Person:Thomas Christian (13)

Kumskaka, later named Thomas Bailey Christian, was the grandson of the Shawnee leader Cornstalk. His mother died in childbirth and his father was murdered, along with his grandfather, Chief Cornstalk, at Fort Randolph November 10th, 1777. This is the story handed down in his family. According to the pension application of Hezekiah Whitt, he was orphaned and raised by Thomas Mastin/Masten and his Indian wife Agnes.^s2

Origins of Surname Christian

Thomas Mastin gave three of the orphans alternate names. Possibly as one criteria for owning land (it was probably not possible to own land with an Indian name at that time and it is believed that Thomas Mastin gave land parcels to two of the orphans). We know that Mastin gave Low Hawk the new name Hezekiah N. Whitt in honor of his friend and neighbor. We believe he may have named Kumskaka for Col William Christian, another admired military figure on the frontier. At this point though this is just speculation. user:cthrnvl

Controversy

Thomas Bailey Christian's parentage is controversial because it relies on oral history (Wikipedia). No written records have been found and the only sources are stories passed down through his family. As of this writing, May 2012, there have been no sources found that contradict the family stories. Research is ongoing.

1. ↑ Tazewell County Historical Society (Tazewell, Virginia). 1850 Tazewell County, Virginia Census. (Signal Mountain, Tennessee: Mountain Press, 199-?).

   Thomas Christian Sr., b. 1770 Virginia, living with Mary (40y), Mathew (16y), George (14y), Susana (13), Sally (10y), Letty (8y) Familysearch.org

2. ↑ Whitt, Hezekiah. Revolutionary War Pension Application. (Tazewell County, Virginia: National Archives, 27 March 1844).

   Excerpt: In addition to the certificate given by this affiant, he would state that this affiant was raised from childhood (being Left an orphan) by Captain Thomas Ma(s)rtin, whom he has often heard say, that Hezekiah Whit, the applicant for a pension in the foregoing declaration, was a soldier under him in the Cherokee Expedition into Tennessee. This affiant knew the said Whit at that time and has known him ever since. This affiant knows nothing of any other service stated by the said Whit, but he believes them to have been performed as stated. Sworn to and subscribed the day and year above written in open court. (signed) Thomas Christian

3.   1820 Tazewell County Census - he may be the "Thomas Christian" listed User:cthrnvl
4.   I believe these land grants were for this "Thomas Christian" because he is the only Thomas Christian in Tazewell at this time as far as I know. User:cthrnvl
   
   
   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.]
   
   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
   
   
   Transcribed at this website. [2]
   * The last two are probably not this TBC because he died in 1850. Thomas Christian 1855 is probably a grandson and Thomas B. Christian may be Thomas Beavers Christian. User:cthrnvl
5.   Website: Dahnmon Whitt Family File for Web
6.   Named in the will of his brother Hezekiah N. Whitt Excerpt: Last be known it, I leave to my wife, Hannah Whitt, 1/2 of two lots lying at Indian Creek, in Tazewell County, on the south side of the River, and now in occupation of Moses Christian; also all my estate at Sinking Waters, while she remains my widow, and she is to pay all my just debts and funeral charges. "I leave to my brother, Thomas B. Christian, my gold ring and my morters, and to him £100, he paying to the Patron or Lord of the Manor 5 bushels of wheat". I leave to my brother, Thomas B. Christian, after my wife's death or marriage, all the rest of the farm, and he is to pay to my sister, Sarah Adkins, £50, and to all my nephews and nieces, £5, and to the Patron or Lord of the Manor 5 bushels of wheat.
7.   Descendancy File by Caryl Lamont
8.   Findagrave Thomas Bailey Christian