentally ill, after he accurately presents the
evidence of the matter. I hardly think White's book, which mentions
no mental health or emotional problems ever in a Kusters descendant,
ever, is reliable on the matter! Since her book is a CAstor Society
joint effort, I further seriously doubt that other club officials
would be reliable people to ask about a mental health history in
the family. I don't understand; if White didn't
want to record that Gertrude had a bout of serious mental illness,
why mention it at all? Especially since usually she quotes source
material verbatim, in this case, she paraphrased THE ENTIRE ENTRY
FROM THE CHURCH REGISTER. She outright was deceptive about what it
said! She had the option of not mentioning at all what she didn't
wish to know or to pay attention to or an aspect of the family
history she didn't want well known or to preserve; to deliberately
misrepresent the truth is extremely unethical. It isn't even
intelligent to in such an obvious manner cover up what is in the
public record and already published where everyone can see it, it
undermines the credibility of the book. The Castor Society voted on
the Mormons' request to allow the Mormons to film and lend out their
book, which surely was Jean White's decision alone to make if it was
her book. I can just see them voting to lie about this aspect of the
family history!
The number of children is uncertain; Jean White takes the posn there
is "clear evidence" of six sons and two to five daughters.
Arnold bp 6/9/1669 Kaldenkirchen Reformed Church remained a Mennonite.
His wife's last name not authenticated, uncertain if she was
Rebecca or Elizabeth Sullen. A bricklayer. On 2/1/1714, he
purchased 316 acres of land from John Henrry Sprrogell and
his wife on Manatawney Tract. He settled on this land, on
the banks of the Schuylkill River in what is now Berks Co but
in that time was pt of Philadelphia Co. In the mouth of Sprogell's
Run. He d there Dec 1739. Prob buried in old Sprogell Cemetery
that can no longer be found. (Kuster) . Ken Reed (prob from White)
has him d in Hanover Twp, Philadelphia Co, PA
Ken has him m Gertrut Conrads 24 June 1691 in Reformed Ch
in Krefeld, prob died bef he emigr to PA as no mention of him
in the records. He is believed to have married again, REbecca
in America. Her last name variously reptd as Nuysum, Nuzam and
Schulzer, but no documentation for her name.
[email protected] has him m Rebecca Nuzom
Descendants of Arnold spelled their name "Kustur", Kostard, "Kister",
"Kishter", othe ways
** Johannes bp 10/12/1670. Kaldenkirchen Reformed Church m Elizabeth
Cassell 8/31/1692 in Abington MM, Abington TWP, PA
The only of the three sons
who became Quaker. He and Elizabeth lived in Bristol, PA,
in 1693. It was Philadelphia Co, now Bucks Co.
Returned to GErmantown, he served as constable there
1695-7, 1700, 1706. He and Hermanus bought 200 acres of land
in Skippack 1704. Johannes a burgess of Germantown 1707. He
d Germantown fall 1708.
Johannes pretty consistently signed his name "Kosters". His brothers
most often used Kusters, Kusteres, Kuster. All his descendants
spelled the name "Kester".
Ken Reed cites from John Hunt's The Pound and Kester Families",
Johannes was a surveyer for Penn. Had a large estate in
or nearPhiladelphia, which was lost because a grandson was raised
by others and the property forfeited by the time he learned of it.
White thinks this was his son John. He bef 10/23/1708 when his
wife was among those appointed to administer his estate.
Matthys bp 12/6/1671 Kaldenkirchen Reformed Church m Margaretha Hupps
1/16/1695 Krefeld, Germany (Mark Tunnell) LIved in Krefeld,
Germany (White). Had six children there.
Reiner, Reynier bp 12/2/1674 Kaldenkirchen Reformed Church
Anna bp 12/26/1677 Kaldenkirchen Reformed Church The entry
in the church records is the only record that exists of her.
Hermanus bp 10/19/1681 or 3/15/1682. This based on baptismal accounts.
But in deciding who's father was Eva Kusters' and in stating family
relationships between Kesters and Godschalks, White suddenly has
Hermanus born in 1677! Then she says he was too old to have been
the father of a child who was enrolled in school in 1706, so
Paulus (who seemingly enrolled the child) must have been Eva's
father! Two Baptismal accounts
on the same page of the church records, both in the same
handwriting. Not known if there might have been two children
of Gertrudes named Hermanus. Two children of Gertrude named
Hermanus, one died? He d abt Feb 1760, Skippack. (Custer)
His descendants mainly spelled their name "Custer".
m Sybylla/Isabella Conrad 1706. (incorrectly listed as Elizabeth)
dau of Peter Conrad, name derived
from that of Kunders. Listed as members and receiving
Communion in Germantown Mennonite Ch on 5/23/1708. Later
settled on land he and Johannes had purchased in Skippack
became an active member of Mennonite congregation in
that vicinity. He was a farmer and pioneering Mennonite
settler of Skippack commuity. A trustee of Van Bebber's
twp. He owned a fulling mill, on the National Register of
Historic places. children from Joan Wetzel [email protected]
Peter Kuster b 1700. d 1766.
m Ann Gottschalk, dau of Jacob Gottschalk,
from the Cleve area of Germany, "first Mennonite
bishop of Germantown and Skippack". He son of Gaetschalck
THeunis (Theunissen b 1625/1630 in Heckenhof near Munchen-
Gladbach-Venn in the Alst.
Margareth Kuster m Gesbert Boorse /Bohrs
John Kuster b abt 1715 d 1795. m Esther Johnson dau of
John Johnson and Catherine Miller.
Gertrude Kuster m Henry Umstadt
Modlen/ Magdelena Kuster m Henry Tyson, s/o Matthias
and Barbra (Sellen) Tyson, had two children, Isabella
and Barbara.
Peter Custer m Ann Godshalk
Rebecca Kuster b abt 1818. (NOT dau of Hermanus Kester
and Anne Large)
m Henry Pennebaker son of Henrich and Eve Pannebacker
to Robin Luhmann [email protected]
Paul Kuster m Gertrude Johnson dau John Johnson and
E. Papen.
Catrin bp 3/9/1687 Kaldenkirchen, Germany.
Elizabeth listed by some genealogiests. Niepoth implies that a
daughter Elizabeth was b in Kaldenkirchen but not bp there.
Others think she was b in Germantown. "Arnold, Elizabeth
and Hermanus Kuster" listed as members of Germantown Mennonite
Church. One poss expln is that ARnold m Elizabeth Sellen. He
is known to have been married atleast at one time to Rebecca.
(Custer) White says that the entire idea that she was a
daughter of this family comes from her presence on that list.
That is probably the case, then - unless, of course, Elizabeth
showed any tendency to mental instability, in which case
White would leave out any evidence that supported the view
that she was a Kester! Mark Tunnell has Catrin or
Elizabeth m G. Godschalk.
White has that was Eva, and expresses
uncertainty that Eva was a daughter of Paulus and Gertrude.
White says that in the 1706-8 session Paulus did have children
who attended the school that Pastorius had in Germantown -
and that Hermanus would have been too old to be the child
that Paulus enrolled in the school, which I don't get, wasn't
Hermanus Paulus's son? There were no other Kuesters over here?
(p 38) By my calculations, Hermanus, bp abt 1681, would have
been too YOUNG.
Eva Kuster d 1748 m Godschalk Godschalk (Ken Reed)
[email protected] has eva, dau of Paulus and Gertrude, m
Godshalk Godshalk, b 1693 d 1748, son of Jacob Gadshalks
van der Heggen b 1666/1670 in Goch, District of Cleves,
(Holland) d May 1673 buried Toamencin Meetinghouse,
Montgomery Co PA immigr 1699 Occupation: Bishop.
Will: 26 dec 1760, wp .3 Jun 1763. Lived in Germantown, 1702,
Skippack, 1713. Godshall's brother Jan ws first Mennonite
Bishop in this country.
Source: White cites Agenes W Storer in "Eleanor C. Custer
Her FAmily and Connections" who refers to "The Perkiomen
Region" Whole Number 37, p 65, mentions Eva as daughter of
Paulus.
? Margarat Kuster b 1690 b 8/13/1694 Germantown
m Cornelius DeWees, 1708 This from Ken Reed; someone has
her in the wrong family. According to White, no proof
exists whose daughter she is. White thinks she belongs
here, and Shirley Webb follows her.
Johannes Kuster bp 12/12/1670 Kaldenkirchen Reformed d 1708 Germantown,
PA m Elizabeth Cassell 10/31/1692 Abington MM, Abington TWP, PA
She b Kresheim, Germany, d aft 1709, PA Philadelphia Register of Wills,
Book B, p 70 shows that 10/23/1708 "Elizabeth Custers" widow of
Germantown w ARnold Cassell of Philadelphia Co and Thomas and Peter
Shoemaker of Germantown as bondsmen appointed to administer the
estate of "Johannes Custers". Inventory amtng to 95 pounds. White
provides a copy of his signature; he could write, but not very well.
His brother, ARnold, had exactly the same skill at writing. They spelled
their name differently.
Children:
John Koster/Kester b 6/9/1693 Bristol TWP, Philadelphia, PA m Elizabeth
Hood 8 mo 25 1717 Philadelphia MM d Feb or Mar 1760, Philadelphia.
She b 1696, dau of Abigail Hood, who later rem Mr. Morton. She d
May 1769, Philadelphia. John Koster a mason and a carpenter.
He moved from Germantown to Philadelphia bef 1719. He dealt
heavily in real estate.
?Margaret Kester/Cursterd/Custard b 8/13/1694 Germantown, PA
m Cornelius DeWees
Ken Reed has her a daughter of Paulus and Gertrude. Apptly no
proof whose daughter she is.
White has her m 1 John Lucken 12/25/1711 at Abington MM. JOhn being
son of Johannes/Jan and Maria (Theisen) Lucken, he d around 1737,
Philadelphia.
White has her m 2 Thomas Rose, 1/27/1738, Abington MM. He was b around
1701 and emigrated from Ireland. Overseer and elder of Germantown MTg
and clerk of Abington MM. He d 9/17/1785 age 84 y4s and 3 mos. Mgt
had no children by either marriage.
Rynier Kuster/ Koster/ Costard b 5/26/1696 Germantown, PA
m Ann Hewitt lst mo 31 day 1718 Anne d 9/11/1758, Ryner died
bef 9/29/1770.
Abington MM records White has him d 1770 Philadelphia.
His will dated 5th mo 20 1762 names four daughters and no sons
(Book O p 2555, Philadelphia Wills) 1720 rcd at Gwynedd mtg,
1726 rcd there again, not clear where from. 1729 he went back
to Abington MM. 1752, 1754 lived Northern Liberties section of
Philadelphia. 1755 it was reported he needed aid from the meeting,
had a poor helpless daughter an object of charity. Three sons
died young w/in nine months of each other. One daughter married
in 1729, to __ Gibbs; three daughters White gives no idea when they
were born or what happened to them... hmmm. All four are mentioned in
his 1752 will and it wasn't proven until after his death in 1770.
White doesn't say why she was an object of charity, either... if
she were either mentally ill or non compos mentis, White wouldn't
have said! Mary and Mr. Gibbs had just one child; Nathaniel Gibbs.
(White)
Hermanus Kester b 5/26/1696 Germantown (to Mark L. Tunnell)
b 11th mo, 2, 1703. Abington MM granted him cert to Buckingham MM
MM 6/28/1732. 57/5/1732 he was rcd at Buckingham MM and granted a
cert to Chesterfield MM in Burlington Co, NJ! He located at
Kingwood, Hunterdon Co, NJ, bef 1733, then(White) m Anne
Large in 1733 at Chesterfield MM. (Chesterfield MM Records )
He d aft 5/11/1780 Hunterdon Co, NJ. Sue Davis, [email protected]
also contr info, has interest in this line. Anne Large was b 3/29/1712.
Hermanus raised some of Paul Kester's small children after Paul d
betw 1745 - 1750; these were Wm, Rebecca and John Kester.
A tax list for Kingwood NJ in May 1778 shows Hermanus having
60 acres, 2 horses, 3 cows, 1 pig. Between 1778 and 1780 the pig
bore offspring; by 1780, he had 5 pigs.
Samuel Kester b 9/25/1737 Darby MM, Chester, PA or Kingwood,
Huntingdon, NJ (White has latter)
m Susannah Webster 9/14/1758 Buckingham, Bucks Co, PA d 3/8/1804.
Susannah m aaron Hambleton (Judy Douglas' line, [email protected])
She dau of Benj and RAchel Webster and b 10/11/1736 near
Plainfield, NJ. Saml taxed in Kingwood, 1778, for 150 acres,
three horses, eight cows, and two pits. By 1780 he had added
150 acres unimproved land and had five cows and seven pigs.
He d 3/8/1804. Will proved in Hunterdon Co. Susanna d bef
2/24/1832 in Hunterdon Co, NJ
Susanna Kester b 9/10/1733 Darby MM Chester,PA or Kingwood,
Huntingdon, NJ d. 1797
m Samuel Webster 7/10/1755, White has she d 2/24/1832 Hunterdon
Co (prob Kingwood) NJ. Saml son of BEnj and Rachel Webster.
Saml d 10/20/1772 at Kingwood MM NJ.
(Mark Tunnell's line, his e-mail doesn't work.)
Sue DAvis has their children.
Susanna taxed in 1778 Kingwood TWP, NJ, on 150 acres, 3 horses,
8 cows, 8 pigs, and had 90 pounds out at interest. On 1780
list she had four horses, ten pigs and no money out at interest.
sons Samuel (m RAchel Willison 1786, b 8/3/1759) and Joseph
(b 1769, m Phebe McCrary) both lived in ERie Co, NY.
Rebecca Kester b 2 mo (Apr) 16 1742 Hunterdon Co, NJ
From IGI: (Darby MM, Chester Co in Delaware Co after it formed)
m Thomas King 10/14/1771 Chesterfield MM.
Elizabeth Kester b 7/25/1735 Kingwood Hunterdon NJ or Darby MM,
Chester, PA (Sue DAvis has former) d app 1882 ??? Shelby Co, KY
m William Kester, son of Paul, and Ruth Kitchen, as his first
wife, see children of Paul Kester and Ruth Kitchen.
John Kester b 2 or 11/21/1738/39 DArby MM, Chester,PA or Plainfield,
NJ, Kingwood, Hunterdon, NJ. (Sue DAvis has Hunterdon Co, NJ)
d. Deep River, North Carolina
m 1770 Bucks Co PA Sarah Lundy.
White has him m 1st Deborah Webster 10/10/1765 at Kingwood MM,
NJ. She lists no further info on Deborah. John and Deborah had
one child; William, m Sarah Jones 1790 North Carolina, married
two more times.
White has him m Sarah Lundy 6/14/1770 Kingwood MM, Hunterdon Co,
NJ. Also has him d 1806 near Woodlawn, CArroll Co, VA.
Two of John's and Sarah's children whose fate is known went to
Grayson Co, Virginia.
Hermanus Kester b 5/17/1744 dArby MM, Chester, PA Sue Davis has
Hunterdon Co, NJ m Jan 1763 Rachel Webster ?????????????
Can't find her in family of Benjamin and Rachel Webster,though
since wife was named Rachel she should be there. The only other
Rachel Webster I have the right age would be RAchel dau of
Joseph Webster and Elizabeth Shotwell.
Grace writes that her parents' names aren't in records, but her
birth date is; and it happens to correspond exactly to that of
Rachel the daughter of Joseph Webster and Elizabeth Shotwell of
28 11th mo 1742. So she must be dau of Joseph Webster and Eliza-
beth Shotwell, which supports the notion that Joseph is a son
of Benjamin Webster's father whose birth occurred during a time
when births to that family weren't recorded on a regular basis
or in a regular place. Ie, BEnjamin's birth is later than the
other births and recorded in the town records inst of the meeting
records.
Kay writes something slightly irregular about the marriage; they
announced their intentions 14 10m 1762, they were given permission
to marry 11 11m 1762, and the marriage was reptd 13 1m 1763.
All from Kingwood men's mtg. Then on 8 9m 1774 Hermanus KEster
Jr produced a paper condmning his conduct in committing
Fornication and Marrying contrary to the rules established among
Friends.
Then RAchel, wife of Harmon Kester and seven of her children
requ that they might be admitted into membership 10 7m 1794.
As if she was not a member prior to this.
Kay thinks that possibly their first child was born a bit too
soon. It isn't mentioned in the men's minutes and she doesn't
have all of the womens' minutes.
White has he was taxed as a household in Kingwood, NJ, in 1778,
when he owned one cow and one pig; he doesn't appear on the
1780 tax list; the family may have moved to Morris County, NJ,
area as son Richard was b there in 1781. This would explain their
seeking admission to their original meeting in 1794.
Children:
Elizabeth Kester b 3/18/1774 Darby MM, Chester,PA
Ascenaeth Kester 10/11/1775 Darby MM Chester, PA
SAmuel Kester b 10/28/1777 Kingwood, Hunterdon, NJ
Anna Kester b 2/10/1780 Darby MM, Chester, PA
Richard Kester b 12/10/1781 Darby MM, Chester,PA
Catrin Kester b 1/27/1784 Darby MM, Chester, PA
Susannnah Kester b 4/8/1786 DArby MM, Chester, PA
Ellener Kester b 7/1/1788 Darby MM, Chester, PA
Thomas Kester b 6/1/1791 Darby MM, Chester, PA
William Kester b 8/26/1793 Darby MM, Chester, PA
Mary Kester b 7/4/1797 DArby MM, Chester,PA
Peter Kester b 11/4/1746 Darby MM, Chester,PA (Sue has
Hunterdon Co, PA d aft 1798 Catawissa, PA m abt 1767
Kingwood, Hunterdon, NJ, Eleanor Kester, dau of ? (the only
one of these Websters and Kesters Sue doesn't have pinned
down.)
1762 Peter moved his membership from Kingwood MM NJ to
Buckingham MM, Bucks Co, PA. He took an oath of allegiance
at Plumstead TWP, Bucks, 1778. (several of his siblings were
fined heavily for refusing to take oath of allegiance.) He
was taxed in Plumstad 1778. He transf to Bradford MM 12/8/1784
then Concord MM, Chester Co, PA in 1787.
White has him m EleanorLaurence/ Lawrence 2/22/1792 at Concord,
Chester,PA; she was a widow from Delaware Co, PA.
In 1792 they trans to Kingwood MM, NJ. On 6/14/1798 they transf
to Catawissa MM, PA. Peter bought land on Little Fishing
Creek (jan of same year?), Northumberland Co. They apparently
had no children. His heirs were listed as his wife, Eleanor,
Peter Webster the son of Samuel, and Peter Palmer, son of
Benjamin Palmer from whom he bought his land.
Paul Kester b 3/26/1749 DArby MM, Chester,PA Sue has Hunterdon
Co, NJ: d 1/25/1811 Millvale, Allegheny, PA m Feb 1772 Kingwood,
Hunterdon, NJ Anne Webster Buried Millville, Columbia Co.
His will probated the same day at Sunbury, Northampton, PA.
Paul bought a part of Upper Pike Tract, Solebury, Bucks, PA
in 1775 and sold it in 1775. They transf to Bradfrord MM, PA,
1780, to Concord MM, 1787 (Chester Co), to Exeter MM, 1792
(Berks Co) Paul and his cousin JOhn, both of Fishing Creek
twp, Northumberland Co, PA, w Robt Wood, bought
391 acres in Mahoning and Wyoming Twps, Northumberland Co, PA,
1792, bought addtl 341 acres w his cousin John Kester in
Derry twp and Fishing Creek twp of NOrthumberland Co, PA as in
1797 eh released a part of it to John and his wife Hannah, and a
part to Paul and Anne. Anne rem to Joseph Eves at Fishing Creek MM.
They had:
RAchel Kester b 6/16/1774 Fishingcreek Twp, Columbia,
PA or Kingwood, Hunterdon, NJ m Chandlee Eves d 5/22/1835
Millville,PA
Mary Kester b abt 1775 or 5/30/1776 Fishingcreek
or Kingwood m Robt Wood Maidencreek MM Berks Co,
Sarah Kester b 1777 or 1778 Fishingcreek or Kingwood
m Isaac Master Fishing Creek MM, Berks Co (formerly
Northampton) PA d 1808
Anna Kester b abt 1781 Kingwood, Hunterdon,NJ
ARnold Kester b abt 1783 of Kingwood, Hunterdon,
NJ or 10/2/1785
Millville,Columbia PA or Northumberland Co, PA
m Mary "Polly" Kester Kingwood MM, NJ d 5/1/1861.
Benjamin Kester b 7/10/1783 Fishingcreek TWP, Columbia Co,
or Northumberland Co. PA m Elizabeth Chapman 1807
Yonge St MM, Ontario, Canada, d 7/11/1817, Canada.
Joseph Kester b 1785 of Kingwood, Hungerdon, NJ
Susanna Kester b 4/25/1788 Millvilee, Columbia,
PA or Northumberland Co, PA. m Ezra Eves 11/28/1811,
Fishing Creek MM, PA, d 4/28/1865.
Joseph Kester b 11/18/1790 Millvile or Northumberland Co
m Elizabeth Ogden 10/29/1812 Greenwood MM, PA, d 7/14/1852,
buried at Millville, PA
Anna Kester b 11/25/1794 Millvile or Northumberland
m Stephen Ashton 1820; m William Chamberlain, d 6/17/1866,
buried Millville, PA
Thomas (Sue has him, IGI doesn't) Kester b 1/24/1751/2
d aft 9/14/1774 White has him, m Elizabeth Gray, 1784,
Bradford MM, PA: d 5/18/1787.
Margaret b 6/10/1755 Darby, Chester,PA (IGI) White also has her,
and has nothing else on her.
Paul Koster Kester b abt 1706 Germantown m Ruth Kitchen b 1714 Bucks Co, PA
9th mo, 17th, 1730 (Records Philadelphia First Presbyterian
Church, they must have eloped!)
Peter Koster b 1708 "probably" their son, dob unknown. (Ken Reed)
(the records of Germantown meeting 1697-1730 are lost.)
White doesn't question he is their son, has him b abt 1708. Guess
he was mentally healthy. 3/29/1727 cert from Abington MM to Buckingham
MM, Bucks Co, PA. m Ann Coar with New Jersey marriage license issued
12/24/1733. Disowned by Buckingham MM 3/1/1734/5 for marrying out of
meeting. He died intestate 5/14/1759 Amwell, Hunterdon, NJ (White).
Poss also (from Kay Walton): (White doesn't list any of these at all)
Abigail
Arnold
Charity
Dorothy
Mary
Samuel
Paul Koster/ Kester b abt 1706 Germantown m Ruth Kitchen b 1714 Bucks
Co, PA 9th mo, 17th, 1730 (Records Philadelphia First Presbyterian
Church???) Following births from IGI:
Rest from Sue Davis [email protected] Sometimes she has births,
sometimes not.
(WHite): Ruth was dau of Wm and REbecca (Norton) Kitchen. The family
lived in Solebury, Bucks Co, PA. Paul d betw 1745 and 1750 in Bucks
Co, PA.
Rebecca Kester b 12 Dec 1738 Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA or
Germantown m Joseph Webster 1768. White gives this set of
transfers; In June 1788 they moved from Haverford MM to Concord
MM, then 1791 to Chester MM.
Margaret Kester b abt 1732 Germantown, Philadelphia, PA
m John Wells (Sue DAvis) (White, who has no birth date for her.)
William Kester b 1733 Germantown,or Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
d ca 1820 Elk Creek, Spencer, Kentucky. (Sue Davis) (White)
m 1. 10/14/1756 at Kingwood NJ: Elizabeth (Lacock) Ferguson Kester
(his cousin, dau of Hermanus Kester and Anne Large
(See their children)
m 2. ca 1762 New Jersey Elizabeth Lacock
m 3. ca 1813 Sarah (Martin) Stiglar. (marriages from Sue Davis)
Paul, one of their children, ancestor of Sue Davis. He is the
only child William had with Elizabeth. He had four more with
Elizabeth Lacock. (Sue Davis)
Wm moved to Va and later to Md. Betw 1781 and 1786 they lived near
Cumberland, MD. In 1786 they moved to Pittsuburg, then down the
Ohio River to near Elk Creek in Shelby Co (now Spencer Co), Kentucky.
Wm lived the remainder of his life in Spencer, KY. Of his children,
William m Eunice Pound and d in Elk Creek, KY; Sarah m Thomas Pound,
John m Sarah Pound, and Eunice's, Sarah's and Elizabeth all went
to Vigo Co, Indiana.
Samuel Kester b abt 1735 Germantown or Philadelphia Phiadelphia, PA
d 1790 East Caln, Chester (death and marriage from Sue Davis)
m Leah Vickers 1759 in Bristol, Bucks Co PA (Buckingham MM)
He was a weaver. He sold land in Plumstead Twp, Bucks Co,
to Davis CArr 1776 and moved to Bradford MM, PA. Theylived in
E Caln, Chester Co, PA. He d 1790. Leah rem Richard Paynter
11/20/1799 Bradford MM, PA.
John Kester b 7/31/1744 Philadelphia or Germantown, Philadelphia,
PA. d July 1825 Columbia Co, PA, bur: Millville Burial Ground
(Sue Davis) (White)
m 1. Jan 1766 Hannah Webster at Kingwood MM, NJ
m 2. 1822 Anne Parker
In 1780 the family transf from Kingwood NJ to Bradford MM, PA.
In 1787, they transf to Concord MM in Chester Co (now Delaware
Co) PA In 1792, to Exeter MM, Berks Co, PA. Theylocated in Mount
Pleasant Twp, Northumberland Co (now Columbia Co). They belonged
to the Catawissa MM est in 1796 and the Millville MM est in 1799
from Catawissa. In the mean time, they exchanged land with their
cousin Paul the son of Hermanus and Anne Large in Northampton Co.
RAchel b 2/29/1768 m Isaac Ogden 1790, d 1/24/1806, Millville,
Columbia Co.
Ann/ Anna b 10/18/1769 m Benjamin Palmer 1789, Concord, Chester Co,
d 1/11/1853, bur Pine Grove MM, PA
Samuel b 8/18/1771 m Sarah Masters 1795, Maidencreek, Berks Co, PA
d 4/23/1845, bur Millville, Columbia Co, PA
Hannah Kester
Mary Kester b 2/12/? m Aaron J Musgrave 1815, d 9/1/1858, Millville,PA
William Kester b 12/23/1777 m Ann Wood 3/6/1804, Frankford MM,
d 8/5/1812, bur Frankford MM, PA
John Kester b 1779 m Martha Hartley 2/27/1800, Fishing Creek,
d Quaker City, Guernsey Co, Ohio
Benjamin Kester, b 3/25/1781 m Ruth Carpenter 2/26/1806 Muncy MM,
PA, d 4/16/1846, Millville, PA
Ruth Kester b 5/3/1783 m Ephraim Parker 12/26/1811 Fishing Creek MM,
d 2/26/1864, bur Millville MM, PA
Joseph K Kester b 6/14/1785 m Mary Wood 3/6/1810, Frankford, PA
m Rachel Musgrave 11/14/1821; d 2/17/1852
Aaron Kester b 8/25/1787, Concord, Delaware Co, PA m Tamer Parker
1812, Muncy, Lycoming Co, PA, m REbecca Parker 1850,
d 1/20/1768 Millville, Columbia Co, PA, bur Millville MM, PA
Mary Kester (not in IGI, from Sue Davis) b 11/16/1741 d 11/8/1782
m Jonas Paxon / Paxson. (White)
Other Northampton County Kusters/ Kesters:
George Custer/ Custard, son of Arnold and REbecca Kuster, son of Paulus
Kusters and Gertrude, went to Northampton Co and had descendants who
lived there. Though this line did not use the name Kester as far as
is known, they may have done so when isolated in the middle of nowhere
with several lines of descent from Johannes' sons Paul and Hermanus Kester.
This would account for the fact that the name George appears to be part
of the family of Kesters noone can trace that included Leonard, etc.
George Custer/ Custard, b abt 1705 Germantown, PA, m Mary Roads/ Rhoads
6/28/1731 Christ /church, Philadelphia, PA (where everyone went to elope
in those days). Theylived in Oxford or Franklin Twp of Philadelphia Co.
In 1734, George taxed for 100 acres in Hanover Twp in Philadelphia Co.
Later they moved to Bucks Co, belonged to Ricland MM. About 1750 they
mopved to Northampton Co, PA, becomig one of first settlers of East Penn
along Lizard Creek (now in Carbon Co, PA). George was an Indian trader,
sold beads and beading (we hope among other things). He also hauled
for twolocal furnace companies. He was listed by constable of
Towamensing Twp, Northampton Co, in his return of licensed liquor retailers
in 1754, "George Custard sells Liquor by the GAllon". He was an asessor of
Northampton Co from 1754. He was killed by INdians in an attack on
11/1/1755 at his home on the land he had purchased near the GAp of the Blue
Mountains (now in CArbon Co). His estate was probated in Reading, Berks Co.
His wife, Mary rem William Thomas of NOrthampton Co. William was son
of Richard Thomas of Lwoer Dublin Twp of Philadelphia Co, PA and grandson
of Evan Thomas. Wm served as a Captain of the Bucks Co Queen's Rangers, a
Tory group, during the Revolutionary War. For this he was accused of high
treason and had his estates confiscated by the Pennsylvania Act of 1778.
The people who suffered the same fate with him were Samuel Koster, John
Koster, Joshua Thomas, John HOlder, miller, Jacob HOlder and George
Holder (laborers), all late of the County of NOrthampton. These turn
out to be his sons, and not Paul and John Kester. But the listing of their
names as Koster suggests that George Kusters' line of descent adopted the
form of the name that their NOrthampton Co cousins descended from
Johannes were using.
William and Mary Thomas moved to Nova Scotia, Canada (now New Brunswick)
to Parrtown, in 1784.
Children of George and Mary:
John Custer/ Custard b abt 1732 m Ann Thomas 1765, disappeared in New YOrk
during the Revolutionary War.
George Custard, never married, d bef 4/18/1798
Morgan Custard b 1765-1775 m Adah Thomas, his cousin, d 1827.
ARnold Custard livedRichland Twp, Bucks, PA 1798
Alice Custard b 1766 m Henry Benner, d Columbia Co, OHio
Rachel custard, b 4/20/1771, m Moses DAvis 1791, lived Berwick, Columbia
Co, PA, d 1853.
Catherine Custard, m Wm Easbey, lived near Philadelphia, 1798.
Rebecca Custer b abt 1734, m John Holben/ HOlder/ HOlter abt 1752.
They joined Moravian church at Allemengel. Lyalists and went to
NOva Scotia (now in New Brunswick) during Rev War, later returned to
PA. Had eleven children.
Samuel m Elizabeth d aft 1813 prob in Lehigh Co, PA.
It was this Samuel and John ("Koster") who were listed on the treason
proclamation - which atleast supports the notion that these people
used the same name as Paul's and John's children who moved to Northampton
Co. Saml lived along Lizard Creek in Lehigh Co, PA.
Evan Custard b abt 1771 d 10/29/1778 LIzard Creek, Lehigh Co (now
Carbon Co) PA
George Custard b 9/13/1773 Mahoning VAlley, bapt 10/17/1773
Gnadenhutten, NOrthampton Co (now Carbon Co, PA)
John Custard b 9/13/1773 ,Twin, same.
Joseph Custard b 7/30/1775 Lizard Creek, d 8/22/1776 Lizard Creek
Hannah Custard b 3/30/1777 same d 1778.
Martha m Joshua Thomas, went to Burton Parish, New Brunswick, Canada. d 1814.
Mary "Polly" did not marry, d 1822, PHiladelphia Co, PA
Hannah Custer,married Jesse/ Josiah Thomas (br of Wm), lived in Columbia Co,
PA.
George Custer Jr b 8/25/1750; m Maria, d 1813, Lehigh Co, PA They lived
in Lehigh Co, PA.
White writes that "as far as is known, George and Maria had no children.
It is not known who the young members of the family are on the 1800
census." ****************** (p 208)
Joseph Custer Custard, b 7/1/1751, m Amelia Foulke 8/20/1786 d 3/12/1807,
Bucks Co, PA
Ann Custard b 8/14/1787, Richland, Bucks Co
George Custard b 11/30/1789 Richland, Bucks Co, PA m Hannah Foulke
Mary Custard b 11/9/1792, Quakertown, Bucks Co, m Jesse Spencer 1821,
Gwynedd MM, PA
(poss) William, b 1729/1732 m abt 1753, d abt 1783, linked to this family
by family tradition. No proof. The petition filed with the probate
of George stated that he had nine children, all minors.
Wm married abt 1753, wife's name unknown. The family lived in Virginia.
Children went to INdiana and Ohio.
William Kitchen m Rebecca Wells (Norton) 1714/1715 Solebury, Bucks, PA
Reeder, Eastburn, EArly SEttlers of Solebury, has Wm Kitchen m Rebecca
Norton, neice of John Wells, in 1721 he purchased of Wells 150 acres
along the river. When he died, betw 1723 and 1727, his minor children'
were to be put to trade.
Donna, [email protected], sent me a large file of loose stuff on Bucks Co
PA, NJ and PHiladelphia Kitchens that provided most of what is below
and confirms the rest of it.
Following info except dates is from Reeder, Eastburn, early settlers
of Solebury. pp 4, 10, 11, 12-13.
from IGI:
Ruth Kitchen b 1714/1716 Solebury, Bucks, PA m Paul Kester (called
Heston in Reeder)
Olive Kitchen b 1718 Solebury, Bucks, PA m John Heed and Reese DAvis
Mary Kitchen b 1720 Solebury, Bucks, PA m Samuel Crook the bro
of Sarah Crook m her brother William.
William Kitchen b 1723 Solebury, bucks, PA m ____ Phillips, implied
by William Kitchen was Thomas Phillips' son in law. Reeder says
he m Sarah Crook in 1743; she had a brother, Samuel Crook.
He is named as son in law
of Thomas Phillips of Solebury, w wife Rebecca; in 1748/9; this
only possible if William married his daughter. He had sons
Aaron Phillips and Thomas Phillips and cousin Job Noble. In John
Wells' will 1748/9, William Kitchen is descr'd as a weaver.
He had brothers Samuel Wells of Lower Dublin, w son Moses, Samuel
Wells of Philadelphia, w son John. "Lydia Tomlinson wife of Richard,
Philadelphia and chidlren", "Olive Heay of Solebury and children"
where Olive may be the dau of Wm Solebury Sr. John Northon (Norton),
spelled both ways. Moses Kitchen a son of Thomas Kitchen.
1749/50 will of John Norton, school master, Solebury, cites
nephew Samuel Crook and brother in law William Kitchen.
William Kitchen executor of will of
Children:
DAvid b 1744 d 1830 unm.
Richard b 1747 d. young.
William b 1749 m 1 A4nn Paxon who d 1751
Sarah
William m Eleanor Cary (1812) 1/9/1812 in Nelson, NJ.
(other Kitchen marriages in NElson, NJ: Henry Kitchen and
Elizabeth Jewell, Hunterdon, 10/30/1770, Mary Kitchen and
Joshua Mott, 9/22/1773, Wm Kitchen and Elsey Beam, 5/23/1782,
Hunterdon.
Ann
John
Thomas
William
Elias
Paxon
William m 2 Sarah Ely, had two children
Rebecca b 1754 m Joseph Eastburn, Jr
John b 1756 m Hannah Ely 6/6/1783, Bucks Co by Rev. Frazier
(Rev. Frazier also married/ baptized Sarah and Joseph,
7th and 8th c's of Henry and Jane Kitchen of or in Greenwich.
m Henry Kitchen and Elizabeth Jewell in 1770, bapt. (seemingly)
Jane the wife of Henry Kitchen of or in Amwell in Aug 1770,
later date than he m the other Henry to Elizabeth Jewell,
along with Mary the wife of Wheeler Kitchen of Amwell, and
Richard, William and John the chldren of Wheeler and Mary
Kitchen of Greenwich. He also m Wm Kitchen and Sarah Lee of
Bucks, Denah Kitchen to Malachai Ruseell, James Kitchen
to Ede Wells, SAlisbury, Bucks, all around 1780. Greenwich
was in Warren County and in Sussex Co. 1773 1nd 1774 Revolutionary
Census of NJ puts Henry and Wheelis in Greenwich, Sussex Co,
John in Evesham, Burlington Co, Mary and Thomas in Amwell,
Hunterdon Co, and Isaac in Alexandria, Hunterdon Co. They
still lived in Greenwich until 1921. In 1747, A-B 132,
Thomas Kitchen deeded land to Samuel Green, in 1726, D-224,
Henry Kitchen deeded land to John CROOK.)
JOhn d Solebury, will proved 9/10/1791.
His will cited also Charles Kitchen and David Kitchen.
Her brother prob Joshua Ely, Jr.
Children:
Ely A minor when his father died, Wm Kitchen made his guardian;
he was pd his legacy in 1806. Prob b 1785.
Jonathan
John Jr m Rachel Smith
Howard
Sarah
Rachel
Also:
Thomas Kitchen, named with the others in William's will, 1723/7.
in Solebury. Not clear who was under twenty.
Children:
Moses (cited in will of John Wells, Solebury, 1748/9)
MOses appears to have had Silas in 1778 Northampton Co PA
William and Thomas Kithen, sons of William, both bought land in
Solebury, appear on tax lists in Solebury, from late 1740's, around 1750.
A slew of marriages of Kitchens in Southampton, Bucks Co. , 1808-1831,
one on Newtown, Bucks Co.
An especially early Kitchen is Thomas Kitchen m Mary Mace,
1685, Philadelphia MM. Mary Kitchen m James White Phila MM
same page, date not given. Philadelphia was only founded in
1682.
1745/6 James Cladwell, will; Stephen Kitchen Witness.
1745 James Kitchen, Amwell, wife Elizabeth, BEnjamin, Thomas and
James, daughters not named, John Lewis amg witnesses, also George
Bayliss. (will)
1757 Thomas Kitchen, Amwell, NJ, wife Sarah, dau Hannah m Wm Barns
and their c's John, Saml, Sarah, Wm Bans dau Ann m Vincent
Robbins and c's, Samuel Kitchen, Mary Lewis, Saml Barns,
Andrew Pierse, Wm Barns, Ann Robins. 1769 Andrew Pierce of
Amwell (adult) baptized.
1683-4 Saml Kitchell, Newark wife Grace, sons Saml and Abraham,
daus Elizabeth Tomkins and Abigail Ward, Mary, BEthia, Grace,
Susannah Kitchell, excecoutors, wife and bro-in-law Abraham
Pierson.
1745, Henry Kitchen, Amwell: wife Ann, sons Samuel, Wheeler, JOseph,
Henry, Richard, brother; Thomas. (will).
Sussex Co Deeds, Book B p 208, 1792:
Wheeler and Mary Kitchen, exec of Wheeler Kitchen late of Greenwhich
Twp, Sussex Co, to Robr Stewart, Jr, for 883 acres which the proprietors
warranted to Wm Biles in 1714; Biles assigned 446 of them to Samuel
GREEN who assigned them to Wm Kitchen; 1732 Henry Kitchen assigned
600 acres on the pohatacong, then in Hunterdon; 1745 Henry Kitchen made
will and devised to son Wheeler 300 acres, son Joseph 100 acres, and
son Saml 200 acres.
Would a Thomas Kitchen who died in Amwell, NJ be the same one who had
land in Bucks Co in 1740's and 1750's, appears to have left descendants
in that area?
Johannes Cassell, Kassell b Kresheim, Germany
came to Germantown in 1686. A weaver sho came to Germantown w his
family from Kresheim, Germany, in 1686.
Had:
Elizabeth Cassell b Kresheim, Germany.
Huppert Kassel b abt 1687 Kriesheim, Germany d 1745 PA buried lower
Skippack Mennonite Meetinghouse Montgomery Co PA immigr bet 1715-20
to PA from Kriesheim Germany Occupation: weaver Had:
Yelles or Julius (1722-1781)
Elizabeth (1723-)
Henry (1726-1797)
Abraham (1728-1776)
Sources:
Custer, Chester E. The Kusters and Doors of Kaldenkirchen, Germany,
and Germantown, PA. Pennsylvania Mennonite Heritage July 1986,
24-31.
Many people cited from Jean M. White, ed. "The descendents of Paulus
and Gertrude Kusters", Castor Association, 1991, supposed to be THE
authoritative book on the family.
Mark Tunnell's web site at http://www.my-ged.com/db/page/tunnell
[email protected]
Ken Reed [email protected] Web site at
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Prairie/9166.
Grace Ebeneter http://members.tripod.com/~EbneterG/index.html
and e-mail [email protected]
To top of page
Contact Dora Smith at [email protected]