Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 5.djvu/87

By will he divided his immense landed estate among his children and grandchildren.

Colonel Marshall married, in 1754, in Fauquier county, Virginia, Mary, daughter of Rev. James and Mary Isham (Randolph) Keith, a descendant of Robert Keith, of an old and noble Scottish family. James Markham Marshall, son of Colonel Thomas Marshall, was born in Fauquier county, Virginia. March 12, 1764, and died at "Fairfield." same county, April 26, 1848. Like his brothers he was educated at home under the instruction of his father, sisters and tutors. When but a youth he was commissioned lieutenant in Alexander Hamilton's regiment, and participated in the final victory at Yorktown, He accompanied his father to Kentucky, but returned to Virginia in 1795 and married Hester, daughter of Robert Morris, the financier of the revolution. He was sent to France as an agent of the government, to negotiate the release of Lafayette, then held a prisoner of Austria, and while in Paris witnessed the outrages of the Reign of Terror. While in England he purchased of the heirs of Lord Fairfax all their lands in what was called the Northern Neck of Virginia. This purchase was made in his own name, that of his brother. John Marshall (Chief Justice). Rawleigh Colston and Harry Lee ("Light Horse"). But the state of Virginia set up title to the lands by confiscation and a compromise was effected whereby the company received all the Fairfax lands in Leeds Manor and other smaller tracts. Their portion embraced about 180,000 acres and cost less than one dollar per acre. James Markham Marshall purchased the share of Harry Lee, Mr. Colston took lands on the Potomac, leaving all the unsold lands in Leeds Manor for John and James M. Marshall. There they formed the community around Markham, Fauquier county; were Democrats in politics; Episcopalians in religious faith, and became a most religious and prosperous community. James M. Marshall. having a double portion, became a very large landed proprietor and left large estates to his children, much of this land yet remaining in the family name.

He studied law, practicing in Winchester. and becoming eminent in his profession. He was a strong Federalist, and was one of the "Midnight Judges" appointed by President John Adams on the last night of his administration, but quickly legislated out of office by the incoming Democratic Congress. He later left Winchester and built a costly mansion on his Happy Creek estate. About 1816 he yielded possession of his magnificent estate to his eldest son, Robert M.. and retired to Fairfield, where he died. He was a handsome and dignified old gentleman, six feet two inches tall, weighed about two hundred pounds, and wore the correct dress of a gentleman of his period, cue, stockings and knee buckles. The massive baronial castle with two thousand acres of land is yet owned by his descendants. His wife. Hester (Morris) Marshall, is said to have been a lovely woman. She was a daughter of Robert Morris, the Philadelphia financier and patriot, and his wife, Mary (White) Morris, daughter of Colonel Thomas White, the first lawfully consecrated bishop of the American Episcopal church.

Robert Morris Marshall, eldest son of James Markham and Hester (Morris) Mar- shall, was born on a United States vessel off the coast of England, January 20, 1797, and died at Happy Creek, Warren county, Virginia, February 10, 1870. He was a graduate of Yale College and a gentleman of superior literary attainments. He resided for several years at "Mount Morris," Fauquier county, then became owner of the Happy Creek estate, which as the eldest son was bestowed upon him by his generous father. He spent the remainder of his life at the beautiful Happy Creek castle and estate, the genial, hospitable, high-minded Virginia gentleman. He was a Whig in politics, opposed secession. but when his state withdrew, threw his whole soul into the cause. He was too old to enlist, but sent four of his sons into the Confederate army, the only other son being in India. He was a devout churchman, as was his wife, both leading consistent Christian lives. He married. January 20, 1819, his cousin. Lucy Marshall, born August 15, 1796, and died December 24, 1844, daughter of Charles and Lucy (Pickett) Marshall, granddaughter of Colonel Thomas Marshall, and great-granddaughter of John Marshall, of the "Forest."

Captain James Marshall. eldest son of Robert Morris and Lucy (Marshall) Marshall, was born at the Happy Creek Man-