Bryan Fairfax, 8th Lord Fairfax of Cameron facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Lord Fairfax of Cameron
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| 8th Lord Fairfax of Cameron | |
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| Tenure | 1793–1802 |
| Known for | Neighbor of George Washington |
| Born | 1736 Belvoir, Colony of Virginia |
| Died | 1802 Mount Eagle, Virginia |
| Nationality | American |
| Spouse(s) | Elizabeth Cary Jennie Dennison |
| Occupation | Clergyman |
Bryan Fairfax (born 1736, died 1802) was an important person in early American history. He was a minister in the Anglican Church, which is a Christian church. He also held a special title from Scotland, the 8th Lord Fairfax of Cameron. This title was created way back in 1627.
Bryan Fairfax was a close, lifelong friend of George Washington, who later became the first President of the United States. Bryan Fairfax was also the first Lord Fairfax who was born in America. All the people who held the title before him were born in the United Kingdom. He lived in Virginia for most of his life. It took a long time, but in 1800, the British House of Lords officially recognized him as the 8th Lord Fairfax.
Contents
Early Life and Family Connections
Bryan Fairfax was the son of Colonel William Fairfax (1691–1757) and Deborah Clarke (1708–1746). He grew up at a large estate called Belvoir in Virginia. His father, William, managed the business for his cousin, Thomas Fairfax, 6th Lord Fairfax of Cameron.
Bryan's brother, George William (1729–1787), and his wife, Sally Cary Fairfax (1730–1811), also lived at Belvoir. They were very close neighbors to George Washington's home, Mount Vernon. When George Washington was a young man, he and his brother, Lawrence, often visited the Fairfax family. Lord Fairfax even hired Washington to help survey, or map out, his lands in western Virginia.
Becoming a Lord
Bryan Fairfax did not try to claim his title as Lord Fairfax until 1798. This was during a business trip he took to England. The previous Lord Fairfax, his cousin Robert, had passed away in 1793. After Bryan Fairfax died in 1802, his son Thomas Fairfax became the 9th Lord Fairfax of Cameron.
Career and Land Holdings
Bryan Fairfax owned a lot of land. In 1740, he received about 3,400 acres (about 13.7 square kilometers) of land. The next year, in 1741, he received another 232 acres (about 0.9 square kilometers).
In 1754, Bryan Fairfax worked for his brother-in-law, John Carlyle, in Alexandria, Virginia. He also became a deputy clerk for Fairfax County. A clerk helps keep official records.
Fairfax served as a lieutenant in George Washington's military group, called a militia, during the early part of the French and Indian War. This war was fought between Great Britain and France, along with their Native American allies, over control of land in North America. Fairfax left the militia in 1756. Later, he served as a justice for Fairfax County at the same time as Washington. A justice helps make sure laws are followed. Fairfax also loved foxhunting, and he and Washington often rode horses together.
In 1757, Bryan Fairfax received Towlston Grange, a large property with about 5,500 acres (about 22.2 square kilometers), from his father's will. As a big landowner, Fairfax often rented out parts of his property to smaller farmers.
In 1772, he gave a 600-acre (about 2.4 square kilometers) farm called Chattins Run to George Washington. This was to pay back a debt he owed Washington. In 1773, Fairfax gave Towlston Grange to his daughter Elizabeth and her husband, David Griffith.
The American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War was a difficult time for Bryan Fairfax. He was not sure whether to support American independence or remain loyal to Great Britain.
In 1774, when the Fairfax Resolves were being discussed, Bryan Fairfax wrote letters to George Washington. The Fairfax Resolves were a set of statements that protested British laws. Washington was in charge of the committee that was considering these statements.
Fairfax wrote that he felt it was important to avoid strong actions. He thought it would be better to first try asking the British government to change their laws.
However, Washington disagreed. He wrote back to Fairfax, explaining that they had already tried asking nicely many times. Washington believed that the British government had a clear plan to force taxes on the American colonies. He felt that the Americans needed to stand up for their rights.
Washington wrote:
That I differ very widely from you, in respect to the mode of obtaining a repeal of the Acts so much, & so justly complaind of, I shall not hesitate to acknowledge; & that this difference in opinion may, probably, proceed from the different Construction's we put upon the Conduct, & Intention of the Ministry, may also be true; But as I see nothing on the one hand, to induce a belief that the Parliament would embrace a favourable opportunity of Repealing Acts which they go on with great rapidity to pass, in order to enforce their Tyrannical System; and on the other, observe, or think I observe, that Government is pursuing a regular Plan at the expence of Law & justice, to overthrow our Constitutional Rights & liberties, how can I expect any redress from a Measure which hath been ineffectually tryd already—For Sir what is it we are contending against? Is it against paying the duty of 3d. pr lb. on Tea because burthensome? No, it is the Right only, we have all along disputed, & to this end we have already Petitiond his Majesty in as humble, & dutiful a manner as Subjects could do; ...
I cannot conclude without expressing some concern that I should differ so widely in Sentiments from you in a matter of such great Moment & general Import; & should much distrust my own judgement upon the occasion, if my Nature did not recoil at the thought of Submitting to Measures which I think Subversive of every thing that I ought to hold dear and valuable – and did I not find, at the same time, that the voice of Mankind is with me.
Bryan Fairfax still respectfully disagreed. He believed that the British Parliament had the right to make laws for the colonies.
In 1777, during the war, Fairfax tried to travel to England. He was stopped in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He was arrested because he refused to sign an oath of loyalty, which was a promise to be loyal to the American cause. He wrote to George Washington, who sent him a special pass. This pass allowed him to travel safely between the American and British lines.
When he reached New York, British officials also wanted him to sign an oath of loyalty to the British king. Fairfax refused again and returned home. On his way back, he visited Washington at Valley Forge, where Washington's army was camped.
Marriage and Family
In 1757, Bryan Fairfax was in some trouble and was held in a jail in Annapolis. His brother-in-law, John Carlyle, helped him and brought him back to Belvoir.
In 1759, Bryan Fairfax married Elizabeth Cary (1738–1778). Elizabeth was the daughter of Colonel Wilson Cary. She was also the sister of his brother's wife, Sally Cary Fairfax. Bryan and Elizabeth had several children together:
- Sally Cary Fairfax (born 1760)
- Thomas Fairfax, 9th Lord Fairfax of Cameron (1762–1846). He married three times.
- Ferdinando Fairfax (1766–1820). George Washington and Martha Washington traveled to Towlston Grange to be Ferdinando's godparents. Godparents are special adults who promise to help guide a child.
- William Fairfax (1765–1782)
- Robert Fairfax (died as a child)
- Henry Fairfax (died as a child)
- Elizabeth Fairfax (born 1770). She married David Griffith.
After Elizabeth died, Bryan Fairfax married Jennie Dennison (died 1805). With Jennie, he had another daughter:
- Anne Fairfax (born around 1783). She married Charles Jefferson Catlett.
Bryan Fairfax lived in several places. From 1760 to 1765, he lived at Greenhill. He then moved to Towlston Grange, where he lived from 1768 to 1790. In 1790, he moved to Mount Eagle, south of Alexandria, where he lived until he passed away.
See also
