Rev. William Christian

My genealogical researches have uncovered dozens of devout ancestors. This is the third installment of a series of posts titled “Doing God’s Work: Our Families’ Faithful”, documenting the lives of those who served God.

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In the previous post of this series, I presented the life and times of Stephen Bachiler, a rabble-rousing, rip-roaring reverend.  This one briefly touches on the life of Rev. William Christian.

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Rev. William Christian, my 9th great-grandfather, was Vicar of Jurby, Isle of Man.

Born in 1685, in Old Grange, County Waterford, Ireland, William Christian was the son of Patricius Christian and Mary Nettles. Patricius Christian, who was educated at Trinity College in Dublin, held the office of Member of the House of Keys and the office of Prebendary of Lismore Cathedral. (A prebendary is a senior member of the clergy, normally supported by the revenues from an estate or parish.)

Circa 1687, when William Christian was two years old, his father Patricius Christian died at Old Grange, County Waterford, Ireland.

Nothing else is known about William Christian’s childhood. The next time he appears in records is on 29 November 1704, when he married Catherine Cain in the Parish of Michael, Isle of Man.

Circa 21 September 1712, son Israel Christian, my 8th great-grandfather, was born in Jurby, Isle of Man. The following was reported in the Jurby News, Jurby Parish, Isle of Man:

On the 24th September 1712, a baby boy was baptised in Jurby Church. He was the son of the then Vicar of Jurby, the Revd. William Christian and his wife Catherine Cain.

At some point in his later life, William Christian was appointed Receiver (Receiver General) of the Isle of Man. As the Receiver, William Christian collected land revenues and had a seat on the Isle of Man’s Legislative Council. The Legislative Council included the Lieutenant Governor, First Deemster, Second Deemster, Clerk of the Rolls Attorney General, Receiver General, Water Bailiff, Bishop of Sodor and Man, Archdeacon of Sodor and Man, and Vicar General of Sodor and Man. The first seven positions were appointed by the Crown; the last two were selected by the Bishop.

In late January 1753, Rev. William Christian died at the age of 68. He was laid to rest on 31 January 1753 in Jurby, Isle of Man.