Major William Christy

  General Notes:

CHRISTY, MAJOR WILLIAM
Annals of St. Louis in its Territorial Days From 1804 to 1821 by Frederic L. Billon; St. Louis, 1888.

Major William Christy was born in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, January 10, 1764. When very young his parents removed to the Falls of the Ohio, and settled in Jefferson County, Kentucky, among the first to come there. In 1788 was appointed Lieutenant of a troop of Jefferson County Cavalry, and in St. Clair's campaign of 1791, was an adjutant of a Kentucky regiment of militia and served in 1794 under General A. Wayne.

In 1792 Major Christy was married to Martha Thompson Taylor, of Jefferson County, Kentucky, and continued on his farm until 1804, when he removed to St. Louis among the first Americans, bringing with him ample means and a number of slaves.

In 1806 he opened a public house in the old Government mansion at the south-east corner of Main and Walnut Streets, which he kept for a number of years, patronized by the best classes of society.

In 1806 appointed a Justice of the Court of Quarter Sessions.

In 1807 appointed clerk of the same.

In 1809 elected a Trustee of the newly incorporated Town. And Major of the Louisiana Rangers.

March 1813, Presiding Justice of the Court of Common Pleas.

1814, Auditor of accounts for the Territory, and in 1820 Auditor same for the State.

1820, Appointed by President Monroe Register of the United States Land Office, which he resigned in 1833.

Major Christy, died at his residence, North St. Louis, April, 1837, aged 73 years; his widow survived him until 1819, their children were:

Sarah, the first wife of Doctor Bernard G. Farrar; she died in 1817.
Mary Ann, married Major Thomas Wright, U. S. Army.
Matilda, wife first of Doctor D. V. Walker, and second of Colonel N. P. Taylor.
Frances, wife first of Major Taylor Berry, and second of Judge Robert Wash.
Eliza, wife of General William H. Ashley, member of Congress.
Harriet, wife of Capt. James Deane, U. S. Army.
Virginia, married to Doctor Edwin B. Smith in 1838, yet living, and
Two sons, Edmund, who died unmarried, and Howard, who married Miss Susan Preston, of Kentucky.

William married Martha Thompson Taylor, daughter of Living and Living, in 1792 in Jefferson, Kentucky. (Martha Thompson Taylor was born on 22 May 1777 in Frederick Co. Virgnia and died on 26 Apr 1849 in St. Louis, MO.)