From the IGI Index

Jane Chillis christened 14 Jan 1781, Trinity Church Parish, New York, parents Robert Chillis and Christian____

Also Isabel 31 Jan 1779 to same parents

It is probable that this was Robert Chillas b. 1736 and Christian Strachan? There was a gap between the last two baptisms of their children in Scotland at this time. Robert Chillas born 1772 in Greenock, then George Chillas b. 1790 in Aberdeen. Records show that a Robert Chillis lived in New York in 1779.

An Arthur Chillas, merchant, aged 26 arrived in New York in 1834 with an Emma Chillas aged 26 and a J Chillas aged 17.

This is probably Robert's grandson son b. 1807 Kilbarchan to Arthur Chillas and Isabella Cochran. His brother David died in New York in 1843 his place of birth being given as Kilbarchan, Scotland. An Arthur Chillas married an Emma Musgrove in 1834 in Liverpool.

An Arthur Chillas born Scotland made a declaration of intent for naturalisation to the US in 1843.


The Chillas Surname in Canada

I understand from a Canadian Chillas that his gt gt gt gt grandfather was born in Scotland.

From Land records, A Robert Chillas was living in New Brunswick, Saint Joan River District, in 1783 described as a NY cabinetmaker.

An Elizabeth Chillas, b. 4th February 1786 in New Brunswick to a Robert Chillas, married a Henry Frost in New Brunswick. (Source -Frost Family papers published 1912).

This could be the Robert Chillas above though no records refer to him as a cabinetmaker.

A James Chillas married in Quebec in 1835, James was the son of John Chillas and Marie Brown

From Land records, a John Chillas was living in Quebec in 1800.

This would put John's birth before 1784. He could have been a son of Robert Chillas and Christian Strachan perhaps born in Canada. There is no birth record for a John Chillas in this period but there is a gap in the births of Robert's children at this time.

The death of a Christian Challis is recorded in Maine, USA, in 1824, aged 78, wife of Robert Challis Esq.

Maine borders on both New Brunswick and Quebec.

A birth date of 1746 would fit Christian Strachan's age. She gave birth to her first child in 1765 and her last in 1790. A Christian Strachan was baptised in the parish of Kemnay in Aberdeenshire in 1746, father William Strachan. This is one of only two recorded baptisms in Aberdeenshire that would fit the dates of birth of Christian's children.

The following appear in Canadian records:

Memorandum of the Sums now owing on Account of Rents of Town and Water Lots in or near Quebec and Three Rivers:

J. Chillas 13th may 1836.

I assume this is James Chillas m. 1835 or his father John.