Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 1.djvu/188

 VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY

as Guardian of the Kingdom," directing that George Pheriiiy Esq., surveyor general of the customs for the southern district of America, should become a member of the council. He seem? never In liave resided in \'irginia.

Tayloe, John, of "Ait. Airy," Richmond county, a son of Col. William Tayloe, was born Feb. 15, 1687. From early manhood, he held a prominent place in the affairs of the county and the colony, becoming a justice of Richmond county in 17 10, sheriff' in 1712 and 1713, colonel of mihtia in 1713, and repre- senting the county in 1728, 1730 and probably other years. In 1732, he was appointed by the King a member of the council. Col. Tay- loe was a man of inllucncc and large estate and took an active part in promoting the wel- fare of the colony. He was largely in iron mining and manufacture in Virginia and Maryland. He died in 1747. lie married Flizabeth Fauntleroy, and had John Tayloe, second ointed clerk of York county and held this office until 1733. During this period and later, he was extensively engaged in business as a merchant at Yorktown and acquired great wealth. On Jan. 10, 1732-33, the governor appointed him a councillor in the place of Robert Carter, deceased, and this appointment was confirmed by the King April 9, 1733. He a|jpears to have been in constant attendance at the meetings until his death. Lightfoot was one of the wealthiest men of his day and owned a handsome town house in addition to

his country seat. He died May 30, 1748. He married Mary, daughter of William Armis- tead, and widow of James Burwell, and had issue

Dinv^iddie, Robert. Governor of Virginia

(q. v.).

Dawson, Rev. William, son of William Dawson of Aspatria, Cumberland county, F>igland, was born in 1704. When fifteen years of age, he entered Queen's College, Ox- ford, where lie took the degree of bachelor of arts in his twenty-first year, and four years later, that of master of arts. Still later he was made a doctor of divinity. He was ordained to the ministry in 1728 and probably came to \'irginia immediately, as in 1729 he was pro- fessor of moral philosophy at William and Mary College. During Blair's lifetime, he h.ad Mr. Dawson read prayers for him, and V, hen he was not well, to preach. Upon Blair's death in 1743, the visitors of the college, "by imanimous consent," chose Mr. Dawson pres- ident. At the same time he became a mem- ber of the council and was appointed com- missary on the recommendation of Gov. Gooch. He died July 24, 1752, and was buried at \\'illiamsburg.

Fairfax, William, was the second son of Henry Fairfax of Yorkshire, England and was baptized m that county in 1691. He served for a time in the navy under his kins- man, Capt. Fairfax, and afterwards in the aimy in Spain. His next public service was i.'< chief justice of the Bahamas, but as the Climate difl not agree with him, he was given, ill 1725, the appointment of collector of cus- toms at Salem, Massachusetts. About 1734, he came to Virginia as agent for his cousin. Lord Fairfax, in the management of his great landed estate, the Northern Neck. He lived