Person:Christmas McKings (1)

According to Augusta County court records, a man with the given name of "Christmas" stole a horse about 1779 belonging to "Colonel Menger of the Convention Troops". We presume that he was probably a soldier serving in Col. Menger's troops. The three records relating to this dated between January 1779 and September 1780, all involving his conviction and his being sent to Williamsburg, presumably for execution. Why this same judgement needed to be recorded on three well separated occasions is not obvious. What is readily apparent is that he was known under a variety of alias, viz: Chalkey's includes several references to this person going by various alias, including:

Christmas McKings
Christmas McCann
Christmas Meecan
Samuel Allen
William Jones
Samuel Thomas

The true identity of this person is not clear from the records. The first three alias given above appear to be variants of the same name, "Christmas McKings". While this might suggest that this was his real name, these are the only records for someone using "Christmas" as a given name, in Chalkley's Chronicles Augusta County; it seems likely that this was an entirely made up name, and that if his real name is given among the alias, it was probably one of the last three: Samuel Allen, Samuel Thomas, and William Jones. There are, in fact, persons by these names recorded in Augusta County Court records, ostensibvly unrelated to "Christmas McKing".

[edit]

Notes

Chalkley's Chronicles

Name	Date	Entry
Christmas Meecans	1779	JANUARY 6, 1779. (388) Called Court on Chrismass Meecans, of Cumberland County, Va.--larceny. (Richard Madison, Clerk, being absent on his lawful business, Peter Hog appointed Clerk pro tem.).--Guilty and sent to Williamsburg.
Chrismass McKings	1779	DECEMBER 20, 1779. (175) Called Court on Chrismass McKings, alias Samuel Allen, alias William Jones, alias Samuel Thomas, for stealing the horse of Colonel Minger of the Convention Troops. Guilty and sent to Richmond for trial. Witnesses--James Bell of Amherst and Colonel Minger of the Convention Troops--James McGraw of Halifax.
Samuel Thomas	1780	SEPTEMBER 9, 1780. (300) Called Court for examination of Samuel Thomas, alias Chrisman McCann, for burglary.--Guilty and sent to Richmond.
Samuel Thomas	1780	June 6th, Samuel Thomas' declaration of service in the Old Virginia Regiment;

211 Samuel Allen	Duplicate record for alias of Christmas McKings
144 Samuel Allen	1792	Alexander Campbell and Jane his wife, of Rockingham County, vs. Herring--O. S. 176; N. S. 62--Bill 29th May, 1804..... Articles of Agreement, 27th November, 1790, between subscribers and William Herron, schoolmaster. William is to teach an English school three months for £7-10. Reading, Writing and Arathmetic. Benj. Tallman (4 scholars); James Henton (4 scholars); Hannah Harrison (2 scholars); Christian Miller (3 scholars); Engle Boyer (2 scholars); Samuel Allen (1 scholar)....
188-190 Samuel Allen	1814	Allen vs. Hylton--O. S. 244; N. S. 86--Bill, 1814. Complainants are, viz: George, Jesse, Samuel H., John Allen, Martha, wife of Jacob Tyree; Bethinia, wife of Leroy Camden; Lewis Tindall, administrator of Lucy Tindall; George, William, Nancy, Susan, Martha Tindall, Hannah, wife of James Edmonds, children of Lucy Tindall, formerly Lucy Allen....[extensive case description, unrelated to this article]
490-491 Samuel Allen]	1780	William Pryor's Declaration, October 15th, 1832: Bom on Pedlar s River in Albemarle; age 79 or 80 years. In 1773 he moved to the Great Kanawha, but was driven back by the Indians; he returned and was at Point Pleasant in 1775, and there saw Capt. Isaac Shelby, late Governor of Kentucky, who was left in charge of the wounded after the battle of the 10th October, 1774. In 1776 he entered the Army as substitute for James Frazer under Capt. Mathew Arbuckle, commandant of the Post at Point Pleasant. Arbuckle's subalterns were Lieut. Andrew Wallace, Lieut. James Thompson, Ensigns Samuel Wood and James McNutt. In 1776 he enlisted under Arbuckle for two years under Capt. William McKee and Lieut. Gilmore; served as spy. In the fall of 1777 Colonels Skileron and Dickerson came there in command of the expedition against the Shawnees. On this expedition were James Harrison, now of Rockbridge, and Micajah Goodwin. Lieutenant Gilmore was killed by the Indians, and when his body was found by the men of that expedition, they immediately murdered Cornstalk and his son, Nipseko, who had been held by Arbuckle as hostages for the safety of the men of the fort. While Skileron and Dickerson were there, General Hand of the Army came and ordered the men to return as it was too late to go on the expedition. General Hand complained to Arbuckle that his men lived too high, when every man shouldered his musket and started home when a Colonel McDowell compromised the affair. In consequence of the murder of Cornstalk, the Shawnees attacked the fort in 1778. They killed Paddy Shearman and wounded Lieut. Gilmore, but were repulsed and started for the Greenbrier settlements, but their plans were betrayed by the sister of Cornstalk who had previously taken refuge in the fort. Capt. McKee called for two men to go and appraise the Greenbrier settlements. John Intchminger and John Logan volunteered, but returned; then Philip Hammond and applicant volunteered, but applicant's brother, John Pryor, took his place, being more experienced. They followed the Indians and passed them about ten miles from Donnelly's Fort, where they arrived and gave the alarm. The Indians attacked the Fort. Capt. Arbuckle was at home on furlough when he and Capt. Lewis raised a company and forced their way into the Fort and drove the Indians off. During this expedition of the Indians, General Clarke stopped at Point Pleasant, on his way, to take possession of a place called the Post, but now Vincennes. In the autumn of 1778, at the Fort was a man named Morgan who had been a prisoner with the Indians for many years and had a squaw with him, said to be his wife. Morgan had been ironed to hold him and to obtain the reward offered by his father, but escaped, with his wife, and was never heard of. Applicant and Zedekiah Shumake, and others whose terms were about to expire, were discharged before the expiration in fear that Morgan might inform the Indians who would attack them on the way home. In 1779 he was drafted in Amherst, under Capt. Samuel Higginbotham, in the Regiment of Colonel Christian; fellow soldiers were Zedekiah Shumaker, William Brown and Samuel Allen. Again, in 1780, he was drafted under Capt. Richard Ballinger; fellow soldiers were Richard Tankersley and Nicholas Pryor, his elder brother. This tour was performed at Fort Powhatan, on James River, now Fort Jefferson. Abran Carter, aged 70, testifies to declarant's services. Zedekiah Shumaker, aged 79 or 80, testifies to declarant's services.

195 Samuel Thomas]	1777	DECEMBER 16, 1777. (255) Samuel Thomas, committed as a deserter, was examined and recommitted to jail, and the jailor ordered to advertise him.
211 Samuel Thomas	Duplicate entry for Christmas McKing
217 Samuel Thomas	Duplicate entry for Christmas McKing
406 Samuel Thomas	1794	Elizabeth Carden, infant, by Joseph Carden, next friend, vs. Samuel Thomas.--Case, 19th August, 1794.

106 William Jones]	1763	APRIL 25, 1763. (91) Called Court on Wm. Jones for "buggery"--convicted and sent to Williamsburg for trial.
191 William Jones	1777	APRIL 1, 1777. (176) Called Court on William Jones--larceny.--Guilty and sent to General Court.
211 William Jones	Duplicate record for alias of Christmas McKings
277 William Jones	1794	SEPTEMBER 16, 1794. (157) William Jones, aged 17, to be bound to Lawrence Simmerman, to learn trade of weaver.
356 William Jones	1769	Mathew Reed and Hugh Johnson vs. James and William Jones.--Attachment, 24th January, 1769. Defendants about to leave the County. Suit on bond dated 16th September, 1768. Witnessed by John Verner and Margaret Reed.

19 William Jones	1760	Mary Devericks, by Thomas Devericks, her next friend, vs. John Erwin-- Case. Augusta, 17th August, 1760. Witnesses from Bath, James Steuart, William Jones, Thomas and Diana Botkin.
173-174 William Jones		Drake vs. Campbell--O. S. 214; N. S. 75--Bill, 8th June, 1807. Orator is John Drake of Kentucky. John Buchanan of Augusta died testate, leaving remainder to three younger daughters or the survivors of them come of age. Orator's father, Joseph Drake, in 1773 married Margaret, one of the daughters of John Buchanan. Prior to 1778 Joseph moved to Kentucky, where in that year he was killed by the Indians, leaving orator infant of very tender years. Margaret afterwards married _____ Jones. Josiah Ramsey deposes, 1809, that the Indians were troublesome in Washington County from 1776 to 1779. Col. Robert Sawyers deposes at Fort Chesel in Wythe County, 1808. He was present at marriage of Joseph Drake and Peggy Buchanan. John Buchanan, son of Col. John Buchanan, deceased, grandfather of orator, was second lieutenant in same Company with deponent in Seventh Regiment of Virginia line on Continental Establishment and in spring of 1777 was detached under command of then Col. Morgan from Middle Brook, New Jersey, against Burgoyne, and was killed at battle of Saratoga. John Floyd sailed in a privateer against the enemy in the fall of 1776, and returned in 1779. Widow of Col. John Buchanan, deceased, married William Anderson shortly after marriage of Joseph Drake and some time before the death of her son John. Patent 23d December, 1779, to Wm. Campbell and Wm. Preston, executors of John Buchanan, deceased, assignee of James Patton, deceased, by survey 1749-50, 1,150 acres part of order of Council to James Patton et als on Sinking Creek waters of Middle Branch of Indian River. Mary Boyd, wife of Andrew Boyd and daughter of Col. John Buchanan, deposes in Wythe, 18th November, 1809. Col. William Preston died in 1784. Anna Buchanan married Ephraim Drake in Kentucky. She was born 28th November, 1765. Joseph Drake and Margaret Buchanan were married in March, 1773. Thomas Boyd deposes. Andrew Boyd deposes. Daniel Young, son of Jacob Young, deposes in Nashville. Col. John Buchanan's will. John Drake lived in Nicholas County, Kentucky. Answer by John and Francis Preston, John Breckenridge, and John Brown, executors of Wm. Preston and administrators with will annexed of John Buchanan, and also of Elizabeth Madison, John Preston, Francis Preston, James McDowell and Sarah, his wife, William Preston, Nathaniel Hart and Susannah, his wife, James P. Preston, John Lewis and Mariah, his wife, and Letitia, Thomas and Peggy Preston, infants, by John Preston, their guardian; which said John, Francis, Elizabeth, Sarah, William, Susannah P., James P., Mary, Letitia, Thomas and Peggy are children of William Preston, deceased. Col. James Dysart, aged 65 years, deposes in Lincoln County, 22d June, 1808. In 1776 on account of Indians, Joseph Drake moved to New River near his father's. In 1778 or 1777 he moved to Kentucky. In 1769 deponent and Joseph made a hunting tour of seven months in Kentucky; again in 1771 a tour of nine months, and in 1772 a tour of eleven months. Deponent and Col. Buchanan came from same neighborhood in Ireland and were remotely connected. When Joseph moved to Kentucky, Anna Buchanan was about 10 or 12 years old. John Campbell deposes in Washington County, 18th March, 1808, he is 66 years old. James Buchanan, power of attorney dated Bourbon County, Virginia, 26th June, 1787. Col. Wm. Donalson deposes in Davidson County, Tennessee, 5th July, 1808, is 48 years old. Deed 8th July, 1788, by Thomas Madison, attorney for James Buchanan, son and heir to John Buchanan, deceased, to John Campbell, 1,150 acres in Washington County on Indian, now called Holstein, River. Recorded in Washington County. James Newell deposes in Wythe County, was present at marriage of Joseph Drake. Deponent and Joseph were in 1774 on the Shawnese expedition together. Col. Robert Craig deposes at own house in Knox County, Kentucky, 18th June, 1808. James Buchanan deposes 21st March, 1799, at house of Patton Anderson in Fayette County, Kentucky. James Thompson deposes in Abingdon, 19th October, 1809, was present at Joseph Drake's marriage; none of Margaret's people was present except William Buchanan. They were married at the town house about 17 miles east of Abingdon; there were present, viz: Ephraim Drake, William Anderson, Widow Cartey, Peggy Campbell, Anna Campbell et als. Ephraim Drake deposes in Bedford County, Tennessee, 26th June, 1809. Joseph and Margaret were married agreeable to the established custom by Mr. Wolsey, a Baptist preacher; her elder brothers were present. Col. Mathew Willoughby, aged 59, deposes 26th March, 1813, in Washington County, Virginia. John Young, son of Jacob, was notorious for bonestealing; also Daniel Young, son of Jacob. Deed 23d October, 1810, by Margaret Jones, now living in Franklin County, Tennessee, widow and relict of William Jones, deceased, also of Joseph Drake, to John Drake, of Bedford County, Tennessee. Recorded in Washington County, July, 1811. John Campbell answers. When Joseph moved to Kentucky, Margaret had three brothers, viz: William, killed in Kentucky; John, killed at Saratoga in 1777; James, now living in Kentucky. Margaret, widow of Col. Jno. Buchanan, married _____ Anderson and was living with him in Botetourt in 1777. John Buchanan's will of Augusta County. Sons, James, William and John; wife, _____, daughter of Col. James Patton; daughter, Mary Boyd; three younger daughters; nephew, William Campbell.
180-181 William Jones	1810	Walker's administrator vs. Jones's administrator--O, S. 226; N. S. 80-- Bill, 1810. Bill filed in Albemarle, 1813, by Walter Leake, administrator c. t. a. of Levi Jones, Elizabeth Jones, his widow, and Orlando, Lain and William Jones, infants of Lain Jones. Elizabeth was Elizabeth Clayton. William Walker and Elizabeth conveyed to Lain Jones a tract of land and all their interest in a deed by Orlando Jones to John Clayton, 1771. Lain Jones was only child and heir of Orlando Jones, who died testate. Will dated 4th May, 1804. William Walker and Elizabeth are both dead. Defendants are, viz: James, Andrew, Francis, Walker and Sally, his wife; Andrew Laird and Eleanor, his wife (late Walker); Charles Mosly and Jane, his wife, late Walker; Francis, Josephus, Rebecca Walker, and Daniel Couch. Copy of a former bill filed in Albemarle by William Walker and Elizabeth, his wife, shows that on 27th November, 1771, in contemplation of a marriage between Orlando Jones, deceased, and Elizabeth (oratrix), daughter of John Clayton, deceased, a marriage contract was entered into. Conveys 400 acres in Albemarle and certain slaves. In February, 1793, Orlando died without issue by Elizabeth, who married Walker in 1793. Deed 27th November, 1771, by Orlando Jones of Albemarle and John Clayton of Gloucester. Marriage settlement. Recorded in General Court, 30th April, 1772. Deed 19th May, 1795, by William Walker and Elizabeth to Lain Jones, 400 acres in Albemarle. Recorded in Albemarle, June, 1795. Bill of revivor filed by heirs of Elizabeth Walker, viz: John Clayton, Nicholas Davis, Samuel B. Davis, Timberlake V. Davis, Catherine C. Meriwether, Edith Clay, Thomas Hughes, Henry Hughes, Susanna Hughes, Jasper Clayton, William B. Clayton, Arthur Davis. Deed 30th May, 1795, by Lain Jones of Albemarle to William Walker, mortgage. Recorded in Albemarle, June, 1795. Bill by James Walker, administrator c. t. a. of William Walker of Buckingham County. Will of Orlando (Lain?) Jones dated 4th May, 1804. Sons, Orlando, Lain and William; wife. Recorded in Albemarle, 1805, 4th February. Joseph Coleman deposes: Orlando Jones died 1793, leaving Lain Jones, father of Orlando, Lain and William.
304 William Jones	1787	1787--May 30, William Jones and William Jordan, surety. William Jones and Sarah Wood, daughter of James Wood (consent). Teste: Thomas Duglas, Wm. Killpatrick. Wm. Jordan swears Sarah is 18 on 29th January last, and Wm. Jones is 21 .
348 William Jones	1787	1787, September 22d--By Rev. James Chambers: November 27th, ...Wm. Jones and Isabella Smith
313 William Jones	1794	1794--January 13, Wm. Redder and James Trimble, surety. Wm.Rader and Jane Jones, daughter of Wm. Jones (consent). Teste: John Lockridge.
427 William Jones	1798	Insolvents and Delinquents, 1798: ... Wm. Jones, to Maryland;
392 William Jones	1801	22d June, 1801--Mary Jones, administrator of Wm. Jones.
221 William Jones	1801	Page 186.--18th July, 1801. William Jones' estate appraised.