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There is a place in the Shenendoah Valley, in Augusta County, known as "Trinity Point". In the early 1700's James Sayers built a stone fort by Middle River at Buffalo (Creek) Branch as a means of protection against Indian raids.
In the late 1700's a Swiss immigrant from Pennsylvania named Fredrick George Keller(Sr.)purchased "Trinity Point" for 900 pounds. For over a hundred years the fort would be known as "The Keller Fort" until it was dismantled in the 1930's.
Fredrick George Keller Jr. was born in the fort and his wife Magdalene Fahl would have eight children by him. Living to see eighty eight, Magdalene spent forty four of those years at the fort.
Magdalene's last born was Henry Swoope Keller who served in the Confederacy during the civil war. Being sent home to die, as severely wounded were in those days, Henry beat the odds with the help of his grand wife Margaret E. Sexton. She would live to see eleven children and many grandchildren during her eighty six years.
Henry Swoope Keller built a beautiful home while the old fort nearby still served his sister Mary M. Keller and her husband William Shuff. In those days a road to Churchville from Staunton passed by Henry's home, Henry's wagon factory and cradle business, the Freal Nail Factory and Tribbett's Mill. Nothing remains of any of these businesses except hard to find impressions and some stone foundations.

Descendants of Fredrick & Magdalene (Fahl) Keller
Updated September 21, 2000

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Ronald Lee Keller
34938 Sr 20 #15
Oak harbor, WA 98277
A-United States
360-675-1220
rockislekman@cs.com


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Family Photos

  • Keller Coat of Arms 1600 - 1700 (91 KB)
    This Keller coat of arms originates in the Zurick area of Switzerland and is likely related to our hans Keller or his son Bastian Keller. This coat of arms represents a family whose profession is related to accounting or auditing. It is directly related to a 2nd coat of arms also shown in another picture on this page.
  • Keller Coat of Arms 1600 - 1670 (55 KB)
    The Coat of Arms of Leodegard Keller, Statthalter u, Statt-Panier von Luzern 1600-1670 (nach einem Stich). Burgermeister Johannes Keller von Zurick, 1445, fuhrte den Schlussel rechtsgeschragt.) Whatever all that German means... anyone care to translate all that?
  • Keller Coat of Arms 1608 (56 KB)
    This Keller coat of arms we are also related with but the exact meaning and purpose has been lost being past down over the years. Research is to be done to attempt better identification of which Keller in our ancestry owned this coat of arms.
  • Henry Lee Keller, Sr. (42 KB)
    Henry Lee Keller. Sr. 1892 - 1964 Photo taken sometime after graduation from Staunton Military Academy, VA. Henry was an engineer on the Grand Coullie Dam, WA. in the 1930's. He invented an electric mower, an addition to a washing machine for ladies' delicate items and a vacuum atomizer adaptor that saved 4 miles a gallon on a 6 cyl. car engine that i know of. He worked on the first system to trigger traffic lights automaticly for oncoming vehicles and presented it to the Dept of Transportation. He was the son of Joseph Sexton Keller, son of Henry Swoope Keller, son of Fredrick George Keller.
  • Keller Family Association Reunion 1936 (58 KB)
    This was the biggest KFA reunion covered by the Staunton and Richmond VA. papers. It took place in Buffalo Gap, VA. at Virginia Keller Clem's (m. Monroe Clem). While I can not recognize anyone in this photo, a complete listing by state is available upon request. My grandmother Grace Elizabeth Mohler Keller and her daughter Virginia Katherine Keller Mills (later married Elmer) Goodfellow were very active in the association as secretaries.
  • Keller Family Reunion late 30's? (60 KB)
    I do not have any information on this photo. I can recognize several attendees from the 1936 reunion photo who weren't much changed which places this photo in the 1930's. the exact location isn't known, but It was likely taken somewhere in the Deerfield or Buffalo Gap area of Augusta Co. VA.
  • Margaret Sexton Keller mid to late 1800's (62 KB)
    Margaret Sexton Keller was the wife of Henry Swoope Keller, son of Fredrick George Keller. They lived at Trinity Point in Augusta Co. in a home built in 1865 which still stands in good repair today. Henry built a thriving wagon and cradle business while Margaret raised 11 children, seeing numerous grandchildren. That is a job which commands a lot of respect considering the harsh living conditions of the 1800's.
  • Margaret Sexton Keller's Family about 1922 (65 KB)
    Margaret Sexton Keller had to be in her late 70's, early 80's in this group picture probably taken at William Herndon's house on Frazer Street in Staunton, VA. There is not enough space here to name all of her 11 children and grandchildren who traveled from several states to be with her for this reunion. This shows a lot of respect and regard for this marvelous woman. A list of these people can be requested via my email address.
  • Keller Family Association Reunion July 1998 (63 KB)
    In memory of Shirley Keller Peaco who passed away as the new century opened. She sponsored the 1st reunion held outside of Staunton, VA. in many years. It took place at Kansas City, Missouri. A list of attendees can be requested via my email address.
 

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