Graves County Genealogy Trails
[Contributed by Christine Walters]
GRAVES COUNTY KY
JESSE JAMES KESTERSON
Civil War
Widow MARY JANE KESTERSON 25 Mar 1927 Mary applied for Pension 25 Mar 1927.
States she was b 17 Mar 1855 and her maiden name was PIRTLE. States Jesse James
was born near Water Valley in Graves KY and that they were married there by Rev.
Byron DYER. States that Jesse died 16 May 1925 in Sedalia, Graves KY. She owned
a house and Lot there appraised at $1000.00 and had about $2000.00 in cash.
Children were 3 boys all of legal age and self supporting. Witness were Sherman
BUTLER and W P BARTON who attested to knowing both Mary Jane and Jesse. Did not
give CO or years served.(Jesse James was the s/o George Jr and Malinda COLLEY
KESTERSON Born 1844 and is buried in the Kesterson Cemetery, Graves Co KY. Mary
Jane was actually the 2nd wife of JJ. Her marker is in the Kesterson Cemetery
with no death date. She is buried in Highland Park Cemetery near her son Dr W J
KESTERSON. She died 19 Sep 1941)
[Source: I have his military pension records in my file - Christine Walters]
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GRAVES COUNTY
JIM KESTERSON
Two soldiers who were wounded in the battle of FARMINGTON, October 7 1863, are
buried in Marshall County TN. JIM KESTERSON lived at Mayfield KY, died at Mr
Needham WIGGS', and was buried at Bethbirei. Jesse HARRISON was shot in the leg
and died at Mr. John RAY'S, near Lewisburg. He is buried in the Talley
Graveyard, on the Mooresville Pike. I have never seen this published, and it may
be of interest to some of their relatives or friends who may never have known
their fate. He also wants to know of the place in Kentucky where an engagement
took place between a squad of Confederate bushwackers, under command of Champ
FERGUSON, and a regiment of Federals. It occurred in September 1862, at some
place in Kentucky after crossing the river between Lebanon and Sparta TN. The
Confederates were on the mountain, the Federals below at the foot of the
mountain. The Confederates hurled down immense stones, destroying men, horses,
and wagons.
[Source: The Confederate Veteran Vol XXIV 1916 ]
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JOHN KESTERSON Letter from Brig Gen Wm Sooy Smith CO 1st Div 7th Army Corps
Lagrange TN May 27 1863 to B/B Smith Complaining to Capt. Sol G Street Confed
Army that his men KESTERSON and ROBINSON killed 2 union soldiers in Cold blood
while prisoners. P 752 B/G Danniel Ruggles Confed Army near Okola Jun 6 1863 in
Letter to B/G Wm S Smith answered complaining letter and rejects statements of
B/G in Union Army. P 967/8 Capt Sol G Street CO Co A 1st Miss State Cav Written
from Okolona MS Jun 4 1863 to Gen Ruggles says on 13 May was sent with Company
to recon country adjoining Memphis and Charleston RR in Tippah Co MS on Tippah
Ford 8 Miles West of Ripley. They halted, took 2 prisoners Detailed Pvt JOHN
KESTERSON to Accompany Alex Robinson with prisoners May 15 at 10 AM. At 4PM
KESTERSON & Robinson returned and said prisoners attempted to escape and they
shot them.
[SOURCE: "WAR OF THE REBELLION SERIES II" Vol 5 P 714:]
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