William Farrar Jr.
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William Ferrar II | |
|---|---|
| Member Virginia House of Burgesses for Henrico County | |
| In office 1660–1676 | |
| Preceded by | William Hatcher |
| Succeeded by | James Crewes |
| Personal details | |
| Born | c. 1627 |
| Died | January 1678 |
| Spouse | Mary |
| Relations | William Farrar(father), Cecily Jordan Farrar (mother), John (brother) |
| Children | at least 3 sons, including William Farrar III and two daughters |
| Occupation | Planter, militia officer, politician |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | Henrico County, Virginia militia |
| Rank | Captain |
William Farrar Jr. (c. 1627 – January 1678) was a Virginia planter and politician who represented Henrico County in the House of Burgesses (1660–1676).[1][2]
The eldest son of William Farrar, who had married the widow Cecily (a/k/a Cisley) Jordan.[3] His father had emigrated from England and became a planter and member of the Virginia Governor's Council, but died in 1637 when both his sons were boys. His parents also had another son (John) and daughter (Cicely Jr.) who survived infancy.[2]
Career
Because of primogeniture, William inherited his father's estate, including Farrar's Island. About 2000 acres was repatented in his name in June 1637, although he gave a parcel (about 200 acres) to his younger brother around 1649, and later in his will suggested John trade that parcel to benefit one of this man's three sons, which was accomplished in 1678.[2] He and Thomas Ligon also purchased about 335 acres in 1664, but it appeared deserted in 1671 and was regranted to Henry Randolph.[3]
By 1655, Farrar was captain of the local militia troop (all white men of that era being required to serve in the local militia), and in 1661 was captain of the company from Turkey Island Creek to the falls of the James River. By 1657 he was a justice of the peace for Henrico County, the justices jointly administering counties in that era.[3] Tyler states that his final rank was "colonel".[1]
William Farrar won election to the House of Burgesses at least twice: in 1660 as the only man representing rapidly growing (and then-vast) Henrico County, then the following year as one of the three men representing that county in 1661.[4] The latter session became known as the "Long Assembly", because economic discontent due to very low tobacco prices after the English Civil War, as well as increased taxation and conflicts with displaced Native Americans led governors to not call for new elections colony-wide elections for fifteen years, which ended with elections in 1676 during Bacon's Rebellion).