William Christian | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Virginia Senate from Botetourt, Washington, Jefferson, Fayette, Lincoln and Greenbrier Counties | |
| In office May 7, 1781 – May 2, 1784 | |
| Member of the Virginia Senate from Botetourt, Washington, Greenbrier and Kentucky Counties | |
| In office May 1, 1780 – May 6, 1781 | |
| Member of the Virginia Senate from Botetourt and Fincastle Counties | |
| In office October 7, 1776 – May 4, 1777 | |
| Succeeded by | William Fleming |
| Member of the House of Burgesses from Fincastle County | |
| In office 1773 – 1774 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | c. 1742 Staunton, Augusta County, Colony of Virginia |
| Died | April 9, 1786 Illinois Country |
| Spouse | Annie Henry Christian |
| Children | William Henry Christian and at least 4 daughters |
| Parent(s) | Israel Christian, Elizabeth Starke |
| Occupation | Military officer, pioneer, planter, politician |
William Christian (c. 1742 – April 9, 1786) was a military officer, planter and politician from the western part of the Colony of Virginia. He represented Fincastle County in the House of Burgesses and as relations with Britain soured, signed the Fincastle Resolutions. He later represented western Virginia in the Virginia Senate and founded Fort William (now Louisville, Kentucky), as well as helped negotiate the Treaty of Long Island of the Holston, which made peace between the Overmountain Men and Cherokees in 1777. He was killed in 1786 at the outset of the Northwest Indian War, leading an expedition against Native Americans near what is now Jeffersonville, Indiana.