Menu Items

 

237. Christopher Strader Sr. : (Married: Elizabeth Bush (#238) ca 1766 in Hampshire Co., Virginia.(Source: "Descendants of Hans Wilhelm Strader" by Don Norman) (Source of pink below: Find A Grave website for Christopher Strader: Memorial ID 21854414)

Born: March 1745 in Sussex County, New Jersey of Hans Wilhelm (Wellem)Strader (Streder) (#473) and Unknown Mother (# 474) (Source of purple: Rootsweb.ancestr.com posting) Hans was an immigrant 8 October 1744.

Died: December 21, 1825 in Austin, Ross County Ohio. He is buried at the Strader Hill Cemetery in Frankfort, Ross County, Ohio. (Source of pink: Find A Grave website for Christopher Strader: Memorial ID 21854414

 

[His siblings, if any, are unknown].

 

Miscellaneous:

In 1776, Christopher S Streder was living in "BR Manor County" in the township listed as "Rental Rolls", Virginia. (Source of information: VA Early Census Index, "Rent Role" Record type. )[Note: If this is Christopher Strader Sr., He would have been 31 years old.]

Christopher served in the Revolutionary War. (Source: SAR Application approved Nov 26, 1956 for Richard Dean Myers,a descendant of Christopher Strader Sen., and previously approved in No. 284497DAR). Christopher is also listed in the Abstract of Graves of Revolutionary Patriots; Volume 4; Serial: 11756; Volume 6.

Information originally shared at ancestry.com by Charles Davis on 18 July 2017 (shown immediately below) indicates that he helped to suppress Claypole's Rebellion in Hampshire and Hardy Counties in Virginia and he furnished supplies to soldiers of the Revolution. Davis' source is the Official roster of the soldiers of the American Revolution buried in the state of Ohio, Vol. III. Roster listings, p. 343.

Commissioner's books for Hampshire County prove that Christopher was living in Hampshire County, Virginia during the Revolutionary War and that Christopher provided supplies needed by the American army. Click here to see the document.

1781 - 1782: [Note: In 1781, the governor of Virginia, Thomas Jefferson, ordered Colonel Garrett Van Meter to send 242 Hampshire County militia to Williamsburg at once. But VanMeter could not raise the troops because of protests in response to the people having such high taxes, the unfair recruiting system, and the requirement that people supply the army with "Clothes, Provisions & Waggons." John Claypool, after whom the rebellion was named, became the leader of those challenging VanMeter's authority. The rebelling people were most oppose to the act that would both draft them to serve 18 months and tax them to pay a large cash bounty to volunteers for the Continental regiments. The sheriff and 50 men went to Lost River to arrest Claypool. When they got to Lost River, the sheriff found 60 or 70 men waiting. All were armed. After a long standoff, Claypool and his men surrendered in a formal surrender, negotiated by the Baptist preacher at Lost River. Later that year, Claypool and others rebelled again. In May. 1781, Claypool wrote an apology to General Daniel Morgan. But, Claypool along with others were imprisoned. In 1752, Claypool wrote to General Morgan again. Later that year Benjamin Harrison V., then Governor of Virginia pardoned him. It is assumed that Christopher Strader Sr. was one of those who went with the sheriff to Lost River. ]

The map below shows Hampshire County, Virginia in red and James City County where Williamsburg was located in 1782 in green. This map source: <homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~george/countyformations/virginiaformationmaps.html>

"During his residence in Hardy Co. Va. Christopher was an outstanding citizen as is noted by his name appearing in various court records. He took part in subduing the Tory uprising during the Revolutionary War and has been noted in claims on account of the State of Virginia being certificates granted by sundry officers of the Militia of Shenandoah, Frederick, Berkeley and Hampshire, who were employed in May and June 1781 to suppress an insurrection in the county of Hampshire. Several names are listed for claims, one of which was Christopher STRADER. The insurrection was the trouble that occurred when John BRAKE a wealthy German Nobleman who lived on the Wappatomaka ca 15 miles above Moorefield, raised the British flag and encouraged the local Tories to stand out against taxation and military service. At first there was an attempt to suppress the trouble by local men but when that failed, General MORGAN came from Winchester with 400 men ca June 18th or 20th to complete the supression."(Source of orange type: The Strader Family History 1737-1976, written in 1976 by Hartzel Strader, "Chapter 3: Christopher Strader Sr. (1745-1825)", p. 12 . This information was posted on ancestry.com byTurner_Rebecca08 on 20 July 2015)

The map below shows Hardy County, Virginia in red in 1785. [Note: Hardy County, Virginia was formed ~ 1785 from Hampshire County, Virginia. ](This map source: <homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~george/countyformations/virginiaformationmaps.html>)

1782 - 1784: "The first court record we have of Christopher was dated 15 May 1782 which lists him living in Hampshire Co. Va. and shows him to have contributed two head of sheep as food to feed the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. Also the Virginia Tax List of 1782 and 1784 indicates he was living in this county". (Source of orange type:The Strader Family History 1737-1976, written in 1976 by Hartzel Strader, "Chapter 3: Christopher Strader Sr. (1745-1825)", p. 11. This information was posted on ancestry.com byTurner_Rebecca08 on 20 July 2015). The 1782 Continental Census lists him as living in Hampshire County, Township: 09 00 (Source: VA Early Census Index, page 24).

1784: The Heads of Families in Hampshire County, Virginia, 1784 lists Christopher. There are 10 "white souls" 1 "dwelling" and 3 "other buildings on the property. Click here to see a copy of this document.

1786-1791: "Patrick HENRY, governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia granted a 400 acre tract of land 13 Nov 1786, which had been surveyed 10 March 1785 on the east side of the Buckhannon River then in Harrison Co. Va., now in Upshur Co. W. Va. to Christopher STRADER. A plat of this survey is on file in the Harrison Co. courthouse, Clarksburg, W. Va. which also states Christopher paid the usual fee of two pound sterling, customary at that time to establish claim and right of residence although there is no indication he ever established his home upon this holding. This area presently includes the golf course and two Strader cemeteries across the Buckhannon River from Tennerton and Buckhannon, Upshur Co.. W. Va. A person can easily determine where the lines of the original survey were located upon seeing the land area. The survey begins near the bridge at Tennerton, going east to the point of the ridge, following this north, crossing Little Sand Run, up a slope to the point of another ridge, then turning to the west across a small valley, skirting a tableland survey of John JACKSON, to the Buckhannon River. This tract contained equally 200 acres on each side of Little Sand Run. To see the record of this1786 land claim for 400 acres in Harrison County,Va., click here.

There is no indication in the annals of history that Christopher resided on the Buckhannon River grant but his eldest son John took up the claim on the year 1791. Christopher and Elizabeth deeded the 200 acres on the north side of Little Sand Run to John, 9 May 1801. The other 200 on the south side (where the golf course is located) was deeded to their dau Barbara and husband Jacob POST (Likely bro. to John's wife) 29 May 1801. These deeds, written in Dutch script are on record in the Randolph Co. Courthouse, Elkins, W. Va." (Source of orange type:The Strader Family History 1737-1976, written in 1976 by Hartzel Strader, "Chapter 3: Christopher Strader Sr. (1745-1825)", p. 12 . This information was posted on ancestry.com byTurner_Rebecca08 on 20 July 2015)

1786-1804: "During the years 1786 thru 1804 Christopher acquired various tracts of land near the forks of North and South Mill Creeks, tributaries of the South Branch Potomac in Hardy County, Va., ca five miles east of what is now Petersburg, Grant Co. W. Va. This places the location near the present village of Hiser. His holdings totaled ca 458 acres in this area known as the South Branch Manor of the Northern Neck.

The Northern Neck was a "V" shaped tract comprising parts of three counties inherited by Thomas FAIRFAX from his mother, a dau of Lord CULPEPPER. This grant was originally made by Charles II to Lord CULPEPPER in the year 1650. Later all or a part of this territory was inherited by Reverend Denny Martin FAIRFAX. During the years 1786 through 1792 he granted a 99 year lease of 214 acres to Christopher STRADER Sr. This land was located in the Reverend's South branch Manor. The wide bottom backed by picturesque high mountains and running streams furnished a good supply of farm, garden, orchard, timber and hunting. This sight is something to behold to a person visiting the area, so one can imagine what it was like for an early settler." To see a record of Christopher's 1792 land claim for 197 acres at Northern Neck in Hardy County, Va., click here.

"Denny FAIRFAX sold his rights of the South Branch Manor to John MARSHALL, 1 Feb 1793 with the stipulation the leasees agreed to purchase the land at the rate of 25 pounds for each 100 acres. This would entitle the leesees to full ownership. The record shows Christopher purchased his 214 acres 1 Aug 1793 from John MARSHALL. Also in the yers 1797 and 1798 he purchased 150 additional acres from Mr. MARSHALL. In the year 1798 he purchased 59 acres from Godfrey OURS and in 1804, 35 acres from Abel SEYMOUR".(Source of orange type: The Strader Family History 1737-1976, written in 1976 by Hartzel Strader, "Chapter 3: Christopher Strader Sr. (1745-1825)", p. 11-12 . This information was posted on ancestry.com byTurner_Rebecca08 on 20 July 2015)

1797-1814: "In the year 1797 Christopher purchased 81 acres located in Pendleton Co. Virginia (now W. Va.), 6 miles southwest of the well known Seneca Rock, on Strader Run which was probably named in his honor. This evidently was just an investment deal with no improvement made and was sold 16 Sept 1814." (Source of orange type:The Strader Family History 1737-1976, written in 1976 by Hartzel Strader, "Chapter 3: Christopher Strader Sr. (1745-1825)", p. 12 . This information was posted on ancestry.com byTurner_Rebecca08 on 20 July 2015). To see the 1797 record of his land claim for ~81 acres in Pendleton Co., Virginia, click here.

The map below shows Pendleton County, Virginia (in red) as it existed in 1797.This map source: <homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~george/countyformations/virginiaformationmaps.html>

"At the turn of the 19th century the Virginia Military District in central Ohio was being rapidly settled by Revolutionary War Veterans on their claims granted by the government for services rendered during the war. Many of these veterans or their heirs sold the claim rather than settle on it. This land being open for settlement had a tremendous influence on the people of the South branch who were seeking new opportunities. On 5 Sept 1805 Christopher sold his entire acreage in Hardy County..." (Source of orange type: The Strader Family History 1737-1976, written in 1976 by Hartzel Strader, "Chapter 3: Christopher Strader Sr. (1745-1825)", p. 12 . This information was posted on ancestry.com byTurner_Rebecca08 on 20 July 2015)[Note: According to Wikipedia 24 Nov 2017, "The Virginia Military District was an approximately 4.2 million acre area of land in what is now the state of Ohio that was reserved by Virginia to use as payment in lieu of cash for its veterans of the American Revolutionary War. The map is copied from the Wikipedia website.]

Between 1800 and 1806, Christopher moved his family to what would become Ross County, Ohio. (Source of pink in this paragraph: 1806 tax list for Ross, OH Early Census Index, p. 40) [Note: Christopher's children John (#119) and Barbara likely stayed in Virginia to farm the land Christopher had obtained in land grants. Evidence: Christopher and Elizabeth deeded 200 acres on the north side of Little Sand Run to John on 9 May 1801 and 200 acres on the south side to Barbara and husband Jacob POST on 29 May 1801.]

Christopher is included in the 1806 tax list for "No Township Listed" in Ross County, Ohio (Source: OH Early Census Index, p. 040), the 1807 tax list for "No Township Listed" in Ross County, Ohio (Source: OH Early Census Index, page 036), the 1808 tax list for "1st District" in Ross County, Ohio, (Source: OH Early Census Index), the 1809 tax list for Concord Township in Ross County, Ohio (Source OH Early Census Index, p. 014), the 1810 tax list for Concord Township in Ross County (Source: OH 1810 Washington Co., Census Index, page 074), and the 1810 tax list for "No township listed" in Ross County. (Source: OH 1810 Washington Co. Census Index, page 063). [Note: one of the 1810 listings may have been for Christopher Strader Jr.]

As shown in the 1803 (first map below), there were 10 identified counties in the state of Ohio when it became the 17th state in the Union. By 1806 (second map), there were many more counties. Ross County is labeled on both maps. On the second map, FR is Franklin County. (The source of these maps is the online Atlas of Historical County Boundaries, The Newberry Library, Dr. William M. School Center for American History and Culture.")

1815: "In Sept 1815, Christopher Sr., and wife Elizabeth became the owners of Military District Survey No. 1108 in Franklin and Pickaway Counties Ohio. This original survey contained 1200 acres but by actual measurement was ca 1600 acres, was granted to Robert ROSE, a surgeon in the Revolutionary War. Christopher supposedly contracted with Mr. ROSE to purchase this land in the year 1787. General James TAYLOR, attorney of Newport, Kentucky was appointed to settle the ROSE family estate, therefore a deed was issued in 1815. Following this, Christopher and wife deeded this land to those children who had not previously been deeded property. These four children Mary, Jacob, Catherine and Magdalena were settled on the property by the year 1811. This well laying land was a wild wilderness for several miles, there being one log cabin nearer than Franklinton (Columbus), nearly 10 miles to the north. Gradually the forest was cut away and in its place was the finest farm land in the country. Jacob inherited the southermost section of the original purchase, his section being in the edge of Pickaway County. Magdalena inherited the northermost section and others between her section and that of Jacob's." (Source of orange type: The Strader Family History 1737-1976, written in 1976 by Hartzel Strader, "Chapter 3: Christopher Strader Sr. (1745-1825)", p. 15 . This information was posted on ancestry.com byTurner_Rebecca08 on 20 July 2015)

Below is a map of Ohio as the county boundaries existed in 1815. Ross, PI (Pickaway), and FR (Franklin) counties are labeled. The source of this map is the online Atlas of Historical County Boundaries, The Newberry Library, Dr. William M. School Center for American History and Culture."

1816: "John McNEIL founded the town Oldtown in the year 1816 by surveying land into town lots in Ross County near the Village of Austin. On 1 April 1817 Christopher STRADER Sr. purchased Lot No. 4. It is not known whether the intended purpose was for retirement, social prominence or as an investment, but the lot was sold 8 March 1820 to his son Christopher and in turn was sold to William CARSON 20 June 1823. Oldtown, located on U.S. Rt 35 was incorporated in 1827 and at that time was renamed Frankfort." (Source of orange type:The Strader Family History 1737-1976, written in 1976 by Hartzel Strader, "Chapter 3: Christopher Strader Sr. (1745-1825)", p. 15 . This information was posted on ancestry.com byTurner_Rebecca08 on 20 July 2015)

Christopher is included in the 1816 tax list for Concord Township in Ross County, Ohio, (Source: OH Early Census Index, p. 074) and the 1818 tax list for Concord Township in Ross County, Ohio (Source: OH Early Census Index page 099).

"During his residence in Ross County, Christopher Sr. was a prominent citizen in the Paint Creek Valley, serving as a justice of peace and taking part in civic affairs. He and his wife managed to see that each of their children had a start in life by providing them with a family farm ..." (Source of orange type: The Strader Family History 1737-1976, written in 1976 by Hartzel Strader, "Chapter 3: Christopher Strader Sr. (1745-1825)", p. 15 & 16. This information was posted on ancestry.com byTurner_Rebecca08 on 20 July 2015)

Christopher and Elizabeth had nine children, many of whom were born in Virginia. The children included ... in birth order: Magdalene Strader, John Strader (#119), Barbara Strader, Mary Strader, Michael Strader, Christopher Strader Jr., Catherine Strader, Jacob Strader, and Elizabeth Strader. (Source: "Descendants of Hans Wilhelm Strader" by Don Norman) (Source of Elizabeth Strader name: Find a Grave for Christopher Strader ID 21854414)

As recorded in the Ross County, Ohio Will Book ABCD page 216 Chillicothe, Christopher's will, dated March 9. 1825 and proved and recorded on February 2, 1826, Christopher bequeathed a third of his movable estate to his wife, Elizabeth. To his son John Strader (#119), he left the land on Buckhannon. To his son Christopher, he left the plantation on which he lived that contained 250 acres. To son Michael, he left the land he lived on containing 250 acres. To his son Jacob, he left land in Pickaway County containing 300 acres. To his daughter Magdolin and her present heirs he left 250 acres in Franklin County where she now lived. To his daughter Mary, he left 250 acres in Franklin County where she now lived. To daughter Catherine, he left 200 acres in Franklin County where she lived and which was sold to Christopher. To his daughter Barbara, he left land in Buckhannon. The remainder of the moveable estate was to be equally divided amongst his children. He appointed his sons Christopher and Michael to be the executors of the will. To read Christopher's will in its entirety as originally shared on ancestry.com on 18 July 2017 by Charles Davis and on 20 July 2015 by Turner_Rebecca08, click here. This link also shows the listing of the settlement of his will.

The following is quoted from the Find A Grave Memorial ID 21854414: Christopher Strader sr. believed in New Jersey d. 21 Dec 1825, Austin Ross Co. Ohio likely son of Hans Wellem Streder immigrant 8 Oct 1744. probably m ca 1766 Elizabeth b 1750 d. 1837 also in Ross County. It's believed marriage took place in Hampsire Co. VA (WV) Children: 1) Magdalene b. 26 Aug 1767 d. 15 Sept 1838 near Columbus Ohio 2) John b. ca 1769 d. ca 1844, Lewis Co. VA (WV) 3)Barbara b. ca 1771 d Pickaway Co. Ohio 4) Mary b. 22 Sept 1779 d. 16 Dec 1825 near Columbus, 5) Michael b. ca 1780 d after 1846 Nebraska 6) Christopher Jr. b 16 July 1783, d. 12 Aug 1857, Ross Co. Ohio 7) Catherine b. ca 1786 Hardy County Va 8) Jacob b. 5 July 1791 d 17 May 1840 Pickaway Co. Ohio 9) Elizabeth m 29 Nov 1818 in Franklin co. Ohio Lewis Johnston. She may have d. without heir soon after marriage as Christopher had no Elizabeth in his will. Christopher was a very prominent figure and citizen. He was active in the Revolutionary War and granted a Land Grant in WV from Patrick Henry.

According to one source, the cemetery where Christopher and his wife and other family members are buried is located in Colerain Township, Ross County, Ohio, and is # 10371 (Austin Cemetery / Strader Hill Cemetery / Strader Cemetery / Stader Cemetery) in “Ohio Cemeteries 1803-2003”, compiled by the Ohio Genealogical Society. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) feature ID for the cemetery is 1046616 (Stader Cemetery / Austin Cemetery / Strader Hill Cemetery). [Note: The webmaster does not believe the cemetery is in Colerain Township, but instead it is in Concord Township. The modern map of Ross county below shows Frankfort, where Christopher is buried as being located in Concord].

The google map below shows an aerial view of the location of the cemetery. As shown in this photograph, It is very near County Road 29 as it intersects with Ohio State Route 138. The latitude and longitude are 39.43554, -83.21804. The Find a Grave Memorial Website: ID 21854414 for Christopher describes the cemetery as being located in Frankfort, in Ross County about 550 feet north of Austin Road (County Road 29) about 0.3 mile southeast of its intersection with Ohio State Route 138.

Below is the tombstone of Christopher Strader at Strader Hill Cemetery : Photograph added to that website by Diane Graylee.

Christ. Strader Sen Departed This Life Dec 21, 1825

 

Lifetime Events Summary for Christopher Strader:

Event	Date	Christopher's age
Birth	1745	0
Marriage	ca 1766	~ 21
Birth of Children	1767 - after 1791	22 - over 46
Birth of son John Strader (#119)	~ 1769	~ 24
Revolutionary War	1775 - 1783	30 - 38
War of 1812	1812 - 1815	67 - 70
Death	1825	80

Return to Top of Page.

 

Contact person for this website is Susan Snyder: susanleachsnyder@gmail.com