GEORGE CHRISTY
1767 - 1804
AND
MARY CAVE
1770-1806
THEIR CHILDREN
ELIZABETH CHRISTY MD. JOHN G. SHEPHERDWILLIAM H. CHRISTY MD. CATHERINE BAKER
SIMEON CHRISTY MD. 1ST. LUCY RIDDLE
2ND. OLIVIA SOUTHERURIEL CHRISTY NEVER MARRIED
FRANCES CHRISTY MD. WESTON ANDERSON
MORTON CHRISTY MD. NEVER MARRIED
GEORGE CHRISTY (JULIUS, SAMUEL (?))
George Christy was born in Culpeper County Virginia C. 1767. A deposition taken at Boone County Court House 13th. December, 1802 states: " Captain George Christy, aged about 34 years ------." George married Mary Cave in Virginia C. 1786. The many Cave's in Virginia and Kentucky at the relevant time has made it, so far, impossible to determine Mary's parents. However, George and Mary's son, William H. Christy, refers to Richard Mentor Johnson as close relative of his mother. William also refers to Uriel Seebree as "his cousin". (Biography of William H. Christy, in SKETCHES OF EMINENT AMERICANS). This indicates that Mary Cave was of the Benjamin and Hannah Bledsoe Cave line.
George Christy is on the Greenbrier County Virginia tax list of 1787. In 1800 he is on the Boone County Kentucky tax list.
George Christy's short life ended in Boone County in 1804. His will is in Will Book "A", page 16. Their yougest son, Morton Christy, died soon after his father. Mary Cave Christy lived only two years after George's death, dying in 1806, leaving five children.
The eldest of these children was Elizabeth, but it is from the second child, William H. Christy that we get a glimpse of the hardships of those years. Again we are indebted to the 30 page "Sketch" (named above). In this collection William states, "My father sold the bulk of his property and began a new career as a merchant. Soon after this he fell ill and died, leaving a widow and six small children. The eldest was a daughter aged 12. is business not having been a prosperous one, his Estate proved barely sufficient to pay his debts, leaving his family unprovided for." The biographer continues, "In less than two years William had the misfortune to lose his amiable and gifted and devoted mother. Thus he, William, was left at age 14 the head of his family and the sole support of an older sister, tow [sic should be two] brothers and a younger sister, one other brother, Morton, having died before his mother."
Boone County Kentucky, Deed Book B, page 311, confirms that George Christy sold his property when he decided to be a merchant. This deed states: "Know allmen of these presents that I, Georbe christy, of the County of Boone and State of Kentucky for and in consideration of the sum of 800.00 have granted, bargained sold unto Cave Montague the tract of land whereon I now reside containing 100 acres and I, the said George Christy, do bind myself , my heirs, jointly, severally and firmly to make or cause to be made unto the said Montague the same rights and title to said land that I the said George Crhisty, do get from Uriel Sebree, the corn ground and the meadow is to be delivered to the said Montague next spring. The balance of the land together with the house and all its premises is to e delivered to the said Montague the 12th. day of October 1803. The sum of $800.00 the said Montague has given his bond for as a witness my hand and seal this 12th. day of October 1802.
George Christy
Teste: john Cave [Transcriber's note: This is the capitalization used in the book-- I do not know if it was like that in the will.]
Boone County Kentucky, Will Book A, Pg. 16:
GEORGE CHRISTY'S WILL: [original capitalization and spelling used]
In the name of God, Amen. I, George Christy, of the County of Boone, State of kentucky being in a low state of health but of perfect mind, do make and ordain this my Last Will and Testament having the fear of God before my eyes and knowing it is appointed for all men to die, do recommend my body to the dust and my soul to Almighty God that gave it, and as to the worldy goods which it has pleased God to furnish me with, I give and bequeth it in the following manner, viz:
1. It is my desire that all my just debts be paid.
2. I give and bequeth to my beloved wife Mary all my estate real and personnel during her natural life and widowhood and then to be equally divided amongst my six surviving children; Elizabeth, William, Simeon, Uriel, Fanny, Morton. I do hereby appoint William Cave and John Cave my executors and consitute and acknowledge this to be my last Will and Testament, in testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 28th. day of December 1803.
George Christy
Attest:
Forest Webb
James McIntoshProven February Court 1804.
This Last Will and Testament of George Christy, Dec'd. was proved in Court by the oaths of Forrest Webb and James McIntosh, subscribing witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded.
Teste:
Cave Johnson, clerk.
AN INVENTORY OF THE ESTATE OF GEORGE CHRISTY
Recorded April 20, 1804.
A negro woman, named Jane + child, named John $300.00
3 beds and furniture 5.20
1 small bed and furniture 8.00
3 bedsteads $3.00, 1 chest $4.00 7.00
3 trunks $5.00, 6 chairs $2.75 8.25
1 looking glass and slate 1.12 1/2
1 table $1.75, 1 pr. cards, 1 set spools $2.25 4.00
earthen and glass ware 8.55
3 books and 1 clothes brush 1.00
pewter and tinware 8.50
1 case of knives and forks 1.25
1 cupboard 6.00
3 spinning wheels and 1 cut reel 6.00
wooden vessels 4.37 1/2
2 saddles $18.00, iron ware $28.78 1/2 46.78 1/2
1 rifle gun $18.00, 1 old sorrel horse $10.00 28.00
1 sorrel mare $80.00, young sorrel horse $60.00 130.00
1 yearling colt $30.00, 1 grey horse $60.00 90.00
1 brown cow $7.00, 1 red cow $12.00 19.00
1 brown cow and calf $10.00, 1 steer $8.00 18.00
1 brindle steer $8.00, 1 red steer $6.50 14.50
1 black yearling $2.50, 1 red yearling $1.50 4.00
44 hogs $40.00, 1 bell,, 3 bridles $1.50 41.50
12 bridle bits, 2 pr. nippers, 1 pr. compasses 3.45 1/2
8 pr. cloves, small piece cambleth 3.00
calico $35.41, piece of blk. crepe $3.00 38.41
1 piece sarge (sic.) 6.66
14 yds. black lace 3.50
29 1/2 yds. of calamance 14.25
2 vest patterns $1.50, 14 1/2 yds. persian $4.00 5.50
46 bunches of tape + 1/2 yd. of sealing 6.50
3 files + 1 plain bit .50
15 sticks of twist + 3 razors 2.00
parcel of buckles + gimlet .87 1/2
parcel of ribbon $8.00, of feather $3.00 11.00
3 1/2 yds. of plush $3.00, 1 loom $8.00 11.00
1 wagon, 1 barshear plow 4.00
Bonds to the amount of $245.00 245.00
Open accounts to the amount of $40.00 40.00Agreeable to the County Court of Boone County to us we the subscribers having been duly qualified have appraised the estate of George Christy, deceased, and return the within as a true inventory thereof. Given under our hand this 20th. day of April 1804.
John Graves
Forrest Webb
Joseph Graves
William CaveA deed naming heirs of George Christy:
DEED BOOK E, PAGE 55:
Boone County Kentucky
This indenture of bargain and sale made and entered into by and between Simon Christy for himself and as agent and Attorney in Fact for William and Uriel Christy of the City of New Orleans, and John G. Shepherd and Betsy, his wife, formerly Betsy Christy, and Weston Anderson and Frances, his wife, formerly Frances Christy, heirs and legal representatives of George Christy, deceased, late of Boone County and State of Kentucky on the one part and John Terrill, of the county and state aforesaid of the other part, witness that for and in consideration of the sum of $500.00 to us in hand paid, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, we do by these presents grant, bargain, sell, convey and conirm unto the aforesaid John Terrill and his heirs a certain tract of land containing 50 acres and lying and being in the county of Boone on the waters of Woolper creek and being part of the farm on which he said John Terrill now lives and inclueded in the three tracts first conveyed to the said John Terrill by Cave Montague, the second by Francis Craig and the third by John Johnson, it being 50 acres of land which was divided by descent from our ancestor George Christy, deceased, from him the said John Terrill to have and to hold the said parcel of land together with all and singular appurtances, rights and privileges thereunto belonging or in any wise appartaining forever, the said Simon Christy for himslef and as attorney in fact for William and Uriel Christy and John G. Shepherd and Betsy Shepherd, his wife, Weston Anderson and Frances Anderson, his wife, heirs of George Christy, deceased, as foresaid forever warrenting and defending the rights and title to the aforesaid tract or parcel of land in and to the said John Terrill and his heirs forever against the claim of themselves and all persons who so ever claiming or to claim. In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands and affixed our seal this 19th. day of December 1820
Simeon Christy
As Attoney for William and Uriel Christy
John G. Shepherd, Weston Anderson
Elizabeth Shepherd, Frances Anderson.ELIZABETH CHRISTY (GEORGE, JULIUS, SAMUEL (?))
Elizabeth Christy was born C. 1787. She married John G. Shepherd the 14th. of July 1808 (Boone County Marriage Bonds).
Elizabeth Christy and John G. Shepherd had 6 known children: MARY, WILLIAM, NARCISSA, FRANCIS, JAMES AND ZERILLA.
The children are named in Boone County Deed Book F, page 69, dated 24 October 1823. In this deed Simeon Christy is to hold slaves for benefit of the above named children.
Elizabeth Christy Shepherd and John G. Shepherd are buried in the Petersburg, Kentucky cemetery, Boone County Kentucky.
Their tombstone is inscribed:John G. Shepherd, DIED 9 APRIL 1835
AGED 56 YEARS, 1 MONTH, 5 DAYS
MRS. ELIZABETH SHEPHERD, WIFE OF JOHN G.
DIED 31 AUGUST 1833, AGED 44 YEARS
WILLIAM H. CHRISTY (GEORGE, JULIUS, SAMUEL (?))
William H. Christy was born 6 December, 1791 in Scott County Kentucky. A biographical sketch in DICTIONARY OF LOUISIANA BIOGRAPHY states: "a son of George and Mary Cave Christy, orphaned at age 14. He served in the Creek Campaign under General William Harrison in the War of 1812, and became a hero of Fort Meigs when he saved a group of men from certain death at the hands of Tecumseh. [William] H. later fought in the Florida War and rose to the rank of Colonel. He moved to New Orleans in the winter of 1815 as an army paymaster, became a tobacco merchant in 1816, lost a fortune in 1818. He was admitted to the Bar in 1821. He served as a City Cou[n]cilman 1823-25, 1833, 1844; and as Notary Public 1827-57, and published a DIGEST OF THE DECISIONS OF THE SUPREME COURT OF LOUISIANA 1825.
"In 1835 he helped found the Native American Movement, ran unsuccessfully for Governor and agitated for separate municipalities in New Orleans. In October of 1835 he became the leading supporter of the Texas Revolution in the city, outfitting the New Orleans Grays and recruiting men for the Tampico Expedition. In 1836 he helped procure loans to the Texas Government totalling $250,000. His friend Sam Houston stayed with him while recuperating from wounds received at the Battle of San Jacinto. Later that year Houston honored him at his, Houston's, inauguration as President of the Republic of Texas. In 1839, as President of the Native American Party of Louisiana, Christy incited riots at Galveston and Cincinati by his Anti-Foreign speeches and attacked a foreign newspaper establishment in New Orleans.
"He campaigned for Harison in 1840. In 1850 he was Surveyor of Customs at New Orleans. He agin, unsuccessfully, sought the gubernatorial nomination. He develloped Abita Springs in Tammanny Parish into a Health Resort. He supported the Confederacy and, though in his seventies, he volunteered and fought at Chickamauga.
"He married Catherine Baker Cenas the 31st. of January 1818. She was a daughter of Hilary Baker, a former Mayor of Philadelphia, and the widow of Blair Cenas. William helped raise her three sons from her first marriage and together they had two sons and one daughter. Catherine Baker Cenas Christy died in 1854 and William Christy in 1865. The[y] were buried in the Girard Street Cemetery. When that cemetery ceased their remains were moved to Christ Church Cathedral (in 1957).
GEORGE W. CHRISTY (WILLIAM, GEORGE, JULIUS, SAUEL (?))
George was born in New Orleans in 1818. He graduated from Harvard as an Attorney. He married Josephine Meline Hoskins of Mobile, Alabama. They had four children: HAROLD, ARTHUR, EDITH AND EDGAR A. CHRISTY.William Christy had a long and colorful career. He was no stranger to controversy. There is much material available on his career in the libraries and archives of New Orleans and of Louisiana.George Christy also supported the Confederacy and enlisted in 1861. He attained the rank of Major. He died in 1891.
EDGAR A. CHRISTY, grandson of William, and son of George W. Christy, was Architect for the City of New Orleans. He married, in 1906, Lucie Condit Pond. They had two know children : GEORGE HOSKINS CHRISTY AND EDGAR MELINE CHRISTY.
SIMEON CHRISTY (GEORGE, JULIUS, SAMUEL (?))
Simeon remained in Boone County and led a quiet life in contrast to his brother, William. Simeon was born 19 May, 1794, presumably after his parents had moved from Scott County Kentucky to Boone County Kentucky. Simeon married Lucy Riddle on the 11th. of February 1815, in Boone County Lucy was a daughter of William Riddle of Boone County.
DEED BOOK D, PG. 102, BOONE COUNTY KENTUCKY:
This deed records the gift of a slave to Lucy Riddle Christy from her father William Riddle.
William Riddle's will names, as his grandchildren: PAULINE CHRISTY AND MORTON CHRISTY.
Pauline Christy married Cornelius Homer Vaughan, a son of Abraham Vaughan, Sr. and Mary Weaver Vaughan, of Boone County. They married the 29 September 1836 in Boone County. They migrated to Randolph County Missouri. Pauline died 31st. December 1857.
Morton Christy, named in his grandfather Riddle's Will, evidently died prior to the settlement of that Estate for he is not named as an heir in it.
Lucy Riddle Christy died prior to 1823.
Simeon Christy married second Olivia (Livvy) Souther, a daughter of Abraham Souther. They were married in Boone County the 27 March 1823. Simeon and Olivia had two daughters: MARY CHRISTY and ELIZABETH CHRISTY.
MARY CHRISTY, born 1827, died 13 March 1874. she is buried in the Hebron Lutheran cemetery, Hebron, Kentucky. Mary married Alonzo Gaines. Mary Christy Gaines and Alonzo Gaines had a daughter, MARY ELIZABETH wo married Doran Cloreand a son ALONZO GAINES, JR.URIEL CHRISTY (GEORGE, JULIUS, SAMUEL (?))ELIZABETH CHRISTY, born 9 February 1824. She married Stephen Gaines, a brother of Alonzo Gaines. They were married 22 December 1842, Boone County. Elizabeth is buried in the Hebron Lutheran cemetery. She died 16 December, 1863.
Uriel Christy was born in Boone County Kentucky, Circa 1796. He spent some years in New Orleans working with his brother, William H. Christy, in the Commission business. Uriel Christy's Will is recorded in Boone county WILL BOOK C, PAGE 352. He names as his only heir his nephew, James C. Shepherd, son of John G. Shepherd and Elizabeth Christy Shepherd. The will was written 11 may 1836 and filed for Probate in the June Court of 1836. The Estate consisted of one bed and bedding, one new saddle, one bureau, and $650.00 in notes on the firm of David Hogan and Company.
Uriel did not marry. He is buried in the Petersburg Kentucky cemetery. His tombstone is inscribed:
URIEL CHRISTY
DIED 19 MAY 1836
IN HIS 40th. YEAR
FRANCES CHRISTY (GEORGE, JULIUS, SAMUEL (?))
Frances Christy was born C. 1800. She married Weston Anderson in Boone County Kentucky the 2nd. of December 1819. In 1823 Frances and Weston were living in Henderson County Kentucky. Boone County DEED BOOK F, PAGE 229, records Power of Attorney given to Simeon christy by Weston Anderson and his wife Frances, formerly Christy, of Henderson County. No further information.
MORTON CHRISTY (GEORGE, JULIUS, SAMUEL (?))
Morton Christy died C. 1804,
SOURCES OF INFORMATION ON GEORGE CHRISTY FAMILY
HISTORY OF NEW ORLEANS, by Kendall, published 1922.
DICTIONARY OF LOUISIANA BIOGRAPHY
BULLDOZING THE SCALAWAGS by Frank J. Wetta
THE RISE AND FALL OF THE GIRARD STREET CEMETERY
SESQUICENTENNIALIN St. TAMMANY, by Adrian D. Schwartz
BOOTH'S RECORD OF LOUISIANA CONFEDERATE SOLDIERS
Above books available at Tulane University Library.
SKETCHES OF EMINENT AMERICANS OF LOUISIANA, in Christy Folder, vertical file, Louisiana State Library, Baton Rouge, La.
Thursday, 06-Apr-2000 15:29:32 MDT