The Friends of Carlyle House Newsletter Spring 2009 “It’s a fine beginning” CarlyleCarlyle Connection The Ties That Bind: How Influential Family Connections and Initiative

Gave Rise to ’s Prominence in Jim Bartlinski

William Fairfax was born in Yorkshire’s Newton Winchester in September 1753. Fairfax also introduced Kyme Parish, on October 15, 1691. William was the the bill that created Fairfax County as a separate third son of Anne Harrison and of political jurisdiction in 1742, and subsequently served Toulston (sometimes spelled Towlston), grandson of as presiding Justice of the County Court, as colonel of Henry Fairfax, 4 th , and the militia, and as County Lieutenant, the county’s nephew to Thomas, 5 th Lord Fairfax. William arrived chief law-enforcement officer. At the same time that in Virginia in 1733, coming from Massachusetts where William was acting as his cousin’s agent and fulfilling he had served as Collector of Customs for the Crown. his other obligations, he managed his own substantial Upon moving to Virginia, landholdings throughout William again assumed the Virginia until his death on position of Collector of September 3, 1757 at his Customs, as well as land plantation . It agent for his first cousin, would have been difficult Thomas, 6 th Lord Fairfax, for William to attain these Baron of Cameron. Lord posts or acquire his own Fairfax was the proprietor vast Virginia holdings of the immense Virginia without initiative and the domain, known as the Belvoir Manor , 1741-1783 aid of influential relatives “ Grant ,” such as his cousin, Lord consisting of over five million acres. William and his Fairfax, and other well-placed kinsmen. family lived along the lower Potomac before taking up The value of an extended family and the value of residence at Belvoir Manor in 1741, the same year his family connections were more prevalent in 18 th - future son-in-law John Carlyle established himself in century society than today. “Family” tended to be a the colony. Belvoir was situated on the west bank of broad term that included parents, their children, and the upper Potomac River below Alexandria where Fort an assortment of blood relations that encompassed Belvoir is today. grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins, as well as In 1741, at 50 years of age, William was master of a godparents and those related by marriage into one considerable estate. His service to the Crown in cohesive extended family unit. These familial Virginia included that of President of the Governor’s connections, especially to kinsmen with influence, Council in Williamsburg and membership in the were essential to a young gentleman like William House of Burgesses. Along with his son-in-law John Fairfax, who aspired to lead a better life.

Carlyle, William was a member of the Ohio Company Years before his appointment as agent for his and served as a representative for the colony at a cousin Lord Fairfax, William received the benefit of a conference with the Iroquois Indians held at quality education through the patronage of another

The Carlyle House is a property of the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority. Carlyle Connection relative, his uncle and godfather, Lord Lonsdale. another well connected relative and by 1716, at the William attended the Lowther Grammar School in age of twenty-five, he had found what he thought to Westmoreland County (adjacent to Cumberland be a more promising prospect in the service of County, the boyhood home of his son-in-law John George I, King of Great Britain and Ireland, in the Carlyle) which had been established in 1638 by Sir British Army.

John Lowther and his uncle Richard Lowther to teach From 1716 to 1717, William was stationed at Saint the children of the parish. Through the benefaction of Helena in the South Atlantic Ocean. As one of the another relation, William received an additional most isolated islands in the world, Saint Helena was opportunity to improve his prospects through service of vital strategic importance to British vessels sailing in the Royal Navy during to and from Asia and South Africa. The island was the War of Spanish also known to be a welcome port on the long journey Succession (1701-1713), home to England from the East Indies where fresh known in the American water and provisions could be purchased. It is colonies as “Queen Anne’s unclear in what capacity the former midshipman War.” served while at Saint Helena, though he may have Records indicate that in been a secretary for one of the high-ranking officers February 1705, at about the or officials of the island, a post suitable for a young age of fourteen, William gentleman looking to advance his career. Fairfax entered into His Nonetheless, it is almost certain that Fairfax’s new Majesty’s service as a position on Saint Helena was due to the influence of midshipman aboard the his second cousin and godfather, Rear-Admiral newly overhauled third- Fairfax, and even more so to his uncle and godfather, Rear-Admiral Robert Fairfax rate, 80-gun man-of-war, Lieutenant Colonel Martin Bladen. It was a common the H.M.S. Torbay . William’s appointment or warrant practice of the period to name two sets of godparents as a midshipman was the result of the influence of his for your child. The role of a godparent was taken relation and godfather, Rear-Admiral Robert Fairfax. very seriously and a godchild could, for the most A letter from the period penned by Admiral Fairfax to part, count on his/her godparents’ patronage his cousin (William’s mother) Ann Fairfax, states that throughout a lifetime. he would send for her son, William “ … that he may Lieutenant Colonel Bladen, a veteran of the lose no time for his advantage in the service of the Fleet I recent war with Spain, had retired from the Army in have been careful to obtain the letter, and I am glad to do 1710. After leaving the Army, Bladen served in him any service because he is a good boy ...” Admiral Parliament and later held the following positions: Fairfax had a distinguished naval career, served both Comptroller of the Royal Mint, Secretary to the Duke in Parliament and as Lord Mayor of York, and was a of Grafton, and Lord Justice of Ireland. Additionally, member of the Freemasons (1713). The Admiral died from 1717 until his death in February 1746, he served in 1725. Rear-Admiral Robert Fairfax no doubt had as one of the Lords Commissioners of Trade and both the military, political, and social connections to Plantations, also know as the “Board of Trade.” secure a warrant as a Royal Navy midshipman for his young godson. William’s familial connection to Established in 1696 to replace the Lords of Trade Admiral Fairfax likely benefited the young man in his (1675–96), the Board of Trade advised on and future endeavors as well. supervised the British Empire’s colonial In a letter dated December 12, 1712 from William affairs. The Board of to his mother Ann, he expressed his desire to leave Trade examined the Royal Navy. Midshipman Fairfax reasoned that colonial legislation to after the cessation of hostilities with Spain, Great ensure maximum Britain’s downsized peace time Navy provided benefit to British trade limited opportunity for professional growth. policies, nominated Martin Bladen, 1732 Through his own initiative William sought the aid of colonial governors, The Birr Castle Collection

2 Spring 2009 recommended laws affecting the colonies to service, William’s posting to the may also Parliament, and heard complaints from the colonies have been influenced by his second cousin and about its administrators. It lacked executive or godfather, Rear-Admiral Robert Fairfax, or even his legislative powers, but it became the primary first cousin, Lord Fairfax. colonial policy-making body of the Crown. It was As ’ first royal governor, Rogers along abolished in 1782. with his young protégé William Fairfax, was charged Lieutenant Colonel Bladen’s position on the by the Board of Trade with the task of ridding the Board of Trade would figure greatly in the future Caribbean of pirates. During Rogers’ term as advancement of his nephew and godson, William governor, he emerged as one of the leading figures in Fairfax. In spite of his new appointment, the historic suppressing against Great Britain’s merchant record indicates that William served for less than a fleet in the West Indies. In his October 1718 report to year on Saint Helena before he found himself at sea the Board of Trade, Rogers described his eventful again in the spring of 1718 aboard the Delicia , a 460 arrival at : ton converted East Indiaman, now mounting 32- “...Your Lordships, I arr'ved in this Port on the 26 July guns, and bound for the West Indies. However, this [1718] last in company with the Men of Warr ordered to time Fairfax was not a midshipman in His Majesty’s assist me. I met with little opposition in coming in, but Royal Navy, but an official of the Crown. found a French ship (that was taken by the Pirates of 22 Guns) burning in the Harbour -- which we were told was The 27 year-old William had been sent to the set on Fire to drive out His Majestys Ship the Rose who got Bahamas to help bring order to this rogue outpost of in too early the evening before me, and cut her cable and run Great Britain’s burgeoning empire. The West out in the Night for fear of being burnt by one Indies, particularly the port of Nassau on New who command'd the Pirates and at our [approach] and His Providence Island, had become a haven for pirates Majesty's Ship -- the Milfords near approach the next and a base from which they could prey upon the morning, they finding it impossible to escape us, he with Empire’s West Indian and American trade. By 1700, about ninety men fled away in a Sloop wearing the black Nassau had become a place for “ lawless riot and Flag and Fir'd guns of Defiance when they perciev'd their drunken revelry .” Edward Teach, the infamous Sloop out Sayl'd the Two -- that I sent to chase them “ ,” called Nassau home. It was into this hence ...” den of thieves and cutthroats that the Crown sent Fairfax to help bring order. Once he set foot on land, Governor Rogers quickly consolidated his power on the island. He selected The Delicia sailed out of the Thames on April 11, several honorable and trustworthy men of Nassau, 1718, accompanied by four men-of-war of His including Fairfax’s future father-in-law Thomas Majesty’s Royal Navy, the frigates Milford and Rose , Walker, a long-time resident of New Providence who and the sloops Buck and Shark . On July 26, 1718, had not resorted to piracy as part of his governing after more than three months at sea, the convoy, council. Rogers balanced his government with an under the command of Woodes Rogers, the English equal number of his own company, including William , arrived at New Providence. In 1717, a Fairfax. In Rogers’ October 1718 report to the Board of year before the Delicia dropped anchor in Nassau’s Trade he explained his need for reliable men like harbor, “ His Excel'cy., Woodes Rogers Esqr ”, had been Fairfax and fought to get them proper compensation appointed the ., Captn. General and Governr. in Chief in for their efforts: and over the Bahama Islands Chancellor and V [ice] “I have occation to recommend in a particular manner Admiral of the same ” by the Lords Commissioners of Messrs. Beauchamp and Fairfax … I have added in the Trade and Plantations. Coincidentally, 1717 was Commission to be Assistant Justices Wm. Fairfax and also the year in which William Fairfax’s uncle and Thomas Walker Esqrs. whom I beleive do justice and act godfather, Lieutenant Colonel Martin Bladen, was honourable. Mr. Fairfax is by Patent Judge of the Admiralty appointed to the Board of Trade. Although not as but without an annual salary, the office is but barely honble. yet verified, it is likely that Bladen’s appointment for want of support, I did indeed receive an order from the played a part in his nephew’s placement in New Lords of the Treasury to appoint him Deputy to Mr. Graves Providence with Rogers. As in the case of his earlier Collector in case of that old man's inability to act .” 3 Carlyle Connection

As royal governor of the Bahamas, Rogers reports that a draft of a letter to Secretary to the exercised much authority, not the least of which was Treasury, Horatio Walpole, a younger brother of the power of pardon. To help bring order to the Prime Minister Sir Robert Walpole, “ recommending island, Rogers offered the King’s pardon to any pirate Mr. William Fairfax to be secretary to the Bahama Islands ” that would take it. All but ten of the most entrenched was signed by a Richard Plummer and Colonel pirates based out of New Providence accepted. Those Bladen. While in the Bahamas, William served as remaining ten, including the notorious “ Blackbeard ,” “Judge of the Admiralty and President of the Court ” and were hunted down by Rogers’ forces. On November later filled other positions, including that of acting 22, 1718, within five months of Rogers’ and Fairfax’s governor, before moving on to New England. It can arrival in Nassau, Blackbeard was killed in a be assumed that William’s uncle, Martin Bladen, legendary sea battle off the coast of North Carolina. played a role in securing these additional By December 1718, nine of the unrepentant pirates appointments for him as well. had been captured and put on trial. One of the Sometime between June and November 1729, accused pirates was acquitted, while the remaining William and his family moved to Salem, eight were found guilty of piracy by a Massachusetts. Some reports state that court headed by William Fairfax, “ Judge Thomas, 6th Lord Fairfax the Fairfaxes left the Bahamas for health of the Vice-Admiralty ” and hanged. reasons, but it is likely that William’s Rogers’ slogan, “ Expulsis Piratis new post may have been due to the Restituta Commercia ” (Piracy Expelled, influence of his uncle, Lieutenant Commerce Restored), would remain Colonel Martin Bladen, who was on the the national motto of the Bahamas until Board of Trade. There is also another independence in 1973. important connection that William had,

Sometime after his arrival in New which is revealed in a letter he wrote Providence in 1718, Fairfax’s first wife, from Salem to Admiral Sir Charles whose name thus far has been lost to Wager in London dated November 26, history, died childless in England. On 1729. In this correspondence, William March 27, 1723, thirty-one-year-old provides a short account of the William married his second wife Sarah establishment of Woodes Rogers’ rule Walker, age twenty-three. Sarah was in the Bahamas. Admiral Wager was a born in the Bahamas about 1700 and very influential man and was likely reportedly was dark skinned. Some historical acquainted with William’s second cousin and accounts state that Sarah Walker’s mother was either a godfather, the late Rear-Admiral Robert Fairfax. former enslaved person or a freeborn woman of color. Wager was a member of The Lords Commissioners of These claims have not yet been substantiated. Sarah the Admiralty (Board of Admiralty) from 1718 to Walker and William Fairfax had four children: George 1742, serving as First Lord of the Admiralty from 1733 William, Thomas, Anne, and Sarah, the future wife of to 1742. These familial connections may have John Carlyle. influenced William’s appointment as Collector of Customs for the Crown in Salem and Marblehead. Evidence of Colonel Martin Bladen’s patronage of his nephew and godson while in the West Indies is On January 18, 1731, within two years of the found in the Journals of the Board of Trade and Fairfaxes’ arrival in New England, Sarah Walker Plantations . It is recorded in the Journal for June Fairfax died. Nine months after Sarah’s death 1723, that Colonel Bladen “ communicated to the Board ” William would marry his third wife, Deborah Clarke a March 31, 1723 letter sent to him by than acting of Salem, on October 28, 1731. William and Deborah governor Captain George Phenny (1721-1728), had three children together: Bryan, William Henry recommending “ Mr. [William] Fairfax … to be and Hannah. It is recorded in some sources that Secretary to the Bahamas ” and that “ their Lordships were William’s marriage to Deborah was in compliance pleased to order that a draught of a representation be with his wife Sarah’s dying wish that he marry her prepared accordingly .” The Journal for July 31, 1723 friend Deborah. The Clarkes of Massachusetts were a

4 Spring 2009 well connected family. They had ties to prominent families in New News From the Curator England, Virginia, and Sarah Coster Yorkshire, the ancestral We are pleased to announce the recent home of the Fairfaxes. acquisition of several items that help to fill gaps in In 1732, Robert Carter, John Carlyle’s extensive inventory. the land agent to While visiting the Alexandria Antiques Show, William’s first cousin staff spotted several pieces of the purple shell-edge Thomas, 6 th Lord Wedgewood Queensware of the type currently used Fairfax, died. Carter’s for our dessert death necessitated Lord service. These Fairfax to employ pieces were first William as his agent, and in 1733 he moved his family to collected based on Virginia and aided in the settlement of the long dispute research done on over his cousin’s claim to his vast Northern Neck grant. the “Queens William Fairfax not only served as his cousin’s land China dishes” agent, but he also resumed his position as Collector of found in the Customs, as well as other posts in the service of the inventory. The term “Queens China” refers to Crown. Through his relationship to Lord Fairfax and his cream-colored earthenware, which was developed own initiative, William emerged as a prominent citizen of by Josiah Wedgewood and marketed in the 1760s Virginia, conscious of his civic duty. William was a and 1770s in England. Thanks to the support of the political, social, economic, and religious leader of his Friends of Carlyle House, the museum has been able immediate community and of the colony at large. It was to purchase two more plates and a small tureen through his service to the Crown and the influence of (pictured above). well connected extended family like Admiral Fairfax, Colonel Bladen, and later Lord Fairfax that William was Our recent search for a pair of sconces has ended able to secure a legacy for his children in America. successfully. On the news of Mary Ruth’s

Works Cited retirement, the Friends of Carlyle House voted to

U.S. Library of Congress. Division of Manuscripts; Ford, search for and obtain these important items in honor Worthington Chauncey, 1858-1941; Vernon, Edward, 1684-1757; of her time as director. We look forward to Wager, Sir Charles, 1666-1743 unveiling them at the Friends annual meeting on June 12th. Cecil Headlam (ed.), Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies , volumes 29-40 (1930-39) The pair of double-armed candle sconces can be URL: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/catalogue.aspx? dated c. 1745-1755, a perfect match for the time gid=123&type=3. Carlyle was building his home here in Alexandria. Clements Robert Markham, Life of Robert Fairfax of Steeton: They are most likely French, but made for the Vice-admiral, Alderman, and Member for York A.D. 1666-1725 English market. They are plain and stately, reflective (Macmillan and co., 1885) of the décor in the Carlyle House. They are in Sandra Riley, Homeward Bound: A History of the Bahama excellent condition and retain an early, and possibly Islands to 1850. With a Definitive Study of Abaco in the original, coat of varnish. Both American Loyalist Plantation Period (Riley Hall, 2000) sconces were modified for

Edith Moore Sprouse, The Fairfax Family, Elizabeth Hambleton electrical use in the twentieth and Marian Van Landingham, eds., A Composite History of century. Alexandria, vol. I . (The Alexandria Bicentennial Commission, 1975) We plan to hang the sconces in the Dining Room, on either side Gerry Webb, Fairfax of York: The life and History of a Noble of the Pier Glass on the room’s Family (Maxiprint, Designers & Colour Printers, Kettlestring Lane, Clifton Moor, York, England, 2001) north wall. Sconces are listed

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