Gabriel Christie (1722-1799)

He was born at Stirling in Scotland. He entered the British Army as an ensign in 1742 under the patronage of his uncle, Lt.-General Robert Napier (1708-1766), Chief of Staff to the Duke of Cumberland at the Battle of Culloden (1745). Following the British Conquest of New France (1763), Christie settled in Montreal and invested in land. He eventually became one of the largest landowners in Quebec, owning nine Seigneuries valued at £55,000. In 1798, he built Chambly Castle but died before he could occupy it; and, from 1835 his eventual heir built Manoir Christie in Christieville. His wife was from Albany in New York , but he also had three illegitimate sons in London by his mistress, Rachel, who were all fully accepted and integrated into the family.