Re: Thomas Ewing Christian /Tenn. 1799

Hi all you Christian researcher!
This Christian line is well documented. I explored it trying to fit in my Lewis Jefferson Christian b. 1810 in TN?, m. Lavina Frazier, d. 1896 in Gentry Co., MO. Here is some info from Ms. Branch, the editor of the Christian Chronicals. She is answering some questions about contemporary Thomas Christian's and describing the difference. Hope this clears up some for you all.

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

As for "Old Lewis Christian":The progenitor Lewis Christian of Hawkins Co., TN, was born between 1750 and 1760, obviously much too young to have been the brother of Nathaniel.Nathaniel's brother Lewis (aka Louis) was born between 1722 and 1743 since he was an underaged son named in the Goochland Co., VA, 23 October 1743 will of Thomas Christian.Although I do not have the same degree of documentation about Nathaniel's brother Lewis, I believe he may have been the Lewis Christian, also of Bedford Co., VA, who died shortly before July 1785, only a few years after his presusmed brothers Nathaniel and Thomas.Please note, however, that such a relationship is speculation since I have not yet followed the early Lewis year by year.

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.

AgnesBranch Pearlma