Land indenture from Denny Fairfax to Alexander White

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Access and use

Location of collection:
George Mason University
2400 Fenwick Library
Special Collections Research Center
Fenwick Library MS2FL
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA 22030
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Mieko Palazzo
Phone: (703) 993-2220
Fax: (703) 993-2669
Restrictions:

There are no access restrictions.

Terms of access:

Public Domain. There are no known restrictions.

Preferred citation:

Land indenture from Denny Fairfax to Alexander White, C0358, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries.

Summary

Extent:
0.01 Linear Feet 1 folder
Creator:
Fairfax family
Abstract:
Land indenture from Denny Fairfax nee Martin to Alexander White, written and signed December 4, 1790.
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

Land indenture from Denny Fairfax to Alexander White, C0358, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries.

Background

Scope and content:

Land indenture from Denny Fairfax nee Martin to Alexander White, written and signed December 4, 1790. This partially-printed document, signed by Denny Fairfax - nephew of Lord Thomas Fairfax - and his attorney, Thomas Bryan Martin (and other witnesses), leases 100 acres in Hardy County, Virginia (now West Virginia) to Alexander White.

When Lord Thomas Fairfax died childless in 1781, his vast holdings in the Virginias were devised to his nephew, who later took the Fairfax name. Since Lord Thomas Fairfax was a loyalist, Virginia confiscated the Fairfax holdings, negating Denny Fairfax's leases. Court fights ensued and the Supreme Court finally ruled in the Fairfax family's favor, with Justice Joseph Story writing the opinion, Martin vs. Hunter's Lessee, in 1816. This was Story's most important opinion, establishing the Federal court's authority over the state courts.

Biographical / historical:

The 18th century was a lively time in Fairfax County, VA history. After being under the control of many different entities, in 1690 the area became controlled by the Fairfax family. Thomas, sixth Lord Fairfax left the land in the charge of his cousin, William Fairfax. In 1742, the area ceased to be part of Prince William County and officially became Fairfax County.

Acquisition information:
The donor is unknown.
Processing information:

Processing completed by Amanda Brent in June 2019. EAD markup completed by Amanda Brent in June 2019. This collection used to be a part of the Virginia historical documents collection, C0034.

Arrangement:

This is a single item collection.

Physical location:
R 72, C 3, S 4
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard