Israel Christian facts for kids

Israel Christian (born around 1720, died 1784) was an important person in early America. He was a pioneer, a military officer, a politician, and a businessman. He owned a lot of land in early Kentucky. He also started the town of Fincastle, Virginia.

From 1759 to 1761, he represented Augusta County in the House of Burgesses. This was like being a lawmaker. Four of his daughters married important men. These included William Fleming, William Bowyer, and Stephen Trigg. All three were colonels in the Kentucky Militia. Another daughter married Presbyterian minister Caleb Wallace.

Three counties in Kentucky are named after his son William Christian. Two towns, Christiansburg, Virginia and Fincastle, Virginia, are also named in honor of him or his family.

Early Life and Family

Israel Christian was born in Ireland, probably in a town called Derry. His uncle, Gilbert Christian, had moved to America earlier. Gilbert arrived in Pennsylvania in 1726. Later, he and his family were among the first to settle in the Valley of Virginia in 1732.

Israel Christian worked as a merchant in Dublin, Ireland. When he heard about his uncle's success in America, he decided to move there too. He arrived in 1740. He became a successful merchant near the Staunton River. Around 1740, he moved to Augusta County. This area is now called Botetourt County.

Around 1741 or 1742, he married Elizabeth Starke. People said she was a very smart and cultured woman. Together, they had six children.

Military Service and Politics

Israel Christian became an officer in the Virginia Militia. He held the rank of captain. During the French and Indian War, he helped protect the area. In 1756, the French and Shawnee attacked Augusta County. Christian served on a 12-person war council.

This council met at the Augusta Courthouse on July 27, 1756. Other members included Colonels John Buchanan and David Stewart. His cousin, William Christian, was also on the council. That same year, Israel Christian was named "captain of horse."

From 1759 to 1761, he and John Wilson represented Augusta County. They served in the House of Burgesses, which was Virginia's government. In November 1761, he became one of the first trustees of Staunton. This happened after Staunton officially became a town.

Landowner and Town Founder

In the mid-1760s, Israel Christian started buying a lot of land. He personally measured 400 acres (about 1.6 square kilometers) of land. This land was on Buffalo Creek, where he lived at the time. In 1763, he helped defend the county from an Indian raiding party. They had reached Kerr's Creek.

The next year, on June 24, 1764, he received two pieces of land. These were on Tinker Creek, measuring 66 and 54 acres (about 27 and 22 hectares). He later gave some of this land to start the town of Fincastle, Virginia.

In November 1767, Israel Christian and John Buchanan faced a protest. They refused to sign a statement supporting the Church of England. They were later replaced as trustees in 1769. In the fall of 1768, he bought 81 acres (about 33 hectares) of land. This land was on a southern branch of the Catawba. He later donated this land for public buildings. These included the first courthouse in Botetourt County.

He and Robert Breckenridge served as justices on the first county court in Augusta. This court was held on February 13, 1770. Two years later, he gave 40 acres (about 16 hectares) of land to the justices. This land was used to establish Fincastle, Virginia in 1772.

Israel Christian later left the area. He retired to Christiansburg, Virginia. He died at his estate in Dunkard's Bottom in 1784. This area was next to the New River in what is now Pulaski County. His last will was read on July 12, 1784.