A branch office for the sale of lands in the valley of Virginia, had been opened in Frederick county in 1742. The main office and records, however, were not removed from "Belvoir" until 1761.
Lord Fairfax built for himself a stone lodge with quarters for his servants, reserving around it a manor of 10,000 acres which he called "Greenway Court." The lodge was about twelve miles south-east of Winchester, at which place he purposed to build a castle, but this was never erected. His lodge was, however, sufficiently spacious for him to live in comfortably, and exercise a generous hospitality. He possessed a good library and was frequently visited by men of note whom he entertained in an elegant manner. He was fond of the chase and took an active interest in the management of his estate, as well as in the affairs of the colony, as his letters fully prove. He identified himself with the people as far as was practicable, and was deservedly popular. He served as lieutenant of Frederick county in the militia organizations; presided as one of the judges in the county courts at Winchester, and was an overseer of the public roads.
He met at "Belvoir," George Washington, when a youth, and, pleased with his energy and talents, employed him to survey lands beyond the Blue Ridge, which were to be sold. This was Washington's first remunerated employment. The acquaintance thus begun, ripened into a friendship that was cherished by both through life.
Although a frank loyalist, his age and prudence in refraining from all participation in the Revolutionary struggle, protected him from being interfered with either by the government or by his neighbors. He died at the age of ninety-three, before peace was restored. His barony and its prerogatives, according to English law, descended, in the absence of a son, to his eldest brother, Robert, who thus became 7th Lord Fairfax. The latter died in Leeds Castle, England, 1791, without a son. The baronial title then fell to the Rev. Bryan Fairfax, of "Towlston Hall," Fairfax county, Va., who died 7 August, 1802. The great landed estates with their entails were, however, in effect confiscated by the success of the Revolution. The Legislature of Virginia in 1785 passed an act in relation to the "Northern Neck" to the following effect. "And be it further enacted, that the land holders within the said district of the Northern Neck shall be for ever hereafter exhonorated and discharged from composition and quit rents, any laws, customs or usage, to the contrary notwithstanding." Revised Code of the Laws of Virginia, vol. 1, p. 351, 2, 3. "Greenway Court" was devised by his lordship to his nephew, Rev. Denny Martin, residing in England, on condition of his obtaining the consent of Parliament to change his name to Fairfax. This was done, and he was afterward known as "Denny, Lord Fairfax." Like his uncle, he left no children and therefore bequeathed the estate to two maiden sisters in England. The legatees of the Fairfax estate sold their interest to Chief Justice John Marshall, Raleigh Colston, Esq. and General Henry Lee. They divided it up and sold it out in small farms, and quieted the titles. It is believed that no part of this vast body of Fairfax land is now held by any member of the family.—Sparks, Drake and others.
Monday 14th We sent our Baggage to Capt Hites[11] (near Frederick Town)[12] went ourselves down ye River about 16 Miles to Capt Isaac Penningtons (the Land exceeding Rich & Fertile all ye way produces abundance of Grain Hemp Tobacco &ca) in order to Lay of some Lands on Cates Marsh & Long Marsh.[13]
Surveying
A Plan of a piece of Meadow called Hell Hole Situate on the River Potowmack near Little Hunting Creek
[11] Capt. Joist Hite came to Virginia from Pennsylvania in 1732 with his family, settled on the Opequon creek about five miles south of the town of Winchester. The year before he had bought from John and Isaac Van Meter a warrant for nearly 40,000 acres of land in the Shenandoah valley which they had obtained from Governor Gooch of Virginia in 1730. Capt. Hite brought with him from Pennsylvania sixteen families, all of whom settled in the same vicinity on fine arable ground. They were all judges of good lands and devoted to agriculture. The descendants of Hite are quite numerous throughout the southern and south-western states, and many farms in the valley are still held under titles derived from him. Kercheval says, Joist Hite built a stone house on the Opequon shortly after his coming to the valley. It is still standing and has a very ancient appearance though there are no discoverable marks to fix the date. On the wall plate of a frame barn, however, built by Hite, the figures "1747" are plainly marked and can still be read.
[12] "Frederick Town," properly Winchester, is the capital of Frederick county, Va. The latter was formed out of Orange county by Act of Assembly of Virginia in 1738, at the same time that Augusta county was formed. The choice of this site for the capital of the county was determined by the simple fact that a few hardy, adventurous Indian traders, as early as 1732 or even before that date, had built themselves cabins at this point known as the "Big Shawane Springs." These settlers gradually attracted others until a village was developed. This spring or one near it, an example of the great springs which are to be found in most limestone regions, furnishes the town of Winchester, to the present time, with an abundant supply of pure potable water. The site of the town was, all things considered, well chosen, in a fertile region and on the line of travel, whether across the valley to the Alleghany mountains and the waters of the Ohio river beyond, or along the great valley of the Shenandoah. James Wood was the projector of the town of Winchester, which was incorporated in 1752 by the Assembly of Virginia. However, twenty-six lots had been laid out and sold by James Wood prior to this. Lord Fairfax shortly after this date made an addition to the town, and donated the ground for an Episcopal church. Frederick county early took measures to give protection to its settlers by building forts, making roads and establishing ferries. Its productive soil at the same time bountifully rewarded the husbandman for his labor. As the Frederick county courts were held at Winchester, the people adopted the southern habit of calling the place where the courts met by the name of the county, thus it was frequently spoken of as Frederick Town and is so designated in several of the early maps. Fort Loudoun was erected here by direction of the Assembly of Virginia in 1756, under the immediate supervision of Major Washington.