Brief Life History of Ralph Griffin
When Ralph Griffin Christopher was born on 10 October 1787, in Halifax, Virginia, United States, his father, Ambrose Christopher Sr, was 34 and his mother, Elizabeth Griffin, was 27. He married Frances Ann Tilman Chiles on 22 May 1822. They were the parents of at least 3 sons and 3 daughters. In 1810, at the age of 52, his occupation is listed as minister and md in Alabama, United States. He died on 13 October 1839, in Jachin, Choctaw, Alabama, United States, at the age of 52, and was buried in Jachin, Choctaw, Alabama, United States.
Photos and Memories (3)
Do you know Ralph Griffin? Do you have a story about him that you would like to share? Sign In or Create a FREE Account
Family Time Line
Sources (7)
- 1830 United States Federal Census, Greene County, Alabama
- G R Christopher in entry for John Childs Christopher, "United States, Cemetery Abstracts"
- R G Christopher, "Find A Grave Index"
Spouse and Children
1787–1839 Male
1800–1878 Female
Children (6)
1825–1897 Female
1827–1872 Female
1831–1916 Male
1834–1879 Male
1836–1842 Male
+1 More Child
Parents and Siblings
1754–1830 Male
1759–1799 Female
Siblings (5)
1775–1854 Female
1784–1860 Male
1787–1839 Male
1790–1840 Male
1794–1880 Male
World Events (8)
1788 · The First Presidential Election
Age 1
1788 · Becomes the 10th state
Age 1
1803
Age 16
Name Meaning
English, German, West Indian (mainly Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua and Barbuda, and British Virgin Islands), and African (mainly Nigeria and Tanzania): from the English and German personal name Christopher, from Greek Christophoros ‘Christ-bearing’ (see Christ 1). This was borne by a rather obscure 3rd-century Christian martyr. His name was relatively common among early Christians, who desired to bear Jesus Christ metaphorically with them in their daily lives. Subsequently, the name was explained by a folk etymology according to which the saint carried the infant Christ across a ford and so became the patron saint of travelers. Despite the widespread veneration and depiction of this saint, this was not a very common personal name in medieval England, and may in some instances have a habitational origin, for someone living for example in Saint Christopher parish (Saint Christopher le Stocks, London). In North America, the English form of the surname has absorbed the German variant Christoffer and cognates from other languages, e.g. Hungarian Kristóf and Czech, Slovak, Slovenian, and Croatian Krištof (see Kristof ). The usual German form of the name is Christoph .
Dictionary of American Family Names © Patrick Hanks 2003, 2006.
Discover Even More
As a nonprofit, we offer free help to those looking to learn the details of their family story.
