Home

jchrismanlogo.jpg

Presented by Deborah Shelton Wood

email

Jacob Chrisman was part of the first wagon train that opened up and settled the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.

As their grant of 750 acres from Hite, the Chrismans chose open ground along the Indian trail seven miles south of the Shawnee Springs. The eastern boundary was the tree line along the valley floor, and they later purchased some timber land from George Bowman. The large spring near which they built has been known since 1735 as Chrisman's Spring. Their deed from Hite is dated May 14, 1740, in the Orange County Court. Their house was two miles south of Hite's, and about five miles each from the Bowmans to the south and the Fromans to the west.

One of the earliest roads built west of the Blue Ridge was from Hite's Mill to Chrisman's Spring. And, in 1738, Jacob joined in a petition to the Orange County Court to have a road opened to the Shenandoah River.

Jacob Chrisman born abt 1711 in Germany, came to Pennsylvania 16 Sep 1736 on the ship, Princess Augusta.  " At the Courthouse of Philadelphia, Septr 16th 1736. Present The Honble James Logan, Esqr, Presidt. Thomas Lawrence, Thomas Griffits Ralph Asheton, Esqrs. William Allen, Esqr, Mayor of the City of Philadia. The Palatines whose Names are underwritten imported in the Ship Princess Augusta, Samuel Marchant, Master, from Rotterdam, but last from Cowes, did this day take & subscribe the Oaths to the Government. " Jacob (X) Christman age 25

27 May 1772: A will of John Chrisman in Augusta Co., Virginia, identifies the sons of Jacob as Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, and Isaac, and their mother as Mary.

Jacob Chrisman's home built in the 1700's stands today.  "The home was graciously offered and used as a hospital during the Revolutionary War. George Washington stayed in the home as a guest of Jacob, as stated in his book, "My Journey Over the Mountain". ...."

The 1785 Chrisman Manor Home
vaucluse_manor.jpeg

The 1850's log home built on the Chrisman property
vaucluse_loghome.jpeg

Jacob Chrisman married Magdelena Hite, daughter of Hans Jost Hite and Anna Maria Merkle of Baden, Germany.  Jacob and Magdalena had ten children: Jacob, Abraham, Sarah, Anna Maria, Isaac, John, Rebecca, George, Henry and Magdalene.

Daughter, Anna Maria married Peter Stephens, Jr., son of Peter and Maria Christina Stephens . Their son, Lawrence Stephens married Joanna Herbert who lived in Wythe  County, Virginia later 1700's-mid 1800's.

They are my 5th greatgrandparents.

About the Hite family:   In the spring of 1731, Jost Hite secured a grant of land and organized a group of families to settle in the Shenandoah valley near present-day Winchester, Virginia. He is thus credited in U.S. history books as the first white to settle west of the blue ridge mountains.

 

Copyright 1998, 2006 Deborah Shelton Wood - All Rights Reserved

vaflag.gif
Flag of Virginia

germanyflagonwhite.gif
Flag of Germany