Israel Christian
Encyclopedia
Israel Christian was an 18th century American pioneer, militia officer, politician and businessman. One of the earliest landowners in Kentucky
, he founded the town of Fincastle, Kentucky
. Christiansburg, Virginia
, the county seat of Montgomery County
, was also named in his honor. He was also a representative of Augusta County
in the House of Burgesses
from 1759 to 1761.
Four of his daughters became married to William Fleming
, William Bowyer and Stephen Trigg
, all colonel
s in the Kentucky Militia, as well as Presbyterian minister Caleb Wallace. Three counties in Kentucky were named in honor of his son William Christian
, and two of his sons-in-law, Fleming and Trigg.
, most likely in the Presbyterian enclave at Derry
. His uncle Gilbert Christian had previously arrived in New Castle, Pennsylvania
in 1726 and, after living in Lancaster
for a time, he and his family were among the first to settle in the Valley of Virginia in 1732. Christian was engaged in the mercantile business in Dublin when he received news of his uncle's success in the American colonies and decided to emigrate there himself in 1740. He became a successful merchant in the Staunton River area before arriving in Augusta County (now present-day Botetourt County) around 1740. He married Elizabeth Starke, reportedly a woman of "vigorous and cultivated intellect", around 1741 or 1742 and together had six children.
He later became an officer in the Kentucky Militia with the rank of captain. During the French and Indian War
, he served on the 12-man war council after Augusta was attacked by the French
and Shawnee
in 1756. Held at the Augusta Courthouse on 27 July, the council members included Colonels John Buchanan
and David Stewart
, Major John Brown, Captains Joseph Colton, Robert Scott
, Patrick Martin
, Robert Breckenridge, James Lockhart
, Samuel Stalnicker, Thomas Armstrong
and his cousin William Christian
. He was named "captain of horse" that same year.
From 1759 until 1761, he and John Wilson represented Augusta in the House of Burgesses. In November 1761, he became the first trustee
of Staunton with nine others following its official chartering by act of assembly. During the mid-1760s, be began acquiring large tracts of land. He personally surveyed 400 acres (1.6 km²) of land on Buffalo Creek
where he resided during this time. In 1763, he played a major role in defending the county from an Indian raiding party which had advanced as far as Kerr's Creek. The following year, he was granted two tracts of land on Tinker Creek, 66 and 54 acres (218,530.4 m²) respectively, on 24 June 1764. A portion of this land was later donated by him to found Fincastle, Kentucky.
In November 1767, he and John Buchanan caused an official protest by members of the Staunton trustees after the two refused to sign a declaration "to be comfortable to the doctrine and discipline of the Church of England". After Buchanan died, he was supported by Major Robert Breckenridge although they were both replaced when the incident came up again in 1769. In the fall of 1768, he bought 81 acres (327,795.7 m²) of land on a south branch of Catawba
from John Bowman
. He later donated this land for the construction of public buildings including the first courthouse in Botetourt County.
He and Breckenridge served as justices on the first county court held in Augusta on 13 February 1770. Two years later, he donated 40 acres (161,874.4 m²) of land to the justices for the use of the county and on which Fincastle, Kentucky was established in 1772. He left the area sometime after and retired to Christiansburg, Virginia
where he died at his estate in Dunkard's Bottom, adjoining New River in present-day Pulaski County
. His last will and testament was read at Montgomery County, Virginia on 12 July 1784 and witnessed by Robert Currin, Priscilla Christian, James McCorkle and Francis Preston.
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
, he founded the town of Fincastle, Kentucky
Fincastle, Kentucky
Fincastle is a city in eastern Jefferson County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 825 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Fincastle is located at ....
. Christiansburg, Virginia
Christiansburg, Virginia
Christiansburg is a town in Montgomery County, Virginia, United States. The population was 21,041 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Montgomery County...
, the county seat of Montgomery County
Montgomery County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 83,629 people, 30,997 households, and 17,203 families residing in the county. The population density was 215 people per square mile . There were 32,527 housing units at an average density of 84 per square mile...
, was also named in his honor. He was also a representative of Augusta County
Augusta County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 65,615 people, 24,818 households, and 18,911 families residing in the county. The population density was 68 people per square mile . There were 26,738 housing units at an average density of 28 per square mile...
in the House of Burgesses
House of Burgesses
The House of Burgesses was the first assembly of elected representatives of English colonists in North America. The House was established by the Virginia Company, who created the body as part of an effort to encourage English craftsmen to settle in North America...
from 1759 to 1761.
Four of his daughters became married to William Fleming
William Fleming (governor)
Colonel William Fleming was a physician, soldier, statesman, and planter who briefly acted as the Governor of Virginia during the American Revolutionary War...
, William Bowyer and Stephen Trigg
Stephen Trigg
Stephen Trigg was an American pioneer and soldier from Virginia. He was killed ten months after the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown in one of the last battles of the American Revolution while leading the Lincoln County, Virginia militia unit at the Battle of Blue Licks in present-day...
, all colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
s in the Kentucky Militia, as well as Presbyterian minister Caleb Wallace. Three counties in Kentucky were named in honor of his son William Christian
William Christian (Virginia)
William Christian was an "Indian fighter", Continental soldier, militiaman and politician from Virginia who served in the era of the American Revolution. He was a signatory to the Fincastle Resolutions and founder of Fort William...
, and two of his sons-in-law, Fleming and Trigg.
Biography
Israel Christian was born in Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
, most likely in the Presbyterian enclave at Derry
Derry
Derry or Londonderry is the second-biggest city in Northern Ireland and the fourth-biggest city on the island of Ireland. The name Derry is an anglicisation of the Irish name Doire or Doire Cholmcille meaning "oak-wood of Colmcille"...
. His uncle Gilbert Christian had previously arrived in New Castle, Pennsylvania
New Castle, Pennsylvania
New Castle is a city in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, United States, northwest of Pittsburgh and near the Pennsylvania-Ohio border just east of Youngstown, Ohio; in 1910, the total population was 36,280; in 1920, 44,938; and in 1940, 47,638. The population has fallen to 26,309 according to the...
in 1726 and, after living in Lancaster
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Lancaster is a city in the south-central part of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It is the county seat of Lancaster County and one of the older inland cities in the United States, . With a population of 59,322, it ranks eighth in population among Pennsylvania's cities...
for a time, he and his family were among the first to settle in the Valley of Virginia in 1732. Christian was engaged in the mercantile business in Dublin when he received news of his uncle's success in the American colonies and decided to emigrate there himself in 1740. He became a successful merchant in the Staunton River area before arriving in Augusta County (now present-day Botetourt County) around 1740. He married Elizabeth Starke, reportedly a woman of "vigorous and cultivated intellect", around 1741 or 1742 and together had six children.
He later became an officer in the Kentucky Militia with the rank of captain. During the French and Indian War
French and Indian War
The French and Indian War is the common American name for the war between Great Britain and France in North America from 1754 to 1763. In 1756, the war erupted into the world-wide conflict known as the Seven Years' War and thus came to be regarded as the North American theater of that war...
, he served on the 12-man war council after Augusta was attacked by the French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and Shawnee
Shawnee
The Shawnee, Shaawanwaki, Shaawanooki and Shaawanowi lenaweeki, are an Algonquian-speaking people native to North America. Historically they inhabited the areas of Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia, Western Maryland, Kentucky, Indiana, and Pennsylvania...
in 1756. Held at the Augusta Courthouse on 27 July, the council members included Colonels John Buchanan
John Buchanan
John MacLennan Buchanan, PC, QC is a Canadian lawyer and former politician who served as the 20th Premier of Nova Scotia from 1978 to 1990 and as a member of the Senate of Canada from 1990 to 2006.-Early life:...
and David Stewart
David Stewart
David Stewart may refer to:*David Stewart, Earl of Strathearn *David Stewart, Duke of Rothesay, heir to the throne of Scotland *David Stewart , Scotland international goalkeeper...
, Major John Brown, Captains Joseph Colton, Robert Scott
Robert Scott
- Military personnel :* Robert Falcon Scott , British Royal Navy officer and Antarctic explorer* Robert Lee Scott, Jr. , United States Air Force flying ace in World War II...
, Patrick Martin
Patrick Martin
Patrick Martin may refer to:*Alex Shelley , American professional wrestler*Patrick Martin , Canadian journalist*Pat Martin , Canadian politician...
, Robert Breckenridge, James Lockhart
James Lockhart
James Lockhart of Lee and Carnwath, Count Lockhart-Wischeart of the Holy Roman Empire, , was a Scottish aristocrat with a successful military career.-Early years:...
, Samuel Stalnicker, Thomas Armstrong
Thomas Armstrong
Sir Thomas Armstrong was an English organist, conductor, educationalist and adjudicator. He had a substantial influence on British music for well over half a century. From 1955 to 1968 he was principal of the Royal Academy of Music...
and his cousin William Christian
William Christian
William Christian may refer to:*William Christian , a Manx vicar and Member of the Legislative Council*William Christian , soldier on Virginia's western frontier, brother-in-law of Patrick Henry...
. He was named "captain of horse" that same year.
From 1759 until 1761, he and John Wilson represented Augusta in the House of Burgesses. In November 1761, he became the first trustee
Trustee
Trustee is a legal term which, in its broadest sense, can refer to any person who holds property, authority, or a position of trust or responsibility for the benefit of another...
of Staunton with nine others following its official chartering by act of assembly. During the mid-1760s, be began acquiring large tracts of land. He personally surveyed 400 acres (1.6 km²) of land on Buffalo Creek
Buffalo Creek
-Waterways:In Pennsylvania*Buffalo Creek *Buffalo Creek , tributary of the Casselman River*Buffalo Creek *Buffalo Creek In West Virginia...
where he resided during this time. In 1763, he played a major role in defending the county from an Indian raiding party which had advanced as far as Kerr's Creek. The following year, he was granted two tracts of land on Tinker Creek, 66 and 54 acres (218,530.4 m²) respectively, on 24 June 1764. A portion of this land was later donated by him to found Fincastle, Kentucky.
In November 1767, he and John Buchanan caused an official protest by members of the Staunton trustees after the two refused to sign a declaration "to be comfortable to the doctrine and discipline of the Church of England". After Buchanan died, he was supported by Major Robert Breckenridge although they were both replaced when the incident came up again in 1769. In the fall of 1768, he bought 81 acres (327,795.7 m²) of land on a south branch of Catawba
Catawba
Catawba may refer to several things:*Catawba , a Native American tribe*Catawban languages-Botany:*Catalpa, a genus of trees, based on the name used by the Catawba and other Native American tribes*Catawba , a variety of grape...
from John Bowman
John Bowman (pioneer)
John Jacob Bowman was an 18th century American pioneer, colonial militia officer and sheriff, the first appointed in Lincoln County, Kentucky. In 1781 he also presided as a justice of the peace over the first county court held in Kentucky...
. He later donated this land for the construction of public buildings including the first courthouse in Botetourt County.
He and Breckenridge served as justices on the first county court held in Augusta on 13 February 1770. Two years later, he donated 40 acres (161,874.4 m²) of land to the justices for the use of the county and on which Fincastle, Kentucky was established in 1772. He left the area sometime after and retired to Christiansburg, Virginia
Christiansburg, Virginia
Christiansburg is a town in Montgomery County, Virginia, United States. The population was 21,041 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Montgomery County...
where he died at his estate in Dunkard's Bottom, adjoining New River in present-day Pulaski County
Pulaski County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 35,127 people, 14,643 households, and 10,147 families residing in the county. The population density was 110 people per square mile . There were 16,325 housing units at an average density of 51 per square mile...
. His last will and testament was read at Montgomery County, Virginia on 12 July 1784 and witnessed by Robert Currin, Priscilla Christian, James McCorkle and Francis Preston.