A Baron, Two Sundials, and George Washington: A Brief Story of Northern Virginias Noble Roots. Mark Murawski January 13, 2022 Many Americans trace their lineage back to England. Jamestown, in what is modern day Virginia, is considered "the first permanent English settlement" in the New World. In 1607, 104 colonists founded the initial colony located on the Eastern seaboard of North America. This was the first of many English settlements which became parts of the thirteen original colonies of the United States of America. Many descendants of those original colonists, as well as the numerous immigrants from England over the years appreciate, and even claim to a lesser extent, some of this rich history. Membership in patriotic and historical societies by those residing in the United States is a way to learn about, share, and promote culture and history which can be seen all around the country. Virginia, site of the first permanent English settlement, features many places and names which are uniquely English. This article explores the origins of one of those names. Five Million Acre Charter The Northern Neck Property located in the North-Western part of what was originally the colony of Virginia has very noble roots. After the English Civil War, Charles, son of the deposed king Charles I, fled to France with some of his supporters. While in France in 1649, Charles issued a charter to seven of his loyal supporters for a vast tract of land in Virginia. The recipients included Ralph Lord Hopton, Baron of Stratton; Henry Lord Jermyn, Baron of St. Edmunds Bury; John Lord Culpeper, Baron of Thoresway; Thomas Culpeper; Sir John Berkeley; Sir William Norton; and Sir Dudley Wyatt.
Survey of the Northern Neck
The charter, comprised of over five million acres, stated: “All that Entire Tract Territory and Parcel of Land Situated lying and being in America and bounded by and within the Heads of the Rivers Tophanock also Rappahannock and Quirconough or Potowmac Rivers the Courses of the said Rivers as they are Commonly Called or known and the Inhabitants and Descriptions of these Parts and Chesapeake York bay Together with the Rivers themselves, and all the Islands within the Banks of those Rivers And all Woods Underwoods Timber and Trees Ways Water Rivers Ponds Pools Water Courses Fishing Streams Havens Ports Harbors Creeks Wrecks of the Sea Fish Royal Deer Wild Beasts and Fowls of what Nature or kind soever Mines of Gold and Silver Lead Tin Iron & Copper & Quarries of Stone & Coal which then were or at any time hereafter should be had Coming being Arising Renewing Acruing -- found or Taken within the Bounds and Precincts aforesaid Together with the Royalties of Hawking and Hunting for themselves their Heirs and Assigns Servants and Tenants in and upon the Lands and Premises aforesaid And in and upon Every Part and Parcel thereof Saving and Excepting One full and Equal fifth Part of Gold Mines or Gold Ore and One full Tenth Part of all Silver Mines and Silver Ore” (the original charter can be found at the British Library in London). While the charter was meaningless while Charles was in exile, it was re-affirmed in 1622 once he was restored to the English throne as Charles II. In 1677, Lord Thomas Culpeper, son of original grantee Lord John Culpeper, became the Crown Governor of Virginia. He spent time in the colony between 1680 and 1683, and ultimately acquired the remaining interests in the grant from the original grantees. Lord Culpeper died in 1689. His daughter Catherine, his only legal heir, inherited the Northern Neck grant as well as properties in England, most notably Leeds Castle. In 1690 Catherine married Lord Thomas Fairfax, Fifth Baron of Cameron.
Thomas, Sixth Lord Fairfax
Thomas Fairfax was the eldest son and heir of Catherine and Lord Fairfax. He was born at Leeds Castle on October 22, 1693. In 1710, Thomas inherited his father’s title, and in 1719, Lord Fairfax, through his mother, inherited Leeds Castle along with other lands in England, as well the Northern Neck grant. Although he sold much of the Fairfax estates in England to liquidate family debts, he refused to part with the Northern Neck property. Largely unsettled, there was continuing conflict between the colony and the grantees over the actual boundaries of the property and who had the authority to make land grants. As such, Lord Fairfax
traveled to Virginia from 1735-1737 to negotiate the dispute. No agreement was reached. A major issue of contention was the question of what branch of the Rappahannock River represented the southern boundary of the property. There were two branches of the river, a north and south. Lord Fairfax claimed the southern branch, also known as the Rapidan River, a claim that would add thousands of acres to the Proprietary, was the appropriate boundary. The Governor’s position was that the northern branch represented the property line. Also at issue was the exact source of the Potomac. The two sides eventually agreed to create a commission to examine the claims. Lord Fairfax and the Governor each named three commissioners. Lord Fairfax's commissioners supported the Fairfax claim, and the Governor's representatives his position. Unable to obtain a resolution in Virginia, Lord Fairfax returned to England to negotiate the conflict with the Privy Council, resulting in a 1745 decision establishing the final boundaries of the fivemillion-acre land grant. In 1745, the Privy Council accepted the boundaries of the property claimed by Lord Fairfax and his commissioners. They subsequently issued an order forbidding the Governor from making further grants of the property and authorized Lord Fairfax to exercise full rights over it. Lord Fairfax, in turn, agreed to recognize all grants which the Governor had previously made, while giving up all claims to the arrears of quitrents – provided such rents would be paid in the future. Lord Fairfax knew he was going to retire in Virginia. In addition to negotiating the boundaries of the Northern Neck, Lord Fairfax worked to establish his brother Robert as the representative of the family in England. He secured his appointment to Parliament and arranged his first marriage. After Lord Fairfax's final departure for Virginia in 1747, Robert moved to Leeds Castle, which he called home for the remainder of a life. Sundial Lord Fairfax returned to Virginia permanently in 1747, leaving Leeds Castle to Robert. The brothers were close. This is evident by the existence of a sundial in the castle’s courtyard. While sundials are not unusual, an observer will note that this sundial is set to show the time in Virginia. The British Sundial Society states the sundial located at Leeds Castle was designed, delineated, and signed by Thomas Hogben in 1750. It is rumored that Lord Fairfax had a matching sundial, depicting the time at Leeds Castle, installed on the grounds of his cousin’s Virginia home, Belvoir. Unfortunately, there is no evidence to substantiate the claim of a corresponding sundial, as the estate burned in a fire in 1783, and was again destroyed during the War of 1812.
Sundial Located at Leeds Castle
Lord Fairfax lived and managed his property from Belvoir for two years. He eventually moved to a property in Frederick County called Greenway Court to better supervise the development of his estate. Greenway Court was aptly named after the estate in Kent where he spent his childhood. Although Fairfax sometimes returned to Belvoir, he spent most of his time at Greenway Court, hosting hunting parties and managing the property from the land office that he built nearby. Throughout his life, Fairfax gave land grants to prospective businessmen, pioneers, and settlers in Virginia. Many of these land grants were given to individuals to attract other settlers to the land. One such tract of land was the Shenandoah Valley in which Fairfax granted over 40,000 acres of land to settlers in the region.
Relationship with George Washington and the Revolutionary War
Young George Washington Surveying Parts of the Northern Neck
Lord Fairfax employed his cousin’s son, George William, and his friend, George Washington, to survey much of the western land holdings. It was during that time when Lord Fairfax and Washington developed a friendship that would last a lifetime. According to author and history professor Dr. Curtis Morgan, Jr, Lord Fairfax was George Washington's mentor, neighbor, employer, and friend. The relationship between the two stretched from Washington's teenage years until the end of the baron's life. The effect of this relationship on Washington's development was significant. Washington was a frequent visitor to Greenway Court. Lord Fairfax was instrumental in the Washington’s rise to political and social prominence. He supported Washington's successful bid for election to the House of Burgesses in 1758. After the French and Indian War, George Washington began to purchase land in the Northern Neck and soon owned nine parcels totaling 8,500 acres. Lord Fairfax became Washington's adviser in the purchases and often aided with its management. Even while Washington was leading the Continental armies against British forces during the American Revolution, the two corresponded about issues regarding administration of his land. Washington even looked out for Lord Fairfax’ wellbeing, noting in correspondence from Valley Forge in March 1778 that "Lord Fairfax (as I have been told) after having bowed down to the grave, & in an manner shaken hands with death, is perfectly restored, & enjoys his usual good health, and as much vigour as falls to the lot of Ninety."
Although a loyalist, neither he nor his property was molested during the war. In fact, the Virginia Legislature abolished all quitrents in Virginia except for those owned by Lord Fairfax. His neighbors and tenants held him in high regard. It was that affection as well as the protection of Washington which prompted the legislature’s favorable attitude towards Lord Fairfax. The bachelor nobleman of the Northern Neck died December 7, 1781 at Greenway Court as the only English peer to have settled permanently in the colonies. When he died at the age of 89, George Washington echoed the sentiments of the local population calling him "the good old Lord."
An Artist’s Depiction of Greenway Court
Legacy Lord Fairfax’ namesake appears prominently in parts of Virginia and West Virginia. The largest county in Virginia (and one of the wealthiest in the nation) as well as an independent city is named Fairfax. Fairfax, West Virginia also bears his name. And Fairfax and Cameron Streets in the city of Alexandria, Virginia are also so named after Lord Fairfax. The Seal and flag of Fairfax County, Virginia are proudly comprised of elements of Lord Fairfax’ Coat of arms including his crest, supporters, and Baronial Coronet of rank.
Seal of Fairfax County, Virginia
The county of Fairfax enjoys a rich relationship with its namesake. In 2017 Lord Nicholas Fairfax, 14th Lord Fairfax and Cameron and his wife, Annabel, traveled to Virginia to celebrate the county’s 275th anniversary. When asked to attend, Lord Fairfax stated, “Annabel and I are thrilled to be helping Fairfax County, named after my forebear the Sixth Lord Fairfax, celebrate its 275th anniversary.” While often unnoticed and with little fanfare, Lord Fairfax’s contribution to the founding of Virginia were indeed astounding. He helped contribute to the founding of a colony that would become a state which embraces its ties to England as well as its role in independence. Lord Fairfax, the loyalist baron, goes down in history as a founding father of Virginia, and his legacy is alive and well in Virginia today.
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