Christian Christopher vs. Christian (updated 2020)


First figured out by Sharon Shockey Wetzel.

There was talk about the two Christian’s: Valentine’s son Christian (abt 1756-18 Apr 1829) and Johann’s son Christian Christopher (10 Sep 1756-11 Dec 1779).

Several of us believe the Christian who married Mary Ann Welsh is actually the son of Valentine not his brother as the books have listed. They were born around the same time and so it got a little confusing. So if you thought you descended from the Christian line it would actually be the Valentine line.

Corp. Christian Christopher Shockey (son of Johann) was actually hung on 11 Dec 1779 leaving behind a wife and three children. (see that portion of the book on www.wikitree.com/wiki/Shockey-42).

The portion of the book that pertains to him (on the link listed) states he is the brother of Valentine, Isaac, and Abraham who are counterfeiters.

Now a couple of us believe that the wife and 3 children may actually be Rosanna (who later married Jacob Shilling; father may be a John King Sr.) and the children being: John (abt 1775-17 Jan 1859), Henry (abt 1779-6 Apr 1859) , and Mary (married Jacob B Smith Sr.). No definite proof on that, yet.

John’s death index record does state Christopher as his father and Rosanna as his mother. Sharon Wetzel tried to find a death certificate or index for Henry in the Floyd Co. area or whatever county it would have been at his death and they didn’t have any records. We still don’t know where Mary went to and passed to check her’s.

The Christian who was hung served in the 7th Pennsylvania Regiment whereas his nephew (Valentine’s son), Christian served in the 11th Pennsylvania Regiment, left without permission also but was pardoned by George Washington and later reenlisted.

If you are unable to visit the WikiTree page then a special fun fact is that Valentine Shockey may have been the leader of the Shockey Gang but Isaac and Abraham were also counterfeiters. Sadly Christian Christopher was hung due to being caught using the counterfeit money he got from his brothers.

“Wicked Carlisle: The Dark Side of the Cumberland Valley” by Joseph David Cress (published 2012; ISBN: 978.1.60949.525.1); the section most relevant is pages 10-15 – Temple of Fame: The Plight of Christopher Shockey.