(1693 – 1781) Mentor and benefactor of future president George Washington, only resident peer in late colonial America. Fairfax administered his vast Northern Neck Proprietary — a Virginia land grant dating back to 1649 — from his wilderness estate at Greenway Court, Virginia. He owned several hundred slaves on some 30 farms and derived much of his income from their labor. Rare manuscript D.S. 'Fairfax', 1p. 14.5 x 12 in. parchment, Frederick Co., Va., May 5, 1777, a grant of a substantial parcel of land, with the exception of 'Royal Mines", to one 'Joseph Russell of Frederick County'. Small damp stain at center, text slightly faded, with lightly toned folds, still good to very good condition.