Justices of the Fairfax County and the Town of Alexandria
During the American Revolution

Justices of the County Court essentially ran the county government before and during the Revolution. This body of men exercised not only judicial, but also executive and legislative powers. One of the Fairfax County justices, George Mason, became a champion for the separation of powers.

The identity of the justices during the early years of the Revolution is known primarily through the Fairfax County Bond Book-1752-1782. This book records bonds posted by administrators of estates to the justices, presumably those in the court at the time. The pages of the book consist of pre-printed forms with spaces for the names of the administrators, the justices to whom the bond was made, date, the decedent, the amount of the bond, and those posting bond. The pre-printed material was for bonds posted in the 1750's and included the year in the reign of King George II. For bonds posted after King George III ascended to the throne "Second" was lined out and "Third" was penned in. After the Declaration of Independence, reference to the King of England was lined out on every bond.

The second source of justices of Fairfax County during the Revolution is the Journal of the Council of the State of Virginia, Vol. 1. In 1776 the House of Delegates passed a requirement that Justices take an oath of allegiance to the Revolutionary government. The Journal states for 23 December 1776:

Fairfax was known to have Tory sympathies. Although this document does name the incumbent justices retained in their positions, it does show they took the oath of allegiance to Virginia, as required by statute.

The House of Delegates authorized the incorporation of the Town of Alexandria on 4 October 1779. Unlike today, however, Alexandria was not and independent city, but remained part of Fairfax County. The citizens elected men to the Council and the Council then elected a mayor, recorder, and aldermen from among themselves, the remainder serving as Common Councilmen. All of these men, by statute, were justices in the Town of Alexandria. A Hustings Court was established in Alexandria which began to function in 1780. The Order Book, 1780-1787 of this Court is the third source of justices.

The fourth document identifying justices of Fairfax County during the Revolution is a memorial from some of the justices to the General Assembly received 20 November 1782 protesting misrepresentations about the propriety of their actions. Unfortunately, the document to which they were responding is no longer extant. The document is signed by seven justices and includes a summary of proceedings from a January 1781 when the same men were serving. A transcription of this petition can be found at: Fairfax 1782 11 20.pdf. The original document is at the Library of Virginia in Record Group 78, under Fairfax County Legislative Petitions.

The sixth source of justices of Fairfax County is the Court Order Book, 1783-1788. This source reveals no further new names, but does show later service for some justices.

Three state record books, organized by county, list justices and other county officials. Almost all of these records are after the Revolution ended, but The Register of Magistrates and Other Civil Officers, 1775-1865, does list three Fairfax County justices serving during the Revolution. There is no date of service for the first, but the list is chronological and the next date is 1780.

The justices of Fairfax County and the Town of Alexandria from 19 April 1775 through 26 November 1783 are listed below.

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