In April 1988 I received the following message and abstract, and have 
decided to reprint it, sans names, in hopes of finding the original publisher.

Tom Steele

=====The Message Received==========================

Hi Tom,

I have the abstract of the account book alledgely kept by Nicolaus
Heinrich Crist (1716-1783) and handed down to his sons.  This abstract
was alledgely copied from the original by Henry R. Selman and his friend
John Crist in 1958.  RETYPED BY: DELLA SELMAN WEISINGER, 702 RUNNELS
STREET, CROCKETT, TEXAS 75835, APRIL 1988.

I caution you, the notes may or may not be the truth.  The notes may or
may not be copyrighted, I know that they have been published in the
"Crist Update" and would not doubt that they have been published in
several other genealogical magazines and newletters.  I received this
information from ____________, who received it from some of the
primaries.  We neither one can give you permission to post this
material.  This you would have to find for yourself.  I believe I speak
for ______ when I say, the more exposure this account book receives the
better the chance that we can locate the original if it still exists (or
ever did exist), but the material simply isn't ours.


=====The Abstract==================================

NICOLAUS HEINRICH CRIST
(1716 GERMANY-1783 USA)
&
ANA CATHERIN NOWLIN
(1720-1783 USA)

BY: HENRY R. SELMAN
LATEXO, TEXAS

RETYPED BY: DELLA SELMAN WEISINGER
702 RUNNELS STREET
CROCKETT, TEXAS 75835
APRIL 1988

September 12, 1958

I went to Indianapolis, Indiana the 20th of March 1958 and did not
return until the 29th of April.

John Crist with whom I had know for many years, we served in WW I
together, had finally found the Account Book that he had told me so much
about.  We spent a month writing and reading from this book.  We did not
record too much on Indian attacks, etc.  As were more interested in the
genealogical information which it contained and the contents were almost
beyond belief.

John and I had traveled together in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and
Kentucky through the years doing research on the Crist line along with
our other lines.  However, we had almost lost hope of ever finding this
bonanza.  When it actually happened.  We spent hour after hour
inspecting its contents.  It was like going back in time, as neither of
us had ever heard of the earth quake; however, after checking the Public
Library, it was true and the accuracy of the dates and details were
fascinating.

The owner of the Account Book is George Nicholas Crist, now 82 years
old, born in Indiana and now living in Indianapolis.  He is a descendant
of George H. Crist, Jr.  We tried to talk him into giving the book to
the Library since he has no children to inherit it.  He refused to give
us a definite answer.  Neither of us have any children either.  I
sincerely hope that George will see fit to donate it to the Library for
safe keeping.

I am going to describe it to the best of my ability.  I only wish that
every Crist descendant could have the opportunity to see it for
themselves.  It was 7 1/2" wide and 9 1/2" long, it contained 225 pages
all of which seemed to be intact.  The cover was hard back and the pages
ruled lines similar to the ones that we used around 1920.

It was kept inside a pouch or draw string purse like - which was made
out of some type of hide.  One side was worn more than the other.  It
had two long strings of hide at the top that we decided could be tied
around the neck and two more longer strings on each side at the bottom
which we decided that was tied around the waist or body.  Inside the
larger pouch or draw string purse was another smaller one made exactly
like the bigger one.   It was attached about one half of its length to
the larger one and the sides and bottom and the top of it could be drawn
to by a string to fasten the top.  We figured that this was made in
order to keep the valuables and money.  It was still intact and in good
condition there was no broken or torn pieces of the hide nor the laces
that laced through the outside to hold it together.  We both tried it on
and tied it in the manner in which we felt it had been worn.  It was not
the most comfortable thing; however, it was a brilliant idea that
someone had to protect the few treasures which our ancestors owned.  We
felt it could have possible been made by the immigrant Crist's mother or
quite possibly his father since a lot of Germans that came to America
were tailors.

The Account Book was a treasure.  It was still in very good condition,
considering the times it had been opened and closed to make the entries
inside, without taking into consideration the age of it. The penmanship
was excellent, it had very few crossed out words.  It was written in
ink.

It was amazing to read the wording which it contained.  I guess that I
had assumed that in that time period that people could not read and
write.  However, it was definitely not true in this case.

In my opinion they were better educated than a lot of the people born in
the United States in the 1900's.  Their spelling and grammar were
unbelievable to me.  It is the most interesting thing that I have ever
seen to date.

I know that the ones that read what I copied can't possibly enjoy it as
much as I did from the original book, but I sincerely hope that you
appreciate the contents taken from it.

Our ANCESTORS were to say the least thoughtful, intelligent, determined
and very decent hard working people that we can all say that we were
glad they were here.

My final words are: I copied the wording exactly as written.

MY LINE

  Johanne Jorge Nichlas Crist    1690-1750
  Nicholaus Heinrich Crist    1716-1783
  George Heinrich Crist, Sr    1744-1823
  George H. Crist, Jr.     1768-1845
  Daniel H. Crist     1817-1892
  William H. Crist     1842-1928
  Della Lee Crist     1879-1921
  Henry R. Selman     1898-April 5, 1966

THE ACCOUNT BOOK

NICOLAUS HEINRICH CRIST

AS COPIED BY HENRY R. SELMAN 1958

Page 9 We sailed from Rotterdam today 1 March 1738 - everyone seems to
be happy.  Just hope our spirits stays this good.

 It was cold and dark last night - so many became ill - it was stormy -
high winds and heavy rains.  The vessel was rocky. 2 March 1738

Page 12 The vessel smells of stench.  We are stopping for supplies
tomorrow.  I hope they will stop long enough to clean and air the
vessel.  10 May 1738

Page 20
and 21 I am going to write in my account book about me so if we die they
will know who we are.  There's fifteen of us that knows each other we
have labored - fought and laughed together all our lives.  Now it looks
like we will cry and likely die together.  We was all borne in (Emmens?
or Emmerns Germany).  Namely

  Johanne John Jacob Crist
  Johanne Nicolaus Heinrich Crist
  Johanne Peter Ludwick Crist
  Johanne Philip Henrie Crist
  Johanne Michael Jorge Crist

 We was born to Johanne Jorge Nichlas Crist, born 1690 and Anna
Elizabeth Mueller Crist, borne 1695, they was borne in Germany.  I wish
they was here, they would know what to do and it would be better.

 These men left with us

  Johanne William Henry Towlin
  Johanne James Henry Dickerson
  Johanne William Edward Collings
  Johanne Enoch Daniel Low
  Johanne John Edward Houghland
  Johanne William Thomas Biggers
  Johanne Henrie Philip Cartemell
  Johanne John Edward Lyttle.

 We cleaned the vessel best we could.  I hope we do not have any more
storms and high winds.  We will leave tomorrow. I will be glad when we
get to America.  14 May 1738.
Page 24 I wish I was home.  Peter and Philip and Michael does too but
John Jacob thinks because he is oldest that he can not show his real
feelings.  We are all sick, Michael is real sick, we can not do anything
to help him.  12 August 1738.

Page 30 It is so hot during the day and the smell is terrible.  Every
body has dysentery.  We have lost many lives.  I wonder if we will make
it to America.  28 August 1738.

Page 34 Captain Russell said we would walk on land in America today. I
am so tired and sick can only hope he is right. We all are.  14
September 1738.

Page 35 We landed in America yesterday.  It felt so good to set, walk
and lay on the dirt in the land that we had all dreamed of being able to
live to see.  Our prayers was answered.  I cried myself to sleep as did
many others.  The air smelled and tasted so good.  I only know one thing
that I do not ever want to get on another ship for the rest of my life.
15 September 1738.

Page 40 I saw and talked to my wife to be today.  She is more beautiful
than my mother if that is possible.  Did not tell her that she was going
to be my wife. 24 November 1738.

Page 44 Sir John Henry Nowlin, Esquire and his wife Ana Elizabeth
Tillman Nowlin extended an invite to me and my brothers to share a feast
with them.   We took him up on it.  I asked Sir John for his daughter
Catherin's hand in marriage.  He approved with a hearty handshake.
Everybody was happy during this festive time. 25th December 1738.

Page 46 Anna Catherine became my wife today.  Rev. Henrie Dreher
performed the ceremony.  We are so happy.  So many friends neighbors and
relatives came to our wedding.  We got married in the little Lutheran
Church here in the Colony on the Monongahela River.  Catherine teaches
school in the little church during the week. 25th January 1739.

Page 52 This account Book gave to me by my parents when I left the old
Country is a fine gift.  They gave one to all five of us.  I will pass
it on to my son.  Catherin is with child. 2 August 1739.

 John Jacob Crist was borne in the year of our Lord 29 October 1739.
Catherin was nineteen today and I was twenty three.  This will never
happen again everybody says.  We named our first son for my brother who
was so strong on our trip to America.  In the Spring when Catherin is
strong enough, we will have a feast and invite our friends, relations
and neighbors to celebrate this joyous occasion. 29 October 1739.

Page 60 John Jacob Crist borne in the year of our Lord 7 May 1714
married Catherin Engelson

 Nicholaus Heinrich Crist borne in the year of our Lord 29 October 1716
married Catherin  Nowlin 25 January 1739.

 Peter Ludwick Crist borne in the year of our Lord 20 September 1718
married Anna Rowland.

 Philip Henrie Crist borne in the year of our Lord 1 September 1720
married Magdalena Fritch.

 Michael Jorge Crist borne in the year of our Lord 6 August 1721 married
Serrah Sims.

Page 70 Sir John Henry Nowlin, Esquire and his wife Ana Elizabeth, along
with two sons John Henry and William George and a daughter Mary
Elizabeth drowned.  They left seven days ago to call on a brother of Sir
Johns that was very ill.  The river was high and it was rough but Sir
John thought
that they would be safe on the raft that we had built.  The bodies was
found yesterday down the river about halfway between Sir Johns place and
his brothers.  We will bury them on the land that Sir John loved so
much.  14 April 1749.

Page 71 Ana Catherine was with child when her parents, brothers and
sister drowned.  We named her Mary Elizabeth Crist after Catherin's
Mother and Sister.  She was borne in the year of our Lord 14 June 1749
and died the next day.  We buried her next to Sir John and his family on
his land. 15 June 1749.

Page 74 I am so worried about Ana Catherin.  It has been a while since
we lost our loved ones and she is still not well.  I do not know how me
and our sons can face life without her.  I have got to do something to
bring her back to her old self, but what?  The people in the Colony are
so good to us.  The other women are so helpful. 20 August 1749.

Page 76 We moved into Sir Johns place today it is bigger.  Ana Catherin
seems a lot better.  My prayers has been answered.  She is talking about
teaching school again. She has been teaching our sons since they was
borne but now she wants to teach others that want to learn to read and
write like she did before we married.  22 December 1749.

Page 88 I came home today.  I was wounded in the leg at the Battle of
Great Meadows.  I am lucky to have my sons.  It looks like I might lose
my leg, it is real bad.  5th August 1754.

Page 99 Catherine and me finally got the daughters we never had.  Three
of our sons was married yesterday.  John Jacob married Regenah Cartmell,
Nicholas Heinrich, Jr. married Sarah Cartmell and Philip Henry married
Rachel Cartmell.  The Rev. Henrie Dreher performed the wedding ceremony
in the same Lutheran Church where Ana Catherin and me married. 7th May
1763.

Page 104 Our fourth son George Heinrich married Elizabeth Collings today
in the Lutheran Church where we got married.  She was fifteen years of
age today.  Rev. Henrie Dreher performed the wedding Ceremony.  Me and
Elizabeth's Pa, William Edward Collings growed up together and come to
America on the same ship.  He married Anne Elizabeth Nowlin a cousin to
my Catherin. We had a feast, danced to good German music and played
games all day. 5 March 1767.

Page 110 William Jorge and John Michael was married today.  William
Jorge married Elizabeth Hawkins and John Michael married Ursula
Hawkins.  Rev. Henrie Dreher married them in the little Lutheran
Church.  Rev. Dreher told me that he had married me and my sons and now
he was looking forward to doing the same thing for my grandchildren. 1
June 1769.

Page 118 John Jacob Crist borne in the year of our Lord 29th October
1739.

 Nicholas Heinrich Crist, Jr. Borne in the Year of our Lord 10 September
1740.

 Philip Henry Crist borne in the year of our Lord 6 June 1742.

 George Heinrich Crist borne in the year of our Lord 23rd November 1744.

 William Jorge Crist borne in the year of our Lord 10th October 1745.

 John Michael Crist borne in the year of our Lord 25th September 1746.

 Our Almighty God up above has truly blessed me and Ana Catherin with
our sons and their wives and grandchildren.  We gave thinks each and
every day for what we have and pray for our safe keeping and that we can
keep our homes from being burned out and enough food to keep us from
being hungry.

Page 120 I guess that I am more scared now than I was coming across the
ocean to America.  We have six sons in Washington's Continental Army.
Catherin and me are doing the best we can to take care of our daughters
and grandchildren.  Everyone is working hard from day break until dark
trying to keep things going.  We have seen bad times but it is worse
now.  Our food that we have stored is low.  It seems that every one
around us is in bad shape.  The only thing that we can do is pray that
it will get better and soon be over.  Me and Catherin are so tired and
scared, not for ourselves but for our loved ones.  24th December 1776.

Continued in Part 2...

 [Part 1] [Part 2]