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Research in Other Countries => United States of America => Topic started by: NicVog on Thursday 16 January 20 04:39 GMT (UK)

Title: Chisman or Christmas?
Post by: NicVog on Thursday 16 January 20 04:39 GMT (UK)
Hello everyone,I recently made a thread regarding a certain Massey C. Medaris, born around 1755 and died in 1843.

https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=824099.new;topicseen#new

There is some dispute as to whether his middle name was Chisman (as there is some evidence his great grandmother might have been a woman named Jane Chisman), or not. Several documents attest to him having a middle name beginning with the letter C., but only one, a 1790 will in which he was a witness to, spells it out, as Crismus, the segment of which someone kindly provided in the previous thread.

I don't presently have an Ancestry account any longer, but plan to reactivate mine in around a month when my DNA results come back, but I wondered if Massey's will is available on Ancestry, and may or may not spell out his middle name as well. Also, if anyone else has Chisman, or Christmas ancestors, if such a variety of spelling is to be expected, or if a phonetic misinterpretation of Chisman to Crismus is a bit of a leap.
Title: Re: Chisman or Christmas?
Post by: oldohiohome on Thursday 16 January 20 05:26 GMT (UK)
Died in Guilford NC 1843?
His will is online. here is a link for your future reference
http://www.rootschat.com/links/01ovc/

attached is the signature.
He refers to himself in the will as Massey C, and afterward someone says ' this is the will .... of Massey C ...'
Neither of them use his full middle name.
Title: Re: Chisman or Christmas?
Post by: oldohiohome on Thursday 16 January 20 05:40 GMT (UK)
deleted.
Title: Re: Chisman or Christmas?
Post by: *Sandra* on Thursday 16 January 20 09:16 GMT (UK)
Abstracts of wills in Orange County North Carolina 1752 - 1800 - This is type written.

B 105 - 20 Feb 1790 - proved November 1790
John Jenkins - lists wife, all the children, granddaughter.  Executors.  Witnesses include:-
Massey Chrismus Medearis.

Sandra
Title: Re: Chisman or Christmas?
Post by: RJ137 on Thursday 16 January 20 14:37 GMT (UK)

I don't presently have an Ancestry account any longer, but plan to reactivate mine in around a month when my DNA results come back, but I wondered if Massey's will is available on Ancestry, and may or may not spell out his middle name as well.

You don't need Ancestry for any of this. It is all available for FREE on Family Search.

Here is a copy of that will from 1790. Much clearer than the snippet posted.

Image 58. Massey's  name appears on page 106

Will: http://www.rootschat.com/links/01ovh/

=======================

Massey C. Medaris's  Will

The index states will Probated May 1843 - Book C - Page 155

Image 133 - right side

Index: http://www.rootschat.com/links/01ovg/

His Will is on images 90/91 - pages 155/156

Will: http://www.rootschat.com/links/01ovf/
Title: Re: Chisman or Christmas?
Post by: NicVog on Friday 17 January 20 01:52 GMT (UK)
Thank you very much, I had seen reference to the will before but had been unable to find it. I will continue to look and see if I can find anything more as I go.
Title: Re: Chisman or Christmas?
Post by: knort33 on Saturday 18 January 20 02:58 GMT (UK)
1-17-2020

The person who has compiled this information on the Medaris family (the surname looks like Medearis to me, but I guess that is an alternate spelling) alleges that the middle name is Chrisman, named after a grandmother named Jane Chrisman. 
I wonder if anyone can find out where Jane lived?

https://xpda.com/family/Medaris-MasseyChrisman-ind02747.htm