Agnes

Female - 1808


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  • Name Agnes  
    Gender Female 
    Died 06 Oct 1808  Sumner Co. TN Find all individuals with events at this location 
    • Source: DAR Application for Ancestor A075173
    Notes 
    • Record of the Taxable Property in Sumner County for the year 1819

      Agnes Mastin, 287 acres, location "where on she lives"
    Person ID I12898  Master File
    Last Modified 19 Apr 2012 

    Family Thomas Mastin,   b. 07 Oct 1749, Spotsylvania Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 03 Oct 1810, Sumner Co. TN Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 60 years) 
    Married 04 Jan 1773  Spotsylvania Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Notes 
    • Adopted parents of Thomas Bailey Christian.

      Kennith Simpson is a direct descendant of Thomas, from an son born out of wedlock to Addison "Attie" Christian. Kennith has done considerable research on his ancestor, as well as extensive DNA studies. Here is a recent post on the Rootsweb Christian Forum on Thomas Mastin's relationship with Thomas.

      Posted: 12 Sep 2013 11:31AM GMT

      "Today I received a response from the Historical Society of Washington County, Virginia, pertaining to my inquiry on Thomas Mastin and the adoption of the orphans in 1777. The researcher did extensive research on my question and sent me a detailed finding. Her conclusion can be summed up in one sentence; I found no references in any of their sources for any such adoptions.

      I was sent some very good information with the response.

      'Thomas Mastin Important Unknown of the Early Clinch River Settlement by Gordon Aronhime.'

      'Extracts from the James T. Preston Papers, Washington County and the 150th Virginia Militia Regiment, edited by George Stevenson.'

      'Members of the Historical Society of Washington County, Virginia, compiled by M. Margaret Hughes.'

      A quote from the first source,'Mastin's personal life was curiously similar to that of his friend, Daniel Smith, in that the record is one completely drained of the essential personality of the subject. Even the date of Mastin's death is a puzzle. He made a will on 6 October 1808 soon after his final months as Sheriff of Sumner County.'

      This document is also strangely unrevealing. There are no children mentioned, no descendants, only his 'beloved wife, Agnes,' maiden name unknown. There is no date of probate in the Sumner county records either.

      In his will he left his slaves and his furniture, stock of horses, cattle, sheep, and hogs to Agnes. Then comes the surprise. He leaves his 268 acre farm to 'My friend Daniel Smith and his heirs after the death of his wife.'

      I think that no matter what the relationship was between Mr. Mastin and the children, on his death bed he would have wanted to leave them something even if only a token inheritance or at least acknowledge them.

      All records appear to show that Daniel Smith and Thomas Mastin had a unique relationship. Thomas followed Daniel, Daniel did not follow Thomas. Other than Agnes, Daniel appears to have been the only close friend Thomas Mastin had. There is no evidence at all to suggest that there existed a strong relationship between Thomas Mastin and the orphans.

      An interesting fact is that another document sent me shows that in 1788 Thomas Mastin purchased 200 Acres of land from his old friend Daniel Smith, then he purchased 68 more acres where he lived the rest of his life. This is interesting because in his will he leaves 268 acres to his friend Daniel Smith. Also starting around 1796 Thomas Mastin begins selling off all of his land except the 268 acres. It is not known what he did with the proceeds but I find it interesting to note that he leaves Agnes property but no cash.

      One notation in the documents did confuse me because it refers to the adoption in 1777 of the children by Thomas Mastin but in the next sentence it states that he simply 'took in the orphans.'

      This came from the Annuals of Southwest Virginia. So could it have started with him just taking in the children and then over the years people just assumed that he adopted them. Also this part of the article gives the Indian names of the children and the names that they were given supposedly by Mr. Mastin. One of the children was called Sarah Mastin, of all the children she was the only one that got the name Mastin? I seriously question this entire matter. All records show that Mr. Mastin was a very close friend of Daniel Smith, yet none of the children were given Smith as a last name. Hezekiah Whitt and Mr. Christian were not close friends they were individuals Mr. Mastin only knew as a result of his military activities. Daniel Smith is the only person ever referred to as a close or dear friend, yet none of the children carried his name.

      I do not believe that Thomas Bailey Christian was blood related to either Chief Cornstalk or his son. I do not believe there was an adoption. I now believe that over the years oral tradition has left us with a mystery that simply can not be verified."

    Children 
     1. Thomas Bailey CHRISTIAN,   b. 15 Mar 1770, Botetourt Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Dec 1854, Tazewell Co VA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 84 years)
    +2. Elizabeth Mastin,   b. 01 Jan 1792, Washington Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 09 Oct 1845, Warren Co. KY Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 53 years)
    Last Modified 14 Sep 2013 
    Family ID F7364  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart