William Churchill

William Churchill (1649–1710) emigrated from England and became a Virginia merchant, planter and politician who twice briefly served in the House of Burgesses representing Middlesex County, Virginia, and on the Virginia Governor's Council (1705–1710).

Early life and education He was born in Oxfordshire, England, the youngest of eleven children born to John Churchill (1591–1655) and his wife Dorothy Churchill (1607–1670), and usually spelled his surname with a double "h". Churchill would become a colonel, leading the county militia by 1706. He took office together with the new governor, Edward Nott. One of Churchill's assigned tasks was determining which of the Rappahannock River's branches was the main course, important for determining the southern boundary of the Northern Neck Proprietary. Some of his grandchildren fought as patriots in the American Revolutionary War.