Life History

Notes

• "Thomas Christian (1664 VA - 1739 VA) married Rebecca Stith (1664 VA - 1739 VA) in 1680; Rebecca's father was Lt. Col. Drury Stith and he owned land adjoin Thomas Christian ... Possibly this could be the origin of Christians being named Drury?"
  --  Keith Farris, Ancestry Messaging to Orville Boyd Jenkins, 15 March 2017
  
  In the 1790 census for Chatham County, North Carolina, Drury is reported on page 36.  In his household is reported 2 males over 16, 1 female (not age grouped) and 2 slaves, for a total of 6 household members.
  
  His son James W Christain is reported born in 1790, so he is probably the 1 male under age 16 in Drury's household.  Nearby are two other Christian households, whose names appear to be Drury's brothers, James (p 33) and Thomas (p 34).
  
  1790 Federal Census, Chatham County, North Carolina, p 36
  Chatham, North Carolina
  Drury Christian
  2 Free White Males 16 and over
  1 Free White Male Under 16
  1 Free White Female
  2 Slaves
  6  Household Member
  
  1790 United States Federal Census, p 33
  Chatham, North Carolina
  James Christian
  1 Free White Male 16 and over
  1  Household Members
  
  1790 Federal Census, Chatham County, North Carolina, p 34
  Chatham, North Carolina
  Thos Christian
  1 Free White Male 16 and over
  1 Slave
  2  Household Members
  
  "Drury married Betsy Brewer (1766 -1820) in 1789 and married Sarah N Payton (1787 NC - 1823 TN) in 1805.  It is possible that Drury's father was also named Drury Christian (1730 VA - 1783 NC) and he married Lucretia Williams (1727 VA - 1786 NC) in 1751."
  --  Keith Farris, Ancestry Messaging to Orville Boyd Jenkins, 15 March 2017
  
  Given this information, Betsy Brewer would be the mother of James W Christian, who is reported to have been born in 1790.
  
  Family Data Collection - Births
  Drury Christian
  Birth 16 Aug 1766 Virginia
  Father Drury Christian
  Mother Lucy Williams
  
  North Carolina, Marriage Records, 1741-2011
  Drury Christian
  Marriage Bond Made in Warren County, North Carolina, USA
  Spouse Betsey Brewer
  No date in the record
  
  North Carolina, Index to Marriage Bonds, 1741-1868
  Drury Christian
  Spouse Betsey Brewer
  Bondsman Allen Brewer
  Bond #000160221, Record #01 042
  North Carolina Marriage Bonds, 1741-1868
  
  From the research of Erik Christensen:
  ----------------
  Hi Orville,
  
  I recently added Betsey Brewer (circa 1767 - 1806), wife of Drury Christian, to my tree and came across her in your well-researched tree as well.  Betsey was the daughter of Reese (often spelled Reace, Rece, etc.) Brewer and Sally (maiden name unknown).  Our line descends from Reese and Sally's son Sterling Brewer.  We had long suspected that Sterling's father was Reese, but I didn't know that for sure until today, when I finally found his Will in Dickson County, Tennessee.  The Will can be found in my Gallery for Reese Brewer.
  
  In the Will, you can see that Reese leaves one dollar to his son-in-law D Christian.  I have found a marriage record for Drury Christian and Betsey Brewer in Warren County, North Carolina, which is where Reese and his family lived for several years.  The bondsman for her wedding was Allen Brewer, who I know from another record was a son of Reese Brewer.  I believe Betsey had likely died before 1806, since Reese leaves property to another living daughter, Jean Thomas, and lists her by name, rather than his "Thomas" son-in-law.
  
  Reese likely descends from John Brewer who died around 1780 in Hertford County, North Carolina.
  --  Erik Christensen, Ancestry Messaging to Orville Boyd Jenkins, 8 May 2020
  ----------------
  
  William Christian
  Spouse Tabitha House
  Marriage Bond Made 8 July 1794 in Warren County, North Carolina, USA
  
  In the 1820 census, Drury was enumerated in Dickson County, Tennessee.  His son James W is listed a few houses away, above his father on the same page.
  
  1820 Federal Census, Dickson County, Tennessee, August 7, 1820
  Drury Christian
  1 Free White Person - Males - 45 and over
  10 Slaves
  
  1820 Federal Census, Dickson County, Tennessee, August 7, 1820
  James W Christian
  1 Free White Male 26-45
  1 Free White Male under age 10
  1 Free White Female 26-45
  1 Free White Female under age 10
  4 Slaves, 3  male under age 14, 1 female age 14-26

Sources

• 1. Ancestry Messaging
• 2. Family Data Collection - Births
• 3. 1790 Federal Census, Chatham County, North Carolina
  • p 36
• 4. 1820 Federal Census, Dickson County, Tennessee
  • August 7, 1820
• 5. Virginia, Select Marriages, 1785-1940
• 6. North Carolina, Marriage Records, 1741-2011
• 7. North Carolina, Index to Marriage Bonds, 1741-1868
• 8. Tennessee Probate
• 9. 1860 Federal Census, Fannin County, Texas
  • 19 June, Beat 1, P O Bonham, p 31, Hse #209, Fam #211
• 10. 1850 Federal Census, Dickson County, Tennessee
  • 21 August, Middle District, p 179 (scan 90), Hse/Fam #1