Notes and Queries, Number 225, February 18, 1854: A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc.Various
History
Notes and Queries, Number 225, February 18, 1854: A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc.
Various
Questions and answers -- Periodicals
The present rightful heir to the barony of Fairfax, should he wish to claim
it, is a citizen of the United States, and a resident in the State of
Virginia. He is addressed, as any other American gentleman would be, Mr.,
when personally spoken to, and as an Esquire in correspondence.
A friend of mine, Captain W., has thus kindly answered the other Queries of
W. H. M.:
1. Sir Thomas Fairfax of Denton in Yorkshire was employed in several
diplomatic affairs by Queen Elizabeth, and particularly in negotiations
with James VI. of Scotland. By Charles I. he was created a peer of
Scotland, his patent having been dated at Whitehall on Oct. 18, A.D. 1627.
2. The family of Fairfax never possessed property, or land, in Scotland,
and had no connexion with that country beyond their peerage. Many English
gentlemen were created peers of Scotland by the Stuart kings, although
unconnected with the nation by descent or property. I may cite the
following instances:--The old Yorkshire House of Constable of Burton
received a peerage in the person of Sir Henry Constable of Burton and
Halsham; by patent, dated Nov. 14, 1620, Sir Henry was created Viscount
Dunbar and Lord Constable. Sir Walter Aston of Tixal in Staffordshire,
Bart., was created Baron Aston of Forfar by Charles I., Nov. 28, 1627. And,
lastly, Sir Thomas Osborne of Kineton, Bart., was created by Charles II.,
Feb. 2, 1673, Viscount Dumblane.
3. Answered.
4. William Fairfax, fourth son of Henry Fairfax of Tolston, co. York,
second son of Henry, fourth Lord Fairfax, settled in New England in
America, and was agent for his cousin Thomas, sixth lord, and had the
entire management of his estates in Virginia. His third and only surviving
son, Bryan Fairfax, was in holy orders, and resided in the United States.
On the death of Robert, seventh Lord Fairfax, July 15, 1793, this Bryan
went to England and preferred his claim to the peerage, which was
determined in his favour by the House of Lords. He then returned to
America. Bryan Fairfax married a Miss Elizabeth Cary, and had several
children. (Vide Douglas, and Burke's _Peerage_.)
There are several English families who possess Scottish peerages, but they
are derived from Scottish ancestors, as Talmash, Radclyffe, Eyre, &c.
Perhaps the writer may be permitted to inform your correspondent W. H. M.
that the term "subject" is more commonly and correctly applied to a person
who owes allegiance to a crowned head, and "citizen" to one who is born and
lives under a republican form of government.
W. W.
Malta.
1. Thomas, first Lord Fairfax (descended from a family asserted to have
been seated at Towcester, co. Northampton, at the time of the Norman
invasion and subsequently of note in Yorkshire), accompanied the Earl of
Essex into France, temp. Eliz., and was knighted by him in the camp before
Rouen. He was created a peer of Scotland, 4th May, 1627; but why of
Scotland, or for what services, I know not.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account