Clements Robert Markham

“ FAIRFAX, Sir CHARLES (fl. 1604) , soldier, was the fourth son of Sir Thomas Fairfax of Denton and Nun Appleton in Yorkshire, and brother of Thomas, first lord Fairfax [q. v.] He was born in or about 1567, and when very young he went with his brother to serve under Sir Francis Vere in the Low Countries. Charles became a distinguished commander. At the battle of Nieuport he rallied the English companies at a critical moment with distinguished gallantry, and he was one of the defenders of Ostend. ”

“ Here he made the acquaintance of the Washington family, and he was at Belvoir when Lawrence Washington, the elder brother of George, married Anne Fairfax, and went to live with her on the neighbouring estate of Mount Vernon. Fairfax was interested in young George Washington, and from the time when the future general was a lad of fifteen occasionally visiting at Belvoir, his lordship never failed in friendship for him, and in efforts to advance his fortunes. ”

“ His wants were few, his habits almost ascetic, and he was famed for his liberality. So the old bachelor lived on until the war of independence broke out. He was a staunch loyalist. News of the surrender of Cornwallis reached Greenway Court, and the aged nobleman took to his bed. ”