A Guide to the John D. Christian letters, 1848-1865 #24133

Library of Virginia

The Library of Virginia
800 East Broad Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219-8000
USA
Email: archdesk@lva.virginia.gov(Archives)
URL: http://www.lva.virginia.gov/

Funding: Web version of the finding aid funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Processed by: Trenton Hizer

Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Preferred Citation

John D. Christian. Letters, 1848-1865. Accession 24133. Personal papers collection, The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.

Acquisition Information

Gift of H. C. Matthews, RFD 1, Midlothian, Virginia, 9 March 1954.

Biographical/Historical Information

John D. Christian was born in 1799 in New Kent County, Virginia. He served as the clerk of the New Kent County Court from 1824-1864. He and his wife, Octavia St. Clair Dandridge Christian (d. 1862) had eight children. John D. Christian died 4 December 1864, in New Kent County.

Scope and Content Information

Letters, 1848-1865, of John D. Christian (1799-1864) of New Kent County, Virginia, consisting of: a) five letters, 16 June 1848, 7 January 1850, 9 May 1850, 12 August 1850, and 7 June 1853, from E. D. Ballew of Livingston County, Missouri, and Richmond, Virginia, to Christian concerning the estate of her husband in Missouri and Virginia, specifically the slaves left to her during her lifetime, which were to be passed on to Christian and his brothers; b) letter, 14 February 1862, from John D. Christian of New Kent County to William B. Christian (ca. 1790-1866) of Richmond, concerning the estate of E. D. Ballew; c) letters, dated 5 March and 14 March 1865, from Thomas Graves to Mrs. Watkins, concerning the death of her son, Jonnie Watkins (d. 1865); and d) letter, 10 March 1865, from Mary E. Rowland to Mrs. Watkins, detailing the last days and the death of her son, Jonnie.