Christian, William

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William Christian (c.1742-1786) was perhaps born in Augusta County, Virginia, the son of Israel and Elizabeth Christian. After obtaining the rank of colonel in the Continental Army during the Revolution, he resigned in order to fight the Cherokee in Tennessee and North Carolina. After negotiating peace with the Indians, he continued to serve in the militia until the end of the Revolution. He was appointed to the Council of State in 1783, but rarely attended, causing him to be replaced and allowing him to move west to Kentucky.

Citation(s):

Gail S. Terry,"William Christian (ca. 1742–1786)," Dictionary of Virginia Biography, Library of Virginia (1998– ), published 2006, http://www.lva.virginia.gov/public/dvb/bio.asp?b=Christian_William_d_17…, accessed 20 August 2025.

“James Madison to James Monroe, 14 November 1784,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Madison/01-08-02-0071. [Original source: The Papers of James Madison, vol. 8, 10 March 1784 – 28 March 1786, ed. Robert A. Rutland and William M. E. Rachal. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1973, pp. 136–137.]