Philip CHRISTIAN

                   Taken from records of a Mary Hancock, 812 Paxton Place, Indianapolis 20 IN, in 1962.

After her husband's death, she moved with all of the minor kids to Miami County,OH.

Notes for ESTHER CHRISTIAN:
Esther took her children and migrated to Ohio in 1835 after the death of her husband. The family settled north of Daton in West Milton. Notes per book "The RODKEY Memorabilia" by Ruth Rodkey Barnard and E. Stanley Rodkey.
Esther Christian Rodkey was born the daughter of Philip Christian of German or Penn. Dutch descent and Barbara Devolt Christian of French descent. She married John Rodkey, and they had eleven children. He died prematurely at age 52 and lefther the hard job of raising six minor children. This she did and very well. Every one of her children married, left home, and became a farmer. They all owned their own land (with their spouses). Most of them went on virgin land and had to clear it. By today's standards they were both poor and rich. Their personal belongings were simple and hand made. Their farming implements were also. Their energy sources were candles, animals, and their own muscles.
However, the Midwestern land that she and her children were able to acquire was some of the best farm land in the world. The present day value of the combined farm lands that they owned at the time of her death would easily be $6,000,000.00- (12 farms - approx. 200 acres each at today's price of $2,500.00 per acre.
Ohio
Esther and her children attended the New Salem Church (Dunkard) in Montgomery County, a little to the Southwest of her home. She and her brother, Joseph, are buried in Bethel Cemetery, which is east of the New Salem Church.
Esther built a large house near the southeast corner of her farm. Across the road, a little to the east, was the large farm of John and Elizabeth Dohner. The Dohners were of Pennsylvania Dutch stock, and the family had originally come from Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Esther lived out her life in Ohio, where she died in 1858. Her estate was probated in Miami County, Ohio. She left a will dated 8/11/1856. Under it, she nominated Philip Christian and David Bollinger as Executors. She directed them to sell her personal estate, which they did on January 14 and 15, 1859, for the total price of $1,086.26.On 9/24/1859, pursuant to a public sale held on 9/3/1859, Philip Christian and David Bollinger, for the sum of $5,436.00, conveyed her 139 1/2 acre farm to Paul Pearson. Said deed is recorded in Deed Book 35, page 107.
Esther took her children and migrated to Ohio in 1835 after the death of her husband. The family settled north of Daton in West Milton.