John Christlieb's Third Marriage

On 5 March 1854, widower John Christlieb – four days before his 72^nd birthday – married Frances “Fanny” (Oaks) Cable, a 42-year-old widow. Fannie had two teenage sons, William Cable and Jonathan Cable.

The daughter of George Oaks/Ocks, Sr., Frances “Fanny” Oaks was born in 1812, in Bedford County, Pennsylvania. The Oaks/Ocks family had originally come to Pennsylvania from Maryland. Fanny married Jacob Cable in Pennsylvania, about 1833-1834. The families of George Oaks, Sr., George Oaks, Jr., and Jacob Cable moved to Lawrence Township, Tuscarawas County, Ohio, about this same time (1833-1834). Lawrence Township is adjacent to Pike Township in Stark County, and the principal town is Bolivar, Ohio. Jacob Cable died in 1848; his burial site is unknown.

Death of John Christlieb

John Christlieb’s Last Will and Testament was executed on 20 August 1850, while his 2^nd wife, Elizabeth Whisler Christlieb, was still living. His son, Samuel, declined to serve as the executor of the estate, so John Becker, a family friend and Justice of the Peace, was appointed to act in that capacity. (Becker had married John and Fanny in 1854.) Fanny and her son, William Cable, challenged some of the estate settlement, bringing a court case against the executor to secure additional monies, to which they felt entitled. By 1861, John Christlieb’s estate was finalized. Fannie continued to live in Pike Township during the Civil War. Both of her sons served in the Union Army. Some time in the 1870s, Fanny Christlieb moved back to Bolivar in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, where she is shown in the 1880 Census as living alone. She died in 1881, and was buried in the Lawrence Township Cemetery, located in Bolivar behind the Wesleyan Church. Her Tombstone reads, “Frances Oaks Christlip 1812-1881.” Wendell F. Lauth, Bristolville, Ohio.

John Christlieb's Doctor Bill

Dated 28 August 1858, the above shows that payment was made to W. Tripp, M.D. for “medical attendance” in the last illness of John Christlieb. The doctor had made two visits four months prior, on April 26^th and 28^th, charging $4 each visit. From this and other receipts, it can be deduced that John Christlieb’s death occurred in early May, 1858.

Although John Christlieb made his will on 28 August 1850, it was not recorded until 18 May 1858. Recorded under the title, John Christlip’s Will, the document uses the spelling, Christleap, throughout, an indication that the will was probably prepared by a Justice of Peace ahead of time. Only the signature is in John’s hand.

Regarding the care of John Christlieb in his final days, a court document, dated 8 September 1858, and submitted by John’s stepson, Jonathan Cable, to the estate reveals that among various services rendered - including making fence, thrashing, hauling oats, shingle making – was a $4.00 charge for “tending 8 days on John Christlieb in last sickness.” The total charge, minus certain credits, amounted to $18.13.

For whatever reason, John Christlieb’s eldest son, Samuel, declined his appointment as co-executor of his father’s will. At the time of his death, not all of John’s sons were living in Ohio. Abraham was deceased and others were already in Indiana. An examination of the Vendue Bill indicates that Samuel did not attend the estate auction.

Various documents pertaining to the settlement of John Christlieb’s estate shows that a Justice of the Peace, served as Executor.

A necessary task in settling John Christlieb’s estate was the completion of an estate inventory and appraisement of his personal property. Three men, George Howenstine, Jesse Cail, and George Holm were appointed to the task by the Justice of Peace.

The appraisement of John’s estate, which was filed with the court on 30 August 1858, totaled $387.13. Among the vast items listed were: one lot of hay in southwest shed, $5; a gray mare and colt, $45; 50 ½ bushels red wheat, $35.35; 19 bushels white wheat, $16.15; 5000 shingles, $17.50; one red cow, $16; one spotted cow, $18; a roan yearling heifer, $6.50; one spring calf, $2; one sow with pig, $6; a cow bell valued at 10¢; an old musket and bayonet valued at 10¢; a rat trap and iron, 25¢; a spinning wheel, $5; a side saddle, $4; an eight-day brass clock, $2; hogshead of iron hoops, 50¢.

An important part of John Christlieb’s personal property was an inventory of cash on hand that included: $60.00 in Ohio Bank bills, $116.84 in gold coin and $15.86 in silver coin, totaling $192.70.

Not every item was included in the appraisal, as seen in the document below. Dated 22 June 1858, some of the items “set off to the widow” and not included in the inventory were: two spinning wheels, the family Bible, pictures, school books, bedstead bedding, clothing, and certain pieces of furniture. Also set off for the support of “Fanny Christlieb, his widow” were: 20 bushels of wheat, two hogs, 10 pounds of lard, two crocks of apple butter, 10 bushels of corn, a potato patch, and $35 in cash. These items had values assigned, totaling $64.00.

The total appraisement of John Christlieb’s estate including $192.70 cash on hand was $1,060.88. The appraisal was submitted by George Holm, Jesse Cail, and George Howenstine, as seen below:

Also filed on August 30^th was the sale bill which shows which item sold to whom and at what price. Certain odds and ends were purchased by John’s sons, William and Samuel, and step-son, William Cable. William paid 18¢ for an umbrella, $1.18 for a chest, 90¢ for an old cast plow; Samuel Christlieb paid 2¢ for a crock, 22¢ for a meal sieve, 25¢ for an eight-day clock, $10.25 for a copper kettle; George Christlieb paid 50¢ for a table. John’s widow, Fanny, paid $2.76 for a kitchen cupboard.

The most valuable items sold were: ½ of 6 acres “Mediterranean Wheat" in the ground to be delivered in bushel, $30.00; ½ of 7 acres White Wheat in the ground to be delivered in bushel, $35.00; ½ of 2 acres of rye in the ground to be delivered in bushel, $8.00; ½ of 4 acres of oats in ground to be delivered in bushel, $16.00; 2/3 of 5 acres of oats in the ground to be delivered in bushel, $23.00. The amount that the grains yielded was $112. The total amount from the sale of John Christlieb’s personal property was $402.51.

Also filed on August 30^th was the sale bill which shows each item sold, to whom, and at what price. Certain odds and ends were purchased by John’s sons, William and Samuel, and step-son, William Cable. William paid 18¢ for an umbrella, $1.18 for a chest, 90¢ for an old cast plow; Samuel Christlieb paid 2¢ for a crock, 22¢ for a meal sieve, 25¢ for an eight-day clock, $10.25 for a copper kettle; George Christlieb paid 50¢ for a table. John’s widow, Fanny, paid $2.76 for a kitchen cupboard.

In the final analysis, John Christlieb’s personal estate totaled $803.00, an amount less than the appraisal. The remainder, after all expenses were paid, including the executor’s stipend, was $433.98.