(Vol. ix., p. 10.)
Your correspondent W. H. M. has called my attention to his Note, and
requested me to answer the third of his Queries.
The present rightful heir to the barony of Fairfax, should he wish to claim
it, is a citizen of the United States, and a resident in the State of
Virginia. He is addressed, as any other American gentleman would be, Mr.,
when personally spoken to, and as an Esquire in correspondence.
A friend of mine, Captain W., has thus kindly answered the other Queries of
W. H. M.:
1. Sir Thomas Fairfax of Denton in Yorkshire was employed in several
diplomatic affairs by Queen Elizabeth, and particularly in negotiations
with James VI. of Scotland. By Charles I. he was created a peer of
Scotland, his patent having been dated at Whitehall on Oct. 18, A.D. 1627.
2. The family of Fairfax never possessed property, or land, in Scotland,
and had no connexion with that country beyond their peerage. Many English
gentlemen were created peers of Scotland by the Stuart kings, although
unconnected with the nation by descent or property. I may cite the
following instances:--The old Yorkshire House of Constable of Burton
received a peerage in the person of Sir Henry Constable of Burton and
Halsham; by patent, dated Nov. 14, 1620, Sir Henry was created Viscount
Dunbar and Lord Constable. Sir Walter Aston of Tixal in Staffordshire,
Bart., was created Baron Aston of Forfar by Charles I., Nov. 28, 1627. And,
lastly, Sir Thomas Osborne of Kineton, Bart., was created by Charles II.,
Feb. 2, 1673, Viscount Dumblane.