Thomas Bailey CHRISTIAN

Male 1770 - 1854  (84 years)


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  • Name Thomas Bailey CHRISTIAN 
    Born 15 Mar 1770  Botetourt Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location 
    • Land is now part of Tazewell Co. VA
    Gender Male 
    Occupation
    • millwright
    _UID 1B2F7D19EF3A4A6AAA5034573786D67E53DF 
    Died Dec 1854  Tazewell Co VA Find all individuals with events at this location 
    • 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.
    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
    Person ID I4414  Master File
    Last Modified 1 Apr 2018 

    Father 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) 
    Mother Agnes,   d. 06 Oct 1808, Sumner Co. TN Find all individuals with events at this location 
    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."

    Family ID F7364  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 1 Louisa HARMAN,   b. 1776, Strasburg, Orange Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1829, Tazewell Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 53 years) 
    Married 04 Jun 1793  Wythe Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location 
    • 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
    Children 
    +1. Mastin Harman CHRISTIAN,   b. 8 Apr 1794, Wythe Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 28 Feb 1853, Sinking Waters, Tazewell Co VA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 58 years)
    +2. Moses Bailey CHRISTIAN,   b. 13 May 1795, Wythe Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 29 May 1855, Indian Creek, Tazewell Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 60 years)
    +3. James CHRISTIAN,   b. Abt 1795, Wythe Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Abt 1823, Tazewell Co VA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 28 years)
     4. Ruth CHRISTIAN,   b. Abt 1797, Wythe Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Bef Dec 1854, Tazewell Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 57 years)
    +5. David CHRISTIAN,   b. Abt 1802, Sinking Waters, Tazewell Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 2 Mar 1861, Sinking Waters, Tazewell Co VA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 59 years)
    +6. John CHRISTIAN,   b. 1804, Sinking Waters, Tazewell Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Bef 1870, Buchanan Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 65 years)
    +7. Daniel CHRISTIAN,   b. Abt 1807, Sinking Waters, Tazewell Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 21 Dec 1884, Tazewell Co VA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 77 years)
    +8. Nancy Jane CHRISTIAN,   b. 3 Oct 1812, Sinking Waters, Tazewell Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 2 Dec 1887, Avondale, McDowell Co., WV Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 75 years)
    +9. Thomas Scaggs CHRISTIAN,   b. 2 Oct 1813, Sinking Waters, Tazewell Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 28 May 1891, Claypool Branch, Tazewell Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 77 years)
    Last Modified 7 Nov 2012 
    Family ID F3274  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 2 Mary [Polly] C. ALTIZER,   b. 09 Nov 1815, Montgomery Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 17 Jun 1894, Tazewell Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 78 years) 
    Married 21 Jun 1829  Tazewell Co VA Find all individuals with events at this location 
    • Virginia Marriages, 1740-1850
      Groom Name: Thomas Christian
      Bride Name: Mary Alizer
      Marriage Date: 18 Jun 1829
      County: Tazewell
      State: Virginia

      Dodd, Jordan R., et al.. Early American Marriages: Virginia to 1850. Bountiful, UT
    Children 
    +1. Louisa CHRISTIAN,   b. Abt 1831, Tazewell Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 08 Sep 1864, Lawrence Co. KY Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 33 years)
    +2. Mathias CHRISTIAN,   b. Apr 1834, Tazewell Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1908, Tazewell Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 73 years)
    +3. George Dos CHRISTIAN,   b. Abt Mar 1836, Tazewell Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Abt 1910, Tazewell Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 73 years)
    +4. Susannah CHRISTIAN,   b. 1837, Tazewell Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location
    +5. Sarah [Sallie] CHRISTIAN,   b. 03 Aug 1841, Tazewell Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 07 May 1918, Tazewell Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 76 years)
     6. Lettie CHRISTIAN,   b. ca 1842, Tazewell Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location
    +7. Lilly CHRISTIAN,   b. 16 Aug 1844, Tazewell Co VA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 13 May 1928, Tazewell Co VA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 83 years)
     8. Sam CHRISTIAN,   b. Abt 1853, Tazewell Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 7 Jun 1854, Tazewell Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 1 years)
    Last Modified 5 Jun 2012 
    Family ID F3275  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart