Jester Research by Rick Brown

Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: [unknown]
Surname/tag: Jester

2004. Jesse Jester (Francis) b. 1762 Kent County, DEⁱ, d. March 6, 1841 Kent County, DEⁱⁱ , m(1) Sarah UNKNOWN, m(2) Lydia (Vickrey) Lane b. Dec. 30, 1770ⁱⁱⁱ, d. May 11, 1815^iv, daughter of John Vickrey and Elizabeth Bostick (Townsend?), m(3) Sept. 15, 1822 Kent County, DE^vMemory (Oldfield) Dillin [widow of Henry Dillin] d. Oct. 6, 1830 Kent County, DE^vi, m(4) June 2, 1831 Kent County, DE^vii Rhoda Norman d. April 6, 1845 Kent County, DE^viii

[i] Ward Bible Records (Vol. 87, page 189 Delaware State Archives, Dover, DE; Ward Burial Plot, Kent County, Delaware Cemetery Records, DE State Archives

[ii] Last Will and Testament of Jesse Jester of Mispillion Hundred, Kent County, DE, Dec. 28, 1835 and probated March 24, 1841

[iii] Ward Bible Records (Vol. 87, page 189 Delaware State Archives, Dover, DE; Ward Burial Plot, Kent County, Delaware Cemetery Records, DE State Archives

[iv] Ward Bible Records (Vol. 87, page 189 Delaware State Archives, Dover, DE; Ward Burial Plot, Kent County, Delaware Cemetery Records, DE State Archives

[v] Kent County, DE Marriage Record: Sept. 15, 1822 Kent County, DE, Jesse Jester and Memory Dillin

[vi] Ward Burial Plot, Kent County, Delaware Cemetery Records, DE State Archives

[vii] Kent County, DE Marriage Record: June 2, 1831 Kent County, DE, Jesse Jester and Rhonda Norman

[viii] Ward Burial Plot, Kent County, Delaware Cemetery Records, DE State Archives

Census Data: 1800 St. John’s Hundred, Kent County, DE (page 55) Jesser Jester, son of F

M (0-10), 1M (10-16),1M (26-45),

F (0-10), 2F (16-26);

1810 Mispillion Hundred, Kent County, DE (page 69) Jesse Jester 1M(0-10), 1M(16-26), 1M(26-45), 1F(10-16), 1F(16-26), 1F(26-45); 1830 Mispillion Hundred, Kent County, DE (page 339) Jesse Jester 1M(20-29), 1M(60-69), 1F(30-39), 1F(70-79); 1840 Mispillion Hundred, Kent County, DE (page 102) Jesse Jester 1M(70-79), 1F(50-59)

Kent County, DE Land Records, Oct. 24, 1796, Manuel Jester of Mispillion Hundred, yeoman, and Sarah his wife, to Jesse Jester of same, yeoman, by Last Will and Testament of Francis Jester, decd left all Real Estate to wife Sarah who died intestate and said lands descended namely Manuel Jester, Jessee, Jester, John Jester, Elias Jester, Joshua Jester, and Sarah Jester, now Sarah Nichols. Aug. 17, 1796 partition and division made among the several heirs, 25 acres of cleared and cultivated land and also 43 acres of swamp and uncultivated land. Jesse Jester purchased the 25 acres of cultivated land for 37 pounds 10 shillings

Kent County, DE Land Records, Sept. 27, 1798, Elias Jester of Mispillion Hundred and wife Lidea, to Jesse Jester of same, 50 acres of land and swamp in Mispillion Hundred for sum of 30 pounds

Kent County, DE Land Records, March 6, 1802, Joshua Jester of Mispillion Hundred and wife Deborah, to Jesse Jester of same, 29 acres of land in Mispillion Hundred known as Anderson’s lot for sum of $116

Kent County, DE Land Records, Jan. 20, 1808, Jesse Jester of Kent County, DE Kent County, DE, farmer, and wife Lydia, to Seyron Clifton of same, by virtue of last Will and Testament of his Father Francis Jester, decd. of County and state aforesaid and pursuant of an amicable action in partition of the lands of the said Francis Jester amongst his several heirs and legal representatives 11 acres of land and swamp in Forrest of Mispillion Hundred being part of a larger survey called Rawleys Addition. 11 acres surveyed Sept. 4, 1796 for sum of $55

Kent County, DE Land Records, May 12, 1831, Jesse Jester, yeoman of Mispillion hundred in Kent County, DE to William Sepple, yeoman, of same, 7 acres of land and swamp in Mispillion hundred for sum of $29.50

Last Will and Testament of Jesse Jester of Mispillion Hundred, Kent County, DE, Dec. 28, 1835 and probated March 24, 1841, recorded in Vol. R, page 193.

In the name of God Amen, I Jesse Jester of Mispillion Hundred in the County of Kent and State of Delaware being weak in body but of Sound Disposing mind memory and understanding thanks be to the Almighty God for the Same Calling into mind the mortality of my body knowing it is appointed unto all men once to Die do make and ordain this my Last will and tes tament in manner and form following I personally and first of all Recommend my Soul unto the Almigh ty God that gave it and my body I recommend to the earth to be buried in a decent christian Like manner at the discretion of my Executor herein after mentioned And as touching Such worldly Estate whereunto it hath pleased God to bless me in this Life I give and bequeath and dispose of in the following manner, viz First I give and devise to my beloved wife Rhoda Jester the one third part of all that tract of land sit uate in Mispillion Hundred whereon I now live (in lieu of Dower) adjoining lands of Joshua Jester Jos eph Ward, William Sepple and others Said to contain one hundred & Seventy Six acres more or less for and during her natural Life and also one bed and fur nature 2nd I give and devise to my son Isaac Jester all that tract or parcel of land whereon I now live in mispillion Hundred adjoining Lands of Joshua Jester Joseph Ward William Sepple and others said to contain one hundred and Seventy six acres more or less upon condition that the said Isaac Jester or his representative shall pay to my son Andrew Jester twenty Dollars one year after my decease and pay to my daughter Sarah Ward two hundred Dollars one year after my decease lawful money

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of the United States of America after which payment duly maid my will and desire is that the said lands and premise shall be and remain and belong to my said son Isaac Jester his heirs and assigns forever. Lastly I here by ordain constitute and appoint my son Isaac Jester to be my whole and Sole Execu tor of this my last will and testament hereby disannulling all other will or wills heretofore by me made. In witness where of I have here unto Set my hand and seal this the twenty eig hth day of December one thousand eight hundred and thirty five ……………………..……… 1835 Signed sealed published and Pronounced by Jesse Jester the testator above named to be his Last will and testament in the JESSE JESTER {SEAL} Presents of us the subscribers Samuel Anderson } Robert Jorden } The State of Delaware}Robert Jorden Benaiah Tharp } Kent County }xxxxxxxx one of }the subscribing witnesses to this writing instrument of [...] purporting to be the last will and testament of Jessee Jester late of Kent County of State aforesaid deceased…………..

Probated March 24, 1841 in Kent County, DE

Note: written on the probated will “Jesse Jester departed this life on Saturday night the 6th day of March AD 1841”

Children: 1st marriage

+ 3050. Isaac Jester b. Dec. 15, 1789 Kent County, DEix

Children: 2nd marriage

3051. Waitman N. Jester b. Jan. 2, 1799 Kent County, DE x, d. Oct. 10, 1802 Kent County, DE xi + 3052. Sarah ‘Sallie’ Jester b. Dec. 26, 1800 Kent County, DExii 3053. Trephena Jester b. Dec. 19, 1803 Kent County, DE xiii, d. Sept. 18, 1804 Kent County, DE xiv 3054. Eliza T. Jester b. Jan. 3, 1806 Kent County, DE xv, d. Sept. 23, 1807 Kent County, DE xvi + 3055. Andrew V. Jester b. Oct. 11, 1809 Kent County, DExvii

Children: 1st marriage of Lydia

3055. Miriam Lane b. Jan. 20, 1793xviii, m. Feb. 3, 1814xix Levin Smith

NEXT GENERATION

3050. Isaac Jester (Francis, Jesse) b. Dec. 15, 1789 Kent County, DExx, d. after 1880, m. Feb. 22, 1817 Kent County, DExxi Sarah Taylor b. Aug. 16, 1795xxii, d. May 26, 1864xxiii

Census Data: 1820 Mispillion Hundred, Kent County, DE (page 79) Isaac Jester of Jesse 1M(under 10), 1M(10-15), 1M(26-44), 1F(under 10), 2F(16-25), 2 Person engaged in agriculture;

1850 Milford and Mispillion Hundreds, Kent County, DE (page 144B)

Isaac Jester 59 farmer DE,

Sarah 54 DE,

Mary E. 23 DE,

Isabel 20 DE,

Isaac 18 DE,

William D. 15 DE,

Manlove 11 DE,

Deborah 66 DE;

1860 Mispillion Hundreds, Kent County, DE (page 394)

Isaac Jester 71 farmer DE,

Sarah 64 DE,

Isabel 25 DE,

Manlove 21 DE;

1870 Mispillion Hundreds, Kent County, DE (page 33A)

Isaac Jester 80 farmer DE,

Isabel 35 DE;

1880 Mispillion Hundreds, Kent County, DE (page 117)

Isaac Jester 91 keeping house alone DE

Children:

4080. Mary E. Jester b. ca. 1827 DExxiv 4081. Isabel Jester b. ca. 1830 DExxv 4082. Isaac Jester b. ca. 1832 DExxvi 4083. William D. Jester b. ca. 1835 DExxvii 4084. Manlove Jester b. ca. 1839 DExxviii

3052. Sarah “Sallie” Jester (Francis, Jesse) b. Dec. 26, 1800 Kent County, DExxix, d. Jan. 2, 1873 Kent County, DExxx, m. Jan. 9, 1817 Kent County, DExxxi Joseph Ward b. ca. 1795 DExxxii Aug. 16, 1793 Kent County, DExxxiii, d. Aug. 1852 Kent County, DE

Census Data: 1850 Milford and Mispillion Hundreds, Kent County, DE (page 285) Joseph Ward M 55 farmer $2,500 DE, Sarah F 49 DE, Eliza A. F 27 DE, Jesse M 22 farming DE, Joseph M 20 farming DE, Andrew J. M 17 farming DE, Mary C. F 15 DE, John D. A. M 13 DE, Sarah J. F 10 DE, Elizabeth T. F 8 DE; 1860 Mispillion Hundred, Kent County, DE (page 357) Sarah Ward 60 F $1600/$150 DE, Joseph 29 M commr. School Teach $1550/$300

Children:

4099. Lydia Ward b. May 25, 1818xxxiv 4100. Richard Ward b. June 8, 1820xxxv 4101. Eliza Ann Ward b. Sept. 25, 1822 DExxxvi 4102. Samuel W. Ward b. April 5, 1825xxxvii, m. Aug. 5, 1858 Elizabeth H. Neal 4103. Jessie Ward b. Jan. 26, 1828 DExxxviii, d. Aug. 18, 1883 Kent County, DExxxix, m. Jan. 13, 1859xl Lydia M. Corway b. April 28, 1839xli, d. Oct. 22, 1907 Kent County, DExlii, daughter of Jeremiah Corway and Sarah A. Allen

Hollywood Cemetery, Harrington, Kent County, DE 4104. Joseph Ward b. April 12, 1830xliii, d. July 12, 1907xliv, m. Mary Magdalene Klump b. July 2, 1844xlv, d. Sept. 21, 1917xlvi

Hollywood Cemetery, Harrington, Kent County, DE 4105. Andrew J. Ward b. Nov. 14, 1832xlvii 4106. John D. A. Ward b. ca. 1837 DExlviii 4107. Sarah J. Ward b. ca. 1840 DExlix, d. Feb. 17, 1873 DEl, m. Edwin James Eisenberg b. July 1, 1813 Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, PA, d. May 21, 1870 4108. Elizabeth T. Ward b. ca. 1842 DEli, m. Lewis Smith

3055. Andrew V. Jester (Francis, Jesse) b. Oct. 11, 1809 Kent County, DElii, d. Oct. 20, 1885 Pickaway County, Ohioliii, m(1) Aug. 25, 1836 Ross County, Ohioliv Eliza Porter b. 1810-1820lv, d. 1844-1846lvi, m(2) Dec. 13, 1846 Ross County, Ohiolvii Keziah Lister b. Oct. 10, 1809 Ross County, Ohiolviii, d. April 24, 1885 Pickaway County, Ohiolix, daughter of Nimrod Lister

Census Data: 1840 Perry, Pickaway County, Ohio (page 163) Andrew Jester 1M(30-40), 1F(under 5), 1F(20-30); 1850 Perry, Pickaway County, Ohio (page 153B) Andrew Jester, farmer 42 DE, Keziah 42 Ohio, Lidia 11 Ohio, Thomas 7 Ohio, Joseph 1 Ohio, Luther 3 Ohio; 1860 Perry, Pickaway County, Ohio (page 269) Andrew V. Jester 51 M farmer $6000/$2290 DE, Kesiah 51 F Ohio, Thomas 18 M Ohio, Luther 13 M Ohio, Joseph 11 M Ohio; 1870 Perry, Pickaway County, Ohio (page 450B) Martin Jester 61 Farmer $13,000/$800 DE, Kesiah 61 Keeping home Ohio, Martin at home 22 Ohio, Joseph 20 farm laborer Ohio; 1880 Perry, Pickaway County, Ohio (page 330A) A.V. Jester 71 father, farmer DE, Kesiah 71 mother homemaker Ohio, Joseph 28 son farmer Ohio, Elwood Porter 30 farmer Ohio

Andrew V. Jester came to Ohio, probably Ross County, Ohio, first, where he married in 1836 and second in 1846. A.V. Jester’s farm was located on Egypt Pike a few miles south of New Holland in Perry Township, Pickaway County, and almost on the Ross County line.

A.V. Jester owned two adjoining tracts of land in the SW corner of Perry Township, Pickaway County, Ohio – containing 58 ¾ acres and the second on both sides of Egypt Pike containing 101 ½ acres. On the north side of the road the “cross” marks the spot of the family cemetery.

A. V. Jester and 2nd wife Eliza in New Holland Cemetery, & 1st wife of A. V. Jester, Eliza in Jester Cemetery

Children: 1st marriage

4150. Male Jester b. April 27, 1839 Perry, Pickaway County, Ohiolx 4151. Lydia Jester b. May 20, 1840 Perry, Pickaway County, Ohiolxi, d. Sept. 19, 1852 Perry, Pickaway County, Ohiolxii 4152. Thomas P. Jester b. Feb. 24, 1844lxiii, d. Jan. 10, 1863 Arkansas Post, ARlxiv

Infant son of Andrew V. & Lydia daughter of A.V & E Thomas P. son of A & Eliza Jester Jester E. Jester Jester Cemetery, Perry, Pickaway County, Ohio

Children: 2nd marriage

+ 4153. Martin Luther Jester b. ca. 1847 Ohiolxv + 4154. Joseph Ward Jester b. Nov. 6, 1849 Ohiolxvi Next Generation

4153. Martin Luther Jester b. ca. 1847 Ohiolxvii, d. Sept. 21, 1897 Deerfield, Ross County, Ohiolxviii, m(1) Oct. 19, 1871 Fayette County, Ohiolxix Eliza Jane Bryant b. 1849lxx, d. Jan. 12, 1873 Perry, Pickaway County, Ohiolxxi, m(2) March 4, 1880 Fayette County, Ohiolxxii Mary Elizabeth Dinner b. ca. 1856 Dec.1860 Ohiolxxiii, daughter of Jonathan Dennar and Nancy J. Wilkens [Mary m(2) May 11, 1900 Fayette County, Ohiolxxiv Nathaniel “Nathan” Looker b. April 24, 1841 Fairfield County, Ohiolxxv, d. Jan. 24, 1923 Madison, Highland County, Ohiolxxvi, son of Joseph Looker and Margaret Hanna {Nathan m(1) July 20, 1864 Franklin County, Ohiolxxvii Amelia Sifford}]

Census Data: 1880 Perry, Pickaway County, Ohio (page 329D) M. L. Jester M 33 Farmer Ohio, Mary Jester F 23 House wife Ohio; 1900 Clarksburg, Deerfield, Ross County, Ohio (page 72A) Nathaniel Looker Head WM April 1852 48 years old Married 0 years Ohio, Mary wife WF Dec 1860 39 years old married 0 years 8 children born 6 living Ohio, Charlie Jester step-son WM Aug 1881 18 Single Ohio, Frank Jester step-son WM Nov 1885 14 Single Ohio, Pearl Jester step-son WM Jan 1887 13 Single Ohio, Mattie step-daughter WF March 1892 8 Single Ohio, Walter step-son WM July 1893 6 Single Ohio; 1910 Madison, Highland County, Ohio (page 2A) Della Caffee Head WF 36 divorced 2 children 2 living Ohio, Hazel G. Daughter WF 14 single Ohio, Helen I. Daughter WF 9 single Ohio, Nathan Looker Father WM 68 married Ohio, Marie Perry Niece WF 17 single

Deerfield Township, Ross County, Ohio

About 1891/2 between the births of their last two children, M. L. & Mary Jester moved from near New Holland in Pickaway County a few miles south into Ross County. In the north-western portion of Ross County, Martin Luther Jester purchased about 100 acres from probably the Holloway estate in Deercreek Township. The “x” on the map marks the location of this property located a few hundred yards off of Asbury Road right on the Concord Township line. In 1897, M. L. died at a young age leaving his wife and young children.

“M. L. Jester, a well known resident of Perry Township died Tuesday, Sept. 21, of Typhoid Fever. The funeral was held at Asbury Chapel, Thursday conducted by Rev. Orndoff and the remains were interned in the Cemetery at New Holland.”lxxviii DIED OF TYPHOID FEVER “Mr. Luther Jester, one of the well-to-do farmers of Deerfield township, died at his home yesterday morning, after a three weeks’ illness from typhoid fever. The deceased was about forty-five years of age, and leaves a wife and five children. The arrangements for the funeral have not been perfected yet.”lxxix “In the matter of Marton J. Jester, deceased, Andrew H. Wilkins has been appointed administrator, furnishing bond in the sum of $8,000, with Mary E. Jester and E. J. Upton sureties. Messrs. Allen Evans, Martin Zellers and Leopald Dinkler have been appointed to appraise the property.lxxx Andrew H. Wilkins, administrator of Martin L. Jester, deceased, to Mary E. Jester, one hundred and five acres, Concord and Deerfield townships, $1,837.50.”lxxxi

The family continued to live on the farm and in 1900, the widow married Nathan Looker. In 1902, “Mary E. Looker has filed a suit for divorce against Nathan Looker. The petition charges failure to provide and extreme cruelty. The petition also charges the defendant with attempting to set fire and burn the home of the plaintiff on Feby. 4th, 1902, for the purpose of causing the death or physical injury of the plaintiff. Wilby G. Hyde, attorney.”lxxxii The Ross County Grand jury indicted Looker at its April term. The trial of the alleged arson and attack appeared in the local newspaper. “The Court of Common Pleas opened this morning at nine o’clock, and the case of the State of Ohio against N. Looker was taken up. Attorney Charles Doll, to whom the case was assigned, could not be present, and Attorneys Entrekin and Cutright took up the defense. The indictment was read and Mr. Looker pleaded not guilty. Prosecutor Claypool, in the opening argument stated that they expected to show by the evidence that Nathan Looker set fire to the hose owned by his wife and occupied by the Lookers and Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Speakman. He further stated that they expected to show that Mrs. Looker saw Nathan strike the match and light the fire. Attorney Entrekin for the defense, stated that they expected to show that Mr. Looker did not know who started the fire, and that he was the first one to discover it and raise the alarm. In the examination of the witnesses for the state, the question arose whether Mrs. Looker had a right to testify against her husband The Judge ruled that she had a right to testify to certain things, and Attorney Entrekin objected. Mrs. Looker was allowed to testify to most everything except seeing her husband touch the match to the fire. The state’s witnesses were finished at two o’clock and the witnesses for the defense were called, most of whom up to the time of going to press, testified to nothing except Looker’s character and reputation.”lxxxiii The headlines in the following Saturday’s paper read “Jury Failed to Convict Nathan Looker of Arson,” and the following concludes the trial. “The examination of the witnesses in the case of the State of Ohio against Nathan Looker, was continued Friday afternoon and the defendant himself went on the stand. He claimed that he was just going up stairs to bed, and when he opened the door he saw the fire. He grabbed an old overcoat and threw it over the fire and had the fire smothered before the other people came. He also said that the kitchen door was open, but he did not know who started the fire. There was no rebuttal testimony and the judge gave each side a half hour to argue the case. The jury retired to the box at 5 o’clock and remained until 12:50 today, but could not agree. The vote stood, on most of the ballots, 10 to acquit and two for guilty.lxxxiv

In the fall of 1902 tragedy struck the Jester family when one of the sons was killed.

“SMELT THE GUN’S MUZZLE AND WAS KILLED – A Didn’t Know it Was Loaded Episode at Greenland on Saturday Another case of didn’t know it was loaded, came to light near the village of Greenland Saturday. Pearl Jester and his brother, young men aged about nineteen, were riding along the road when they met Samuel Smith, another young man about the same age. Smith was just returning from a hunting expedition and the young men became engaged in a conversation relative to the hunting trip. The conversation drifted from one point to another and in jest, Smith told Pearl Jester to smell the muzzle of his gun. Jester did so and Smith pulled the trigger and the whole head off, or very nearly off, for the charge of shot, entered his face and neck, killing him instantly. Smith says he didn’t know the gun was loaded and after he had shot Jester, ran away. He was apprehended later and acted as though he was mentally unbalanced. Coroner Smith, of this city, was notified of the affair and at once went to the scene of the shooting. He examined into the circumstances. Jester is the son of a widow, Mary Jester, living at Greenland, and the affair was created great excitement in the village. Coroner Smith learned that the Smith boy stopped the Jester boys and asked for a chew of tobacco. The boys said they had none and then the talk turned to hunting. Smith had the gun standing alongside the buggy and was running his finger into the barrel and then smelling his finger. Jester said. “Let me smell the barrel of that gun.” Smith pushed the gun up to Jester’s nose and as he did so the gun was discharged, the shole charge entering Jester’s moth and killing him instantly. Singularly, none of the shot passed through Jester’s head, the whole charge remaining in his head. Smith, as soon as the gun was discharged, ran up the road and meeting J. W. Minear, said he had killed Jester ad he intended to kill himself. With this he slipped a shell into his gun and tried to shoot himself, but Minear grabbed the gun from him and Smith’s father came along and took charge of his son. Smith said he didn’t know the gun was loaded when he poked it to Jester’s nose, but Jester’s brother, aged 17, who was in the buggy with him, said Smith pulled the trigger. Smith was later arrested and will have a hearing before ‘Squire Houser to-morrow afternoon. Coroner Smith went to Greenland again today, and held the inquest this afternoon. The funeral of the victim occurred today.”lxxxv

“DIFFERENCE OF OPINION IN THE JESTER CASE – Coroner Held That Smith Should be Punished ….’Squire Houser Turned Him Loose. Coroner Smith finished the inquest Monday afternoon, over the body of Pearl Jester, who was shot near Greenland on Saturday evening by Greenland on Saturday evening by Sam Smith, and has filed his verdict with the clerk of courts. Coroner Smith in his verdict finds that Jester was killed by a gunshot wound from the gun held by Smith and that while no motive for the killing was discovered, he held that Smith was highly culpable, and should be held to answer for the death and be punished in some way for his more than criminal carelessness in the handling of firearms. He bound Smith over but ‘Squire O. M. Houser who held the preliminary hearing against Smith immediately after the inquest hel differently and discharged Smith from custody. Coroner Smith was not pleased with the action o ‘Squire Howser and consulted Prosecutor Claypoole this morning in regard to the matter. He informed the Gazette that Prosecutor Claypoole held with him that Smith should have been punished in some way, and that very probably the county might take some further action in the matter. How this will be done is not known unless Smith is brought before the grand jury, and that is hardly probable. ‘Squire Howser is usually a very careful and close observer of evidence, and from his point of view held that while the accident was highly deplorable, still there was absolutely no motive for Smith killing Jester, as both had always been friends and had no quarrel and the discharge of the gun as it was placed to Jester’s nose at Jester’s solicitation was in all probability the result of the accident and not because Smith intended to kill Jester. Looking at the matter from a outside point of view it looks as though Jester was equally culpable with Smith for wanting to have the muzzle of a gun poked up to his nose as a gun which has recently been in use for hunting purposes is a dangerous thing to use as a smelling bottle.”lxxxvi

Obituary of Pearl Jester, Chillicothe Gazette, Chillicothe, Ohio, Friday, Dec. 5, 1902: The young man, Pearl Jester, who was the victim of the recent fatal shooting accident which occurred near Greenland, Ross county, Ohio, on the 1rth of November, 1902, was born near New Holland, Ohio, July 29, 1887, and died at Greenland, Ohio, Nov. 15th, 1902, aged fifteen years, three months and sixteen days. The decreased was a civil, genteel, young man, with many friends and a promising future before him. The funeral was preached at Asberry church, five miles south east of New Holland, by Rev. Judd, and the remains were interred in the New Holland cemetery. The deceased leaves a mother, four brothers and one sister, toto mourn his loss.

At the beginning of 1904, Mary was hit with a lawsuit when “Scott Beatty assignee of the Union Banking Co., an insolvent corporation, has filed suit in Common Pleas court against Mary E. Looker et al. The amount insolvent is $212.47 with costs and interest. The suit is an echo of the wrecking of the New Holland Bank by Cashier Brown.”lxxxvii Two years since the divorce was filed the court ruled. The paper read, “Broke the Record. Judge Wiggins broke the divorce record of the Common Pleas court today, and wound up the proceedings of the day by granting Mary Looker a divorce from Nathan Looker, on the ground of gross neglect of duty.”lxxxviii Within a couple weeks of the divorce, the farm was sold at Sheriff sale because of a money lawsuit. “The Jester farm of 100 acres in Deerfield township, sold by order of the court in the case of the Union Banking Co., of New Holland vs. Mary E. Looker, et al., was bought by Fred Roll for $3570.lxxxix Scott Beatty, assignee of the Union Banking Co., vs. Mary E. Looker, et. Al. Sale conformed ad deed ordered.”xc

In early 1906, Mary E. Jester transferred 20 acres in Union Township for $750 to Charles H. Zurmehly.xci

New Holland Cemetery, Pickaway County, Ohio

Children:

+ 5000. Charles “Charlie” Jester b. Jan. 31, 1881 Madison, Pickaway County, Ohioxcii 5001. Thomas “Tommy” Jester b. March 27, 1882xciii, d. Aug. 23, 1882xciv

New Holland Cemetery, Pickaway County, Ohio + 5002. William Jester b. Sept. 30, 1883 Perry, Pickaway County, Ohioxcv + 5003. Francis “Frank” Jester b. March 23, 1885 Perry, Pickaway County, Ohioxcvi 5004. Pearl Jester b. July 29, 1887 Pickaway County, Ohioxcvii, d. Nov. 15, 1902 Greenland, Ross County, Ohioxcviii 5005. Maud Jester b. Aug. 22, 1887 Pickaway County, Ohioxcix, d. before Dec. 13, 1897c 5006. Fred Jester b. Sept. 9, 1889 Perry, Pickaway County, Ohioci, d. Sept. 27, 1889 New Holland, Perry, Pickaway County, Ohiocii + 5007. Martha “Mattie” Virginia Jester b. Feb. 9, 1891 Perry, Pickaway County, Ohiociii + 5008. Walter Earl Jester b. Jan. 31, 1892 Deerfield, Ross County, Ohiociv

4154. Joseph Ward Jester (Francis, Jesse, Andrew) b. Nov. 6, 1849 Ohiocv, d. Dec. 3, 1920 New Holland, Pickaway County, Ohiocvi, m(1) Jan. 27, 1881 Ross County, Ohiocvii Martha “Mattie” Sims b. 1861cviii, d. 1882cix, m(2) May 3, 1883 Fayette County, Ohiocx Ellen “Ella” Trump b. Dec. 28, 1854 New Holland, Ohiocxi, d. Nov. 30, 1934 Columbus, Franklin County, Ohiocxii

Census Data: 1900 Perry, Pickaway County, Ohio (page 1) Joseph Jester Head WM Nov 1849 50 married 16 years Ohio farmer, Ellen Wife WF Dec 1854 45 married 16 years 6 children 6 living Ohio, Laura Daughter WF Apr 1883 17 single Ohio, Harry Son WM July 1885 14 single Ohio, Maud Daughter WF Aug 1887 12 single Ohio, Lottie Daughter WF May 1890 10 single Ohio, May Daughter WF July 1893 6 single Ohio, Joseph Son WM May 1899 1 single Ohio; 1910 Perry, Pickaway County, Ohio (page 10A) Joseph W. Jester 60 Head Ohio, Ellen Wife 56 Ohio, Harry Son 24 Ohio, Maud Daughter 21 Ohio, Lottie Daughter 19 Ohio, Mae Daughter 16 Ohio, Joseph Son 10 Ohio, Floyd Son 8 Ohio; 1920 Perry, Pickaway County, Ohio (page 5A) Joseph W. Jester 70 WM Ohio, Ellen wife 64 WF Ohio, Maud 32 daughter Ohio, Mae 26 daughter Ohio, Joseph P 20 son Ohio, Floyd 17 son Ohio; 1930 Perry, Pickaway County, Ohio (page 1A) Ella Head 75 WF widow Ohio, Mae Daughter 37 Ohio Public School Teacher

New Holland Cemetery, Pickaway County, Ohio

Children:

+ 5025. Laura L. Jester b. May 8, 1882 Perry, Pickaway County, Ohiocxiii + 5026. Harry Jester b. July 10, 1885 near New Holland, Perry, Pickaway County, Ohiocxiv + 5027. Maud Jester b. Aug. 21, 1888 Pickaway County, Ohiocxv + 5028. Charlotte “Lottie” Jester b. May 16, 1890 Perry, Pickaway County, Ohiocxvi + 5029. May Jester b. July 6, 1893 Pickaway County, Ohiocxvii + 5030. Joseph Paul Jester, Sr. b. May 7, 1899 Perry, Pickaway County, Ohiocxviii + 5031. Floyd Jester b. Oct. 4, 1901 New Holland, Pickaway County, Ohiocxix