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Sixth Generation

70. Christopher [Klein] ("Stophel") CLINE {1.4.2}⁹² was born between 1740 and 1745 in Lancaster (now Berks) County, Pennsylvania.⁶⁶ He died after Jan 1813 in Lincoln County, North Carolina. There are those who say that Christopher and Sebastian, Jr. were one and the same. This is definitely not true. Some say that Christopher had a large family but this doesn't appear to be true either. Others claim he m. Margaret Ramsour but Sebastian, Jr.'s wife is shown to be Margaret and they were the ones interacting with Derrick Ramsour. There are a lot of theories floating about on Clines, but no one offers positive proof and neither can I. [Lorena Eaker]. That is, until George B. Cline, Jr. did extensive research on this family. He writes the following notes with identities in parenthesis referenced in his book::

Christopher first appears in the records in 1768 on the Rowan county tax list with his father Boston Cline and brothers Boston Cline Jr and John Cline. In 1772, Christopher attends two estate sales in Mecklenburg county. He attends one of these sales with his mother's brother, Mathias Beaver, who has moved to that county. He attends the second estate sale with his cousin John Cline (1.3.1) of Mecklenburg county. In 1785, Christopher returns to Mecklenburg county for Mathias Beaver's estate sale. On November 20, 1779, Christopher claims 300 acres on a branch of Clarks Creek, including the improvement whereon he lives. Christopher executes only 144 acres of this claim and this is granted on November 9, 1784. Christopher may have been on this land as early as 1763, when the Granville land office closed, since in-process claims for Granville lands were not processed again until 1779. This 144-acre tract on Clarks Creek is sold in December 1786 in a sheriff's sale [Lincoln County, NC Deed Book 3:154] to satisfy an 18-pound court judgement against Christopher by John Benfield (12 Dec. 1786). The buyer is his brother John Cline.

No other land transaction records survive for Christopher Cline. However, in 1791 and 1795, Christopher is noted as holding land on Clarks Creek adjoining lands deeded to John Yoder and Thomas Punch. Christopher may have acquired this other Clarks Creek land during 1777-1782 when the Clarks Creek area was part of Burke county. Many of the early Burke county records were destroyed during the War Between the States. Also, Christopher may have regained some of his 144-acre tract from his brother John Cline. When John resells the 144-acre tract in October 1815, it is noted as 102 acres, not 144 acres. Perhaps John informally deeded back to Christopher the 42 acres containing Christopher's home. In any event Christopher and his brother John are found living next to each other in the Lincoln county 1790 census. In 1782, Colonel Charles McDowell is on trial for alleged Tory leanings. In that trial Christopher is a witness and is required to prove he is not a Tory and was not given "easy" duty by Colonel McDowell. Christopher's brothers John and Michael are also called as witnesses in this trial and all three are described as enlistees who served at Fort Charles during the Revolutionary War.

Christopher appears six times in the Burke county records from 1781 through 1783. Even after the Clarks Creek region is transferred from Burke county to Lincoln county in 1782, there are still some records for Christopher in Burke county. He appears on a "delinquents" tax list in Burke county in 1788 and again in 1797. He also is assigned to two road projects in Burke county in January 1797 and October 1798. It appears that Christopher may have held some additional land or interest in Burke county in those years in addition to his residence in Lincoln county. In 1794 Christopher is a witness in a horse stealing case in the Morgan district Superior Court in Morganton, Burke county.

Christopher is a co-administrator in July 1784 in Lincoln county for the estate of Conrad Burns, husband of Hannah Fry Burns. Christopher appears again in the Lincoln county court records in September 1785. After 1798 there are no further records found for Christopher Cline in Lincoln county or Burke county, until a different Christopher Cline (3.1.1) moves there about 1813 from Guilford county.

Christopher Cline (1.4.2) apparently dies about 1798. The Burke county October 1798 court was probably unaware that he was deceased when they assigned his name to a road project. Christopher's death year is inferred from the following census data.

Previously, Christopher appears in the Lincoln county 1790 census with a wife and three sons under the age of 16.

1800 Lincoln County, NC Census, Sally Cline, over age 45 with 1 m <10, 1 m 10-16 appears, but Christopher is not ilisted.

Except for Christopher, all of the other married Cline heads of house appearing in the 1790 Lincoln county census appear again in the 1800 census. In the Lincoln county 1800 census the only entry that matches Christopher's family is for a widow Sally Cline, born prior to 1755, with two sons in her household. The two sons with Christopher's presumed widow, Sally, match the ages for his two youngest sons, George and Michael. Sally Cline also purchases items at the 1794 Sebastian Cline estate sale, implying she is a member of the family. There is no adult Cline daughter with the name, Sally, except Christopher's daughter Sally, born about 1774. This 20-year old Sally is not likely to be the one who purchases items at the 1794 estate sale. The only other Sally who is a wife of a Sebastian Cline son or grandson is Sally Carpenter Cline, wife of David Cline (1.4.1.2). However, David does not attend the 1794 estate sale and, presumably, neither does his wife Sally. Therefore, the Sally Cline who purchases items at the 1794 estate sale is most likely Christopher Cline's wife.

On May 28, 1798, Sally Cline buys 40 acres on Lyles Creek from her Clarks Creek neighbor, John Smire. The witness is Johannes (John) Cline, Christopher's brother. Sally Cline is on this Lyles Creek land in the 1800 census. Christopher Cline must be deceased prior to May 1798 because Sally Cline is buying land in her own name, which can only be done by a woman in this era if she is a widow.

Christopher [Klein] ("Stophel") CLINE {1.4.2} and Sally _____ CLINE were married say 1760. Sally _____ CLINE was born before 1745. She and Christopher CLINE {1.4.2} had the following children:

+85	i.	Henry "Hog Henry" CLINE⁹³ was born on 3 Nov 1765 in Lincoln County, North Carolina.⁹⁴^,⁹⁵^,⁹⁶ He resided on the east side of Clark's Creek, about 2 miles north of Lincolnton, North Carolina, after 1787.⁹⁷ He died on 24 Dec 1843 in Lincolnton, Lincoln County, North Carolina⁹⁵^,⁹⁶^,⁹⁸^,⁹⁹ and was buried in Old White Church (Emmanuel's), Lincolnton, North Carolina. Henry acquires a lot in Lincolnton in October 1786 and a license to sell liquor there in January 1787. On November 19, 1787, he acquires 250 acres on Lockharts Creek which he resells to Peter Finger on August 18, 1788. Henry acquires 100 acres on Clarks Creek from John Sigman on July 7, 1789 and another 103 acres there from John Sigman on September 28, 1789. On July 20, 1789, he also claims 24 acres on Clarks Creek, including the house where he lives. In September 1792, Henry buys another lot in Lincolnton, and part of his Lincolnton lots are sold in January 1800. Henry acquires 240 acres on Bets Branch of Clarks Creek in October 1795, claims 100 acres in the area in January 1793, and again in September 1801 and January 1811. In July 1811, he has 256 acres surveyed on Bets Branch adjoining Andrew Wilson. In September 1812, another 120 acres is surveyed for Henry. Henry continues to claim land on Bets Branch and Clarks Creek in 1818, 1819 and 1825. Henry also appears in the Lincoln county court records as a juror and litigant in 1788, 1791, 1793-1797, 1800, and 1808-1809. Henry appears in his own household with his wife and two daughters in the Lincoln county census of 1790 . He and his family continue to appear in the Lincoln county census of 1800-1830 In the 1840 census, Henry's wife is no longer living and he is living with his son John.
+86	ii.	Susannah CLINE¹⁰⁰ was born say 1768. Susannah is the probable daughter of Christopher Cline. She is stated by Cicero Cline to be so. Ciscero does not know whom she marries, other than an oral family tradition that she marries a Daniel Yoder. The Lincoln county records show that Susannah Cline marries John Lowry on November 8, 1785. They are not in the Lincoln county 1790 census, and probably have moved elsewhere. There is a John Lowry family in the 1790-1830 Stokes county census with a wife born about 1770-1774. Nothing further is known
+87	iii.	John CLINE¹⁰¹ was born about 1770 in Lincoln County, North Carolina. per analysis of his entries in the Lincoln county 1800-1830 census He was confirmed in May 1787 in Lincoln (Catawba County), North Carolina. John Cline receives first communion from Rev. Arends in May 1787, so he is probably born about 1770. He dies in 1830 in Lincoln or Burke County, North Carolina. Ciscero Cline, in his 1915 family history, states that John and his first wife, Catherine Shuford, had a large family of fourteen children, six of which died in infancy or early childhood. On October 20, 1822, John marries his second wife, Rachel Holman (Hallman). John appears in the Lincoln county court records in May 1795. John claims land on Lyles Creek in 1798 and 1802. The 1802 claim is granted in 1803, and John sells this land in 1804. In 1818, John claims 150 acres on the South fork of the Catawba River. This land is granted to John in November 1819. On December 11, 1834, just prior to his death, John deeds to his youngest, minor daughter Emeline Cline 85 acres of the 150-acre grant of 1819. Emeline is his only child with his second wife Rachel. John's estate records in 1835 name his eight children. The two youngest children, Amon Cline and Emeline Cline have guardians appointed. There is another child, Abel, who dies young, according to Cicero Cline. He also states that John owned a farm of approximately 700 acres on the Lincoln and Hickory Road. John's second wife, Rachel's, first husband was Henry Hallman Jr. who died in 1812. Rachel and Henry had three children according to Col. G.M. Yoder's history.
+88	iv.	Salome "Sally" CLINE was born about 1774 in Lincoln (Catawba County), North Carolina. She was confirmed on 23 Apr 1788 in Lincoln (Catawba County), North Carolina by Rev. Arends at Killian settlement in Lincoln county, implying that she is born about 1774. There are no daughters living in Christopher Cline's household in the Lincoln county 1790 census. Presumably Sally is living in a non-Cline household in 1790. However, Sally appears to be living with Christopher's brother, Michael Cline, in the Lincoln county 1800 census. On February 3, 1818, Sally Cline marries Peter Fulbright in Lincoln county. On page 328 of the Lincoln county 1820 census and on page 76 of the Lincoln county 1840 census, Peter Fulbright and his wife are listed as born 1770-1780. In the 1820 census, they have seven children who appear to be Peter's children by a prior marriage. Sally appears to be Peter's second wife, and she is about 44 years old when she marries Peter Fulbright.
89	v.	Elisabetha CLINE¹⁰² was born about 1777 in Lincoln (Catawba County), North Carolina. She was confirmed on 13 May 1791 in Lincoln (Catawba County), North Carolina. Elisabetha receives her first communion from Rev. Arends in Lincoln county on May 13, 1791. This implies that she is born say 1777. Elisabetha is not in Christopher Cline's household in the Lincoln county 1790 census. She may be living with Christopher's brother John or Jacob, who both have an unidentified female in their households in 1790. Elisa (Elisabetha) Cline marries Daniel Earnest in Lincoln county on January 6, 1797. There is a Daniel Earnest family in the Lincoln 1790 and 1800 census, but this Daniel Earnest appears to be born prior to 1755. Perhaps Elisa is this Daniel's second wife or maybe Elisa and Daniel move out of North Carolina after their marriage.
+90	vi.	Easter CLINE¹⁰² was born about 1778 in Lincoln County, North Carolina. She died in Catawba County, North Carolina. Easter is born in 1778, per her listing in her son-in-law William Cline's (1.4.1.4.1) household in the Catawba county 1860 census. She marries first Jonathan Starr in 1798 and is in his household in the Lincoln county 1800 census. Jonathan dies about April 1808, and Christopher's brother Michael Cline administers the estate. Easter marries, second, John Miller in October 1809. Christopher Cline has no daughters in his household in the Lincoln county 1790 census. However, Christopher's brother, John, who has only two daughters born by 1790, has another female in his household, in addition to his wife in the 1790 census. In addition, Christopher's brother, Jacob Cline, has only one daughter born by 1790 but has another female in his household in addition to his wife in the 1790 census. It is presumed that Easter is living with either her uncle John Cline or her uncle Jacob Cline in 1790. John Cline lives next door to Christopher Cline and Jacob Cline lives nearby.
+91	vii.	William "Devil Bill" CLINE¹⁰³ was born between 1775 and 1780 in Lincoln (Catawba) County, North Carolina per Lincoln county 1820 census (born 1775-1794) and 1830 census (born 1770-1780). William receives his first communion from Rev. Gottfried Arends on September 1, 1793 in Lincoln county, which implies his birth date is about 1779. He marries Sally Rader on May 6, 1809. William claims 50 acres on Clarks Creek near George and Frick Sigman in June 1809. On January 6, 1813, John Ikerd deeds to William Cline 92 acres on the east side of upper Clarks Creek next to George Ikerd and Reinhardt's bridge. On February 26, 1825, William Cline sells 185 acres on the east side of Clarks Creek to John Reinhardt. This is more land than William holds, per the surviving records. Perhaps, one or more of his land transaction records did not survive. However, it is more likely the 1825 land sale is that of William's cousin, William ("Long Bill") Cline (1.4.1.4). Both William ("Devil Bill") Cline Jr. and his older cousin William ("Long Bill") Cline Sr. are on a court appointed road panel in 1812. Also in 1812, William is found not guilty of assaulting his Cabarrus county cousin David Cline (1.3.1.2). His heirs are not identified in the meager estate records that survive. The data for William Cline's household in the Lincoln county 1810-1830 census, and for his widow Sarah in the 1840 census, show two sons and six daughters. Two additional daughters are named by Cicero Cline, but are not found in the census. Perhaps they are born and die young between census years. William died about 1835 in Lincoln (Catawba) County, North Carolina.
+92	viii.	Leonard CLINE¹⁰⁴ was born about 1784 in Lincoln County, North Carolina anddied about 1822 in Lincoln County, North Carolina. In the Lincoln county 1800 census, Leonard, born 1774-1784, seems to be living with his uncle Michael Cline (1.4.8), brother of the deceased Christopher Cline (1.4.2). He appears in the Lincoln county 1810 census with his uncle John Cline (1.4.6) . In the Lincoln county 1820 census, Leonard, born 1775-1794, has his own household with his wife and eight children. Assuming that it is Leonard in his uncles' households in 1800 and 1810, then the census data indicates a birth date of 1784. Leonard marries Elizabeth Deal, according toCicero Cline. It appears from the ages of his children that Leonard and Elizabeth are married about 1810. He claims 100 acres on Mulls Creek in March 1813. Leonard and Elizabeth sell her part of her father Jacob Deal's estate land in October 1820. Leonard sells 110¼ acres on Mecklins Creek in May 1821 that originally belonged to his cousin Daniel Cline (1.4.1.5), son of Boston Cline Jr (1.4.1). Leonard dies in 1822. Seven children of Leonard are identified by Cicero Cline. Six of these children appear in Leonard's household in the Lincoln county 1820 census. Also in the 1820 household are two other possible daughters. One of these, born about 1820, is still in the household of Leonard's widow, Elizabeth, in the Lincoln county 1830 census.
+93	ix.	George CLINE¹⁰⁵ was born about 1789 in Lincoln County, North Carolina per his listing in the Catawba county 1850 census. George is bound out to Jacob Burns to learn the saddler's trade in April 1808 when he is about 18 years old. He is a juror in Lincoln county in January 1813. George marries Polly Peterson on March 7, 1813. He and Polly sell their quarter share of her father Mathias Peterson's estate to her brother Daniel Peterson on April 17, 1819. George is on the Burke county 1815 tax list and is present at an estate sale in Burke county in October 1832. George is also on the 1835 voter list at Franklin in Macon county. The census records show George and his family in Lincoln county in 1820-1840 and in the successor Catawba county in 1850 and 1860. These census records show a family of three sons and five daughters. Cicero Cline identifies two sons and three daughters of George and Polly.
+94	x.	Michael CLINE¹⁰⁶ was born about 1793 in Lincoln County, North Carolina¹⁰⁷ and dies about 1860 in Jackson County, North Carolina. Michael is born in 1793 per his listing in the Macon county 1850 census. Apparently, he is living with his widowed mother, Sally Cline, at the time of the 1800 census and with his brother William ("Devil Bill") Cline (1.4.2.7) for the 1810 census. Michael marries Susan Amburn (incorrectly reported as "Ausbrance" in some accounts.) on August 18, 1819 and is in the Lincoln county 1820 census with his wife. Michael appears in the Burke county 1830 census and in Macon county for the 1840 and 1850 census. Michael is appointed to road projects by the Burke county court 1830-1832. He acquires land in Macon county on November 11, 1839 and sells this land to his son Levi on February 2, 1847. Michael marries a second time in Macon county on February 13, 1849 to Catherine Hyde and dies about 1853. His widow Catherine claims 50 acres in January 1854, which is granted in June 1854. This 50 acres is in Jackson county, newly formed from Macon county. Catherine sells this land on September 17, 1861. Catherine is a widow in the Macon county 1860 census. Cicero Cline names nine of Michael's children. Six additional children are found in the 1820-1850 census.