1840 Census, Sumter Dist., SC, p. 038: Robert Christmas; 1 male under 5; 1 male 5-10; 1 male 20-30; 1 female 20-30.1850 Census: Sumter Dist., SC, Family & Dwelling # 294; p. 327; NTL M432 - 859 Robert age 34; Emily age 34; children: Lawrence age 15; Clarence age 12; Edward age 10; Ladsen age 8; Susan age 6; Sarah age 5; Adella age 2; William S. age 1 month.
1860 Census: Sumter Dist., SC, p. 136 Sumter P.O.; Dwelling # 754 list Robert L., age 42; Emily, age 40; Jemins E., age 19; Robert L., age 17; Susan E., age 16; Sarah A., age 14; Della, age 11; William, age 9 & Francis, age 7.
1870 Census, Clarendon Co., SC; Sammy Swamp; Manning PO; p. 18, list Robert L., age 51, farmer, owns real eatate; wife, Emma, age 50; Adella, age 17; Fannie, age 15; Ladron, age 18 & William, age 18.
[WHT: it appears the 4 children, listed in the 1870 census, left SC and moved to TX. See notes for them and also son, Edward.]
The "Consolidated Index To Compiled Confederate Service Records" Roll M253-#86, at the SC Archives list the following:
R. L. Christmas--PVT. Capt Garden's Co. (Palmetto Lt. Battery) SC Lt. Artillery .
R. L. Christmas--CPL. Co. F,---5th Batt'l, SC Reserves (Brown's Batt'n)
R. L. Christmas--PVT. 2 Co. C, 6th SC Infantry.Sumter Dist., SC Deed Bk. [WHT: did not get book & page #] Register in Bankruptcy: David J. Winn has been appointed Assignee of estate of Robert L. Christmas, who has been adjudged bankrupt by a decree of the court; all property, real & personal was conveyed to David J. Winn on Feb. 20, 1868; recorded May 11, 1868. [WHT: it appears Robert had some hard financial times; see Sheriff sale of his property in 1858 under text message for his brother, James .]
[WHT: The following is from a 1998 email from B. O. Prince.] "When my Great grandmother, Cornelia Aderline (Christmas) Bradley died in 1891, my grandmother, Cynthia Anne Bradley remembers her great Uncle Robert Christmas bringing hot food to the house when her mother was sick. She said that he ran a rooming house at the train station and fed his overnight guest."
307. Robert Ladsen Christmas-3168
[WHT: I think this is Robert Ladsen Christmas; it appears several of his family members moved in TX in early 1870s.]1880 Census, Travis Co., TX; Precinct 2; Dwelling 16; ED: 125, p. 2 list R. L. Christmas, age 35, farm laborer, born in SC, as were his parents.
Year: 1880; Census Place: Precinct 2, Travis, Texas; Roll: T9_1329; Family History Film: 1255329; Page: 51B; Enumeration District: ; The following are listed in the household:
Name Relation Marital Status Gender Race Age Birthplace Occupation Father's Birthplace Mother's Birthplace
R. L. CHRISTMAS Self S Male W 35 SC Farm Hand SC SC
Lotta STOTTS Other W Female MU 29 TX Farm Hand MS MS
Sarah A. MC MILLION Other S Female B 27 AL Farm Hand AL AL
Amelia LEE Other S Female B 27 MD Farm Hand MD MD
Lovey ORGAN Dau S Female MU 6 TX TX TX
[WHT: See notes for sister, Adella.]Christmas, Fannie Married: Nov 19, 1872 in: Robertson, TX Gender: F Source info: microfilm reference numbers File name: 0963255 through 0963256 Spouse's gender: M Spouse's name: Sewari, Ikey
76. William Jerome Christmus-481
[WHT: Brown's Chapel Methodist Church Cemetery is located out of Columbia on Hwy 262 (Leesburg Rd.) several miles, turn right on Lower Richland Rd. and take first right on Old Leesburg Rd (dirt road) and cemetery is almost immediately on left. The Christmus plot is first on right as you turn in the entrance; no church.]Most of this family line spell their surname as CHRISTMUS.
In the 1834 court records (see father's message) William is referred to as being under the age of 14; William is not mentioned in the 1821 deed of gift from his g-father, Nathan, to Abigail, Robert & Jane, his brother & sisters. He could have been born after 1821, but I will use the family date of 1818.
Sumter Dist., SC Deed Bk. QQ, p. 416. A William M. Christmas sells 172 acres to Turner Davis for $860.00. This property adjoined property owned by A. White, Sr., A. L. Jones, Turner Davis & J. B. Bragdon. Dated Dec. 3, 1862; Recorded Dec. 26, 1862?
Sumter Dist., SC Deed Bk. QQ, p. 502-503: William Christmas to B. F. Rhame, mortgage on two parcels of real estate in the amount of $524.60, payable 1st Jan. 1864 & 1st Jan. 1865; tract # 1 is 298 acres in Sumter & Clarendon Dist.; tract # 2 is 125 acres in Clarendon Dist.; dated Sept 17, 1862; mortgage delivered Oct. 6, 1862; Recorded Dec. 17, 1862. [WHT: written across the front of the mortgage is Satisfaction and signature of B. F. Rhame below.]
Sumter Dist., SC Deed Bk. QQ, p. 503-504: B. F. Rhame conveys to William Christmas of Kershaw Dist. two tracts of land for $2000.00; tract # 1 is 298 acres lying partly in the Sumter Dist. and partly in the Clarendon Dist., bounded on the N. by Broadway, E. by N. V. Cockville?, S. by DuBose & W. by Eliz. Brumby; tract # 2 is 125 acres lying in the Clarendon Dist. Dated Sept 17, 1862; Recorded Dec. 17, 1862.
1870 Census, Kershaw Co., SC, Wateree, Dwelling 157, Family 181, p. 19 [252] William Christmas, age 50, farmer; Amelia, age 43; Sarah, age 23; William, age 16; Adeline, age 14; Ella, age 9, Brantlet, age 7; Janet, age 3; atharin (sp) & Dora, age 9 months.
1880 Census, Fairfield Co., SC; Township # 8; Dwelling 268; ED: 74, p. 25 list William Christmas, age 59, farmer; wife, Amelia, 52 & 4 children: Bramlett, 17; Virginia, 12; Kate, 10 & Roxey, 8.
1900 Census, Richland Co., SC; Center Township; Dwelling # 287 list William Christmas & wife Pamerlia; married 56 years; had 18 children - 6 living. Joe Brazil, servant, is living with them; there are Brazil families on both sides. Also a granddaughter, Ada Graham born 1893 is living with them.
[At the start of the Civil War, a William Christmas joined the "Wateree Mounted Rifles, Company K, 7th Cavalry, (Kershaw Co.) with Colonel Haskell in command; William was a private; "Historic Camden, Nineteenth Century" by Kirkland and Kennedy, p. 467. On Sept. 14, 1863, this William Christmas joined or was volunteered into "Company C, 4th Regiment, SC State Troops with Capt. Haile in charge; he was a private. This company performed guard duty as part of the reserves; probably never went into battled; was composed of old men, furloughed & discharged soldiers because of physical infirmity or wounds. A William Christmas is listed in the 1870 Census, Wateree Township, Kershaw Co., SC; I think this is that person, probably the son of Caleb, son of Nathan who d. 1831 in Sumter Dist., SC]
Some marriage and birth information from the Family History Center reports show his wife to be Permelia Revelle and a dau. named Virginia Ann was born on July 20, 1867 in Fairfield Co., SC; FHC # 7500001 & 935369
Permelia "Amelia" Reville's father, Harry Reville, is from a pedigree chart by Henry L. Metz of Columbia, SC, a great grandson. Mr. Metz chart also shows William's middle name to be James, others show his middle name to be Jerome. However, the above deed gives his middle initial as M. The death certificate of William's daughter, Sarah A. Gladden, gives his name as W. M. Christmas, this information given by Sarah's husband, James Gladden.
[WHT: The following deed information was sent to me by Marvin Duke Lowe.]
Fairfield Co., SC Deeds:
William Christmus bought 190 acres from Wm. Brown in Jan 1877. William Christmus sold 190 acres in 1894.William Christmus sold 423 1/2 acres plus cattles, mules, household goods, plantation, in counties of Sumter & Clarenton to Roxanna Christmas on Aug. 18, 1879. [WHT: this appears to be the two tracts purchased in 1862.]
[WHT: The following information was given me on April 8, 1998, via email, by Beiman Otis Prince, a descendant of William & Lucinda.]
WILLIAM JEROME CHRISTMAS was born November 27, 1818, in Sumter County, South Carolina and died February 23, 1902 in the Sandhill section of Richland County. His wife was Lucinda Permelia Reville, born December 16, 1825, in Augusta, Georgia. She died in the Sandhills February 21, 1902 and was to be buried on February 23, 1902 the day that her husband died but they held up the ceremony and buried them both together the following day.
William Jerome Christmas was an overseer in Darlington County, South Carolina where he met Lucinda Permelia Reville, born December 16, 1825 in Augusta, Georgia, the daughter of Hardy Reville and Elizabeth George. Hardy Reville was the brother of Polly Reville who married William Prevette of Darlington County and they were both the children of William Reville, born about 1750, died in Augusta, Georgia 1830. Mother Campbell said that Uncle Billy Prevette was a large plantation owner, had an overseer and lots of slaves. He and Aunt Polly did not agree with the relationship between Lucinda Permelia Reville and William Jerome Christmas. They thought that Permelia could do much better than a plantation overseer.
On a Sunday morning, William Jerome Christmas stole Lucinda Pamelia Reville away from her home while Uncle Billy and Aunt Polly were at church. One of the slaves saw what happened and went to the Church to announce the bad news. Nothing could be done, they were married when they returned.
The two were disowned by the Prevette family who had no children of their own. Although William Jerome Christmas, his wife, and Uncle Billy and Aunt Polly all went to the same Methodist Church, they would never speak to each other.
After the first baby was born, Mary Jane Christmas, born 1844, Lucinda and William took the baby to the Methodist Church to have it baptised. Aunt Polly Prevette was there and her heart softened at the sight of the vow being taken by the mother and father. So when the service was over, she sent a servant to the home of William and Pamelia to ask that they send the baby to her home so she could see it. She was so touched by the small baby that she sent back to ask that William Christmas and Pamelia to come to her home for dinner.
Aunt Polly and Uncle Billy Prevette gave Pamelia two slaves, one to cook and care for the baby and the other to do the yard work. It was agreed to that the slaves were the complete property of Lucinda and they were only to be used as house and yard servants, not as farm hands. At the death of Aunt Polly, Pamelia was left some of the family heirloons.
Pamelia and William Christmas moved from Darlington County to Kershaw County buying a plantation called Pender Hill on the Wateree River. Several more children were born there.Then they moved to Fairfield County and lived three miles from Simpsons Turnout on Little Cedar Creek.They made their home there for about eight years. Again they moved back to Wateree River for about six years leaving there to buy their home in the Sandhills near Brown's Chapel. There, they became devoted members of Brown's Chapel Methodist Church. My mother, Mattie Ella Campbell Prince talked about seeing her grandma Christmas going to the house from the Kitchen that was built separate with a sugar bowl in her hand."Grandma! What are you doing with the sugar bowl, mother ask, I am gonna fix your Granddaddy Christmas a ginger tea before he goes to bed so I need the sugar, was Grandma Christmas reply.
Mother Campbell said that Lucinda Permelia Reville and William Jerome Christmas had all together eighteen children, many of whom died at birth or shortly after and who were not named. The children were reared under complete Bible Authority and Church discipline. Although this was very tough rules, it was more the code of that day of Christian discipline.
[WHT: The following is a email message from Mrs. E. Watson. date received March 12, 1998.]
It's been a while, but I've been in touch with a professional genealogist about the Christmas family. Your Mary Jane Christmas with John Turner Graham and mine may be the same. According to my records, Mary Jane Christmas (b. Feb. 29, 1844; d. Feb. 5, 1944) was one of 18 children (1st born) to Lucinda Permelia Reville (b. Dec. 16, 1825, in Augusta, GA and daughter of Hardy Reville and Elizabeth George) and William Jerome Christmas of Sumter County, S.C. (b. Nov. 27, 1818 and d. Feb. 23, 1902, in the Sandhill section of Richland County). Wm. Jerome Christmas was an overseer in Darlington Co. S.C. They moved from Darlington Co. to Kershaw Co. buying a plantation called "Pender Hill" on the Wateree River. Other moves placed them in Fairfield Co. (8 yrs.), back to the Wateree River (6 Yrs.), and then to the Sandhills near Brown's Chapel. I do not have any info on John Turner Graham's parents.
[WHT: According to Warren H. Christmus, Jr., Permelia died on Feb. 21; her funeral was to be on Feb. 23, but William died at the funeral; they delayed Permelia funeral one day and buried them together.]
77. Jane Elizabeth Christmas-3800
[WHT: Information on marriage & children from Helen H. Baker, a descendant.]
1870 Census, Sumter Co., SC; Sumter; Dwelling # 369 list Jane E. Baker, age 50; living with her is Joseph, 19, a printer & Susan, 16.
323. Eliza Ann Baker-8364
[WHT: Mrs. H. Baker's info shows Eliza birth & death dates as 1838 - 1850; a file by B. Howell on the Baker list shows dates as 1837 - 1892, and a marriage to T. R. Wilson.]In 1870 Census, Sumter Co., SC, Privateer, Dwelling # 89, shows a T. R. Wilson, age 27 & wife, E. A., age 30 with family of four children. [WHT comments: another sorry census entry, as only initials are given.]
327. Abner G. Baker-8367
[WHT: Do not know if this is same person; an Abner G. Baker, age 27 is listed in 1870 Sumter Co., SC Census, Statesburgh, Dwelling # 139; managing a farm; also listed is Emily Baker, 45, b. in England and Richard J. Baker, 12, b. in NJ.]
1850 Census, Darlington Co., SC, p. 275; a Palebs [Caleb] Christmas, age 33, is living with Ann, age 20 & child, Jane, age 2.1860 Census, Darlington Co., SC, p. 423; Caleb, age 36 [33 in 1850]; Ann, age 30; Elizabeth, 12; living with them is Margaret Fields, 9 & Henra? Fields, 7.
[WHT: Received from Karen Smith on Sept. 27, 2005.]
I have been researching ancestors from South Carolina and noticed your site. Research I have done indicates that Margaret Ann (3691) who was married to Caleb Christmas (the sister of my gggggrandfather) was Margaret Ann Fields. She was born in March, 1830 in Darlington, S. C., the daughter of John C. Fields and Elizabeth Mixon.[WHT: A Confederate Persion Application for Caleb Christmas was filed by Margaret A. Christmas in 1891; Caleb unit was from Darlington, 7th SC Cav.]
"Marriage & Death Notices from Camden, SC Newspaper, 1816-1865" "Camden Journal, March 29, 1848: married on the 9th inst., by the Rev. Mr. Graham, Mr. James Christmas to Miss R. Osteen, all of the Sumter District."1850 Census, Sumter Dist., SC, p. 360, NTL, Dwelling # 840, Sept. 12: J. B. age 23; Rachel age 35; Mary T. age 7 months; also living with them is, Robert Ridgell age 19. James' occupation was listed as a shoemaker and had $300.00 in real estate. Dwelling # 839 is Thomas Osteen, age 34; Dwelling # 835 is Gabriel Osteen, age 51, Susanna, age 35 & 6 children; Dwelling # 842 is Willis Osteen, age 49, & family.
1860 Census, Clarendon Co., SC; Manning PO; Dwelling 144; p. 198 list Jas. Christmas, age 34; Rachel, age 44; Merry F., age 10, f.; Margaret, age 9; Dolby (sp) J., age 7, f.; Robert R., age 6; Mary E., age 5; James H., age 2.
1880 Census, Sumter Co., SC; Privateer; Dwelling 248; ED: 120, p. 28, list James Christmas, age 53, farmer; wife, Rachel, 60 and 4 children: Margaret, 29; Nettie, 26; Emma, 24 & Helton, 22.
Sumter Dist., SC Deed Bk. QQ, p. 97-98: Date of Deed, Dec. 5, 1859. James B. Christmas buys a tract of land, containing two hundred +- acres, from Anthony White, Sr., being the tract of land previously purchased by D. A. Foxworth at Sheriff's Sale of property of Robert L. Christmas and purchased by White by deed bearing date of Dec. 6, 1858. Witness: Saml. J. Bradford & Wm. Haynesworth. Rec. Dec. 5, 1859.
Sumter Dist., SC Deed Bk. [WHT: did not get book & page #] James B. Christmas of Clarendon Dist., SC sales to Henry E. Wideman, for Two thousand two hundred twelve dollars and fifty cents, a plantation of 295 acres located on Shoes & Boots Branch, waters of Black River, bounded by lands, formerly of estate of Sumter, by lands of Jesse Yates, of Hiram Seymour, of Redding Thigpen, of John B. Brogdon and the estate of Chris Tisdale; represented by plat drawn by Turner Davis, D.S., dated Nov. 20, 1849, attached to a deed from F. Sumter to R. L. Christmas dated Feb 2, 1852 and recorded in deed book O, pages 515-516. This sale is dated Dec. 15, 1860. Witness: J. B. Blanding & J. China.
Rachel Christmas, wife of James B. Christmas, appeared before Thomas H. Osteen, Magistrate, to relinquish her interest in above sale to Henry E. Wideman. Dated Dec. 17, 1860; Rec. May 11, 1868.
[WHT: Received the following from Grace C. Haley-Aspnes, gg-granddaughter, on Sept. 22, 2007.]
Here are some additions to JAMES B. CHRISTMAS-483 (Caleb, Nathan, John, Jonathan) Because James had a second family with a child born in 1892, his death date would have to be after 1891.
James B. "Jim" Christmas married second to Annie McLeod, daughter of Franklin McLeod and Catherine . Annie was born in 1861 in SC. Info provided by Hugh Wilder Christmas records. Census 1900 Clarendon Co., SC, soundex 1248394, age 38, Manning twp, Vol 18, sheet 8, ed. 8, line 91. Census 1910 Clarendon Co., SC., soundex C623. Census 1920 Clarendon Co., SC soundex C623.
[WHT: The following information was given me by John Franklin "Tank" Christmas, a descendant.]
Date of death from Bible records of Charles Leroy Osteen; brothers & sister: William Osteen, Thomas Osteen & Tempe Osteen - may have married Gaust; father was Jacob Osteen; mother, Doreas.[WHT: Received from Grace (Christmas) Haley-Aspnes on Oct. 17, 2007.]
Hi Herbert,
This is some information that I could not find most of in you records.
The father of Thomas Osteen Sr. was HENRY OSTEEN born in 1699 in Craven Co., NC.
The mother of Thomas Osteen Sr. was MARGARET McCULOUGH born in 1703 in Craven Co., NC.
The father of Thomas Osteen Jr. was THOMAS OSTEEN SR. born abt 1725 in Craven Co., NC
The Mother of Thomas Osteen Jr. was RACHEL PRITCHARD born 1729 in Craven Co., NC.
(wtr note: My father Hugh Wilder Christmas # 5856 would never let my Sister or I date any of the Prichards or McCulough that lived around us because he said we were related.)
The father of JACOB OSTEEN was THOMAS OSTEEN JR., Born abt. 1750 in NC.
The Mother of JACOB OSTEEN was HODGES (NO FIRST NAME) born 1754 in NC.
I have a copy of the will of JACOB OSTEEN of the district of Sumter in the State of SC. From the SC archives. (Recorded in will Book D 2 Page 233). Recorded 15 Sep 1847.
RACHEL OSTEEN # 3683 I found in your records. She is the wife of JAMES B. CHRISTMAS # 483.
The father of RACHEL OSTEEN is JACOB OSTEEN. Born 1847 in Sumter , South Carolina.
The mother of RACHEL OSTEEN is DORCAS HILTON. BORN ABT Sumter, SC and died in 1851.Also from records of Hugh Wilder Christmas (my father),
The siblings of RACHAEL OSTEEN are as followers.(you already have her information so I will not repeat it here.
1. WILLIAM OSTEEN born 13 Jan 1793 in Sumter SC. (from "One Great Family") He married SUSANNAH .(last name unknown) born 1794 in SC. Died 03 Oct 1877 in GA. William , age 67 and SUSANNAH, age 66 are listed in the 1860 census of Sumter, SC, dwelling #23, family #36 , . and records of Hugh Wilder Christmas ( my father). Will of Jacob Osteen.
They had the following children.
a. ESTER OSTEEN born 1833 in Sumter ,SC .
b. THOMAS OSTEEN born 1834 in Sumter, SC.
c. JOSEPH A OSTEEN born 1835 in Sumter, SC
All three children are listed in the 1860 census of Sumter SC., ESTER age 27, THOMAS age 26 and JOSEPH age 25, and records of Hugh Wilder Christmas (my father).
2. GABRIEL OSTEEN born in 1799 in Sumter, SC. Died in 1863. He married SUSANNA (NO LAST NAME AVAILABLE) born 1815 in SC. Will of Jacob Osteen
Both are listed in the 1860 census of Sumter, SC. dwl #68, family # 89 . Gabriel age 61, Susanna age 41
Both are listed in the 1850 census of Sumter, SC. page 359
They had the following children.
a. SARAH OSTEEN born 1837 in Sumter, SC. 1850 census of Sumter SC., page 359 age 13
b. DAVID OSTEEN born 1839 in Sumter, SC. 1850 census of Sumter SC., page 359 age 11. 1860 census of Sumter, SC, Dwl 70, family # 90 age 20. Married SARAH (last name unknown)
c. JULIA OSTEEN born 1841 in Sumter, SC 1850 census of Sumter, SC, page 359 age 9
d. MAKIKA OSTEEN born 1841 in Sumter, SC 1860 Census of Sumter, SC, Dwl #68, family #89, age 19. MAKIKA AND JULIA MUST HAVE BEEN TWINS.
e. THOMAS H. OSTEEN born 1843 in Sumter, SC. 1850 Census of Sumter SC. page 359, age 7. 1860 Census of Sumter, SC., dwl # 68, family # 89 age 17.
f. MARGARET HENERITTA OSTEEN born 1846 in Sumter, SC. 1850 census Sumter SC, page 359, age 4. 1860 Census of Sumter SC., Dwl. # 68, family # 89, age 14
g. MARY L. OSTEEN born 1849, Sumter, SC. 1850 census Sumter, SC page 359, age 2.
h. SOLOMON G. OSTEEN born in 1851 in Sumter, SC. 1860 census of Sumter, SC., Dwl. 368, family # 89, age 9.
i. FRANCIS F. OSTEEN born 1854 in Sumter, SC. 1860 census of Sumter, SC. Dwl. #68, family # 89, age 6.
3. WILLIS OSTEEN born 1800 in Sumter, SC. Died in 1884. Married MARY A. (unknown last name) was born in 1814 in SC. 1860 census of Sumter, SC, Dwl # 156, FAMILY #154, Willis AGE 60, Mary age 46. Will of Jacob Osteen
They had the following children.
a. JOHN OSTEEN born 1839 in SC. same census as parents, age 21.
b. HARRIET OSTEEN born 1840 in SC. same census as parents, age 20.
c. EMMA OSTEEN born 1846 in SC., same census as parents, age 14.
d. D. OSTEEN born 1847 in SC. same census as parents, age 13.
e. NELSON OSTEEN born 1848 in SC. same census as parents, age 12
f. FRANKLIN OSTEEN born 1850 in SC same census as parents, age 10
g. LAWRENCE OSTEEN born 1853 in SC. same census as parents, age 7
h. MARTHA OSTEEN born 1858 in SC., same census as parents, age 2
4. RACHEL OSTEEN #3683 Will of Jacob Osteen
5. THOMAS HENRY OSTEEN born 05 Jul 1817 in Sumter, SC. Married DOLLY WEEKS born 1815 in SC. 1860 census Sumter, SC., Dwl #70, family #93, Thomas age 43, Dolly age 45. Will of Jacob Osteen.
They had the following children.
a. VIRGINIA HENERITTA OSTEEN # 1955 married MERRY FRANKLIN CHRISTMAS #3684. I found these two also in your record. You already have this information. The only difference is the birth date of Virginia H. (Henetitta) Osteen. I have her born on 08 Feb 1856 in SC. same census as parents, age 4.
b. DARGIN OSTEEN born 1858 in SC. same census as parents, age 2.
c. THOMAS H. OSTEEN born 1859 in SC. same census as parents, age 1
6. DORCUS OSTEEN born in 1808 in Sumter, SC. Died 1870 . Married JACOB GIDDENS. Will of JACOB OSTEEN.
They had the following child.
a. JOB GIDDENS Will of JACOB OSTEEN
7. MABERLY OSTEEN married HUTSON (first name not known). Will of JACOB OSTEEN.
8. CHARLES LEROY OSTEEN born 1827 in Sumter SC. Died 1883. Will of JACOB OSTEEN
The majority of this information came from Hugh Wilder Christmas, my father.
1880 Census, Drew Co., AR; Collins; Dwelling 99; NA Film # T9-0043; p. 515D list Robert Christmas, age 26, single, farming, born in SC as were his parents.
1920 Census, Drew Co., AR; Collins; Dwelling 20; ED: 52, p. 1B listed as age 67 & single; born in SC. as were his parents.
335. Margaret A. Christmas-3685
[WHT: Living with brother, James in 1900 census.]
[WHT: See son, Caleb's notes.]
North Carolina Death Certificates, 1909-1975:
Name: Annie Christmas; Race: White; Age: 88; Birth Date: 9 Aug 1858; Birth Place: Mannings, South Carolina, United States; Death Date: 21 Aug 1946; Death Location: Valdese, Burke; Spouse's Name: James B Christmas; Father's Name: Frank McCloud; Mother's Name: Catherine Umphries; RESIDENCE: Valdese, Burke, North Carolina.
[WHT: The James Christmas (see father's message), who's age varies all over the place - 12 in 1860; 50 in 1885 & 44 in 1900 - could be a son of "old" Caleb or his son, Caleb #2. For information purposes, I am showing him as a son of Caleb #2.]1860 Census, Hamilton Co., Jasper, FL 16 June 1860, roll 107, page 576: Dwelling 112, family, 112: Caleb Christmas, 35, b. Georgia, farmer; Martha Christmas, 25, b. GA; Bryant Christmas, 22, b. Ga.; Henry Christmas, 30, b. Ga.; James Christmas 12, b. Ga. [WHT: this is Caleb, Jr. # 2; Martha is probably his wife; Henry & Bryant are his brothers; no idea about James, ages are off from 1850 census.]
1885 Hamilton Co., FL, State census, 2nd Dist., Dwelling # 141 is a C. Christmas, 50, b. SC; Wife, C., 45, b. SC & brother H. Christmas, 60 Invalid. [WHT: think this is probably Caleb (see 1860 census above) with wife, maybe 2nd wife, with brother, Henry living with them.]
[WHT comments: It is an ASSUMPTION that Mary is a daughter of Caleb Christmas & Epsey. Caleb's second household shows a female, under 5 in 1830 census, & one 10-15 in 1840 census; I think the female is Mary Ann. I realize her date of birth is given as 1832 and I also realize many people gave incorrect birth dates in those days, like some do today. Some think Mary might be the daughter of Jeremiah, Caleb's brother, but his children are shown as being born in GA, plus he names a daughter, Mary, born in 1844/47. Another of the known Christmas, Sumter Dist. families, moving to GA, Nathan, brother of Caleb, shows 2 females under 5 in 1840 census; one is Naomi and do not know what happen to other, but children born in GA; he also names his second daughter Mary Jane.Eddie Jones, Jeb Benedict, myself & others have research this line fairly well, and no one has found a divorce record for Jeremiah's marriage to Rebecca Thomas nor Nathan's marriage to Sophronia, so who was the "mother" Christmas, died 1870, mention in the Bible record listed below. Cannot totally rule out Rebecca Thomas, as no date of death has been found, and Jeremiah did not remarry until 1877; assume Rebecca died in GA. My "GUESS" is Epsey, 2nd wife of Caleb, is the "mother" Christmas that died August 17, 1870. The odd thing is not being able to locate Thomas Baker & Mary Ann in the 1860 nor 1870 Hamilton Co., FL census. Another oddity is a Thomas Baker, age 37; wife, Frances, 32 & family is listed in 1870 Hamilton Co., FL census, with Henry Christmas, age 41 (could be 24), b. GA is living with them; I think this is son of Caleb & Epsey.]
Mary, age 18, was with Thomas Baker, age 27 in the 1850 Dooly Co., Georgia census in dwelling # 767. In the next dwelling #768 is, Precilla Baker, 50, born in GA, with her is all Bakers and all shown born in GA. Mary, 24; Isaac C., 19; Benjamine, 15; William, 12 and Caroline, 12 [WHT: this is probably the mother of Thomas]
Dwelling # 792 is Eliza A. Spradley, daughter of Nathan of Sumter; dwelling # 796 is John McCoy and Celia Baker, widow of Nathan Christmas.
1880 Census, Hamilton Co., FL, 2nd District, Family # 255; Thomas, age 50, b. in GA; Mary, age 48, b. in SC. Family # 254 is their dau., Sarah, age 18, with husband, Matrack (sp) Sterling, age 27; son Thomas, 9 mo. Also living with them is William Sterling, 23, with wife, Adeline, 18 and dau., Elizabeth, 3 mo. Sterlings also listed as Family # 252 & 253; Joseph Rainey is Family # 256. [WHT: Mary's age of 48 would put her in the age group for the female listed as daughter of Caleb, age 5 - 10, in Caleb's 1840 census infomation.]
The census also shows that Thomas was b. in GA, mother in GA and father in SC.
In a Civil War (application # 12259) pension record, Thomas Baker, states he was b. Oct. 23, 1823 in Hancock Co., GA and has been a resident of FL since Dec 18, 1857. Enlisted at Lake City, FL in April, 1863, Co. F, 9th Regiment. He was captured in April, 1865; prisoner at Macon, GA; paroled in May 1865, close of War.
Helen Perry, wife of Eugene C. Perry, a descendant, gave me this family information on children, Sarah & John in 1996; the dates are from copies of family bible data, she gave me.
Other deaths in bible, copy is not good so I could not make out a few: John Snow Baker, ____, 26, 1865; "Mother" Christmas, August, 17, 1870 [WHT: this might be Epsey]; John Baker, Jr., March 18, 1876; "Little" Luceal White, September 22, 1917; "Little Malory Sterling, Sept. 11, 19__; Bryant Sterling, October 13, 1920; Lara Sterling, May 6, ____;
[WHT: Thomas Baker, widow, born Jan. 1824 in GA, as were his parents, is listed with his daughter, Sarah Starling in the 1900 census.]
[WHT: I have wondered why two children in same family were named Nathan - Nathaniel; maybe due to the early & untimely death of their father. Nathan Theodore was born several months after his father died of pneumonia & wife named this son Nathaniel in honor of her husband. This is just an assumption on my part.]1860 Census, Dooly Co., GA, p. 43 : Nathan Christmas, age 27, born SC; Mary, 20; N. A. (Nathan Alexander) 5 & W. E. (William Epsey) 3.
Dooly Co., GA Estate Book A: Nathan Christmas, Jr. Inventory & appraisal of estate, Estate appraised at $665.50, 15 Aug. 1860; Provisions made for care of widow and orphans for one year. Signed by Nathan Christmas, adm.
[WHT: The following is from Marlene Christmas McLean, a descendant; Aug. 1998.]
"The one thing that disappointed me in the Lane Cemetery is that the marker for Nathan who died 1860 is obviously not the original one and has been placed there at a later time. This Nathan, according to the Mortality Index for Dooly County of 1860 was deceased by the time it was taken in 1860. He died in April or May of 1860 and was 27 years old-not August 1861 as is usually referenced."Nathan Christmas (1833-1860) is shown here as a son of Caleb and Epsey Christmas. This placement is tentative. No one seems to know with confidence who this Nathan's parents were, and there appears to be no documentary evidence.
Some have suggested he was a son of Nathan Christmas (1806-1883). The elder Nathan was appointed administrator of the young man's estate, and some county records refer to the two men as Nathan Sr and Nathan Jr, which has led some to assume they were father and son.
Another family's memory suggests Little Nathan isn't Caleb's son. Marlene Christmas McLean reports that Hollis Christmas, the son of Nathan Alexander and his 3rd wife EllaFair Howard -- told her that his father N. A. Christmas had only one brother_ William, "Bill." Although Nathan Jr died young and his wife eventually remarried, they supposedly had three children: Nathan Alexander, William Epsey, and Nathaniel T. (Booz) who was born after the death of his father. That means that Nathan Alexander would have had two brothers, not one. It seems odd that Nathan Alexander would have said he had one brother when he really had two. Marlene thinks we may somehow have two families rolled into one.
[WHT: Received the following from John "Jeb" Benedict, descendant on Nov. 15, 1999.]
FAMILY MEMORY
I acknowledge again that we don't have solid evidence either way to identify Nathan Jr's father. But I must stress that the most important evidence is this: My mother and her siblings were raised by their grandmother, Morgie Howard Sangster. She was Big Nathan's granddaughter. According to my late Uncle Joe Christmas (and seconded by my mother and two of my three aunts), I understand that she instructed them that she was Big Nathan's granddaughter. She explained the significance of Big Nathan and where he was buried in the
Cason/Christmas cemetery. I understand that she viewed my grandfather George B Christmas' family (he was a grandson of Little Nathan) as only vaguely and distantly related.
Naturally this Christmas connection was not lost on these kids. They knew from an early age that they had Christmas kin on both their mother and father's sides.This has nothing to do with the fact that Big Nathan had two wives. The family understood that the CHRISTMAS family on greatgrandmother Morgie's side of the family was descended from Big Nathan. The family understood that George B Christmas was NOT related to greatgrandmother Morgie through that family, and that he was not descended from Big Nathan, and that he unlike Morgie was not related to the Cason's, except perhaps distantly. My Uncle Joe recalled this distinctly and corrected Dooly County genealogist
Watts Powell about it when the latter was researching in the late 1960s and was speculating that Little Nathan was Big Nathan's son. We know from family memory that Little Nathan WASN'T big Nathan's son. Family memory isn't 100% reliable, but surely it is more reliable than anything else we've been able to set against it here.The late Dr J. T. Christmas of Vienna GA -- who descended from Nathan Jr on his father's side and Nathan Sr on his mother's-- stated that his family's memory held that "Little Nathan" was definitely not a son of "Big Nathan." Dr Christmas was raised by his grandmother, Morgie H. Sangster (a granddaughter of Nathan Sr). He recalled that she understood specifically that Nathaniel T. Christmas (son of Little Nathan) was not descended from Big Nathan but was some other, most distant relation. The estate appointment suggests relationship but does not necessarily indicate parentage, and in the mid-19th century use of Sr/Jr was not limited to fathers and sons. After pondering the issue many years and examining census and county records, Dr. Christmas concluded that the most likely parents of Little Nathan were Caleb and Epsey Christmas.
The question is, if Little Nathan isn't the son of Big Nathan, what other Christmas father is there? Caleb seems to be the only Christmas candidate that fits. It doesn't seem to be Absolum, or Jeremiah, or Henry Christmas. All of our combined efforts to divine the truth from the scanty secondary records fail to give us any proof. But we simply cannot ignore so distinct a family memory. If my grandmother and grandfather were such close cousins,
we would not have had my greatgrandmother instructing her grandchildren that they weren't. If Little Nathan was a son of Big Nathan, then my grandfather George B Christmas would have been my greatgrandmother's nephew, and the relationship would have been clear enough and would not have been described as distant.LANE CEMETERY
Lane Cemetery is not a family cemetery, unlike the Christmas/Cason cemetery. Lane cemetery has always been managed by the Smyrna Baptist Church. It has been called Lane Cemetery because the Lane family gave the land for it. The Lane family farm surrounds the cemetery, even today. I'm not aware of any immediate relations between the Lane and Christmas families. The Cemetery is a short distance from the Smyrna church, and about halfway between Big and Little Nathan's homesteads.
Lane Cemetery was supposedly established before the Civil War, but there are no markers that old. (Dooly County has no suitable stone; the oldest markers are formed concrete.) I don't know when the first burials were made at the Christmas/Cason cemetery. There are likely some unmarked graves there that predate the earliest marked ones (1880s).
[WHT: I have spent a lot of time going through the census records, and the only Nathan I found that is near his age, is the son of Caleb. I know this is not definitive, but for the time-being, with the previous info from Marlene & Jeb, until we have further evidence, I will continue to place the younger Nathan under Caleb. We all hope that some day a researcher will find documentary evidence that resolves Nathan Jr's parentage. If anyone has information that may help, please share it.]
[WHT: Information from Eddie Jones' Lane Cemetery Survey, taken in 1995, and comments added later.]
Christmas, Mary Frances b 1840 - d 1880; NEE DRAUGHON PLOT grave next to Nathan 1833-1861; Mary Frances Draughon Christmas Hill first married Nathan Christmas; Nathan and Mary Frances had children: Nathaniel Alexander Christmas,
William Epsey Christmas and Nathaniel Theodore Christmas. Nathan died in 1861 and Mary Frances married Benjamin Hill of Dooly Co.; Mary is buried next to her first husband, Nathan in Lane Cem. Dooly Co.
1850 Census, Sumter Dist., SC; Dwelling 1420, p. 397 list J. L. A. Foxworth, age 30, overseer, owns $3000.00 real estate; wife, Caroline M., 20 and son, Franklin J., 2.
[WHT: Two Christmas lines were united in this marriage; Penelope's mother was Sarah P. Christmas, daughter of Moses Christmas; Thomas D. Foxworth's mother is Silvia Christmas, daughter of Nathan; Nathan is the brother of Moses; Source: "S.C. Historical Magazine" Vol. 61, p. 60.]1850 Census, Sumter Dist., SC; Dwelling # 1417, p. 397 list Thomas D. Foxworth, age 28, overseer; wife, Sarah E., 25 & 2 children: Sarah E. T. 1 month? & John A. 2. His brother, James lives in dwelling 1420. In dwelling 1418 is Timpy Christmas, and Thos Christmas.
1880 Census, Sumter Co., SC; Privateer; Dwelling 448; ED: 120, p. 29 list Thos Foxworth, age 58, farmer; wife, Sarah, 38 & 2 children: Ellen, 22 & Adelaide, 20. [WHT: Assume these are children of Penelope.]
Her grave is on private property, located on State Rd. # 43-81 - Brewington Rd.
[WHT: Mary, Samuel & son, Robert are living with Mary's parents in 1850 census.]1870 Census, Sumter Co., SC, Swimming Pen Township; Dwelling # 9 list Samuel M. Jenkins, age 51; Mary, 42 & 4 youngest children: Charley, 20; Samuel, 17; William, 11 & Leonora, 8.
1880 Census, Sumter Co., SC, Swimming Pen; Dwelling 117; ED: 128, p. 13 list Samuel M. Jenkins, age 61; wife, Mary M., 50 & following children: Leonard W., 18 & Charles, 19, might be son of brother, Henry; also in the household is Leslie Brown, 17.
[WHT: A Margaret W. Jenkins (1797 - 1873) is buried next to Samuel, could be his mother.]
[WHT: Assumption this is son listed as Charlie in 1870 census.]
90. Elizabeth Amanda A. Foxworth-3640
1870 Census, Sumter Co., SC, Swimming Pen Township; Dwelling # 13; a Amanda, age 37, is shown married to Lawrence White, 48, with 4 Foxworth children. [WHT: ASSUMPTION, this is correct Amanda and children are hers and Chesley Foxworth.] Her sister Mary (Jenkins) lives in Dwelling # 9.
[WHT: They may have had a child named , Annie R. White, who married Allen Walker Newman, and are buried at Zoar Methodist, near Amanda.]
The history & genealogy of our Christmas family continues to grow, with the addition of many new families and allied surnames. If you find errors in these pages or have additions, please write Herbert Turner at the Christmas Home Page; the corrections & additions will be made; thank you.
Many Christmas descendants have provided their research & photos for these web pages, refer to our Researcher's Page for some of their names, lines and addresses.
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Copyright © 1997-2012 by W. Herbert Turner