Christopher William Slavin was born around 1820 in Ireland, part of the generation that came of age amid profound economic pressure and political instability. In his declaration of intent to naturalize, Christopher stated that he arrived on U.S. soil in 1837. At about 18 years of age, he was young, newly arrived, and entering a country where Irish immigrants were increasingly relied upon for manual and industrial labor.
On U.S. soil, Christopher married Irishwoman Mary Ann Grey (b. ~1820 – 10 February 1881) about 1841. By the mid-1840s, Christopher had made his way to the Harpers Ferry area, where he is documented as living by at least March 1845. On October 16, 1848 he became a U.S. citizen in the court of Jefferson County, with Patrick Comer and Thomas Boerley as witnesses. Like many Irish laborers, neither Christopher nor his wife, Mary, could read or write.
By 1850, Christopher and Mary were living in the Bolivar District, along present-day Bakerton Road, near the Strider family farm. An Irish Catholic laborer, Christopher is known to have been employed by the Strider family; however, in what industry he worked is unclear. From various documents, it is likely he also spent time employed by William Flanagan and his son-in-law, Dennis M. Daniels.
In 1850, his household included five young children:
- Mary Ann, age 9
- Thomas, age 7
- Sarah Jane, age 5
- John, age 3
- Catherine, age 1
In 1845, Christopher owed no taxes. In 1848, 1849, and 1850, he paid taxes on one metallic clock. On March 11, 1851, Christopher received a summons to testify on behalf of David Shirley in a court case. In April of 1851, he made a purchase from a public sale. In 1856, Christopher was delinquent on his taxes, perhaps due to his death.
Sometime between 1856 and 1857, Christopher William Slavin died. No death record has been found for him in Jefferson County or Loudoun County, suggesting that he may have died elsewhere. It is possible he died in Washington County, Maryland. No burial has been found for Christopher, but it is likely he is among the many unmarked graves at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Harpers Ferry.
By March 15, 1858, Mary Ann Grey Slavin had remarried in Jefferson County, identifying herself clearly as a widow. Her new husband, Lawrence Troy, was also an Irish laborer, though his life before this marriage remains unclear. By 1870, both Lawrence and his stepson, Thomas, were employed by the railroad.
After Christopher’s death, his daughter, Elizabeth [“Lizzie”] (b. 1853), was sent a few miles down Bakerton Road to live with fellow Irish family Thomas Buchanan Welsh and his wife, Annie Gertrude Murphy [alias Halpin] Welsh. Although a common arrangement, it is unclear why Elizabeth was the only child sent to another household. Prior to 1870, Elizabeth moved back in with her mother. Elizabeth later married into the Welsh family and maintained a close relationship with her mother, siblings, and stepfather.
