Captain John Keese was the leader of a Militia Company out of Wilkes County, North Carolina and participated in the victorious Battle of Kings Mountain. His surname is often seen spelled "Kees" and "Keyes".

He removed from Wilkes County, NC along with several Cleveland families, Isbells, and others from that area. When he settled in this area, it was a part of Georgia at the time and he served a term in the Georgia Legislature.

There is evidence that John may not actually be buried here. In the early Minutes of the Beaverdam Baptist Church it is mentioned that John Keese was buried in the cemetery at the first church location. I believe that location is now under lake Hartwell and the cemetery is what became known as the Isbell Family Cemetery.

There is evidence for the names of four sons of John Kees(e) recorded in "Pendleton District, S.C. Deeds 1790-1806," compiled by Betty Willie (1982). They are Absolam Kees, Elijah Kees, Thomas Kees, and Washington Kees to which they were deeded land or slaves in 1806.

Captain John Keese was the leader of a Militia Company out of Wilkes County, North Carolina and participated in the victorious Battle of Kings Mountain. His surname is often seen spelled "Kees" and "Keyes".

He removed from Wilkes County, NC along with several Cleveland families, Isbells, and others from that area. When he settled in this area, it was a part of Georgia at the time and he served a term in the Georgia Legislature.

There is evidence that John may not actually be buried here. In the early Minutes of the Beaverdam Baptist Church it is mentioned that John Keese was buried in the cemetery at the first church location. I believe that location is now under lake Hartwell and the cemetery is what became known as the Isbell Family Cemetery.

There is evidence for the names of four sons of John Kees(e) recorded in "Pendleton District, S.C. Deeds 1790-1806," compiled by Betty Willie (1982). They are Absolam Kees, Elijah Kees, Thomas Kees, and Washington Kees to which they were deeded land or slaves in 1806.