Christian served with George Washington in 1754 as Washington led a small group of colonial troops to force the French to withdraw from forts they were building along the Allegheny River in Pennsylvania. Lieutenant Governor Robert Dinwiddie of Virginia had sent Washington to the commander of the new forts, protesting against French occupation in the area. The French refused to leave. Colonel Washington and his troops were attacked and defeated near Fort Duquesne (now Pittsburgh), in the first battle of the war.

In 1755, General Edward Braddock led a band of British soldiers against Fort Duquesne. Braddock was unfamiliar with North American methods of warfare, which often involved surprise attacks from behind trees and concealed spots. He refused to take advice from his experienced American officers, who included Washington. Braddock and his men marched into an ambush. Many men were killed, but Washington succeeded in leading some of them, including Christian, to safety. Christian qualified as a Lieutenant of Foot (infantry) in 1757.

Christian fought at Valley Forge in 1778 with then General George Washington. He also fought other battles of the Revolutionary War. There are records of his fighting in Michael Reader's Company of Militia. He was sometimes known as Christley and he also fought with Jacob and John Bruner. Jacob Bruner was married to one of Christian's sisters and John was their son.

Christian received some land entitlements from Colonel Washington for his efforts as a soldier. Washington's ledger inadvertently misspelled his name Christian Bumbgardner. He applied for these soldier's rights lands in 1770 and was seeking land on the Ohio or Sandy rivers for his service in the French and Indian Wars.

One of the most famous protestations of unfair taxes the British levied on the colonies was the Boston Tea Party in 1773. Christian was in Boston at the time with his wagon and team and his son Jacob who was 6 years old at the time. They both took part in the Boston Tea Party.

Christian married Mary Gabbert in 1762 near Bethel in Augusta County, Virginia. They had five children before Mary died. Their children were James, David, Jacob (our direct ancestor), Michael, and Peter. Mary probably died soon after they were listed as having sold two lots in Strasburg, Virginia, March,1782. Christian purchased some land in 1784 with son Jacob as the witness.

He was listed as being single in the 1783 and 1785 Virginia census. Christian married Mary Bullington October 2nd, 1785 and they had three children, William, Christian Jr. (Christley), and Nancy. A document exists detailing Mary Bullington's agreement to be Christian's second wife.
Christian died in1795 near Bethel in Augusta County, Virginia.
©1995 Henry L. Bumgardner, Sr.

In Council (XI) Ordered that the Treasurer of the Eastern Shore pay June 29, 1776: JOHN NEILL (NEVILL) 2nd. Lt. 46 pounds 10 shillings. p. 22 Captain John Dean's Company: From 1 to 30 inclusive, enrolled by Capt. John Dean and passed by Jno. Seney Jul 13th, from 31 to 55 inclusive, enrolled by 1st Lt. John Hawkins and passed by James Kent July 8th, from 56 to 75, inclusive, enrolled by 2nd. Lt. JOHN NEVILLE and passed by Jno. Seney July 17th, and from 76 to 86, inclusive, enrolled by Ensign Samuel Earle and passed by Th. Wright, Col. Of the 20 Batt. of Militia, July 18th, 1776. (Note: enlisted men are listed by name). p. 37. Captain John Dames' Company, Passed by John Seney, July 25th, 1776: JOHN NEWELL, DAVID NEWELL. (Note: about 86 men are listed, no ranks are indicated). (XVIII) p. 38

August 5, 1776: Commissions issued to John Hawkins I st Lt., JOHN NEVILLE 2nd Lt., Samuel Earle Ensign of Capt. Deans company of the militia for the Flying Camp. Ist. Lt. 7 July -- 2nd. Lt. 18th July -- Ens. 16th July. (XII) p. 46

June 21, 1780. Commissions issued to: Vachel Downes appointed Major, James Hudson Graves I st. Lt. of Capt. Jacob Walters Company. JAMES NEVIL Ensign of Capt. John Seeney's company of the 5th Battalion of Militia of Queen Annes Co. p. 50

The Maryland Militia in the Revolutionary War b s .y Eugene Clements and Edward Wright list NEVIL, James - Ensign; June 21, 1780; Queen Anne's Co; 5th Battalion, Captain John Seney. Ref. Maryland Historical Society Archives of Maryland 43-300, 72 Vol. (Baltimore MD 1883-1973)

NEVIL, John - I st Lieutenant; January 3, 1776; Queen Anne's Co; 5th Battalion, Captain Dean. Ref. Scharf Collection, MD Archives, 48-235 (original commission in MD State Archives) (Compare with John NEVILL, 2nd Lieutenant listed in October 5 & 12, 1776 with Col Richardson's Flying Camp/4th Battalion under Captain John Dean. Ref- National Archives m-881, Roll #408)
©1999 Peter Neville

On 15 Nov 1775 he acquired 400 acres on Lost Run to which he added 400 more acres on the Buckhannon River adjoining the lands of his son-in-law, John Hacker, in 1777. In 1778 he added 346 acres on Hacker's Creek. On 20 Jul 1784 he was commissioned to celebrate the rite of matrimony and recommended to the governor for appointment of magistrate. On 18 Jul 1791 he sold 396 acres on Hacker's Creek to his son David for 2 English pounds. On 18 Jun 1794 he added 200 acres on Stone Coal Creek (at what is now Weston, Lewis Co. WV.)

Alexander Sleeth (son of John Sleeth,Sr.)
In 1768, Alexander went with a party of 12 men, including his brother, Thomas and his brother-in-law, John Hacker to visit Indian Country in the upper Mongahela Valley. They returned in the spring to plant corn, but when they returned in the late summer to harvest, it had been eaten by buffalo.

He was the first settler on the mouth of Turkey Run on the Buckhannon river, Upsur Co. WV. He fought in the American Revolution, records are in National #14017 DAR.

In 1805 he and his family left Lewis Co. West Virginia for Mad River, Greene Co. OH,where he stayed until the end of the War of 1812, and then went to Fayette Co. IN in 1815. Here they settled on the west fork of the White River near present day Waterloo, Wayne Co. IN. Alexander died 14 May 1820 in Fayette Co. IN and was buried near Waterloo, Wayne Co. IN. Ann Nancy died 25 Nov 1834 in Shelby Co. IN and was buried in Marion Cemetery, Shelby Co. IN where she had moved in 1821.