1690 - 1764
Written 17 June 1761- Proved 14 May 1764
Northumberland Co VA

In the name of God Amen, I Thomas Hays of St. Stephens in the County of Northumberland and Colony of Virginia being sick and weak of body but of perfect memory and remberance, praised be to God for it, do make and ordain this my last will and testament. But first and principally I commend my soul to God that gave it to me, and my body I commit to the earth, from whence it was taken to be decently interred at the discretion of my Executor hereafter named. And as for my worldly estate, I dispose of as followeth---Imprs. I give and bequeath to my loving son Thomas Hays all my lands that I possess with, to him and his heirs lawfully begotten of his body forever---Item. I give to my loving son George Hays the choice of my feather beds and furniture except one bed. Item. I give my son Thomas Hays, One Shilling Current money---I give to my son George , one good cow and calf and two ewes and two lambs. And also my Gun, Sword, Baggonet, Catooch box, Powder and Ball---I give my well beloved wife Anne all the rest of my personal estate not before bequeathed, during her natural life. My desire is that my daughter Sarah Ann Hays shall be maintained out of my estate that I have given to my wife Anne. Item.-- My desire is that after my wife decease, the estate I have given her be equally divided between my five children, Prudence, Curtis, Betty Mitchel, Sinah Hill, George Hays and Sarah Ann Hays. Item--My desire is that if my daughter Sarah Ann Hays lives longer than her mother, that John Mitchel my son in law take and keep her and her estate. And after the said Sary Ann's decease, the said John Mitchel to have her estate. And I do appoint my loving wife Anne, Executor of this my last will and Testament. In Witness thereof I have thereunto set my hand and affixed my seale this 17th day of June 1761. Signed and sealed in thepresence of Texter: John Corbell Thomas (x)HaysCharles (x) Hill (His Mark )( Mark)

Probated in 1764. At Court held for Northumberland County this 16th day of May 1764. This last will and Testament of Thomas Hays deceased was presented in Court by Anne Hays the executor herein named, who made oath thereto according to law. And being proved by the oaths of John Corbell and Charles Hill Witnesses thereto, was admitted to Record. And on the motion of the said Executor, giving security, Certificate is granted her for obtaining a Probate thereof in due form.Teste.Thomas Jones Ct. Cur.

Thomas Hayes was the husband of Ann Kesterson daughter of George & Aquilla Kesterson.

Transcribed by: Christine Walters

Written 26 March 1761 - Proved 8 November 1762
Northumberland Co VA

In the name of God Amen this 26th day of March 1761, I Quilla Kesterson of the Parrish of St Stephens in the County of Northumberland being weak and crasy of body but of sound and perfect mind and memory thanks be to Almighty God for the same and calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all mankind to die do make and ordain this to be my last will and testament that is to say principally and first of all I recommend my soul into the hands of God who gave it , hoping through the merits of Christ my Blessed Savious to obtain a pardon for all my sins, and my body to the ground to be buried in a Christian like and decent manner at the direction of my Executor hereafter named.. And as for my Worldly Estate wherewith it hath pleased Almighty God to bless me in this life with, I give and devise and dispose of the same in the following manner form Vizt - First I give and bequeath to my beloved son George Kesterson one shilling. Secondly I give and bequeath to the heirs of my beloved son John Kesterson one shilling. Thirdly I give and bequeath to my beloved daughter Ann Hayes one shilling. Fourthly to my beloved daughter Judith Tignor one shilling. Fifthly I give to my beloved daughter Winifred Wright one shilling. Sixth I give and bequeath to my daughter Hannah Ritter Webb one shilling. Seventhly I give and bequeath all the remaining part of my estate be it of what nature kind or quality soever stock household goods or any other thing to me belonging after all lawful debts and funeral expenses discharged, they and their increasing to my beloved grandaughter Sarah Smith and her heirs and assigns forever. Eightly my children above mentioned have all received their full part or share of their deceased father George Kesterson's estate and what I have here given is but just my part of my deceased husband George Kestersons Estate and what improvements I have gained thereto since divided. Ninthly I nominate, constitute and appoint my trusted friend George Smith my only whole and sole executor. Witness: Beverly Keeve (Keene), Joseph Beekly, John Leach, John Flynt. Proved 8 Nov 1762 by oath of George Smither, Joseph Beekly and John Leach.

Aquilla Kesterson was the wife of George Kesterson only known son of Thomas Kesterson the Immigrant. Researchers differ as to her maiden name. Some say it was BEE - which I can find no proof of nor any logical reason. I believe it was FRY because of the will of William Fry which left his entire estate to his grandson William Kesterson and he appointed George Kesterson his Administrator.

Transcribed by: Christine Walters

Will Proved 13 January 1812
Northumberland Co VA

Daughter Elizabeth Berry Kesterson - spinning wheel and cards, my puter, chest, my new clock, my new calico dress, two chaney dishes and 30 dollars. Grandson Addison Kesterson - yoke of oxen, a young heifer, my horse. Grandson Lemuel Kesterson my old cows calf. Grandaughter Polly Kesterson, my bed and furniture. All the rest of my wearing apparel to be equally divided between my four daughters, Winifred Blundon, Eunice Bridgman, Nancy Tignor, and Elizabeth B Kesterson, also my two cows and one calf and all my hogs. Son - James Kesterson 30 dollars which Edward Downing owes me for the hire of Sam

Son William Kesterson Executor

Witness John S Kesterson and Fanny Kesterson

Elizabeth (Berry) Kesterson was the wife of William Kesterson. She was the daughter of George & Winifred (Cottrell) Berry.

Transcribed by: Christine Walters

29 August 1765 - 1807
Written 19 January 1807 - Proved 08 June 1807
Northumberland Co VA

To Wife Fanny my plantation, houses and all my estate both real and personal during her widowhood and in case of hermarriage to have her thirds. Son George Kesterson all my estate, after the death of his mother. In case of his death before he can devise any estate away or have a lawful heir of his body to descend to William Anderson Kesterson, son of William Kesterson my lands only. In case my wife Fanny Kesterson lives longer than my son George, I give her all my negros, household furniture, stock, etc. to her and her heirs.

Wife Fanny Kesterson, James Harcum and Wm Harding Executors
Witness: Elijah Blundon, Wm Hudnall and Stephen Haynie

George Kesterson was the son of William & Elizabeth (Berry) Kesterson and was married to Fanny Kent 24 October 1788 Northumberland Co VA.

Transcribed by: Christine Walters

1710 - 1786
Written 11 March 1786 - Proved 12 June 1786
Record Book 13 - Northumberland Co VA

In the name of God Amen, ye 11th of March 1786, I George KESTERSON of the County of Northumberland and Colony of Virginia, being sick and weak in body but of perfect sense mind and memory, thanks to almighty God for the same, and knowing its appointed for all men once to die, do make and ordain this my last will and testament as follows, VIZ:

Item. I give and bequeath to my son William KESTERSON all my lands and all the appurtenances thereunto belonging and all my syder casks and my gun, to him and his heirs forever.

Item. I give and bequeath to John S KESTERSON choice of my feather beds and five pounds cash, 1 chest and 1/3 of all Tobacco belonging to me on my plantation, one cow and yearling.

Item. I give and bequeath to my daughter Hannah FALLIN all the corn and meat on my plantation belonging to me, her choice of my Iron Potts, linning wheel and the remainder of my Tobacco after my lawful debts being first paid.

Item. I give and bequeath to my grandaughter Elizabeth FALLIN, Daughter of Hannah FALLIN one Iron Pott her choice after her mothers choice.

Item.I give and bequeath all the remainder of my estate to be equally divided between my children and grandchildren as follows

VIZ. To my children Elizabeth OLDHAM, Hannah FALLEN and Judith BERRY and grandchildren Nancy HILL wife of John Hill, Chloe KESTERSON & Martha TIGNOR and all the remainder of my children and grandchildren one shilling sterling if demanded. I nominate and appoint my friend Thomas HARCUM & my daughter Elizabeth OLDHAM my executor and executrix of this my last will and testament making void all others etc, and all things I have given or lent in my time to stand and remain in the hands of them that has them inpossession as to my children or grandchildren.

Witnessed: Thomas HARCUM,Philip TIGNOR, Samuel BLUNDON, John WRIGHT, John HILMAN. Proved in court by all the witness' prior named

George Kesterson was the son of Aquilla (Fry) Kesterson and was married to Elizabeth.

Transcribed by: Christine Walters

1827 - 1853
Will Proven April 1853 Book C Pg 440
Northumberland Co VA

Estated diveded as follows Thomas Jacques Children (His wife Alice Moore, Maternal Aunt Thomas Fallin Children His wife Nancy Moore a Maternal Aunt) Samuel Crowther (His wife Frances Moore a maternal aunt) William T Kesterson a paternal uncle John Kesterson a paternal Uncle (Stephen Hall signed for him.) Francis Kesterson Haynie a paternal Aunt Elizabeth Kesterson Pitman a paternal Aunt Nancy Kesterson a paternal aunt Stephen Hall (His wife Mary Haynie a paternal half aunt

14 Feb 1853 William T Kesterson signed for his share. William T Kesterson was the administrator.

Believed to be the son of Vincent & Elizabeth (Moore) Kesterson. However no proof as yet.

Transcribed by: Christine Walters

17 December 1648 - 16 March 1720
Book 1719 - 1726
Northumberland Co VA

In the name of God Amen I Thomas Kesterson of Saint Stephens Parrish in the County of Northumberland and Colony of Virginia being sick and weak in body but of sound and perfect memory and remembrance thanks be to God for the same do make constitute andordain this and no other to be my last will and testament in manner and form following that is to say first and principally I commend my soul unto God that gave it me, hoping in the meritorious death and passion of Jesue Christ my only Saviour and Redeemer to receive freepardon and forgiveness from all my sins and offenses and my body committ to the earth from whence it was taken to be decently interred at the discretion of my Executor hereafter nominated and as to my Worldly Estate after all my just debts and funeral charges and other expenses relating thereto are fully satisfied and paid, I dispose of as followeth. Id o give and bequeath unto Gilbert Harris ye eldest son of Mary Gilbert a good feather bed and feather bolster, also wool sett spotted rugg a pair of good blankets, a pair of good sheets , a full half part of all my stock barrows, Two Barrows of about two years old and each one young ewe fifty yards of my best shifting linnen, two pewter dishes, four pewter Basons, six Pewter Plates, six pewter spoons and one great iron pott and a par of Iron Pott Hooks, all my wearing cloaths, both linnen and wollen with hatts shoes an dstockins, all which said goods above mentioned with all their increase I do give and bequeath to the above said Gilbert Harris son of Mary Gilbert as beforesaid and further I will and desire that my executor hereafter named, may have his first choice of the said chattills sheep and Hoggs and all other goods given out of my Estate to comply with the above legacy for the use of ye said Gilbert Harris and further I will and require that all of the above said legacy which I have given and bequeathed unto the above mentioned Gilbert Harris may be kept and remain in the possession in the hands or possession of my Executor hereafter named to be disposed of at his discretion and as he shall find occassion for use of the said Gilbert Harris and to deliver the same or what part shall be remaining of the same if any, unto the said Gilbert Harris when he shall attain to the age of twenty-one years. Item. I will and desire that the said Gilbert Harris may live with Ann Stowell to learn him to read the Bible and to look after him now in hisminority. Item. I do give and bequeath to the said Ann Stowell my old mare with all her increase all my cyder casks, my cart and wheles napsak and bridle and thirteen hundred and fifty pounds of Tobacco and where I have no by me about seventeen shillings in money, five shillings of which I desire John Butler may have for making my coffin and oneshilling I have given to my son George Kesterson and the other eleven shillings I give and bequeath to my grandaughter Elizabeth Kesterson to be delivered to her at the discretion of my Executor hereafter named and when he shall think fitting, and lastly I do nominate and appoint my two trusty friends, Richard Wright and Ann Stowell executor and executrix of this my last will and testament utterly revoking and disallowing all other wills and testaments by me made from time to time and at all times whatsoever holding this and no other to be my last will and testament. In testtimony whereof I have hereunto sett my hand and affixed my seal this 3rd day of August 1719. Signed, Sealed and Published. Henry Armstrong and Arthur Poplewell.

Die -March 16 1719/20 This will was proved in Northumberland County Court by oaths of Henry Armstrong and Arthur Poplewell and on the motion of Richard Wright admitted to record

Thomas was the first "Kesterson" American Immigrant. He came from England around 1662 as a Servent to Mr. James Wildey, gaining his freedom 1672. His fathers name was John Kesterson.

Transcribed by: Christine Walters

04 August 1737 - 1791
Will Proved 14 February 1791
Northumberland Co VA

Sons George, William and James to receive equal portions of land. Daughters Winifred Kesterson, Eunice Bridgman, Nancy Kesterson, Elizabeth Berry Kesterson, 12 pounds current money to each. To daughter Hannah Hayes one shilling and no more. Grandaughter Dolly Champion eldest daughter of Hannah Hayes articles I lent my daughter Hannah Hayes - one feather bed and furniture, one weavers lomb and spinning wheel when she reaches twenty one. To my wife Elizabeth the remainder of my estate and after her demise to be equally divided between my four daughters within mentiond - Winifred, Eunice, Nancy and Elizabeth (Hannah excluded). George and William Kesterson (Sons) to be executors with Thomas Harcum

Witness: Thomas Harcum, Presley Saunders, John Wright

William was the son of George & Elizabeth Kesterson. He married Elizabeth Berry.

Transcribed by: Christine Walters

04 June 1807 - 24 January 1877
Will Proved 08 August 1843
Northumberland Co VA

Estate to be divided 1/5 each to: Samuel Crowther and wife Frances Moore, Thomas Fallin and wife Nancy Moore, Thomas Jacques and wife Alice Moore, James Moore minor Son - guardian, Samuel Kesterson Grandson - guardian. Isaac (or James) L Lamkin Administrator. Others mentioned as debtors etc. Charles Fallin

Transcribed by: Christine Walters