Christopher "Columbus" Anderton was born December 28, 1841, in Mathews County, Virginia where he spent his entire childhood. At the age of 18, he was an apprentice to his father, Benjamin Anderton, learning the trade of house carpentry. According to military records in the National Archives, he enlisted in the Confederate Army on July 18, 1861, and was assigned to Stark's Battalion, Capt. Armistead's Company, Light Artillery. According to his son, Harry, he was the soldier who "aimed the gun". His brother, Benjamin Ringold Anderton, was in the same company and they were both present at General Lee's Surrender at Appamattox Court House, taken prisoner of war and paroled on April 10, 1965. By this time Columbus had attained the rank of corporal. Columbus married Lucy Alice Gayle on 3/24/1873. They had five children: four sons (Bernard, Harry, Roland & Stanley) and one daughter (Dora). Columbus died in 9/9/1914. Columbus was my great grandfather.