Stepfather of Hilary Breton Cenas, notary public, with whom he shared an office. See Plan Book 027.041 for office elevation. Home was at 39 Bienville between Bourbon and Royal, one of the properties his wife brought to the marriage. William Christy was born in Georgetown, Kentucky, on 12/06/1791 to George and Mary Cave Christy. He inherited a large estate at the age of 14. He interrupted his law studies to join Gen. William Henry Harrison's staff in the War of 1812, assigned to Fort Meigs, Ohio. He suffered wounds, was praised for valor in combat, and in 1814 was awarded a commission as second lieutenant in the First United States Infantry. He served under Andrew Jackson in the Battle of New Orleans and settled here in 1816. He married widow Catharine Paulina Baker Cenas in 1818. He became an early supporter of the Texas Revolution, apparently taking part in the Long expedition of 1820 and ending up imprisoned in Mexico City in 1821. After his release, he resumed his law studies in New Orleans. He wrote "A Digest of the Decisions of the Supreme Court of the State of Louisiana" (1826). He served as a notary in Orleans Parish from 1827 to 1857 and in 1865. Christy served as an alderman from the First District in Mayor Roffignac's term (1820-1828) and in Mayor Prieur's first term (1828-1838), and as Second Municipality alderman in Mayor Montegut's term (1844-1846). He also served as Second Municipality Notary 1843-1844 and 1846-1854. In 1835, he helped raise money for the Texas cause and was involved with the New Orleans Greys, a group of volunteers to the revolution. In 1836, he was instrumental in securing the first loan, for $200,000, to Steven F. Austin and the Texas government to further their struggle for independence from Mexico. He stood trial in U.S. vs. William Christy (1835) of violating the neutrality act, and he was acquitted. He campaigned for presidential candidate William Henry Harrison in 1840. He died 11/07/1865. Notarial acts: Michel de Armas, 01/31/1818 14:47, marriage contract between Major William Christy and Catharine Paulina Baker Cenas. Catharine's oldest son from her marriage to Blaise Cenas was future notary Hilary Breton Cenas, then age 12. Hugues Lavergne, 01/30/1823, 11:1670, inventory of Blaise Cenas's estate totaling $38,345. Felix de Armas, 06/14/1833, 39:348, act of declaration clarifying property rights of Catharine's grown children. H.B. Cenas, 10/14/1834, 1:345, abrogation of mortgage.

Notarial practice 1826-1857 and in 1865. No acts from April 1850 to October 1853. Predecessor was Hugues Lavergne; successor was Theodore O. Stark. Hilary Breton Cenas, Peter Cenas and Felix Percy were witnesses. Volumes 32, 33, and 34 (and possibly others)have outstanding examples of precise pen-and-ink illustrations and graphic embellishments to index pages. The art was created by W.G. Latham, Christy's clerk. He signed the index cover page in Vol. 34. Latham went on to become a notary.