An American Family History

"[L]iberty must at all hazards be supported.
We have a right to it, derived from our Maker.
But if we had not, our fathers have earned and bought it for us,
at the expense of their ease, their estates, their pleasure, and their blood."

Henry Kessler may have been born in York County, Pennsylvania in about 1750.

Henry married Barbara Kenoyer about 1770 in Pennsylvania. Their children and life together are described in detail in the section on Henry and Barbara Kessler.

Henry Kessler served in the American Revolution.

A Henry Kesler was a private under Colonel David Kennedy of 1st company 7th Battalion.

The Pennsylvania Revolutionary War Battalions and Militia Index 1775-1783 includes a Henry Kessler as Lieutenant. There is a card for Henry Kesler at the Pennsylvania State Archives where he was with the 20th Pennsylvania Regiment and received 98 dollars and change for pay from 1 Jan 1783- 3 Nov 1783. Soldier signed with an X.

He served as a captain in the York County Militia in 1782. He was captain of the 4th company, 5th battalion from Codorus Township in York County.

He died before the 1820 census when Barbara appeared as a widow in Green Township, Clark County, Ohio.