Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1888-02-21
The Eairfnx Family.

The Fairfax Family.
We reproduced in the GAZETTE recently
an article from the Port Tobacco Independent
speaking Of Col. John W. Fairfax, of Prince
William county, as the younger brother OF
Lord Fairfax, the only American who has
"a acknowledged place in tho British Peer
ego, hut who also has the good sense to con-
slider that foreign title OF nobility cannot
add dignity or consequence to citizen OF
the United States. 1t was intended TO com
meut ct the time upon that article, ana 10
correct the errors contained therein, ana II
IL not yet too late to give the facts with re,
gard to family which is part and parcel OF
the history OF Virginia, and particularly OF
Fairfax county and Alexandra.
Col. John w. Fairfax is not brother OF
Lord Fairfax, or kinsman at ail OF TIE
family referred to and we are sure the pup
LEGATION mentioned was not prompted or
suggested by him. The Colonies father vas
Henry Fairfax, who lived at DumlTles, I'D
Prioce William county, and was known
during long life there as Captain Harry
Fairfax, sometime the commander OF rly-
err craft and afterwards a storekeeper, it is
said, who became the owner of hshlng
shore thera and amassed considerable Tor
tune for himself. We are not Informed who
Capt. Harry's father was, or what family DE
belonged TO.
The story of the Fairfax family which
possesses the title. is familiar TO many peo
ple in this country that bears its name.
Thomas, Sixth Lord Fairfax, Baron OF
Cameron, was the great landed proprietor
of Virginia in the laet century, he spent the
larger part OF his life in the Colony, ard was
the friend aud patron ofGeotge Washington,
who received from him his first responsible
employment. His Lordship died in 1851 a
bachelor. His brother Robert, in England,
was the Seventh Lord. and died there child
less after deviaipg to his nephew, an Fog
lishman, so much of bis Virginia lands as
haG not been appropriated by the State un-
der acts OF the Legislature. The title went
to his cousin, the Reverend Bryan Fairfax,
for some years the Rector Of Christ Church
in Alexandria, VINO went over to England
and there asserted and proved his rights,
was duly recognized and established by the
Peers aud the Crown, in 1900, az the Eighth
Lord Fairfax, Baron of Cameron, and re.
turning to V rgina, transmitted the title, in
q clear and undi5puted line, to dis descend
ants.
His son, Thomas, Ninth Lord Fairfax
succeeded him, residing until bis death in
old age in the year 1916, at "Vauciuse," 10
Fairfax county, near the Theological Semi
nary and only three miles from this city
Old Alexandriaps remember him very well,
and remember also his house at "Vaucluse,
which was destroyed by the Union army in
1851 to make way for a fort then constructed
en- the site to he part OF the defences OF
the Capital. He had numerous family,
and owned an extensive landed property in
Virginia, most Of which had come to him
from his uncle, George William Fairfax,
who was born Virginian but died ohiidless
in England Tie children Of Thomas,
Ninth Lord Fairfax, were Albert, Henry,
Orlando, Reginald, Eugenia who married
frat Mason and afterwards Hyde), Mo-
nima (who married Cary, aud Aureia
who married an Irwin they are all dead
now, but eli OF them except Reginald Fair
fax ian officer of the navy, who died
bachelor) left descendants now scattered
through several of the States.
After him the title was borne by his grandson,
Charles SnOwden Fairfax. Tenth Lord Fairfax,
who resided for some years i'll California, and was
general favorte there, but died cbildless in Bal
timore in 1868. His widow, who will be remem-
bered as Miss Ada Benham, OF Alexandria, is iv-
ing in California.
His successor ia the title is his brother, John
Contes Fairfax, the Eleventh Lord Fairfax, now
residing on bis form Northampton near
Brightseat postofiiee, in Prince Georges county,
Maryland,-a country gentlemen of ample man
ners and dignity of character, who enjoys and de-
serves the esteem of all that know him, and who
calls himself DR.. Fairfax-hsving received in his
youth degree from a medical college and after
wards practiced his profession fora time with dis
tinguish, success. He has number OF children.
1bs nsme snd family and lineage of DIR. Fair
fax are all duly set forth in the "Peerage," pub
lished every year in England and. during the
last year he received from Her Majesty the
Queep a great card of invitation, addressing him
as 'My Lord" and bidding hin in courtly phrase
to be present with her other Peers at her Jubilee
In Westminster Abbey-a summons he did not
find il convenient TO obey.