Thomas Fairfax, 9th Lord Fairfax of Cameron facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Lord Fairfax of Cameron
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| Born | 1762 |
| Died | 1846 |
| Title | 9th Lord Fairfax of Cameron |
| Tenure | 1802—1846 |
| Known for | Plantation owner |
| Nationality | American |
| Parents | Bryan Fairfax, 8th Lord Fairfax of Cameron Elizabeth Cary |
Thomas Fairfax, 9th Lord Fairfax of Cameron (1762–1846) was an American man who held a Scottish noble title. He was known for being a large landowner. In 1799, he and his father were among the last people to visit George Washington at his home, Mount Vernon, before Washington passed away.
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Early Life and Family
Thomas Fairfax was born in 1762. His father was Bryan Fairfax, 8th Lord Fairfax of Cameron (1736–1802). His mother was Elizabeth Cary. Thomas had a brother named Ferdinando Fairfax (1766–1820). Ferdinando's godparents were very famous: George Washington and Martha Washington.
Life as a Landowner
When his father died in 1802, Thomas inherited the title of Lord Fairfax of Cameron. He became the 9th Lord Fairfax. He lived like a country gentleman, managing his very large land. He owned about 40,000 acres (which is about 162 square kilometers). He lived at several estates, including Belvoir, Ash Grove, and Vaucluse. He passed away at Vaucluse.
His Family Life
Thomas Fairfax was married three times. His wives were Mary Aylett, Laura Washington, and Margaret Herbert. He had children with Mary Aylett, who was a Native American woman. He also had seven children with his third wife, Margaret. Their children included:
- Albert Fairfax (1802–1835), who married Caroline Eliza Snowden.
- Henry Fairfax (died 1847), who served in the Mexican–American War and died in Saltillo, Mexico.
- Orlando Fairfax
- Reginald Fairfax
- Eugenia Fairfax
- Aurelia Fairfax
- Monimia Fairfax (1820–1875), who married Archibald Cary.
Thomas Fairfax also had a winter home in Alexandria, Virginia. He built this house in 1816.
His Beliefs and Actions
Thomas Fairfax followed the religious teachings of Swedenborg. Because of his beliefs, he decided to free the enslaved people he owned. He even taught some of them useful skills. Then, he helped them move to Liberia, a country in Africa. This action was similar to the ideas of the American Colonization Society.
His Grandchildren
Thomas Fairfax's eldest son, Albert, passed away before him. So, his grandson, Charles Snowden Fairfax (1829–1869), became the 10th Lord Fairfax of Cameron.
Another grandson, John Fairfax (1830–1900), became the 11th Lord Fairfax of Cameron. This happened because his brother Charles died without having any children. Thomas's granddaughter, Constance Cary (1843–1920), became a writer.
