IN SEARCH OF THE EMANICPATION PROCLAMATION FOR JUSTIN FAIRFAX’S GREAT-GREAT-GREAT GRANDFATHER
(notice the recent date on this article - just adds to the oddness of VA gov fiasco)
As it turns out, Justin comes from a wealthy, elite family. What this article does not say is whether Justin’s family had their own slaves.
Here is my summary of this article.
https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Lt-Gov-discovers-a-family-relic-from-the-1700s-12531085.php
Justin Fairfax is the son of Roger Fairfax, Sr.
Roger Fairfax, Sr.’s great grandfather is George Fairfax, Justin’s great –great grandfather, and wealthy coal merchant . (fyi, Justin has a brother, Roger, Jr.)
George Fairfax’ father is Simon Fairfax
Simon Fairfax was married to Bethia, the daughter of William Gunnel and his common-in-law wife, Sarah Ambrose, a free woman of color.
Gunnell's family was among the most prominent in northern Virginia before and after the Revolution, and close with Lord Fairfax and George Washington. When William Gunnell fell in love with Sarah Ambrose and took her as his common-law wife around 1800, the family tried to kick him out. But he willed his property to her.
Justin’s father had looked for years to trace his ancestors and finally, just 2 day’s before Justin’s inauguration, the document was found freeing Simon Fairfax.
In it, Thomas Fairfax - the ninth Lord Fairfax - frees two former slaves, Simon and another man named Causey, who doesn't appear to be related. Though the document gives no reason for the emancipation, Thomas Fairfax was a follower of Emanuel Swedenborg, a Swedish scientist and theologian who was a passionate abolitionist. Fairfax had many slaves, but freed them sporadically over much of his life.
One intriguing detail: One of the witnesses listed on the emancipation document is William Gunnell. Whether that's the lover of Sarah Ambrose or the lover's father is unclear.