AMBROSE C. CHRISTY
1768 - 1839
AND
MARY BUSH
1774 - 1849
THEIR CHILDREN
1. LUCY CHRISTY MD. CHRISTOPHER GENTRY2. JOHN C. CHRISTY MD.
3. MALINDA CHRISTY MD.
4. WILLIAM TANDY CHRISTY MD. ELLEN MORGAN
5. ELIZABETH CHRISTY MD. WILLIAM BUSH VIVION
6. LOU ANN CHRISTY MD. JOHN MORTON
7. SIMEON BUSH CHRISTY MD. SUSAN FROST
8. AMERICA CHRISTY MD. 1ST. VANCE W. TAYLOR
2ND. M. MAUPIN9. JAMES C. CHRISTY MD. THOMAS JEFFERSON VIVION
AMBROSE C. CHRISTY (JULIUS, SAMUEL (?))
Ambrose Christy was born the 10th of November 1768 in Culpeper County Virginia. He married Mary "Polly" Bush in Clark County Kentucky on the 18th of June 1794. Mary was a daughter of Francis Bush and his first wife Lucy Davis. Ambrose died in Mercer County Kentucky. He died at the home of his daughter Elizabeth Christy Vivion. He died the 18th. of July 1839. Mary Bush Christy lived ten years after her husband's death, dying the 28th. of Oct. 1849. Ambrose and Mary Christy are buried in the Vivion Family cemetery. This graveyard is on Chatham Road on private property.
Their tombstones are inscribed:
AMBROSE CHRISTY
1768 - 1839
MARY CHRISTY
WIFE OF AMBROSE
10 JUNE 1774
28 OCTOBER 1849
Ambrose first appears on tax records in 1790 in Woodford County Kentucky. In 1798 he served on the Grand Jury for Clark County Kentucky. He is in the Federal Census for 1810, 1820, and 1830 in Clark County Kentucky. Ambrose is a party to 24 land transactions in Clark County between 1802 and 1838.
HISTORY OF CLARK COUNT[Y] KENTUCKY by A. Goff Bedford contains the following references to Ambrose:
page 41: Ambrose Christy "an inspector of tobacco".CLARK COUNTY KENTUCKY, DEED BOOK 17, PAGE 253page 241: Ambrose Christy "A Captain in the 17th. Regiment Kentucky Militia, 1799."
page 565: Ambrose Christy "Magistrate and tavern keeper in 1820."
page 566: Ambrose Christy "Sheriff in 1823."
23 March 1821Know all men by these presents that I Ambrose Christy, Thomas Vivion and Daniel Crear of the County of Clark, State of Kentucky, have this date sold, and by virtue of these presents doth sell and convey f, and in consideration of the sum of $500.00, in hand paid by Fielding Bush, of the County and State aforesaid, we do now sell and convey unto him all rights, title and interest in the Estate, both Real and Personal, which we are entitled to in the Dower of Rachel Bush, widow of Francis Bush, deceased, which we are entitled to by each of our wives; Polly Christy, Nancy Vivion and Elizabeth Crear, Late Polly Bush, Nancy Bush and Elizabeth Bush, of said Dower and no other interest in said Estate, set our hands and seals this 23rd. of March 1821.
CLARK COUNTY KENTUCKY, DEED BOOK 21, Pg. 348:
Deed of Mortgage. Ambrose Christy as Security for Samuel Christy (his brother), Samuel Christy borrowing from Bank of Winchester
In or about 1836 Ambrose and Mary Christy sold most of their Clark County property. They then moved to Mercer County and joined the household of their daughter Elizabeth and her husband William Bush Vivion. William was not only their son-in-law but was, in addition, Mary Christy's nephew. He was a son of mary's sister Nancy Bush Vivion. William and Elizabeth Christy Vivion's home, known as "Bachelor's Barter", is now owned by Shakertown at Pleasant Hill.
MERCER COUNTY KENTUCKY, DEED BOOK 21, PG. 116:
This deed is the arrangement of Ambrose Christy with William Vivion, assuring that they, Ambrose and Mary, will be cared for.
This indenture made on the 9th. day of January 1838 between William B. Vivion of the County of Mercer and State of Kentucky on the one part and Ambrose christy of the County and State of the other part, witness, that wereof the said Ambrose Christy has at the instance and request of said Vivion, conveyed to the vedue of said Vivion to wit, William Bush, the plantation and farm in Clark County, on the waters of lower Howard's creek, on which said Christy resided previously to his moving to Mercer County, containing 110 acres and some poles. And to the said Christy, his wife Mary and their daughter, Malinda, during the lives of the said Christy and Polly, his wife, a decent and comfortable support the said William Bush Vivion hath and by these presents doth sell and convey to the said Ambrose Christy 110 acres of the tract of land in Mercer County on which he resides, purchased from John Glover on Shawnee Run, including a part of the dwelling house, to be on which land a proper quanity of cleared land and wood land with the appurtances to have and to hold the same to Ambrose Christy as a security and guarantee for the due performance of the said Vivion in furnishing to the said Ambrose Christy, Polly, his wife, and thier daughter Malinda the above named support and for no other use or purpose and to no other intent whatever. Given under my hand and seal on this day and year above written
William B. Vivion
Recorded 11 Jan 1838
MERCER COUNTY KENTUCKY, DEED BOOK 23, PG 142
A trru [sic] and just inventory and appraisemnet of all personal property of Ambrose Christy, dec'd. produced to us by William Vivion, his Administrator, To Wit:
Charles, a negro boy $100.00I do certify that the foregoing inventory contains all the personal estate of A. C. Christy which hath come to my hand.
Lou, a negro boy 250.00
Silva and 3 children
namely, Henry, Dicy + Sandy 1600.00
1 table 5.00
1 clock and case 5.00
1 sugar dish 1.00
1 log chain 1.50
Old Lucy, of no value ________
$1962.00William Vivion
1850LUCY CHRISTY (AMBROSE, JULIUS, SAMUEL (?))
Lucy Christy was born 18 April 1795 in Clark County Kentucky. She was named for her maternal grandmother Lucy Davis Bush. Lucy married, in Clark County, Christopher Gentry. they were married the 28 of May 1812. "Christy" Gentry was a Baptist minister.
Lucy and Christy Gentry and their children migrated to Missouri in 1830, settling in Rolls County.
A GENEALOGY OF THE GENTRY FAMILY by Richard Gentry, published in Kansas City in 1909, supplies this information on their children:
MARY JANE, died in childhoodJOHN C. CHRISTY (AMBROSE, JULIUS, SAMUEL (?))AMANDA F., married Elisha Moore in 1830, died 8 Feb. 1839 in Shelby County
MissouriRICHARD
WILLIAM TANDY
CHRISTOPHER, JR. married Evadia Redmon in 1848, died 23 Sep 1848
RODES ROLLINS
JOSHUA HENRY born 1833 in Missouri
OVERTON HARRIS born 1837 in Missouri
John was born in 1797. He was a merchant in Winchester. He died in his early twenties.
MALINDA CHRISTY (AMBROSE, JULIUS, SAMUEL (?))
Malinda was born in 1799. she never married. she moved with her parents to mercer County. She died sometime in the 1840's. She is buried beside her parents in the Vivion family cemetery. Her tombstone is inscribed:
MALINDA CHRISTY
DAUGHTER OF A + M
184- (broken off)WILLIAM TANDY CHRISTY (AMBROSE, JULIUS, SAMUEL (?))
William was born the 20th. June 1803 in Clark County Kentucky. He had been associated with his brother John in the mercantile business in Richmond. After John's early death William worked for a J. A. Grimes. Then for three years he worked in Glasgow, Kentucky with his kinsman William Tandy Bush. His next employment was as a bookkeeper in Louisville for Duncan, Dobbin and Co. He did not remain long in this position but with a capital of $3,500. [sic] he formed a partner ship with James Falls and entered business in Russellville in 1822. They moved the business to Murphreesboro, Tennessee. They remained partners for six years at which time William purchased Mr. Fall's interest.
the MURPHREESBORO COURIER of 6 November 1830 carried an advertisement for "William T. Christy & Company". The ad proclaimed that they had:
"CLOTH, SHOES AND WOMENS CLOTHING FOR SALE"
The 15th. August 1832 William advertised;
"COOKING STOVES FOR SALE"THE NATIONAL BANNER AND NASHVILLE DAILY ADVERTISER, issue of 12 July 1832 carried the announcement of William's marriage to Ellen Patience Morgan, daughter of Calvin P. and Sarah Fackler Morgan. The wedding took place, on that date, in Knox County Tennessee. The marriage record adds that they were married by Thomas H. Nelson and the Bondsman was William Park.
William Christy was elected an alderman in Murphreesboro in 1832 and 1835. About this time William's younger brother James Christy joined him in the mercantile business.
In 1838 William and Ellen Christy moved to St. Louis, Missouri. In St. Louis William continued in the mercantile business and was very successful. In later years William's son, Calvin Morgan Christy founded the Christy Fire clay Company. Christy Park and Christy Boulevard are near where their home was on Morganford Road, and are a tribute to the family.
William Tandy Christy died, [sic] Sr. died the 5th. November 1883. He is buried in Bellefontaine Cemetry [sic], St. Louis. His home at the time of his death was on Morganford Road at Gravois.
William and Ellen Morgan christy had six children:
SARAH CHRISTY (WILLIAM, AMBROSE, JULIUS, SAMUEL (?))ELIZABETH CHRISTY (AMBROSE, JULIUS, SAMUEL (?))
born Tennessee 1835. She married 1st. an O'fallon
2nd. a Farrar.
CALVIN MORGAN CHRISTY (WILLIAM AMBROSE, JULIUS, SAMUEL (?))
born 1836 in Murphrees boro. He attended Princeton University. He
married Mary A. le Beau. He died in December 1907 in Daytona,
Florida, where he had gone for the winter.
MARY B. CHRISTY (WILLIAM, AMBROSE, JULIUS, SAMUEL (?))
born C. 1840, in St. Louis.
ELIZABETH CHRISTY (WILLIAM, AMBROSE, JULIUS, SAMUEL (?))
born 1843 in St. Louis. married a Farrar
WILLIAM T. CHRISTY, JR. (WILLIAM, AMBROSE, JULIUS, SAMUEL (?))
born 1851 in St. Louis
JAMES CHRISTY (WILLIAM, AMBROSE, JULIUS, SAMUEL (?))
born 1863, died before 1880Elizabeth Christy was born in Clark County Kentucky on the 14th. of July 1805. She married her cousin William Bush Vivion on the 24 September 1823 in Clark County. the ceremony was performed by Elder Richard Morton. William was born August 1, 1801 to Thomas Vivion and Nancy Bush Vivion. Elizabeth and William spent their married life in Mercer County Kentucky. Their home was on Chatham Road, near Shakertown. Their known children were:
NEWTON SHAKESPEARE VIVION, born May 27, 1824Elizabeth Christy Vivion died the 19th of August 1860
died September 3, 1880.
THOMAS CHRISTY VIVION, born April 6, 1826
LUCY ANN VIVION, born February 1, 1828
died October 23, 1829
LUCY MADISON TAYLOR VIVION, born December 20, 1829,
married James Ralph Lowe, died 6 July 1901.
JOHN WILLIS VIVION, born April 1, 1832
SIMEON CHRISTY VIVION, born June 30, 1834
AUGUSTUS MARTIN VIVION, born April 30, 1837
died February 4, 1904.
JAMES WILLIAM HENRY VIVION, born December 28, 1840
ANN ELIZABETH VIVION, born February 21, 1843
died July 29, 1901
MARY JANE CHRISTY VIVION, born June 20, 1845
died March 11, 1847.
BENJAMINE RUSSELL VIVION, born February 8, 1848
married 29 June 1904 Ellen Scanlon.
William Bush Christy [transcriber's note: I think she means Vivion to be his last name instead of Christy] died October 18, 1898, aged 97 years.LOU ANN CHRISTY (AMBROSE, JULIUS, SAMUEL (?))
The only reference to Lou Ann's birthdate is the 1850 census. This would indicate she was born C. 1808. If that is correct she and Simeon would be twins, however census ages are not reliable and may be off by at least several years.
Lou Ann married, as his second wife, John Morton, and Elder in the Reformed Church. They were married in Mercer County Kentucky the 28th. of July 1843.
Lou ann and John had the following children:
MARY MORTON
SARAH MORTON
LUCY MORTONJohn Morton died in 1853 and Lou Ann in 1860.
SIMEON BUSH CHRISTY (AMBROSE, JULIUS, SAMUEL (?))
Simeon Bush Christy was born on the 6th. of February 1808 in Clark County. He moved to Murfreesboro, Tennessee. It is probable that he took over William Tandy christy's mercantile interests in Murfreesboro when William moved to St. Louis
We do know that he too was a merchant. He did not marry until 1869, when he was 60 years of age. He married Susan Rather Frost, daughter of John Rather and Martha Fletcher Rather.
Simeon and Susan had one child:
SIMEON BUSH CHRISTY, JR. (SIMEON, AMBROSE, JULIUS, SAMUEL (?))Simeon Christy, Sr. wrote his will the 31st. of January 1870. It was filed for probate the 17th. of August 1871.Simeon, Jr. married Addie Colloins of Nashville. He is listed in the Murfreesboro City Directory through 1934 as a manufacturer.
AMERICA CHRISTY (AMBROSE, JULIUS, SAMUEL (?))
Little other than her marriage is known about America. She married Vance W. Taylor in Clark County on the 3rd. of August 1837. Family lore states that she married second a M. Maupin.
JAMES C. CHRISTY (AMBROSE, JULIUS, SAMUEL (?))
James C. Christy is the nephew who wrote the letters to his uncles John and James Christy asking for the family information. In spite of his interest he left very little information about himself. He has a brief mention in EDWARD'S GREAT WEST, published 1860, in a biographical sketch of his brother, William Tandy Christy, it refers to James C. as a business partner of William's.
MARY JANE CHRISTY (AMBROSE, JULIUS, SAMUEL (?))
Mary Jane Christy married Thomas Jefferson Vivion in Clark County Kentucky. They were married the 16th. of January 1836. Thomas J. Vivion (born 5 February 1814) was a younger brother of William Bush Vivion, husband of Elizabeth Christy. Mary Jane died the 23rd. of March 1845. They had a son, Ambrose Vivion, born in 1837. They ahd a son, William Vivion who died in 1852.
Vivion family information from Vivion Family Bible, available at Mercer County Kentucky Public library.
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