Israel Christian

1720 (age 64)

Derry, Ireland

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. 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 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. 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 (16 km2) of land on Buffalo Creek where he resided during this time. The following year, he was granted two tracts of land on Tinker Creek, 66 and 54 acres (220,000 m2) respectively, on 24 June 1764. A portion of this land was later donated by him to found Fincastle, Kentucky. 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 (330,000 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 (160,000 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.

Israel Christian

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Businessman and landowner

Background

Israel Christian was born in Northern Ireland, most likely in the Presbyterian enclave at Derry.

Career

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.

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 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. 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 (16 km2) of land on Buffalo Creek where he resided during this time.

The following year, he was granted two tracts of land on Tinker Creek, 66 and 54 acres (220,000 m2) respectively, on 24 June 1764.

A portion of this land was later donated by him to found Fincastle, Kentucky. 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 (330,000 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 (160,000 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.

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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.

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Israel Christian

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