It has become necessary to provide a location in
Kestertons.com for stories and information that
add flesh to our old bones. Here you will find official
records, biographies, autobiographies, and newspaper reports
that reveal the following: first, our ancestors were
real people with real challenges, and second: that Kestertons
were not such a bad sort after all, for the most part (or at
least they didn't get caught). You may also find some references
to Kesterton-claimants, who because of the misspelling of the
name are not bona fide members of the clan. But the notoriety
of these claimants is worth presenting here.
If you have something of your own to submit, check the
contact page for an up-to-date email address.
Sarah Kesterton of Portsmouth
When William Kesterton married Sarah Randal in 1788, he was still
a Naval Marine, a profession he had entered into while still
a young boy. He later became Master At Arms H.M.S. Anson, a ship
that would one day prove significant to maritime history, only after
it had sunk. What happened to Wiliam in June
1801 is unknown. Whether due to illness or accident, it was not
recorded. All we know is that he was sent to the Haslar Naval
Hospital, where he died on June 2nd, 1801. His death set off a chain of
events that could have been a tragedy for the remnants of his family, a
widow and 2 young sons, who
were penniless and facing starvation. Only through the intervention
of William's parents, especially Mary Kesterton, of Birmingham, was the
tragedy averted. Here are a set
of documents from the time. Note that Sarah could not write, so
her letter was composed by someone else.
Lily Kesterton - Blackwell
The eldest daughter of George Kesterton (1860-1929) who married
Jane Dawes, was Ada Beatrice (b1882) who married James Maguire.
Their eldest daughter was Lily (b1907) who married John
Blackwell. Here are some of Lily's childhood memories.
Emily Kesterton
Joseph Kesterton (1866-1949) married Mary Patrick and together they
had five children. Here is an enjoyable autobiography from their
youngest daughter, Emily (1899-1986).
George Kesterton/George Kesterson
A mysterious "George Kesterton" showed up as having resided in Edmonton,
Alberta, Canada in the 1920s, during which time he competed in a boxing
match on February 10, 1920. He apparently beat Scotty Chapman in a fight
in Medicine Hat, Alberta by a Knock-out.
Soon after, a George Kesterson appeared in the United States as a
movie star in 'B' Westerns. I always assumed this was
one and the same person. Additional
research indicates that he was descended from
the Kestersons of Northumberland County, Virginia, dating back to the 1600s.
Before that, they would have come from England, but whether or not they
were an early offshoot of Kesterton, is unknown.
Ernest Harold Kesterton
(Ernest Harold Kesterton 1888-1966). This was a newspaper
biography on the occasion of his retirement, about June 1950.