Christopher Dameron

Christopher Dameron was born about 1768 in Northumberland County to William Dameron and Elizabeth Williams. William died in 1785. He left his plantation to his wife, Elizabeth and mentions his sons William, Roger, Christopher and George. After Elizabeth's death the plantation was to go to their son William.¹

Christopher married Gracey Smith Oldham. Their marriage bond was issued on August 16th, 1792. His security was provided by William Dameron (probably his brother). Christopher signed by making a mark.² The following year, and every subsequent year that the records exist until 1821, Christopher was recorded on the personal property tax list in Northumberland County. He was recorded as owning slaves six different years, never more than one at a time. He was frequently recorded as owning one horse, but some years no horse and six times he was recorded paying taxes on two horses.^{3 & 13}

Christopher's mother died about 1797, her will was proven in June of that year⁴:

Son-in-law George Lewis-five shillings current money of Virginia. Son Roger Dameron-my side saddle. Son William Dameron-five shillings current money of Virginia. Son Luke Dameron-three pounds current money of Virginia. Son-in-law Leroy Oldham-five shillings current money of Virginia. Rest of my estate to be equally divided between my sons George Dameron, and Christopher Dameron, and my grandson Edward D. Lewis. The portion of my grandson Edward D. Lewis, shall remain in the hands of my son William Dameron until he shall arrive to the age of twenty years.

Leroy Oldham, a brother-in-law to Christopher and also uncle of Gracey, died in 1804 without children and left much to Christopher and Gracey's children⁵:

Wife Betty Oldham-use of all my estate both real and personal during her natural life, and at her death to Leroy Oldham Dameron, son of Christopher Dameron and Gracey S. Dameron his wife-the plantation I now live on. To Polly Christopher Dameron, daughter of the above Christopher and Gracey-negro girl Maria. To Thomas Oldham Dameron, son of the said Christopher and Gracey his wife-negro boy Jerry. To Lucy Smith Dameron, daughter of the said Christopher and Gracey-negro girl Frank. To my brothers daughter, Nancy Tarpley Oldham-negroes Jane and Nelly. To Lucy Oldham, daughter of my brother Thomas Oldham-negroes Sarah and Isaac. To Molly Draper Dameron, who now lives with me-negro girl Ann. Rest of my estate to be equally divided between Leroy O. Dameron, Polly C. Dameron, Thomas O. Dameron, Lucy S. Dameron, Nancy T. Oldham, and Lucy Oldham. Brother Thomas Oldham, friends Christopher Dameron, and Samuel Cralle, executors. Witness: Luke Dameron, William Dameron, and Roger Dameron.

On November 1st, 1806 Christopher paid Walker Jones and his wife Alice ten shillings for forty acres in Northumberland County. The land was described as last being purchased from David Straughan in 1791. Witnesses to the deed were William Porter, Edward D. Lewis, Luke Dameron and William Dameron.⁶ Twelve days later Christopher and his wife Gracey sold the same piece of land to David Straughan for 42 pounds and ten shillings. This deed of sale was witnessed by Samuel Cralle, Roger Dameron and William Dameron. Christopher and Gracey both signed by marking an X.⁷

On the 1810 census Christopher Dameron's household was listed containing two males under 10, one male 26-45, three females under 10, one female 10-16 and one female 26-45. No slaves were listed for Christopher. The census takers were instructed to ask about manufacturing and noted 10 gallons of brandy for Christopher.⁸

In March of 1818 Christopher and Gracey sold 100 acres for $300 to William Henderson which Christopher had purchased from Thomas Oldham. The land was described as bordering the main road to Westmoreland Courthouse at the sign post for the road to Mondays Neck. Christopher and Gracey both signed by making a mark. ⁹

The 1820 census return for Northumberland County shows Christopher listed with - males; one under 10, one 16-26, one 26-45 and one over 45 - Females; two under 10, one over 45 - Two people working in Agriculture - and one male slave under 14. ¹⁰

In the years 1817 and 1819 on the personal property records Christopher was recorded with an additional white male tithable over the age of 21 living in with him. From 1821 to 1826 Christopher was not recorded in the personal property tax records. In 1821 Christopher's brother, William, died and in his will he wrote, "I give and bequeath unto William Lewis the land whereon Christopher Dameron now lives unto the said Lewis and his heirs forever."¹¹ William Lewis was probably a son-in-law to William. William's executors failed to act and the court ordered the sheriff to administer the estate.¹² Christopher's name did return to the personal property record from 1827 to 1835, but he was never again charged for owning any taxable property.¹³

On the 1830 census Christopher was listed as Christo Dameron. His household members were one male 50-60, one female 20-30, one female 30-40, one female 60-70 and no slaves listed.¹⁴

In September of 1834 Christopher purchased 75 acres including all the "houses, buildings, orchards, wood, ways, waters and water courses," from Alexander Rock for $150. The bounds of the land were described beginning at a red oak stump on the road heading to Middleton's Mill.¹⁵

Christopher died before November 9th, 1835. On that date a document said to be his will was presented in Northumberland County Court. After the testimony of witnesses the will was not accepted and administration of Christopher's estate was granted to his oldest son, Alexander. An appraisal was ordered. The next item on the docket mentioned a suit against Alexander by three different parties and ordered that a comissioner be named to sell the lands of Christopher Dameron to settle the debt.¹⁶

Christopher's moveable estate was sold after appraisal, it contained only a handful of items including a trunk, a jug, and a couple barrels of corn. The most valuable item sold was 21 1/2 cords of pine wood which brought $16.12.¹⁷ His land was sold at auction by Matthew Lampkin to Hiram B. Lewis for $176.75. This appears to be the same land purchased in 1834. A quarter of the proceeds went to Alexander. The remaining quarters were paid to James Kent, William Burton and William Booth - all listed in the suit against Alexander when he was named administrator.¹⁹ In the court meeting of January 1837 the final order to settle the estate was made.²⁰

Christopher's burial location is unknown. He may have been associated with Wicomico Baptist Church which changed it's name to Coan Baptist Church in 1847, or Gibeon Meeting House, which was not chartered as a church until after his death.