Family and Education

b. 1707, 3rd s. of Thomas Fairfax, M.P., 5th Lord Fairfax [S], by Catherine, da. and h. of Thomas Colepeper, 2nd Baron Colepeper. m. (1) 25 Apr. 1741, Martha (bur. 17 Sept. 1743), da. and coh. of Anthony Collins of Baddow, Essex, 1s. d.v.p.; (2) 15 July 1749, Dorothy, da. of Maudistly Best of Boxley and Chatham, Kent, brewer, sis. of Thomas Best, s.p. suc. cos. Bryan Fairfax 1749, and bro. as 7th Lord Fairfax [S] 12 Mar. 1782.

Offices Held

Cornet, R. Horse Gds. 1726, lt. 1737; capt. 1 Life Gds. 1739, maj. 1742, res. 1745.

Biography

Fairfax’s father was cousin once removed to the 3rd Lord Fairfax, commander-in-chief of the parliamentary army. Through his mother the family acquired Leeds Castle, which was made over to him by his brother, the 6th Lord Fairfax. Returned at a by-election for the neighbouring borough of Maidstone in time to vote with the Government against the place bill in 1740, he did not stand again till 1747, when he was re-elected as a government supporter after a contest. Though in 1749 he inherited ‘a very considerable fortune’, he was in constant financial difficulties, which he attributed to his election expenditure, till his death, 15 Aug. 1793.1

Ref Volumes: 1715-1754

Author: A. N. Newman

Notes

• 1. Namier, Structure, 409-14.