Christopher Sr Elrod


Christopher Sr Elrod Outline and Notes
(Son of Johan Deter-Detrich Elrod)

	1  	Christopher Sr Elrod b: 29 Jan 1721 Conewago Creek, Lancaster, PA d: 29 Jan 1785 Hope Mills 
		NC-Rowan (Forsyth) Co
..		+Aaltje Sell(e)- Soell(e) b: 20 Oct 1724 Germantown PA-Philadelphia Co	m: 28 May 1743 
		 Monocacy, MD (Now Carroll Co) Frederick Co d: 17 Sep 1804 Hope Mills NC-Rowan (Forsyth) Co
.....	2  	Adam Sr Elrod b: 11 Mar 1744 Conewago Creek PA-Lancaster Co d: 20 Nov 1812 Hope Mills NC-
		Rowan (Forsyth) Co
.........		+Rachel Wainscott b: 06 Feb 1747 Shendoah Co VA	m: 19 Sep 1765 or Feb - Rowan Co NC 
			 d: 03 Mar 1816 Hope Mills NC-Rowan (Forsyth) Co
.....	2  	Stillborn Elrod	b: 1745 Conewago Creek PA-Lancaster Co d: 1745 Stillborn, Conewago Creek, 
		PA-Lancaster Co
.....	2  	Sarah Elrod b: 26 Sep 1747 Conewago Creek-Dauphin Co PA d: 05 Nov 1832 Bethabara Forsyth, NC
.........		+Thomas Butner b: 09 Apr 1741 Monocacy Valley MD-Frederick Co	m: 11 Jul 1764 Hope 
			 NC-Forsyth Co d: 27 May 1781 Hope NC-Forsyth Co
.....	2  	Catherin(a)e Elrod b: 12 Feb 1750 Conewago Creek PA-Lancaster Co d: 17 Sep 1804 Owen Co KY
.........		+John C Wainscott b: 24 Dec 1749 Augusta Co VA	m: 14 Dec 1769 Rowan Co NC (I found 
			 it in Forsythe Co, NC, Hope)(cr) d: 1802-1806 Owen Co KY
.....	2  	Margaret Elrod	b: 24 Nov 1752 Monocacy, (.. Maryland-Frederick Co d: 21 Feb 1820 Hope NC-
		Forsyth Co
.........		+Joseph William Boner b: 11 Nov 1747 PA	m: 17 May 1774 Rowan Co NC <or> Hope NC-
			 Forsyth Co d: 13 Aug 1785 Hope NC
.....	2  	Mary B Elrod b: 12 Mar 1755 Yadkin River, Rowan Co NC d: 14 Oct 1819 Rowan Co NC
.....	2  	Christopher Jr Elrod b: 15 Aug 1757 Yadin River, Rowan Co NC (now) Forsyth Co NC d: 04 Dec 
		1827 Hope, Rowan Co NC <or> Orange Co Indiana
.........		+Sarah Douthit	b: 10 Mar 1759 Hope NC-Forsyth Co m: 09 Dec 1780 Hope NC-Forsyth 
			 Co (Muddy Creek NC) d: 12 Nov 1821 Rowan Co NC
.....	2  	Robert Elrod b: 23 Dec 1759 Rowan Co NC	d: 20 Jul 1828 Orleans, Ind-Orange Co
.........		+Elizabeth Riddle b: 15 Feb 1763 Hope NC-Forsyth Co	m: 20 Nov 1782 Hope NC-
			 Forsyth Co / Rowan Co NC	
.....	2  	John Elrod b: 29 May 1762 Yadkin River, Rowan Co NC d: 1855 At home, IA
.........		+Sarah Ann Riddle b: 24 Aug 1767 Rowan Co NC m: 11 Jan 1786 Surrey NC	
.....	2  	[1] Aaltje Elrod b: 11 Dec 1765 Hope NC-Forsyth Co <or> Rowan Co NC d: 17 Jan 1790 
		    Bethabara, Forsyth, NC
.........		+George McKnight b: 08 Jul 1765	m: Rowan Co NC  2nd marriage d: 22 Mar 1847
.....		*2nd Husband of [1] Aaltje Elrod:			
.........		+Frederick Doll	b: 1760 Rowan Co NC m: 03 Feb 1789 Rowan Co NC	d: 1795 NC
.....	2  	Lydia Elrod b: 08 Nov 1767 Yadkin River, Rowan Co NC d: 27 Aug 1844 Orleans Co IN
.........		+Roger Lee McKnight b: 08 Nov 1767 Rowan Co NC	m: 26 Aug 1790 Rowan Co NC 
			 d: 26 Sep 1851
.....	2  	Stillborn Elrod	b: Abt. 1769 Rowan Co NC		

NOTES
SOURCE: Moravian Records, census records, Holy Trinity Church Records Delaware

LOCALITY: This area of Rowan County is now Forsythe County.

DOCUMENTATION: Elrod Records from Jack and Doris Rose and Mrs. Bill T. Crawford, by correspondence.  Pauline 
Walters-Elrod book-1971

MEMOIRS: Christopher Sr's and Aaltje's Memoirs are both on file in the Moravian Archives Museum at Old Salem NC.

Notes for Aaltje:
SOURCES: See "Memoirs of Aaltje Aletha Soelle Elrod", Moravian Archives, Winston-Salem, NC.
	          "Moravians" by Fries; also "Records of the Moravians in North Carolina" from the Wachovia 
Church Book, Vol I, 1752-1771.

From Pauline Walters Elrod book: p.3 As found in Christopher Elrods memoirs he was a Lutheran until 1773, he 
was received into Brethern membership at Friedburg, then he changed to Hope Congregation in 1780, which he 
and John Douthit helped to found; started it 1775, finished it 1780.

From Pauline Walters Elrod book: p.4 she states: From the Journal of North Caroline Genealogy, summer 1966, 
page 1682, was taken excerpts of a petition, Folio 14, August 15, 1778, "Petitions of the Moravians or 
United Brethern, presented to General Assembly at Hill "editor just gave part of document".  The petition 
and representation of the United Brethern settled in this state, North Carolina, in town of Salem, Bethabara, 
Bethany, and others of their members in union with them humbly showeth that the the Episcopal Church called 
United Frater or United Brethern, that upon hearing of the religious freedom in America, or upon invitation 
received, sent in years of 1734, 1735, 1736, a number of their members who had been persecuted in their 
native country, and therefore dispersed here where they might find asylum.  When the war broke out with the 
Spaniards, their fellow inhibitants disturbed them for not carrying arms, notwithstanding they had full 
liberty of conscience promised before and after settling.  
They, being willing to give no uneasiness to others, withdrew, and returned to Pennsylvania where they 
settled in oaks of Delaware, then a mere wilderness, lived in peace with God and peace with their neighbors 
for many years..... 30 years, the Brethern received several invitations to settle in some other parts of the 
English Dominion, particularly in North Carolina........ use same principles as first used in Georgia.  
"Editor said here there was said more about troubles and injustices, by the breaking out of the Revolutionary 
War".
We have no arms and will bear none against the state, (N.C.) or the other states.  We desire no profits or 
honors.  
We never refuse to pay taxes, nor ever had any distress made for taxes.  Our Brethern in states of Pa... 
Jersey, Maryland, have in behalf of themselves and us, laid a similar request before humbly, before the 
Congress of The United States of America.  Signed in German by John Michael Graff,  Fra Episc. Bishop of 
United Brethern.....  
There were 104 signers, one was Christopher Elrod 1721-1784 planter.

FROM BETHANIA DIARY OF 1785, Vol. 5, page 107, Fries, Jan 31, "Early this morning several persons rode here 
to Hope for funeral of Christopher Elrod (Sr).

LETTER FROM JUNE LAURENCE, ASSISTANT, MORAVIAN ARCHIVES 1 Sep 1982
From Pennsylvania, the family moved first to Manakasy, Maryland, the to NC in 1751.  They joined the 
Moravian congregation at Friedberg in 1773 and helped establish the English-speaking congregation of Hope 
in 1780.  The couple had 12 children.
Christopher Elrod first arrived in Rowan Co in the mid 1750's. Although raised a Luthern, he became 
associated with the Moravian settlement there.  As a member of that sect, he was a pacifist, and paid to 
keep his sons from the service.
However, Christopher Elrod Jr., eventually joined the Revolutionary Army.

MEMOIR FROM THE FIRST HOPE CONGREGATION BOOK 
"Christopher Elrod, Sr., his death occurring Jan 28 1785.
He was born 29 Jan 1721, in Pennsylvania and was brought up to be a Lutheran.  In 1743, 26th of March, he 
married Althea (Aaltje) Soelle, the present widow, which marriage was blessed by God with twelve children 
of whom ten are alive yet, belonging all to our congregation and Society.  Of these he lived to see thirty-
one grandchildren and one Great-grandchild.
From Pennsylvania he moved to Manakasy (Monocacy) Maryland and thence to North Carolina in 1751, settling 
himself on the Yadkin River, Hitherto as he often mentioned, he was an industrious and hard-working man 
who feared God and was true, as he thought, to the principles of his religion; but he lived in proud 
conceit, and knew nothing of heart sorrow.  The first time, as he remembered, that his heart was truly 
touched by the Savior, was in a sermon delivered by the Rev. Bishop Spangenberg (or Spartanburg) to the 
people that were fled for fear of the Indians to the Bethabara Mill Fort, in the year 1759.  From that time 
he became uneasy and became concerned for his soul's salvation and sought acquaintance with the Brethren.  
The Brethren Soelle and Utley, who went about in the country to preach the Gospel visited him frequently 
and stayed in his house, so as all those who went about in quest of souls for our savior were always kindly 
received by him and could refresh themselves, after their toil and trouble, with his family.  The fourth of 
April, 1773, he was received in the congregration at Friedburg, and Jan 22, 1774, he partook for the first 
time of the Holy sacrement with congregration there.  
In the process of time he promoted the building of an English School and meeting house, here in Hope, with 
all his might, and rejoiced greatly when in the year 1780 an English Brethren's Congregation was established 
here.  
From that time he was a member thereof.  He served this little small congregation with the gifts which the 
Saviour had bestowed on him and was an active member of our committee these four years and his desire was 
that young and old might prosper for our Saviour.  He had a hot and fiery temper and could often fall hard 
to others by his positiveness and absoluteness, yet he was conscious thereof and soon made up again, because 
he loved to live in peace with all men.
He was of strong and healthy constitution, complaining seldom of any ailment, yet of late he had an 
intimation, as it were, of his approaching departure.  About seven weeks ago he began to complain about pains 
in his breast which increased so that he was obliged to take his bed, and because he grew worse from day to 
day, soon believed his Saviour would call him home by reason of his sickness.  On 21st, he called for his 
children, gave them his farewall blessing, exhorting them to remain faithful to our Saviour, and recommended 
them to their dear mother.  
On the 29th of January in the morning at seven oclock, being his birthday, our Savior took this faithful 
brother home to Himself, exactly sixty-four years old.

WILL OF CHRISTOPHER ELROD SR. - ROWAN CO, NC
   In the Name of God, Amen.  I, Christopher Elrod Sr in the state of North Carolina, being in perfect mind 
and memory, thanks be to God for it, and calling to mind the mortality of my body and that it is appointed 
for all men to die, do make and ordain this my last will and testament, and as touching such worldly goods 
as it hath pleased God to help me with, I give, divise, and dispose of it in manner and form as follows:  
Item: I will and bequeath unto my beloved son, Adam, five shillings to be paid to him from out of my estate.
Item: I give and bequeath unto my beloved daughter, Sarah the sum of five shillings to be paid by my executors 
out of my estate.
Item: I will and bequeath unto my daughter, Catherine, the sum of five shillings to be paid as aforesaid.
Item: I will and bequeath to my beloved daughter, Margaret, one creature to be valued at five pounds in gold 
or silver money.
Item: I give and bequeath unto my beloved daughter, Mary, one horse creature to be valued at five pounds in 
gold or silver and also two cows and one feather bed and bedding to it which she has in her custody, and then 
also one ewe and one grown sow with pigs, the above willed articles and money to each above person to be paid 
their legacies within twelve months of my demise.
Item: I will and  bequeath unto my beloved son, Christopher, 50 acres of land as it is measured off to him in 
the upper end of my tract which is to be in his possession at my demise.
Item: I will and bequeath unto my beloved sons, Robert and John Elrod, the whole of what is left of my tract 
of land whereon I now live, with all its improvements and buildings to their possession after my decease and 
my wife's.
Item: I will and bequeath unto my beloved daughters Aaltje and Lydia two cows to each of them and one ewe and 
one sow with pigs to each and also five pounds in gold or silver, or the value thereof in other money that 
shall be lawful at the time of the payment and each of them one good feather bed and furniture which is to be 
paid to them by my executors out of my estate if there is as much left at that time and if not to be paid out 
of the land willed to my three youngest sons.
Item: I will and bequeath unto my beloved wife, Aaltje, one-third part of my land during her life time and 
also all my stock and all sorts and all my household goods and plantation tools and money during her lifetime 
and at my demise to be at her own disposal except the land which is to be as before mentioned.
I institute and appoint my  beloved wife and my son Adam whole and sole executers and executrix of this my 
last will and testament and I do hereby disavow and make void all other wills and bequeaths made or done by 
me heretofore.  
In witness whereof I have set my hand and seal this 17 day of March, 1799.
Signed, sealed. published and pronounced in the presence of Witnesses: Adam Spone, Fred Fudler, Even Ellis       
Signed: Christopher Elrod

Adam Spone proved the will 3 May 1785, as Christopher had died 29 Jan 1785.


Compiled by Charlotte Curlee Ramsey from data submitted by: Jack and Doris Brown Rose, Parker D. Elrod, Lowell Elrod,
Pauline Walters.

Charlotte Curlee Ramsey
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~cramsey/index.html

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