Re: Christian Mask, Montgomery Co., NC, 1782
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In reply to:
Re: Christian Mask, Montgomery Co., NC, 1782
Vikky Anders 11/09/03
Vikky, thanks for your response, and interest.I am both a Christian and Mask descendant, so I have a vital interest in the question I originally posted and in the general Mask-Christian family relationship.
First, of all, having done considerable primary document research on extant records, I now strongly suspect that the oft-repeated assertion that John Mask married a Mary (Jane) Christian is a myth.I cannot find any evidence of this marriage in any of the records, from either family's perspective.Perhaps, then, I should point out that the "Christian Family Chronicles," July 1983, Vol. X, pp. 843-844, dealt with this very same subject, and provided evidence that John Mask, in fact, was married to an Elizabeth (?), and that the original source of the John Mask-Mary Christian lore was an article in the Richmond "Times-Dispatch" (1904) which simply made the assertion and provided no proof or evidence of the claim.
But it is a fact that in 1755, Thomas Mask died leaving a will in Hanover County in which he named William Mask (who I think is the one who went to NC with brother John) as his executor.This is found in a deed dated 25 Feb 1756 in which William Mask "surviving Executor of the last Will and Testament of Thomas Mask late of the county of Hanover Deceased of the one part..." sold land to William Joyner.In the same deed it refers to "...a Suit in Chancery then there Depending between Mary Mask, and [sic] Infant, and William neeves and Christian his Wife complainants and the sd. William Mask surviving Executor of the last Will and Testament of the sd. Thomas Mask Decd..."
Christian (Mask) Neves/Neeves in the above record is, of course, the same Christian Mask who is documented in "The Douglas Register" as marrying William Neves on 16 Apr 1759.And, no, I cannot account for the date disparity with the earlier record I cited.However, "Christian" as a given name was not all that uncommon in the 18th century.It seemed to be used for both males and females, but was most commonly used for females.And it did not necessarily connote a relationship with the Christian family.
But returning to the execution of the will of Christopher Christian (1781-1784) in Montgomery County, NC...Christopher Christian originally named his brother, Nicholas, and John and William Mask as his co-executors.John Mask died between Christopher's writing of his will, and when it was executed, so CHRISTIAN MASK apparently somehow became a substitute for John.But the surname is "MASK," so this cannot be the female Christian Mask who married William Neves/Neeves (can it?).I do not know whether this Christian Mask was a male or female, since "Christian" was used as a given name for both genders; I suspect, though, that this Christian was a male.And I have yet to find a male Christian Mask in any of the records.
It remains a real puzzle to me, but there may be an important clue in all this that will help other researchers to unsnarl the tangled web of Masks.
More Replies:
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Re: Christian Mask, Montgomery Co., NC, 1782
john Andrews 5/06/04
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Re: Christian Mask, Montgomery Co., NC, 1782
Jane Webb 5/10/04
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Re: Christian Mask, Montgomery Co., NC, 1782
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Re: Christian Mask, Montgomery Co., NC, 1782
Vikky Anders 11/09/03