Abram Chrislip, son of Jacob and Nancy Christlieb
1795–1879
The Christlieb-Chrislip-Crislip Family Association, in the 1980s, asked Association members to design and construct banners for each branch of the Christlieb-Chrislip-Crislip family. This banner represents Abram Chrislip, the tenth child of Jacob and Nancy Christlieb.
Abram Chrislip was born 26 September 1795, in Harrison County, Virginia, and was the tenth child born to Jacob and Nancy Christlieb. One year after his birth, George Washington published his Farewell Address, in which, he stated his reasons for returning to private life.
The following is Abram’s birth entry as set down in an old family record. Here, his first name appears as Abraham, an indication that he was baptized with this name. His marriage bond, procured in 1834, at age 44, identified him as Abraham; however, he signed the bond Abram Chrislip. Abram and Amanda’s marriage bond can be seen below.
When Jacob Christlieb drafted his will in 1821, Abram, along with his brothers William and Samuel, were charged by their father to “hold possession of all my lands to improve and cultivate at their will and for their profit and benefit inclusive of the said maintenance of her my wife Nancy during her natural life.” The rationale behind the three sons being held responsible for their mother’s interest in the estate was probably due to the fact that the elder brothers, George, Jacob, and John were married and residing elsewhere. But, it does not take into account that Isaac, who was also unmarried, was living on the farm.
Abram Chrislip's Land Acquisitions
According to the terms of his father’s will, which was drafted in April 1821, Abram and his six brothers were to share equally in the profits from the sale of all the lands that he had accumulated in his lifetime. Additionally, Abram and William were to receive $50 out of the residue from the sale of the lands. Why the two sons were favored with the additional $50 is unknown. The number of years that elapsed before the sons received their full shares from the sale of the lands is also unknown.
Six years after the death of Jacob Christlieb, Abram and Samuel purchased a portion of land from the estate. According to the deed that was dated February 16, 1828, each of the five brothers received $10 in payment. An examination of the survey of the land would probably reveal that the parcel amounted to about five acres, $10 per acre being the average amount paid the estate for other portions sold.
Abram and Amanda Britton Chrislip
Abram married Amanda Britton on 30 May 1834. Compared to his brothers, Abram married rather late in life, being 39 years old when he married. The 1850 census for Barbour County, Virginia lists Amanda as age 39. According to the census, Amanda would have been born in 1811, thus she was 22 years of age when she married.
The 1850 census lists a Barbara Chrislip in the household of Abram Chrislip. Listed at age 74, this Barbara was definitely not one of Abram’s relatives. Born in 1776, Barbara was probably Amanda Britton’s mother.
Amanda appears tall and slender in this photograph taken in middle age. Note that she is wearing a wedding ring. Abram’s marrying later in life probably allowed for this luxury. It is unfortunate that so few photos survive from this generation of family members.
Amanda Britton "Aunt Mandy,"
Wife of Abram Chrislip
Deaths of Abram and Amanda Chrislip
After being married to Amanda for 45 years, Abram Chrislip died in 1879, at age 84. Of his 13 siblings, his was the third longest life. He and his brother, Isaac, lived to age 84; Samuel lived to age 89; and Mary lived to age 90. Abram is buried in the old Chrislip Cemetery at Chrislip Hollow, near what is now Elk City. For many years his grave was marked with a piece of fieldstone. In later years, his great-grandchildren marked his grave with a modern stone of granite.
A portion of Amanda’s obituary, as reported on 24 May 1888, reads:
“On the 18th, the death wind passed over Elk District and claimed for its own “Aunt Mandy Chrislip,” and on the 19th at three o’clock, near her late residence, her many friends laid her silver temples in their last repose. Full of years of Christian hope, she was cut off and she flew away. Peace to her memory; let it grow greener with the years and blossom through the flight of years.” Jefferson Plain Dealer, Thursday, May 24, 1888, p.3, col. 2.
Previously, on April 19th, it was reported that “Mrs. Amanda M. Chrislip has been quite sick for some time. She has had several hemorrhages of the lungs, some of them being quite severe.” Jefferson Plain Dealer, Thursday, April 19, 1888, p. 2, col. 4.
Amanda’s funeral sermon was reportedly preached by the Rev. J.W. Simpson at the Elk City Church on the 1st Sunday of July, 1888. Jefferson Plain Dealer on June 14, 1888, p. 2, col. 4.
Amanda’s obituary has been the only source of information. Without it, all that would be known of Amanda Britton would be her name, photograph, and the inscription on her gravestone. Nothing is known of her parentage, except that her mother’s name may have been Barbara. Reckoning from her obituary, Amanda would have been born in 1811. (The gravestone reads 1813.) She apparently died of consumption on 18 May 1888. Her obituary shows that “Aunt Mandy” was much loved and respected by those around her.
Shown here is Abram and Amanda Chrislip's granite marker in the old family cemetery at Chrislip Hollow. Their descendants regretted that they were unable to procure a more historical-looking gravestone.
The remains of Abram and Amanda Chrislip's Log House as it appeared in 1983. Used as a barn for many generations, the building was later disassembled and moved to Philippi, where it was carefully reconstructed as a private residence.
Abram and Amanda Chrislip's Marriage Bond procured two days before their marriage.
Children of Abram Chrislip and Amanda M. Britton
Ervin G. Chrislip (Friedrich Carl Christlieb1, Jacob Christlieb2, Abram Chrislip3) [750], born 7 November 1834, Ervin Gallatin Chrislip was the eldest of five children born of Abram Chrislip and Amanda Britton. When grown, he married Mary M. Daniels, daughter of Joseph Daniels.
Julia Ann Chrislip (Friedrich Carl Christlieb1, Jacob Christlieb2, Abram E. Chrislip3) [762], born June 8, 1837; died 20 July 1891; married Alpheus Corder in 1858. Julia Ann Chrislip Corder was buried in Pickens Cemetery, Hancock Township, Hancock County, Illinois.
Elizabeth Jane Chrislip (Friedrich Carl Christlieb1, Jacob Christlieb2, Abram E. Chrislip3) [762], born April 7, 1843; died 15 September 1937, at age 94. Elizabeth Jane Chrislip married, 27 September 1865, Albert A. Reeder, born 16 December 1841; died 22 December 1900.
Elza A. Chrislip (Friedrich Carl Christlieb1, Jacob Christlieb2, Abram E. Chrislip3) [763], born in 1846. Elza married Mary E. Heatherly, 15 February 1875. Elza and Mary lived on a farm in the Elk City District. Elza is listed as a carpenter in the 1910 census.
Elmore Lee Chrislip (Friedrich Carl Christlieb1, Jacob Christlieb2, Abram E. Chrislip3) [763], born 1851; died 20 February 1923 at age 71. According to the 1910 Federal Census, Elmore Lee’s occupation was listed as a painter, in addition to farming. The 1910 census also shows him residing in the household of his brother Elza. Elmore Lee Chrislip was buried in the family Chrislip Cemetery at Chrislip Hollow.
