Person:Clarence Heslep (1)

Buried in Resthaven Cemetery, Princeton, WV.

He operated a flour, corn and feed mill in Peterstown, Wv. He was married twice, first to Allena May "Duckie" Keatley on April 26, 1905 at Bozoo, Wv; She died June 6, 1915 at Perterstown, Wv. , and is buried in the Flat Cemetery, Ballard, Wv. C.O. married a second time on Sept. 24, 1916, at Gates, Monroe County, Wv., to a sister of his first wife, Ora Jeanous Keatley, born June 15, 1896, at Bozoo, Wv.

(Compiled Oct. 1951 by Charter Heslep-Silver Springs, Md.) "The family is English. The spelling Heslep is authenticated by a family Bible with entries beginning in 1720 and gravestones in Octarara, Pa., with birth entries dating to 1687. There is evidence that Heslep family had its origin in the northern counties, centering around Newcastle-on-Tyne.

Legend places the family in London by the 17th century and two Heslep graves are reported in Westminster Abbey. Legend also says the family held minor church and court positions for several generations. Around 1700, the father of Thomas Heslep who is the common ancestor of the Virgina branch of the family was the "bearer of the Royal Mace" at the Court of St. James. The family Bible gives the address as 16 Pall Mall in 1720. This is only a block from the St. James Palace and lends some plausibility to the legend.

The first Heslep family in America was in Chester County, Pa., by 1700, the emigrant believed to be Thomas (wife Mary Kendig). His son, also Thomas, is credited with building a stone house near Coatesville, Sadisbury Township, Chester, Co., on a tract known as "Heslepton". This son of the first emigrant (wife named Mary) had 11 children, possibly more. Their offspring and their numerous descendants are the Pennsylvania branch of the family."

The above note is a reference to a copy of some Heslep research by Charter Heslep, although our family does not have a copy of Charter's book if indeed there was a book.