A Wilson Family Tree
Notes for George W. Chrisman
Middle initial is from the 1870 census. Most sources do not show a middle initial.
From Hardesty's Encyclopedia (1884; obtained from Find A Grave, listing for Maj George Chrisman):
MAJOR GEORGE CHRISMAN--is of a family whose genealogy is thus traced for five generations: George Chrisman, his great grandfather, founder of the family in America and Virginia, came to America about 1740, from Germany, a native of Suabia, and settled in Pennsylvania. A few years later he came to what is now Rockingham county, and settled on Linville creek. Here he raised three sons: Hugh, the eldest became a pioneer settler of Kentucky; Charles, second son, lived and died in this county; John, third son, grandfather of Major Chrisman, married Nancy Harrison of Rockingham county, and they had issue as follows: Joseph, born November 11, 1797, settled in Fayette county, Missouri, in 1837; George H., father of Major George, born September 23, 1799; Margaret, born January 16, 1801. George H. was born on Linville creek, near Edom, and married Martha Davis Herring, who was born in this county. She died January 19, 1866, and his death was on the 15th of September 1870. Their children were: Herring, born September 16, 1823; Burke, born September 5, 1827; Margaret A., born October 24, 1829; George, June 2 1832; William J., born June 11, 1834; infant, born May 20, 1836, lived only six days; twins, born and died July 31, 1838; Martha G., born December 31, 1840. Martha D., Major Chrisman's mother, was a granddaughter of William Herring, who was born in 1743, and in 1766 married Elizabeth Stephenson, born in June, 1744. They had eight children, Alexander, Sarah, Elizabeth, Abagail, Reuben, Edith, Margaret and William. Alexander was born February 25, 1767, and March 14, 1793, he married Margaret Reed Smith, who was born April 23, 1777. Their children were: John S., born July 6, 1794, died at Lexington, Kentucky, January 9, 1825; Elizabeth S., born September 17, 1796; Martha D., April 2, 1799; William, September 4, 1801; Alexander, November 28, 1804; Daniel S., December 6, 1807, died at St. Augustine, Florida, June 22, 1836; Margaret D., born August 9, 1810; David S., born April 30, 1814, died June 9, 1838, on board steamer "Chillicothe," near Cincinnati; Rebecca H., born February, 1817; Ann H., October, 1819. The subject of this sketch in 1860 organized a volunteer company, of which he was made captain, known as "Chrisman's Infantry." When the 1861 war was inaugurated, the company marched to Harpers Ferry, and was mustered into the Confederate States service as Company H, 10th Virginia Infantry. (The roll of the company will be found in this work.) Captain Chrisman continued in command until 1862, when he entered McClanahan's battery, with which he served eighteen months. He was then made captain of a cavalry company attached to Davis' battalion, Imboden's brigade, and to major in August, 1864. In the Piedmont battle, June 5, 1864, he was severely wounded in the right hand. He served four years and two months in all, and was paroled at Harrisonburg, June 15, 1865. His brother William J. entered the service at Harrisonburg in October, 1861, as second lieutenant Company E, 4th Virginia Infantry, and was made first lieutenant in November, 1862. He was later discharged for disability, and assigned to duty in the quartermaster's department, where the close of war found him faithfully serving. He was at home at time of surrender and never paroled. Since the war, Major Chrisman has served four years as supervisor of his county. In Harrisonburg, November 13, 1867, he married Lucy Gilmer Grattan, Rev. John R. Bowman of the Presbyterian Church officiating clergyman. July 27, 1873, their daughter, Mattie Grattan, was born, and she died August 11, 1874. The wife of Major Chrisman was born at her father's seat, "Contentment," in Rockingham county, August 9, 1835, daughter of Robert and Martha Divers (Minor) Grattan. Her father was born at "Contentment," March 31, 1800, and her mother, born at Ridgeway, Albemarle county, November, 1810, came here at her marriage. Robert Grattan died August 10, 1856, and his widow survived him thirteen years, dying in 1869 (see sketch of Captain George Grattan elsewhere). Major Chrisman devotes himself to the pursuits of agriculture, making a specialty of breeding short-horn cattle. He may be addressed at Chrisman P. O., Rockingham county, Virginia.
Note: Some of the information in these pages is uncertain. Please let me know of errors or omissions using the email link above. ...Mike Wilson
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