Lillie Belle CHRISTIAN

Other Events:

• Occupation: Homemaker
• _UID: 3953EFF7AA1A40BF9E9C22488BAB02FA0BEA

Notes:

Tombstone has her DOB as 21 Feb. 1868 and DOD as 29 Sept 1943.

She made all of her own rugs. Had a room with her loom in it. She knew a lot about herbs for medicine, and Nancy Whitaker Tate would go with her as a child to gather various types of plants. NWT would help her water her plants and bug her beans.

In 1934 her house was burned in an act of arson while she was visiting her daughter, Laura Gaynell in PA. She lost everything, including family photos. Her grand daughter Rosie Whitaker Shepherd and husband Elmer lived with her. Elmer was mad at his wife, and while Rosie was out, he got drunk and set the house on fire. He was convicted on arson and sentenced to 5 years in prison.

Newton Whitaker, her son, built her a small house in front of the one that burned.


CENSUS RECORDS

1870 United States Federal Census about Lillie B Christian
Name: Lillie B Christian
Age in 1870: 5
Birth Year: abt 1865
[Abt 1868]
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1870: Maiden Spring, Tazewell, Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Female [in household of Thomas and Euphemia Christian]
Post Office: Knob

1880 United States Federal Census
Name: Lilly Christian
Age: 11
Birth Year: abt 1869
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1880: Maiden Spring, Tazewell, Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Female
Relation to Head of House: Daughter
Marital Status: Single
Father's Name: Thomas Christian
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Name: Euphemia Christian
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Occupation: At Home

1900 United States Federal Census
Name: Lillie B Whitaker
Age: 32
Birth Date: Feb 1868
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1900: Maiden Spring, Tazewell, Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Female
Relation to Head of House: Wife
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Hiram Whitaker
Marriage Year: 1890
Years Married: 10
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother: number of living children: 4
Mother: How many children: 5
Household Members:
Hiram Whitaker 47
Lillie B Whitaker 32
Nora L Whitaker 24 [step-daughter]
Wm R Whitaker 21 [step-son]
Mollie B Whitaker 19 [step-daughter]
Mattie Whitaker 17 [step-daughter]
Newton H Whitaker 10
Otis H Whitaker 6
Laura L Whitaker 2
Nancy D Whitaker 4 months
Nancy Whitaker 75 [mother-in-law]

1910 United States Federal Census
Name: Lillie Belle Whiteaker
[Bell Whiteaker]
Age in 1910: 42
Birth Year: abt 1868
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1910: Maiden Spring, Tazewell, Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Female
Relation to Head of House: Wife
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Hiram Whiteaker
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Household Members:
Hiram Whiteaker 57
Lillie Belle Whiteaker 42
Newton H Whiteaker 19
Otis H Whiteaker 16
Laura G Whiteaker 12
Nannie U F Whiteaker 10
Virginia A Whiteaker 5
Annie L Whiteaker 3

1920 United States Federal Census
Name: Lilly B Whitaker
Age: 51
Birth Year: abt 1869
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1920: Maiden Spring, Tazewell, Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Female
Relation to Head of House: Wife
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Hiram Whitaker
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Able to Read: Yes
Able to Write: Yes
Household Members:
Hiram Whitaker 67
Lilly B Whitaker 51
Virginia A Whitaker 14
Annie L Whitaker 12

1930 United States Federal Census
Name: Lillie B Whittaker
Gender: Female
Birth Year: abt 1868
Birthplace: Virginia
Race: White
Home in 1930: Maiden Spring, Tazewell, Virginia
Marital Status: Widowed
Relation to Head of House: Head
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Household Members:
Lillie B Whittaker 62
Lucele Williamson 23 [Lucille, her daughter]
Harvy C Williamson 29 [son-in-law]
Lillie Kate Williamson 6 [granddaughter]
Bernard N Williamson 4 [grandson]

1940 United States Federal Census
Name: Lilly Whittaker
Respondent: Yes
Age: 72
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1868
Gender: Female
Race: White
Birthplace: Virginia
Marital Status: Widowed
Relation to Head of House: Head
Home in 1940: Maiden Spring, Tazewell, Virginia
House Number: 93
Farm: No
Inferred Residence in 1935: Maiden Spring, Tazewell, Virginia
Residence in 1935: Same House
Owned home, worth $200
Education: 0 [no formal schooling]
Income in 1939: None
Household Members:
Lilly Whittaker 72

Buried:
Grave location and tombstone photo:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GScid=2225540&GRid=119724696&

Died:
Virginia, Deaths, 1912-2014. Virginia Department of Health, Richmond, Virginia

Name: Lillie Bell Whitker [Whittaker]
Gender: Female
Race: White
Age at Death: 75
Birth Date: 21 Feb 1868
Death Date: 30 Sep 1943
Death Place: Cedar Bluff, Tazewell, Virginia, USA
Registration Date: 5 Nov 1943
Father: Thomas Christon [Christian]
Mother: Alice Chambers
Spouse: Hiram Whitker [Whittaker]
Certificate Number: 1943023000

Lillie married Hiram (Hi) WHITAKER 29 Aug 1889, Tazewell Co VA. Hiram (son of James S. WHITAKER, Jr. and Nancy PETTS) was born 27 Aug 1852, Harman, Tazewell Co, VA; died 14 Aug 1928, Baptist Valley, Tazewell Co. VA; was buried , Whitaker Cemetery, Cedar Bluff, VA. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Married:
Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940
Groom's Name: Hiram Whitaker
Groom's Birth Date: 1852
Groom's Birthplace: Tazewell County, Va
Groom's Age: 37
Bride's Name: Lelly B. Christian [Lilly]
Bride's Birth Date: 1868
Bride's Birthplace: Tazewell County, Va
Bride's Age: 21
Marriage Date: 29 May 1889
Marriage Place: Tazewell, Virginia
Groom's Father's Name: James
Groom's Mother's Name: Nancy
Bride's Father's Name: Thos. C
Bride's Mother's Name: Alafore [Allyfair]
Groom's Race: White
Groom's Marital Status: Widowed
Groom's Previous Wife's Name:
Bride's Race: White
Bride's Marital Status: Single
Bride's Previous Husband's Name:
Indexing Project (Batch) Number: M01695-4
System Origin: Virginia-EASy
Source Film Number: 34214
Reference Number: Page 87 Line128

1. Newburn WHITAKER was born ca 1886, Tazewell Co. VA; died 16 Oct 1893, Belcher Ridge, Tazewell, VA.
2. Newton Hubbard WHITAKER was born 28 May 1890, Harman, Tazewell Co, VA; died 19 Mar 1950, Richlands, VA; was buried , Whitaker Family Cemetery, Cedar Bluff, Tazewell Co. VA.
3. Otis H. WHITAKER was born 13 Jun 1893, Tazewell Co. VA; died 2 Apr 1917, Tazewell Co. VA; was buried , Whitaker Family Cemetery, Cedar Bluff, Tazewell Co. VA.
4. Laura Gaynell WHITAKER was born 6 Oct 1897, Tazewell Co. VA; died 6 May 1997, Strasburg, Lancaster Co. PA; was buried , Strasburg Cemetery, Strasburg, Lancaster Co, PA.
5. Nancy Euphemia Alafair WHITAKER was born 25 Jan 1900, Tazewell Co. VA; died 13 Feb 2002, Tazewell Co. VA; was buried , Clinch Valley Memorial Cemetery and Mausoleum, Richlands, Tazewell Co. VA.
6. Virginia WHITAKER was born 17 Apr 1905, Tazewell Co. VA; died 08 May 1988, Volusia Co. FL.
7. Anna Lucille WHITAKER was born 8 Mar 1907, Tazewell Co., VA; died 1 Jun 1930, Tazewell Co. VA; was buried , Whitaker Cemetery, Baptist Valley, North-Tazewell Tazewell Co. VA.

Other Events:

• _UID: AA493B2E5AF745F384A492DF2D6148D42827

Notes:

He lived on Indian Creek, Sinking Waters. Family info from Laura Gaynelle Whitaker has his middle name as Christian.

CIVIL WAR RECORDS

Civil War

Private in Co. H 29th Regiment, Virginia Infantry

29th Infantry Regiment was authorized in November, 1861, and was to contain seven companies under Colonel A.C. Moore and three companies at Pound Gap. However, this organization never took place. Moore's five companies from Abingdon and companies raised in the spring of 1862 evidently made up the nine-company regiment. It was assigned to the Valley District, Department of Northern Virginia, then moved to Kentucky where it was engaged at Middle Creek. Later it saw action in Western Virginia and for a time served in North Carolina under General French. In March, 1863, it totaled 732 men. Attached to General Corse's Brigade the unit participated in Longstreet's Suffolk Expedition and during the Gettysburg Campaign was on detached duty in Tennessee and North Carolina. In the spring of 1864 it returned to Virginia and took its place in the Petersburg trenches north and south of the James River and ended the war at Appomattox. Many were lost at Sayler's Creek, and only 1 officer and 27 men surrendered on April 9, 1865. The field officers were Colonels James Giles and Alfred C. Moore; Lieutenant Colonels Alexander Haynes, William Leigh, and Edwin R. Smith; and Majors Ebenezer Bruster, William R.B. Horne, and Isaac White.

MISCELLANEOUS

Chataigne's Virginia Gazetteer and Business Directory 1888-89 Tazewell County

Mills: Corn and Flour
Pleasant Hill, T. C. Christian

"Her husband, Tom Christian, had a cabinet shop and made caskets of wood."

CENSUS RECORDS

1850 United States Federal Census about Thos Christian
Name: Thos Christian [Thomas C. Christian]
Age: 5
Birth Year: abt 1845
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1850: Western District, Tazewell, Virginia
Gender: Male [in household of Thomas S. and Anna Christian]

1860 United States Federal Census
Name: Thomas Christain [Thomas Christian]
Age in 1860: 14
Birth Year: abt 1846
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1860: Western District, Tazewell, Virginia
Gender: Male [in household of Thomas S. and Anna Christian]
Post Office: Baptist Valley

1870 United States Federal Census
Name: Thomas Christian
Age in 1870: 25
Birth Year: abt 1845
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1870: Maiden Spring, Tazewell, Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Male
Post Office: Knob
Value of real estate: $600 real estate, $200 personal property
Household Members:
Name Age
Thomas Christian 25
Eufema A Christian 19
Lillie B Christian 5

1880 United States Federal Census
Name: Thomas Christian
Age: 31
Birth Year: abt 1849
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1880: Maiden Spring, Tazewell, Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Self (Head)
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Euphemia Christian
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Occupation: Farmer
Household Members:
Thomas Christian 31
Euphemia Christian 25
Lilly Christian 11
Mary E. Christian 9
Sarah E. Christian 6
Eva M. Christian 2
George W. Christian 3 months

1900 United States Federal Census
Name: Thos C Christian [Thomas C Christian]
Age: 55
Birth Date: Oct 1844
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1900: Maiden Spring, Tazewell, Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Head
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Allie Christian
Marriage Year: 1869
Years Married: 31
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Household Members:
Thos C Christian 55
Ellie Christian 49
Mary E Christian 29
Sarah E Christian 23
Eva Christian 22
Geo W Christian 20
Nancy A Christian 17
Oceania Christian 16
Oklahoma Christian 8
Thos D Christian 1

1910 United States Federal Census
Name: Thomas C Christian
Age in 1910: 64
Birth Year: 1846
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1910: Maiden Spring, Tazewell, Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Head
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Alafair Christian
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Household Members:
Thomas C Christian 64
Alafair Christian 58
Mary E Christian 37
Emeline Christian 34
Annie A Christian 27
Okla H Christian 18
Thomas D Christian 11
Paul H Christian 3 [The son of Mollie Whitaker Altizer, born too long after Noah Alitzer was killed to be his son. In this census he is listed as an adopted son.]

1920 United States Federal Census
Name: Thomas C Christian
Age: 74
Birth Year: abt 1846
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1920: Maiden Spring, Tazewell, Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Head
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Alafair Christian
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Home Owned: Own
Able to Read: Yes
Able to Write: Yes
Household Members:
Thomas C Christian 74
Alafair Christian 69
Thomas D Christian 21
Harman Altizer 13 [son of Mollie Whitaker Altizer, born too long after Noah Alitzer was killed to be his son. He is now using Altizer as his last name.]



Occupation:
wheelwright

Died:
Virginia, Deaths, 1912-2014. Virginia Department of Health, Richmond, Virginia

Name: Thomas J Christian [Thomas C. Christian]
Gender: Male
Race: White
Age at Death: 74
Birth Date: 18 Oct 1845
Death Date: 21 May 1920
Death Place: Maiden Spring, Tazewell, Virginia
Registration Date: 22 May 1920
Father: Thomas S Christian
Mother: Anna Altizer
Spouse: Alley Fare Christian
Certificate Number: 1920014379

Thomas married Euphemia Alifair CHAMBERS 20 Mar 1867, Tazewell Co VA. Euphemia (daughter of Thomas GILLESPIE and Emeline S. CHAMBERS) was born 29 Dec 1850, Virginia; died 08 Jan 1923, Tazewell Co. VA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• _UID: 5A26A23830B84E2AA7BB00A63DA39ADB17BB

Notes:

Check marriage date. 1910 census indicated they had been married for 40 years, putting their marriage date in 1870. DOM possibly 1867.

Alafair (Allie) was a large woman. She had a goiter on her neck. She nursed Oscar Elswick. Her husband, Tom Christian, had a cabinet shop and made caskets of wood. Allie lined the caskets and then attached handmade lace. They lived in Harman, near Bandy, VA.

CENSUS RECORDS

1850 United States Federal Census
Name: Allefair Chambers
Age: 6 months
Birth Year: abt 1850
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1850: District 54, Russell, Virginia
Gender: Female [in household of her grandmother, Nancy Chambers with her mother Emeline]
Household Members:
Nancy Chambers 38
Lydia Chambers 21
Emeline Chambers 19
Joannah Chambers 15
Hugh Chambers 12
John Chambers 10
Sarah Jane Chambers 9
Davis Chambers 8 months [son of Lydia]
Allefair Chambers 6 months

1860 United States Federal Census
Name: Euphemia Chambers
Age in 1860: 11
Birth Year: abt 1849
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1860: Western District, Tazewell, Virginia
Gender: Female
Post Office: Cedar Bluff
Household Members:
Emiline J Chamber 28
Euphemia Chamber 11
Elbert W Chamber 7
James B Chamber 1
Chapman Elsick 23 [he later married Emeline]

1870 United States Federal Census
Name: Eufema A Christian
Age in 1870: 19
Birth Year: abt 1851
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1870: Maiden Spring, Tazewell, Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Female [in household of Thomas C. Christian]
Post Office: Knob

1880 United States Federal Census
Name: Euphemia Christian
Age: 25
Birth Year: abt 1855
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1880: Maiden Spring, Tazewell, Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Female
Relation to Head of House: Wife
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Thomas Christian
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia

1900 United States Federal Census
Name: Allie Christian [Euphemia A Christian]
Age: 49
Birth Date: Dec 1850
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1900: Maiden Spring, Tazewell, Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Female
Relation to Head of House: Wife
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Thos C Christian
Marriage Year: 1869
Years Married: 31
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother: number of living children: 9
Mother: How many children: 11

1910 United States Federal Census
Name: Alafair Christian
Age in 1910: 58
Birth Year: 1852
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1910: Maiden Spring, Tazewell, Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Female
Relation to Head of House: Wife
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Thomas C Christian
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia

1920 United States Federal Census
Name: Alafair Christian
Age: 69
Birth Year: abt 1851
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1920: Maiden Spring, Tazewell, Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Female
Relation to Head of House: Wife
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Thomas C Christian
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Able to Read: Yes
Able to Write: Yes

Died:
Virginia, Deaths, 1912-2014. Virginia Department of Health, Richmond, Virginia

Name: Allie Fair Christian
Gender: Female
Race: White
Age at Death: 72
Birth Date: 29 Dec 1850
Death Date: 8 Jan 1923
Death Place: Tazewell, Virginia, USA
Registration Date: 10 Jan 1923
Father: Chapman Elswick [stepfather]
Mother: Emeline Chambers
Spouse: Thomas Christian
Certificate Number: 1923003056

Notes:

Married:
Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940
Groom's Name: Thos C Christian
Groom's Birth Date: 1846
Groom's Birthplace: Tazewell County, Va
Groom's Age: 21
Bride's Name: Euphemie A Chambers
Bride's Birth Date: 1850
Bride's Birthplace: Russell County, Va
Bride's Age: 17
Marriage Date: 20 Mar 1867
Marriage Place: Tazewell, Virginia
Groom's Father's Name: Thos S Christian
Groom's Mother's Name: A
Bride's Mother's Name: Emaline Z Chambers
Groom's Marital Status: Single
Bride's Marital Status: Single
Indexing Project (Batch) Number: M01695-4
System Origin: Virginia-EASy
Source Film Number: 34214
Reference Number: Page 24Line49

Other Events:

• _UID: AD97A8231615484E9D5A60783FC158D8CFDA

Notes:

He was a minister, performed many marriages in Tazewell Co Va, especially for family members.

CENSUS RECORDS

1850 United States Federal Census
Name: Thos S Christian [Thomas Skaggs Christian]
Age: 35
Birth Year: abt 1815
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1850: Western District, Tazewell, Virginia
Gender: Male
Value of Real Estate: $1000
Household Members:
Thos S Christian 35
Anna Christian 34
Lilly Christian 9
Polly Christian 7
Thos Christian 5
Robbin Christian 3

1860 United States Federal Census
Name: Thomas S Christian
[Thomas S Christian]
Age in 1860: 46
Birth Year: abt 1814
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1860: Western District, Tazewell, Virginia
Gender: Male
Post Office: Baptist Valley
Value of real estate: $300, personal property $270
Household Members:
Thomas S Christian 46
Ann Christian 46
Thomas Christian 14
Robert Christian 12
Hanah Christian 10
Jackson Christian 9
George Christian 4
Katharine Christian 1
Susan Altizer 74

1870 United States Federal Census
Name: Thos S Christian
Age in 1870: 50
Birth Year: abt 1820
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1870: Maiden Spring, Tazewell, Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Male
Post Office: Knob
Household Members:
Thos S Christian 50
Annie Christian 55
Jackson Christian 18
George C Christian 14
Catherine Christian 11

1880 United States Federal Census
Name: Thomas S. Christian
Age: 66
Birth Year: abt 1814
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1880: Maiden Spring, Tazewell, Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Self (Head)
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Ann Eliza Christian
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia

MISCELLANEOUS DOCUMENTS

Tazewell County Churches: 1860. Deed Book 13, p. 164.
Hugh S. Bailey conveyed to Thomas S. Christian, William Altizer and Robert McGlothlin, "Trustees of a meeting house built on the land that said Bailey bought of Alexander Christian."  Said lot contains one acre.  Beginning at a white oak a corner of Hugh Bailey, on the east line, thence East thirteen poles to a chestnut oak, thence N.W. 13 poles to a poplar, thence 13 poles to a chestnut tree, thence S. 13 poles to the beginning."  (Vol. 1, p. 312)

LAND GRANTS

Thomas S. Christian - 1 Mar 1847
Tazewell County
32 a. On the Belsher ridge of Indian Creek a branch of Clinch River
Grants No. 98, p. 498

Thomas S. Christian - 1 Mar 1847
Tazewell County
141 a. On the Belsher spur the waters of Indian Creek a branch of Clinch River
Grants No. 98, p. 499

Thomas S. Christian - 1 Mar 1847
Tazewell County
175 a. On the Belsher ridge
Grants No. 98, p. 500

Thomas S. Christian - 1 Mar 1847
Tazewell County
66 a. On the waters of Indian Creek
Grants No. 98, p. 501

Thomas S. Christian - 1 Oct 1849
Tazewell County
214 a. On dividing ridge between Grassy Spring fork of Indian Creek and Left hand fork of Beech fork of Dry fork
Grants No. 102, p. 214

Thomas S. Christian - 1 Oct 1850
Tazewell County
266 a. On the Belsher ridge
Grants No. 104, p. 35

Thomas married Anna Elizabeth ALTIZER 23 Oct 1836, Tazewell Co VA. Anna (daughter of David Riley ALTIZER and Susan SLUSHER) was born Abt 1814, Tazewell Co VA; died Aft 1880, Tazewell Co. VA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• _UID: C8FAF6FB7954409193A39185DBB486D789B1

Notes:

CENSUS RECORDS

1850 United States Federal Census
Name: Anna Christian
Age: 34
Birth Year: abt 1816
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1850: Western District, Tazewell, Virginia
Gender: Female [in household of Thomas Skaggs Christian]

1860 United States Federal Census
Name: Anna Christian
Age in 1860: 46
Birth Year: abt 1814
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1860: Western District, Tazewell, Virginia
Gender: Female [in household of Thomas Skaggs Christian]
Post Office: Baptist Valley

1870 United States Federal Census
Name: Annie Christian
Age in 1870: 55
Birth Year: abt 1815
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1870: Maiden Spring, Tazewell, Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Female [in household of Thomas Skaggs Christian]
Post Office: Knob

1880 United States Federal Census
Name: Ann Eliza Christian
Age: 66
Birth Year: abt 1814
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1880: Maiden Spring, Tazewell, Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Female
Relation to Head of House: Wife
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Thomas S. Christian
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Occupation: Keeping House

Notes:

Married:
Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940
Groom's Name: Thomas Christian
Bride's Name: Anna Altizer
Marriage Date: 23 Oct 1836
Marriage Place: Tazewell, Virginia
Indexing Project (Batch) Number: M01695-4
System Origin: Virginia-EASy
Source Film Number: 34214
Reference Number: Page 132

Other Events:

• _UID: 39FEB522E5614E62BB57485DB3DA159CF951

Notes:

Several sources have come forward with information that the Emeline's first three children was a Gillespie from Pounding Mill or the community of Gillespie" between Pounding Mill (about two miles to the west) and Cliffield in Tazewell Co. Va.

It seems that Emeline was living in Liberty and the gap or short cut over the mountain leads over to Laurel Gap from the Pounding Mill area and then to Liberty. This would have been been less than three miles by horseback.

A granddaughter of Emeline remarked to her grandson as they were traveling through Pounding Mill that Emeline's first children was fathered by a Gillespie, but did not know his first name. Emeline and this man reportedly traveled to see each other.

Why didn't she marry the father of these 3 children? He possibly was married, unwilling to marry her, or he died before they could marry.

Further research is needed, and the key will be maps of the census districts for Tazwell Co. to see exactly which male Gillespies on the 1850 Tazewell Co. Maiden Spring District were living near Laurel Gap in Pounding Mill or the community of Gillespie.

Thomas married Emeline S. CHAMBERS. Emeline (daughter of Thomas CHAMBERS and Nancy CHRISTIAN) was born 18 Jan 1830, Russell Co. VA; died 2 Mar 1898, Tazewell Co. VA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• _UID: FFF7D11A2F354377B35F20FA34DF4D6CF7B7

Notes:

CENSUS RECORDS

1840 Census, Russell Co. VA Thomas had two males under 5 [John and Hugh], one male 5-10 [Reese], one female under 5 [Joanna], one female 5-10 [Emeline], and one female 10-15 [Lydia].

1850 United States Federal Census
Name: Emeline Chambers
Age: 19
Birth Year: abt 1831
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1850: District 54, Russell, Virginia
Gender: Female
able to read and write, is living in household number 1250 with her mother Nancy Chambers, along with Emeline's daughter, Allifair, age 6 months.

1860 United States Federal Census
Name: Emiline J Chamber [Emiline J Chambers]
Age in 1860: 28
Birth Year: abt 1832
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1860: Western District, Tazewell, Virginia
Gender: Female
Post Office: Cedar Bluff
Household Members:
Emiline J Chambers 28
Euphemia Chambers 11
Elbert W Chambers 7
James B Chambers 1
Chapman Elsick 23 [farm laborer]

1870 United States Federal Census
Name: Emeline Elswick
Age in 1870: 38
Birth Year: abt 1832
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1870: Maiden Spring, Tazewell, Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Female
Post Office: Knob
Household Members:
Chapman Elswick 38
Emeline Elswick 38
Elbert W Elswick 16
Thomas D Elswick 14
James B Elswick 11
Buenavista Elswick 8
Dellie B Elswick 5
Nancy L Elswick 2

1880 United States Federal Census
Name: Emaline Elswick
Age: 48
Birth Year: abt 1832
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1880: Maiden Spring, Tazewell, Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Female
Relation to Head of House: Wife
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Chapman Elswick
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Household Members:
Chapman Elswick 43
Emaline Elswick 48
Bunevista Elswick 18
Nancy L. Elswick 13
Lafayette Elswick 10
Mary Elswick 6

MARRIAGE RECORD

"Tazewell County (VA) Marriages", Register #3, Year 1863, transcribed by Pauline Haga.

Chapman S. Elswick, age 26 yr, 7 mon, 19 days, born in Tazewell Co, VA, son of William and Lucinda Elswick, married on 10 Sep 1863 Emeline S. Chambers, age 21, born in Russell Co, VA, daughter of Thomas and Nancy Chambers. Married by Patton J. Lockhart.

STORIES

It was said she was a "red-headed,full-blooded Irish woman," according to contemporary accounts. While her husband, Chapman Elswick, was fighting in the Shenandoah Valley, his family was facing uncertainty and hardships.

Emeline and another lady by the name of Polly Griffiths, wife of Martin Griffiths (29th VA Infantry CSA) dug coal to fill ox carts, and during the summer months, leaving their children behind, drove the carts pulled by oxen and they came down from the ridge [Pleasant Hill, Reynolds Ridge] between Big Creek and Middle Creek from Stinson Ridge to Cedar Bluff, then up to Frog Level, then across the mountain and down the valley to Saltville, Va. (which would have been 40-50 mile), where they traded the coal for salt.

On the way back they would stop and trade the salt for staples and supplies they needed on the farm. They would trade salt for food and vegetables with neighbors who would be able to tend their farms.

It was a long, arduous trip and demonstrated the fortitude and perseverance of women and what they had to do to survive.

Notes:

John McClintock, Jr., a descendant of Emeline and Chapman Elswick, told me the family stories were a Thomas Gillespie was the father of Emeline's children. Thomas would travel over the mountain to visit "Red headed Emmie" at Liberty.

Until the death certificate of Thomas D. Chambers there was no proof of this. Thomas' death certificate is the only one of his three siblings born out of wedlock that give the name of Thomas Gillespie as the father. Alifair Chambers Christian's death certificate gave Chapman Elswick as her father, Elbert Wade Chambers had no names for his parents. For Alifair's descendants, her real father's name was not known, but evidently for the children of Emmeline and Chapman Elswick, the name was known but not talked about outside the family.

When Emeline married Chapman Elswick, she put her marital status as divorced. More than likely, Thomas Gillespie was a married man and was not free to marry Emeline.

Which Thomas Gillespie could be the father? One researcher has William Thomas Gillespie who was in his 60's during the time Emeline's children were conceived. I think a younger man is more likely since he was traveling over the mountain to Liberty on horseback. Here are the candidates from the Tazewell 1850 Census for Thomas or Thos:

Thomas Harrison Gillespie Nov. 19, 1812-Oct. 14, 1891, husband of Mary Ann Radar. In 1850 Thomas was 38 years old.

Thomas Simpson Gillespie 13 Dec 1807-1857,1862 or 1866, husband of Mariah Peery. In 1850 he was 43 years old. Thomas moved to Genry Co. MO in 1854, but later returned and died in Tazewell Co. This Thomas is a possibility based on the ages of Emeline's children. Alifair and Elbert Wade are three years apart, but there is about a 3 year difference between Elbert Wade born in 1853 and Thomas Douglas born about 1856. So it's possible Thomas Douglas was conceived when Thomas Gillespie returned from Missouri. Why did he return to Tazewell leaving his wife and children in Missouri?

Until DNA tests are done, this is all speculation as to which Thomas Gillespie is the father of Emeline's first three children.

Other Events:

• _UID: 1B2F7D19EF3A4A6AAA5034573786D67E53DF

Notes:

THOMAS BAILEY CHRISTIAN WAS NOT A DESCENDANT OF CHIEF CORNSTALK.

We know Thomas Bailey Christian (TBC) was orphaned and raised by Capt. Thomas Mastin, Sumner Co. TN. His parentage is the subject of much dispute among Christian researchers. One group says that Thomas Bailey Christian is the grandson of Chief Cornstalk and his father was Ellinipsico. Another group puts his parents as Nathaniel and Jane Christian with his ancestry going to the Isle of Man.

DNA studies are underway of several Christian descendants. The initial result shows no Native American ancestry, but rather European and Scandinavian, indicating the Isle of Man connection.

Kennith Simpson has been the leader in getting clarity the question of Christian DNA and Native American ancestry and of finding out more about Thomas Bailey Christian and Thoma Mastin. Kennith is a direct descendant of TBC on the "wrong side of the sheets" as his ancestor, Addison Christian, fathered a child out of wedlock.

Kennith A. Simpson > son of Addison D. Simpson > son of
Jerry Mastin Simpson > son of John Walden Simpson > son of
Elizabeth Simpson and Unknown Father. [Notice how Christan names like Mastin and Addison are used in his Simpson family.]

DNA, death certificate, and research indicates that the father was Addison "Attie" Bailey Christian > son of
Mastin Harman "Shootekitehl" Christian > son of Thomas Bailey Christian.

Kennith has written extensively about DNA testing and his test results on the Rootsweb Christian message board.

THOMAS BAILEY CHRISTIAN WAS NOT NATIVE AMERICAN

"I am matched with Nathaniel Christian by DNA Y-Chromosome,both via Y-Search and Ancestry.Com, handed down from father to son etc. My Y-Search DNA match is with Nathaniel Christian from the G. Payne family tree. My Ancestry.Com matches me up with Nathaniel J. Christian from the Fred Christian DNA and in the Christian Family Tree.

Posted: 20 Sep 2012 7:00PM GMT by Kennith Simpson on Rootsweb Christian Family message board.

"It does appear that my assumptions are correct in that Addison "Attie" Bailey Christian was not Native American. If in fact Addison Christian was the grandson of Thomas Bailey "Cornstalk" Christian, then TBC was not the son of Elinipsico or Chief Cornstalk since the Y-DNA would have been handed down from father to son to grandson etc. However this does indicate that Thomas Bailey Kumskaka Christian Cornstalk was not NA.

We both share the same Haplogroup R1B which is of European and West Asia ancestry. Native Americans are not in the R1B Haplogroup.

While this does not show conclusive evidence that Addison "Attie" Bailey Chritian was my great, great, grandfather it does show that who ever it was, was a member of his family. My only conclusive evidence is of Course the Death Certificate naming Attie Christian as the father.

What the Y-DNA test and the BETA Ethnicity test has been able to conclude is that I am descended from the Christian family, Tazewell Virginia and that there is no Native American blood in the male lines. This does not rule out the possibility of NA blood in the maternal or female lines."

Posted: 31 Jan 2013 3:07 AM GMT by Kennith Simpson on Rootsweb Christian Family message board.

FINAL CONFIRMATION: THOMAS BAILEY CHRISTIAN WAS NOT NATIVE AMERICAN

Kennith Simpson took a second DNA test form 23 and Me to confirm what Ancestry's test had indicated. Here are the results:

Today I received my DNA test results back from 23 andMe. The test results confirm that there is no Native American DNA in my blood line on either side. Therefore any Native American ancestry in my family would only be possible if it is by marriage and not by actual blood line. Both ancestry.com and 23 and Me stipulate 0% NA DNA results in all of my tests. I am still waiting on the results for DNA matches and will keep everyone informed.

What this means in a nutshell is that any one related to Thomas Bailey Christian the reported adopted son of Thomas Mastin would not be NA on the paternal side. Any Native American ancestry could only come down through the maternal side. Since the BETA ancestry test included both the maternal and paternal side it would also mean that Mastin Harman Christian nor his wife Jane McKinster had NA DNA. It would also mean that Louisa Katherine Harman did not carry any NA DNA. Any children of these men who had different mothers could still carry NA DNA from their maternal side.

Me, my father Addison D. Simpson son of Jerry Mastin Simpson son of John Walden Simpson, son of Addison "Attie" Bailey Christian son of Mastin Christian, son of Thomas Bailey Christian, are not or were not of Native American Descent. Thomas Bailey Christian was not the son of Chief Cornstalk or his son Elinispisco, and his mother was not of NA ancestry either. BETA DNA testing would have shown any NA DNA on either side of Thomas Bailey Christian.

Posted: 26 Nov 2013 3:01 AM GMT by Kennith Simpson on Rootsweb Christian Family message board.

FINAL WORD: NO NATIVE AMERICAN DNA PERIOD

Just to let everyone know that I have gotten other DNA matches, this time through the 23 and Me DNA testing. This has opened up a new problem however. Both the ancestry.com and the 23 and Me DNA BETA tests are ethnicity tests and help individuals determine their ethnicity. These test are not gender specific such as the Y-DNA and Mitochondrial DNA tests. The BETA test includes DNA findings for virtually every member of the family. Thus far I have not had a single match that shows any Native American DNA in any line of the families, male or female.

I am now convinced beyond a doubt that Thomas Bailey Christian was not Native American nor was his mother. And most likely no relative was related via DNA to any Native American Tribe, but I do not rule out that some distant relatives may have been raised NA and considered themselves as such. Thus passing down from generation to generation their Native American Ancestry. I also believe that there are two kinds of Ancestry, that which is substantiated by DNA testing and passed down through our DNA and that which we associate with as being our ethnicity the group or heritage that we most commonly relate to.

Date: Thu, 23 Jan 2014 21:55:51

OTHERS MALES CHRISTIAN RESULTS

"We now have three members of the TBC line that have taken at least one of the DNA test. Myself and Charlie have taken both the Y-DNA and the BETA DNA test. All tests show the same conclusion, NO NA DNA. Here is what is so good about this. You trace your line back to Thomas Scaggs Christian, Charlie goes back to Moses Christian and I go back to Mastin Christian. all are brothers, all are sons of Thomas Bailey Christian. Our big stumbling block now is connecting TBC Christian and Thomas Christian of Tazewell to the Christians of Charles City."

Posted: Sat, 21 Dec 2013 13:32:30 by Kennith Simpson on Rootsweb Christian Family message board.

----------------------------

THOMAS BAILEY CHRISTIAN'S ANCESTRY GOES BACK TO THE ISLE OF MAN

From Kennith Simpson:

"I now have two verifiable matches from the BETA DNA test. One which does prove the connection with Charles City, Bedford Virginia area and one that does come back to Tazewell.

This is all good because the Tazewell connection is from DNA. Matching DNA is an indication that Thomas Bailey Christian was not Indian and that his origins most likely does go back to Charles City or to a member of that family.

The problem of narrowing it down is so difficult, because the Y-Chromosome DNA pertaining to the male line, pertains to all the male line. So, Thomas Bailey Christian would have the Christian DNA but he could have been born in Tazewell from a father or grandfather from Charles City. All male Christians from a single line would carry the same DNA but could come from many areas. The original Christian line that carries my DNA goes back to the Isle of Man and then to Scandinavia. some Christians of the same line can go back to Ireland, England or Scotland but be of the same origin. It depends on how far back you can trace your ancestors. Everyone that shares the same Y-Chromosome DNA will eventually end up at a single beginning. When I said I had yet to find any thing that will connect the Tazewell Christians with the Charles City Christians. I would prefer to have male Y-Chromosome DNA in order to make the connection but any DNA is better than none.

May Elizabeth Christian is a direct descendent of Thomas Bailey Christian and a DNA match does connect the two branches, Tazewell and Charles City.

This would be my first verifiable BETA match to Tazewell.
The Young family DNA results connect the Charles City Christians with me. Elizabeth is my first match back to the old country through the BETA testing as opposed to the Y-Chromosome test.

In a nutshell, Elizabeth is old Country England. Young connects me with Charles City May Christian connects me with the Tazewell branch. Both Young and May Christian share my DNA per BETA testing therefor the two branches do meet and are one."

Posted: 10 Jan 2013 2:28PM GMT by Kennith Simpson on Rootsweb Christian Family message board.

------------------

AGNES BRANCH PEARLMAN, FOUNDER OF THE CHRISTIAN FAMILY CHRONICLES: THOMAS BAILEY CHRISTIAN IS NOT THE SON OF NATHANIEL CHRISTIAN AND JANE EWING

Agnes Branch Pearlman, long-time Christian Family researcher and publisher of the Christian Family Chronicles, presented the best research that Thomas Bailey Christian of Tazewell County, VA is NOT the son of Nathaniel Christian and Jane Ewing, Thomas Ewing Christian.

Below is her response to this question in a message posted December 31, 2000 at 10:19:53 on http://genforum.genealogy.com/christian/messages/1207.html.

Mrs. Pearlman died 21 May 2010.

I am posting her research and results so this misinformation will not be continued to be spread.

"Dear Linda and other Christian Cousins:

The following is being sent to all of you who received information that "Old Lewis' brother Nathaniel settled in Tazewell Co., VA . . ."

Not so! Or at least I have never seen any evidence that would substantiate such a move. Indeed, I have written numerous letters within the last year showing that Nathaniel Christian's son Thomas was not the one who settled in Tazewell Co., VA. Where on earth is all this erroneous and dubious information coming from?

Thomas Christian, progenitor of Tazewell Co., VA, was born about 1770?a boy of only 9 years of age when Nathaniel Christian's estate was settled in Montgomery Co., VA. A 9-year-old boy would have been too young to have served as security of his father's estate. Nathaniel Christian's son.

Thomas, born about 1750-57, was one of the securities of Nathaniel's estate (along with Thomas' brother-in-law William Boydston); and, of course, as a 22 to 29-year-old was quite old enough to serve in such a capacity.

Nathaniel's son Thomas was living in Cocke Co., TN, in 1830 at the same time the other Thomas was living in Tazewell Co., VA. The U. S. census as well as other records document their presence and approximate ages. It is my guess that because, as court records reveal, Thomas of Tazewell was "an orphan," someone simply assumed that he must have been Nathaniel's son, but that simply was not the case.

As for Nathaniel Christian: Following are a few documented events of his life:

Nathaniel was born between 1723-1733 since he was named as underaged son in 23 October 1743 Goochland Co., VA, will of father, Thomas Christian.

Nathaniel married Jane (Ewing?) about 1747.

Nathaniel's daughter Elizabeth Christian was born 1748.

Nathaniel's son Thomas Christian was born 1750-57.

Nathaniel was listed as tithe in Lunenburg Co., VA, in 1752 as was his brother Thomas.

Nathaniel purchased 175 acres (of 225) on Cub Creek in Lunenburg Co., VA, 1 July 1754. Brother Thomas was witness to the purchase..

Bedford Co., VA, was formed from part of Albemarle and Lunenburg 1753-4.

Brother Thomas in Bedford Co., VA, by 25 November 1760.

Nathaniel's son Isham was born about 1760.

Nathaniel sold 175 acres on Cub Creek of Lunenburg Co., VA, 12 March 1762 with brother Thomas as witness.

Nathaniel made entry of 400 acres in Bedford Co., VA, lower side south of Blackwater on Hastie's & Smith's lines beginning at Irwin's corner red oak under Smith's Mountain 28 February 1763.

Nathaniel's son Anthony was born about 1765.

Pittsylvania formed from Halifax adjacent Bedford 1766-7; county boundaries in state of flux for several years.

Nathaniel was on list of tithables in Pittsylvania 1767.
Nathaniel attended Bedford Co., VA, court in August 1768 (28 miles from home).

Nathaniel entered 400 acres Poison Fork of Bull Run in Bedford Co., VA, adjacent his own lines & Swanson's 4 April 1769.

Nathaniel's daughter Drucilla was born about 1769.

Brother Thomas allowed 30 miles to Bedford Co., VA, Courthouse March 1771.

Nathaniel living in Pittsylvania Co., VA, 22 July 1773
[Note: Nathaniel's home location in Pittsylvania Co., VA, straddled Bedford Co., VA, near where his brother Thomas lived on Staunton River in Bedford.]

Nathaniel was assigned 400 acres on East River below Five-Mile Fork, 3 Miles from Mouth in Montgomery Co., VA, by James Adair about 1777.

Daughter Elizabeth married William Boydston 1777 in Montgomery Co., VA.

In 1777/1778 Nathaniel Christian and William Boydston swore allegiance to Militia in Montgomery Co., VA.

Sometime after 1777 and before November 1781, Nathaniel's brother Thomas died, apparently in Bedford Co., VA.

Nathaniel died intestate and estate was administered in Montgomery Co., VA, 2 March 1779. Widow Jane was named as administrator with son Thomas and son-in-law William Boydston as security.

As heir under laws of primogenitor, eldest son Thomas inherited 400 acres on East River in Montgomery Co., VA, which he assigned to brothers Isham and Anthony Christian 3 April 1786.

By 18 September 1799 Nathaniel's son Thomas Christian was of Cocke Co., TN

One final comment: I believe that the Thomas Christian of Tazewell Co., VA, was probably related in some way to this family; however, I do not have any documentation that proves such a connection. Was he perhaps a son of David Christian, another son named in the 1743 will of Thomas Christian?

I welcome your input and evaluation of the above information.

Agnes Branch Pearlman"

----------------

THERE MAY BE A NATIVE AMERICAN CONNECTION THROUGH THE WOMEN WHO MARRIED INTO THE CHRISTIAN FAMILY

The lack of connection to this Christian line has provided credence to an oral tradition handed down through several branches of Thomas Bailey Christian's descendants. So far there have been no Native American DNA from Thomas Bailey Christian's Y-DNA (Male line) from his descendants who have been tested through Ancestry.com.

HOWEVER, Native American ancestry most likely was from MATERNAL lines who married into this Christian family, especially the Skaggs, Whitt, and Lester families. There is no doubt of contact with Native American culture through the long hunter ancestry of the Whitt, Skaggs, and Harman men. With these two influences, TBS and his children may have been given Native American names. TBCs' Native American name was "Kumskaka." Are these names accurate? Are they Cherokee or Shawnee in origin? Who are the sources for these names?

I have made an editorial decision to keep these names rather than delete them because of the maternal lines as well as the cultural contacts.

There is a very active Yahoo group discussing this ancestry at http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/nikitie/conversations/messages.

According to James Red Wolf, after Chief Cornstalk and Ellinipsico were murdered at Point Pleasant. Ellinipsico's four children including his son Thomas Bailey were adopted by the Long Hunters. It now appears that TBC was not his son, but the other three may have been his children. Whatever the reason or circumstance, they came under the care or guardianship of Thomas Mastin and others.

There is a lot of discussion on the Christian family forums on Rootsweb, Ancestry, and Genealogy.com about the possible parentage of Thomas Bailey Christian and Rachel Skaggs.

Here is some of the discussion threads:
http://www.genforum.familytreemaker.com/christian/messages/2898.html

You can also search for more discussion at http://www.genforum.familytreemaker.com/christian/

There has been no definitive proof on this, although Mr. Red Wolf alludes to "proof" in the Virginia State Archives, but has not shared any proof beyond oral history from one part of the Christian and Skaggs families. His family tree is available at

http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=AHN&db=adkinsfam&id=I19526

Other source:

http://www.werelate.org/wiki/Person:Thomas_Christian_%2813%29

NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE DISCOUNTED

Tales of Native American heritage were passed down to his descendants. His great-grandchild Sallie Christian Charles, grandaughter of Moses Bailey Christian, and daughter of John Christian and Clemmie Harman, applied to the Eastern Cherokee in 1908. Application #10464. In her application she spells his name "Mose." Her application was rejected.

For more information about Cherokee genealogy, check out http://www.pollysgranddaughter.com. The following is from her article about Cherokee Wannabes. Since so much has been written about Moses' father, Thomas Bailey Christan, having Native American heritage, which has NOT been borne out by Y-DNA results or autosomal DNA results by any of his descendants.

This site has excellent articles on how to prove Cherokee ancestry. http://www.pollysgranddaughter.com/2011/06/fortune-hunters-guion-miller-roll-and.html#comment-form

The Guion Miller Roll is a list of Eastern Cherokee Indians who applied for compensation because of a 1906 lawsuit, and judgment in the tribe's favor in the United States Court of Claims on May 28, 1906, for them. This resulted in the appropriation of $1 million to the Tribe's eligible individuals and families. Newspapers were full of announcements that the Cherokees and/or Cherokee heirs would be receiving money anywhere from $5,000,000 to $11,000,000. Many times it was not made clear this was money for nearly the entire tribe but instead gave the impression that it was for specific families.

To be approved for funds the individual must have:
1. Been alive as of May 28, 1906
2. Established that he/she was a member or descendants of a person that had been included in the forced removal to Indian Territory, known as the Ross Party.
3. Not been affiliated with a tribe other than the Cherokee
4. Been members of the Eastern Cherokee tribe at the time of the treaties of 1835,1836, and 1845 between the United States and Eastern Cherokee.

There were 45,857 applications filed for about 900,000 claimants. 30,254 of those claimants were entitled to share in the funds. This means nearly 2/3 of all claimants were NOT entitled and therefore rejected.

A common assumption of those who descend from people who were rejected on the Miller Roll is that their ancestors were Cherokee, but they just couldn't prove it at that time. These families were usually always listed as white in vital records and were never listed in the Cherokee records or on any Cherokee rolls. They simply had no documentation or proof.

People applied for the Miller Roll who had never heard they were Cherokee before the money or land topic came up. They were suddenly informed by someone that they were Cherokee or related to a specific family and should apply. There were families who had heard they were Indian or "kin" to them, so they applied even though they had never heard what tribe of Indians they might be "kin" to. There were people who were notified by "claim agents" and lawyers that they were entitled to lots of money so they applied. There were people who were told they would be receiving both land and money, so they applied. There were people who applied because they thought they were enrolling in the Eastern Cherokee tribe and then would be entitled to land and money.

Many of the rejected claimants, for one reason or another, filed a claim believing they were going to come into money. One has to be careful of not basing claim to Cherokee ancestry based on a rejected claim from the Miller Roll. Though these applications often offer a lot of genealogical information, they don't necessarily offer any proof of Cherokee ancestry.



RECORDS ON THOMAS BAILEY CHRISTIAN

Source: "Reed and Related Families of Tazewell County, Virginia and McDowell County, West Virginia", by Juanita S Halstead.

From various records extant today, we have found that Thomas Christian was orphaned and raised by Major Thomas Mastin. We do know that he appears in Tazewell County
records as early as 1806, and that he owned several tracts of land, making his home on the Sinking Waters in that county. There is a case on record in Augusta County, VA in which Thomas Christian had a suit against John Wray over this land on the Sinking Waters of Tazewell County.

LAND RECORDS

Land Grants

Thomas Christian - 21 Feb 1785
Montgomery County
255 a. On Brush Creek, a branch of Bluestone the waters of New River
Grants No. N, p. 696 [This could be Thomas (13) or Thomas (18) depending on where the Montgomery County border fell. More research needed.]

Record of the Taxes in Sumner County for the Year 1792
Thomas Christian, 1 poll, tax 1 pound. Next household is Thomas Mastin.

Chalkley's Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish there is a lawsuit "Thomas Christian vs. Wray" 23 Jul 1803 which in a nutshell states Joseph Wray obtained certificate by right of settlment in Washington (afterwards Russell) now Tazewell Co. Joseph d. intestate, leaving son John Wray heir-at-law. John Wray sold a piece of land twice - first to Thomas Christian, of Sumner Co, territory south of the Ohio, by deed dated 26 Sep 1794 and then sold it a second time to Craven Belsha who bribed him......it states Thomas Christian was an orphan. Thomas Christian won the case.

Thomas Christian - 17 Jun 1824
Tazewell County
40 a. On Indian Creek
Grants No. 73, p. 180

Thomas Christian - 17 Jun 1824
Tazewell County
120 a. On Indian Creek
Grants No. 73, p. 192

Thomas Christian - 6 Sept 1826
Tazewell County
15 a. On Tug River and lower end of his land
Grants No. 75, p. 274

Thomas Christian - 10 Jul 1826
Tazewell County
58 a. On the Tug fork of Sandy River
Grants No. 78, p. 228

Thomas Christian - 21 Mar 1836
Tazewell County
77 a. At the mouth of Crain (sic) Creek
Grants No. 85, p. 403

Thomas Christian - 1 May 1855
(of David)
Tazewell County
392 a. On Left hand fork of Indian Creek of Clinch
Grants No. 111, p. 180

Thomas B. Christian - 1 Jun 1856
Tazewell County
140 a. On a ridge dividing waters of Indian Creek from Middle Creek
Grants No. 112, p. 547



CENSUS RECORDS

1820 United States Federal Census
Name: Thomas Christian
Home in 1820 (City, County, State): Tazewell, Virginia
Enumeration Date: August 7, 1820
Free White Persons - Males - Under 10: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 15: 2
Free White Persons - Males - 16 thru 18: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 16 thru 25: 2
Free White Persons - Males - 45 and over: 1
Free White Persons - Females - Under 10: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 45 and over : 1
Number of Persons - Engaged in Agriculture: 3
Free White Persons - Under 16: 4
Free White Persons - Over 25: 2
Total Free White Persons: 8
Total All Persons - White, Slaves, Colored, Other: 8

1830 United States Federal Census
Name: Thomas Christian
Home in 1830 (City, County, State): Tazewell, Virginia
Free White Persons - Males - 5 thru 9: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 15 thru 19: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 50 thru 59: 1
Free White Persons - Females - Under 5: 2
Free White Persons - Females - 5 thru 9: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 15 thru 19: 2
Free White Persons - Females - 30 thru 39: 2
Free White Persons - Under 20: 7
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 2
Total Free White Persons: 10

1840 United States Federal Census
Name: Thomas Christian
Home in 1840 (City, County, State): Tazewell, Virginia
Free White Persons - Males - Under 5: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 5 thru 9: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 60 thru 69: 1
Free White Persons - Females - Under 5: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 5 thru 9: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 15 thru 19: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 30 thru 39: 1
Persons Employed in Agriculture: 2
No. White Persons over 20 Who Cannot Read and Write: 2
Free White Persons - Under 20: 5
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 2
Total Free White Persons: 8
Total All Persons - Free White, Free Colored, Slaves: 8

1850 United States Federal Census
Name: Thos Christian
Age: 80
Birth Year: abt 1770
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1850: Western District, Tazewell, Virginia
Gender: Male
Family Number: 1170
Household Members:
Thos Christian 80
Mary Christian 40
Mathias Christian 16
George Christian 14
Susana Christian 13
Sally Christian 10
Letty Christian 8

Birth:
Land is now part of Tazewell Co. VA

Occupation:
millwright

Died:
Another source for DOD
Name: Thomas Christian
Death Date: Dec 1852
City: Tazewell
State: VA

Edmund West, comp.. Family Data Collection - Deaths [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2001.
The Family Data Collection - Deaths database was created while gathering genealogical data for use in the study of human genetics and disease.

Thomas married Louisa HARMAN 04 Jun 1793, Wythe Co. VA. Louisa (daughter of Mathias (Tice or Tias) HARMAN, Sr. and Lydia SKAGGS) was born 1776, Strasburg, Orange Co. VA; died 1829, Tazewell Co. VA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• _UID: FD53EAC4E21E407DB4F577989D94229E645B

Notes:

"Alleghaney Co (VA) Heritage", Hildreth Smith article, page 192.
Louisa Harman married Thomas B. Christian

Notes:

Married:
U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900
Name: Thomas Christian
Gender: Male
Birth Year: 1770
Spouse Name: Louisa Harman
Spouse Birth Year: 1772
Marriage State: VA
Number Pages: 1

Other Events:

• _UID: 09748DE492BA419AB4859BD05DE69DB8517D

Notes:

Tazewell Co. Death Register, page 7, line 307, shows David (Reilly) Altizer died 26 Sept 1854 at Dividing Ridge of dropsy. 2nd page states unknown parentage, married, farmer, reported by son-in-law John Christian.

David married Susan SLUSHER Abt 1809, Montgomery Co. VA. Susan (daughter of Christopher Schlosser and Eva Jane Hancock) was born Abt 1786, Maryland; died Aft 1860, Tazewell Co. VA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• _UID: E039BA448A4D4069B4E59A2382AD036C8B9E

Notes:

Info on her parents are from the Pane-Joyce Genealogy
http://aleph0.clarku.edu/~djoyce/gen/report/rr24/rr24_086.html#P52967

However, the Altizer Family site has her last name as possibly Sadler.

http://www.altizerfamily.com/TNG/getperson.php?personID=I1623&tree=tree1

Some other sources have her listed as Susan Slusher Brewster. So it is not confirmed if she is descended from or even related to the Slusher family of Floyd Co. VA who are the descendants of Christopher Slusher. So proceed with caution in using this information on her possible parentage as there is no documentation or proof at this point.

Other Events:

• _UID: 9F738053F8B2406992D90607550D1C46741A

Notes:

1830 Census, Russell Co. VA Thomas had one male age 20 thru 29 [himself], one female under age 5 [Lydia] one females age 15 thru 19 [Nancy] and one male slave under the age of 10.

1840 Census, Russell Co. VA Thomas had two males under 5 [John and Hugh], one male 5-10 [Reese], one female under 5 [Joanna], one female 5-10 [Emeline], and one female 10-15 [Lydia].

DOD given as 1849 in Russell Co. VA

Tazewell County Marriages
Feb. 27, 1855
CHAMBERS, REES (21) Single. Born in Tazewell Co. Farmer. Son of Thomas & Nancy Christian

Thomas married Nancy CHRISTIAN Abt 1827. Nancy was born Abt 1811, Tazewell Co. VA; died Aft 1880, Buchanan Co. VA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• _UID: B2B2D7B8AEE64E918B3C1BCFF541BF6D7902

Notes:

1830 Census, Russell Co. VA Thomas had one male age 20 thru 29 [himself], one female under age 5 [Lydia] one females age 15 thru 19 [Nancy his wife] and one male slave under the age of 10.

1840 Census Russell Co. VA, Thomas had two males under 5 [John and Hugh], one male 5-10 [Reese], one female under 5 [Joanna], one female 5-10 [Emeline], and one female 10-15 [Lydia].

1850 Census Russell Co. page 310A, Family #1250. Listed as Nancy Chambers, age 38, born in Tazewell Co, VA, head of household.

1860 Census Tazewell Co. VA, Cedar Bluff, page 837 has the following info:

Chambers, Nancy, age 60, district: Cedar Bluff, page 837. Nancy was living with Joanna, John, Douglas Chambers, age 3 [John's son Douglas Rees Chambers], and Caladina Chambers [Clarissa Shortridge, John's wife], age 15.

1870 Census Buchanan Co. VA, Garden District, Nancy Chambers, age 55, unable to read and write, is living next door to her son John Chambers. Living with her is her daughter, Joannah, age 33, occupation weaver, and her son William F. Chambers, age 5.

1880 Census, Buchanan Co. VA, Garden District, Nancy Chambers, age 73, mother is living in the household of John Chambers. She is unable to read or write.

Nancy died in Buchanan Co. was with son, John. This info came from Lori (ddoerr@houston.rr.com)

Birth:
1850 Census, Russell Co. VA, District 54, household 1250, information indicates she was born in Tazewell Co.

Died:
1880 Census, Buchanan Co. VA, Garden District, Nancy, age 73, was living with her son John Chambers.