Hayes in Gloucester County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

The Fairfield Manor House

The world of Lewis Burrell II

— Fairfield Plantation —

The Fairfield Manor House Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

1. The Fairfield Manor House Marker

Inscription. The cluster of trees in front of you now shades the remains of one of colonial Virginia's grandest residences. Fairfield was built in 1694 for Lewis Burwell ll on land patented in 1648 by his father, the immigrant Lewis Burwell I. Lewis II was a County Justice, Major in the County Militia, member of the Governor's Council, and patriarch of one of Virginia's most affluent and politically powerful families. At Fairfield Lewis II hosted and fostered relationships with a number of Virginia's well-known figures including Robert "King" Carter, the most influential man in Virginia, and William Byrd of Westover, the famous diarist. These connections allowed the Burwell family to wield enormous influence in Virginia government and society throughout the 18th century. The eldest son of Lewis Burwell II, Nathaniel Burwell, inherited Fairfield and married "King" Carter's eldest daughter, Elizabeth. Fairfield was also the boyhood home of Lewis Burwell Ill, son of Lewis Burwell II, who later established Kingsmill Plantation, and of Carter Burwell, grandson of Lewis II, who built Carter's Grove near Williamsburg.
(caption)
Late 19th-century photograph taken from near this spot.

Erected by Fairfield

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Foundation. (Marker Number #1.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Architecture • Colonial Era. A significant historical year for this entry is 1694.

Location. 37° 20.462′ N, 76° 33.232′ W. Marker is in Hayes, Virginia, in Gloucester County. It is on Fairfield Lane 0.4 miles west of Cedar Bush Road, on the right when traveling north. The marker is located within Fairfield Archaeology Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5777 Fairfield Lane, Hayes VA 23072, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Middle Peninsula

and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in the Tidewater,

in the Chesapeake Bay Region,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

2. The Fairfield Manor House Marker

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: A different marker also named The Fairfield Manor House (here, next to this marker); Fairfield Plantation (a few steps from this marker); Outside the Manor (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Fairfield Manor House (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Fairfield Manor House (within shouting distance of this marker); East Pavilion Wall (approx. 1½ miles away); North Façade (approx. 1½ miles away); South Façade (approx. 1½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hayes.

Also see . . .
1. Fairfield Plantation. (Submitted on April 18, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
2. Fairfield Plantation (Gloucester Co.). (Submitted on April 18, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
3. Digs & Discoveries - Fairfield’s Rebirth in 3-D …. (Submitted on April 18, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

The Fairfield Plantation image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Virginia Museum of History and Culture, pre-1897

3. The Fairfield Plantation

The Fairfield Plantation sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

4. The Fairfield Plantation sign

Credits. This page was last revised on April 19, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 18, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 188 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 18, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.