Abraham Asbury Chrislip

The Federal Census of 1880 shows Abraham A. Chrislip as age 24; his wife, Malissa, age 30; and daughter Lenora Berthena, age 1. A notice published March 24 1881, reads: “A. A. Chrislip has moved to Brushy Fork, and has opened a boot and shoe shop. He is a good workman and should have the patronage of the people of that vicinity.” The Philippi Democrat, Page 5, Column 2.

"On Brushy Fork, Abraham had the boot and shoe shop, sold gasoline, groceries. He established the Chrislip cemetery across the road from his house in the bend of the road.”

"Abraham Asbury Chrislip was not my biological grandfather. However, he was my beloved foster grandfather. Around 1906 Abraham and his wife, Malissa decided to adopt a boy, so they went to the Orphan’s Home in Elkins, West Virginia. There, they selected my father who was three years old, as the son they wanted. My grandfather did not believe in changing anyone’s surname, so for that reason a legal adoption never took place.”

"My father, Herbert Samples, called him “Poppy” and told me many time that he could have never loved him more than had he been his real father. My Grandpa Chrislip was a very industrious, resolute, and ambitious person, even though he was crippled from the effects of polio. When he was a very young child, he was forced to walk with the aid of a crutch and a cane.”

“He learned the shoemaker’s trade early in life and established the reputation as a maker of the finest footwear available in central West Virginia. He worked diligently as a shoemaker and also became a merchant operating a general store and service station in conjunction with the shoemaking business at Pepper. He also operated a large farm that included raising cattle and sheep.”

“Abraham Asbury Chrislip was known as a person of great character and honest virtues that he instilled in my father. My dad told me that many of the people my grandfather did business with said a contract was not necessary, that Abraham Chrislip’s word was his bond and that was all they needed.”

“My Grandfather Chrislip possessed a persona that was very impressive and compelling to me as a child, and it had a profound effect in shaping my attitude toward life in a positive manner. I remember one time I was so upset about something that had happened and he said, ‘Don’t be so downhearted, sometimes a disappointment can be a blessing in disguise.’ I never forgot that, and I have found since that it is true in many situations in life.”

“I don’t remember my Grandmother Chrislip, as she passed away in 1936 when I was two years old. My father told me she was a very prim and proper lady and that my grandfather worshipped and adored her. He also said that after she passes, my grandpa became somewhat like a fish out of water. Without her, he gradually lost his will to live.” Herbert Ray Samples, Orange Park, Florida.

The following was added by Herbert Samples’ sister, Ruth L. Crim:

“Lenora Trimble was Abraham and Melissa Chrislip’s daughter. They had just the one child.”

“I was born in the house across from the Crislip Cemetery at Pepper. Grandpa Chrislip always ordered coats from New York out of a catalog for me and my sister. He always saw to it that we had pink bonnets for Easter.”

“I still have Grandpa’s shoe last that he used to make his own shoes. He needed to make his own shoes, because of his crippled foot. He taught my dad to make shoes too and how to be successful in everything he did.”

“My grandpa, Abraham Chrislip, was a fine human being. He owned the store at Pepper Town. He had a good mind. He never bothered to add with a pencil. He did everything in his head.”

Abraham and Malissa Chrislip

Abraham Asbury Chrislip

Abraham & Malissa Chrislip Headstone