Person:Christina Keckley (1)

Pursuant to an Order of the Frederick County (Virginia) Court of August 1841, an inventory of the personal estate of Christiana Russell dec'd was prepared by James A. Russell, administrator, and the related appraisal prepared by Joseph Richard, Henry Brill and Jacob Richard junior and dated December 1843. The appraisal was accepted by the County Court on February 5, 1844. [Source: Will Book 21, pp. 328-332.]

Christiana died intestate, as no Will was indexed for her prior to the inventory and as indicated by the fact that her estate was being handled by an administrator rather than an executor.

The inventory was extensive and suggests that the personal estate was that of her husband Moses, who must have predeceased her, with his estate passing lock, stock and barrel to Christiana. There was no Will or inventory and appraisal indexed in the Will Books after 1830. Christiana's inventory consisted of household goods as well as farm equipment and livestock and various notes receivable, including two by Henry Richards and one by John Disponet.

The “Sale Bill of the Personal Property of C. Russell dec'd Sold Sept 8th, 1841, James A. Russell, administrator of the Estate” listed the names of the purchasers of the assets. He was was one of the major purchasers, suggesting that he was taking over the home farm of Moses and Christiana. James was the eldest son. William K. Russell also made a number of purchases of items suggesting that he was setting up house somewhere. William K. (likely for Keckley) had not been identified by name prior to this document, and he must be the second son in seniority. There was also a third son, Moses E. (probably for Elias, the given name of Christiana's father), and a daughter. The “Sale Bill” was accepted by the County Court on Feb. 5, 1844. [Source: Will Book 21, pp. 332-337.]

The account of the estate affairs was prepared by James A. Russell, adm'r. It covered the period from Feb. 21, 1841 (“cash paid David Yost for coffin”) to January 30, 1844. The balance after expenses was $3,767.36. The account also included income of the same amount for the same period, including the payment of notes receivable. The accounting was accepted by the County Court on February 5, 1844. [Source: Will Book 21, pp. 340-341.]

[There may be a later accounting showing how the balance was distributed.]