In 1825, Dr. John Croghan mentions having outhands working in the fields and Criss working in the garden at Locust Grove. This distinction points to Criss performing a different role in the household than the enslaved people assigned to work in the fields.
Sadly, it appears that Criss did not live to see emancipation. In an 1845 letter, Dr. Croghan refers to “old Criss” coming to him in the early hours of the morning and requesting that he tend to a cow that was dangerously ill. Criss does not appear in Dr. Croghan’s estate records or later emancipation documents.