"John Lomax of Alexandria was married to Rachel Isaac Jones, the widow of Robert Jones of Charles County. It is not known if John had been previously married and apparently he had no surviving children by Rachel." [1]
1769 John Lomax and wife Rachel retailed liquor without license. Dated May 15. [2]
1769 John Lomax was licensed to keep an ordinary at Alexandria with David Young as security. Dated August 22. [3]
1770 John Lomax was licensed to keep an ordinary at Alexandria at Hunting Creek Ferry with John Carlyle as security. Dated August 22. [4]
1771 John Lomax was licensed to keep an ordinary at Alexandria at Hunting Creek Ferry with Michael Gretter as security. Dated November 19. [5]
1772 John Lomax was licensed to keep an ordinary at Hunting Creek Ferry with Peter Wise as security. Dated November 17. [6]
1773 John Lomax was the proprieter of a large tavern in the middle of the block south side of Princess Street east of Fairfax St. The tavern is reported to have been in operation as early as 1773. Frequented by George Washington, this commercial establishment was the epicenter of Alexandria's social life and witnessed many historic gatherings. [7] [8]
1774 John Lomax purchased land from Lucas and Ann Garvey. [9]
1782 John Lomax appeared on the list of William Ramsay for the continental census for Fairfax County, Virginia with 7 white people and 6 black people. [10] Listed nearby were Annanias and Jacob Payne and Nelson Reed.
1782 John Lomax purchased lot #21 in Alexandria from Richard and Mary Conway. [11]
1783 In June, "the Masons celebrated the festival of St. John the Baptist at Lomax's tavern on Princess Street between Fairfax and Union, where twenty-six gentlemen dined and passed the evening 'in social and Masonic Harmony'." [12]
1784 John Lomax purchased lot #15 from John and Agnes Hepburn. [13]
1784 John Lomax and others signed a petition to improve Alexandria Street. Dated December 2. [14]
1785 John Lomax was taxed in Fairfax County, Virginia. [15]
1785 John Lomax purchased land from Patrick and Margaret Murray. [16]
1785 John and Rachel Lomax sold lot #22 on Princess and Fairfax Streets in Fairfax parish, Alexandria, Virginia to John Wise. Dated June 27, 1785. [17] In June, John and Rachel Lomax sold lot #21 (purchased from Richard Conway) on Princess Street east of Fairfax Street in the parish of Fairfax, town of Alexandria, to John Wise, recorded May 22, 1786 [18] [19].
1786 John Lomax was taxed in Fairfax County, Virginia. [20]
1786 John Lomax and others objected to a plan for a road into Alexandria. Dated July 19. [21]
1787 On 20 January, in the county of Fairfax, the deposition of William Hunter, Junior, stated that "on Thursday evening, the 18th instant, about the hour of six of the clock he visited John Lomax then dangerously sick and after sitting some time in the room finding the old Lomax perfectly in his senses but desirous of knowing if the said Lomax had made a will went and enquired of Mrs. Lomax who informed him, the said Hunter, that the said Lomax had made a will some years ago but that she did not know whether the said Lomax had ever destroyed it or not. Hunter then asked Mrs. Lomax if he, the said Hunter, should return into the said Lomax's room and speak to him on the subject of a will, which Mrs. Lomax agreed to ... Hunter asked Lomax if he had made a will. Lomax answered that he believed he had, being asked by the said Hunter if he wished any alterations to be made in it, to which he answered no, said Hunter then expressing his wish to know of the said Lomax how he wished his property disposed of in case no will could be found, Lomax answered in presence of all the deponents herein before mentioned that his wife should enjoy all his estate both real and personal during her life provided she remained a widow, in case of her marrying she was only to receive her thirds, and the other two thirds was to be equally divided between the children of Josiah Payne and the children of John and Ann Dalton, and at the death of the said Mrs. Lomax, she remaining a widow until then, it was his desire that his estate should be equally divided between the children of Josias Payne and the children of John and Ann Dalton and further these deponents say not. Joseph Verone farther saith that about two of the clock in the afternoon of yesterday he the said Lomax repeated his intentions in the manner above mentioned. Sworn before us - Richd. Conway, Wm Herbert. signed Will. Hinter, Sally Edwrds, Joseph Cerone. [22]
1787 On 25 January, the death of John Lomax was reported on page 3 of the Alexandria Gazette, with no date of death reported.
1787 The will of John Lomax was probated on February 21. 1/3 of estate to wife Rachel and 2/3 to children of Josiah Payne and John and Ann Dalton. [23] This will was presented in court by Rachel Lomax ... and proved by the subscribing deponents. Rachel is granted a certificate for obtaining letters of administration with the said will annexed.
1787 Notices about the Lomax estate appeared on January 25 and October 18 in the Virginia Journal and Alexandria Advertiser Newspaper. [24]
1787 An obituary for John Lomax was published in the Virginia Gazette. Dated February 1. [25]
1788 Rachel Lomax purchased lot #16 from William Hunter Jr. [26]
c1788-1790 Rachel, widow of John Lomax, married Joeph Thomas. "Alexandria Lodge No. 39, Alexandria, Virginia 1783-1788" provides a biosketch of Joseph Thomas, [27]
Joseph Thomas, was a livestock merchant of Oxon Ferry near Alexandria. He married Rachel Lomax, the widow of John Lomax. He bought a part of lot #113 at Prince and Fairfax Streets on April 2, 1791 from William Hunter, Sr. for 50 and sold this lot to Richard Weightman on May 13, 1791 for 300. 250 profit in one month! He advertised the sale of a number of valuable work horses, mules, young cattle, sheep, hogs, Indian corn, hay, fodder, straw, and seines with hauling ropes calculated to fish to depths of 16 feet. He died in 1815. (Alex. VA "Town Lots 1749-1801" by Ring & Pippenger) (Artisans and Merchants by T. Michael Miller)
1790 An account of the Lomax estate made by Joseph Thomas for my wife Rachel, administratrix. Dated November 13.
1791 Joseph Thomas who intermarried with Rachel Lomax administratrix of John Lomax deceased presented this account ... Inventory of John Lomax. "to John Dalton's estate £3.3.10" To paying the widow one third part of the property £200.13.9. Dated February 22. [Fairfax County, Virginia Wills1742-1801, F:13-17]
1796 Jacob and Hannah Payne sold to Richard Weightman, their right, title, and claim to real and personal estate of John Lomax. The deed recounted the terms of the will of John Lomax and uncertainty about whether it would have any operation on the real estate of John Lomax. Witnessed by Susannah Payne and Thomas (perhaps Payne). [28]
1798 Joseph and Rachel Thomas sold land from the John Lomax estate to Richard Weightman. [29]
1799 Deed, from Christopher and Henrietta Skillman, she formerly Payne, one of the late Josiah Payne's daughters, and John and Keziah Beverage, another of Payne's daughters; to William Hepburn of the town of Alexandria, Fairfax, Virginia. Whereas the late John Lomax of the Town of Alexandria, Fairfax County, Virginia, owned considerable, and died without issue, but had a half-brother, Josiah Payne, who also died leaving a son John and two daughters ... who if Lomax died intestate will receive a distributive share of the Lomax estate and who - if there is a will - will inherit via any share left Josiah Payne and children. Now the Beverages and Skillmans for 90 current money of Virginia, sell Hepburn their interest and equity in the Lomax estate. Dated November 13. [30]
1801 Indenture between John Payne of Loudoun County and William Hepburn. Dated September 28. [31]
1804 Indenture between Richard Weightman and wife Elizabeth and William Hepburn. Josiah Payne's children transferred their share of the Lomax estate to Hepburn by indentures Nov 13, 1799 and Sept 28, 1800. By indenture Sept 24, 1796, Jacob Payne and wife Hannah transferred share to Weightman, who transfers to Hepburn. Dated October 19. [32]
Research Notes:
The estate of John Lomax deceased ... some items mentioned ... John Dalton's estate ... Michael Gretter ... [Fairfax County, Virginia Wills 1742-1801, F:13-17]
This couple has not been found in the Lomax family of Virginia genealogy. [33]
A description of two taverns reports [34]:
Lomax, John - Tavernkeeper - Princess St.
Between Fairfax & Water: 1786, license granted to keep an ordinary; 6/1785, leased by John Wise: 9/1785, taken over by Alexander Thomas; 1800, Mrs. Rachel Thomas Lomax died at Oxon Ferry; Lomax died January 1787. Located on the south side of Princess Street between Fairfax & Lee. Lomax's ordinary had been in operation since 1769. Not only was George Washington a frequent guest at this hostelry but the commercially important Potomac Company as organized here on Tuesday May 17, 1785. Many prominent Alexandrians including George Gilpin, Robert Hartshorne and Philip Fendall were members of this enterprise. The company was, in essence, the brain child of George Washington who had a lifelong vision of digging a canal from Georgetown to Cumberland, Maryland in order to transport western produce to the east. In the process there would be economic and political spinoffs for the town of Alexandria. The main advantage resulting from such a project would be an overall increase in exports of grain, foodstuffs and coal from the wharves of Alexandria to the Caribbean and Europe. See: T. Michael Miller, "John Wise--The Tavern King of Alexandria"--Va. Ref. B Wise; HCMB: 21 July 1786; VJAA: 6/30/1785; 9/8/1785; 1/25/1787; HCMB: 21 July 1786; Times: 12/8/1800Lomax, John - Taverneeper - Prince St.
Near the River: 1803, 1808, license granted Lomax to keep an ordinary; 1807, notice that Porter & Bishop would display their wax works at Lomax's tavern -- Sign of the Cross Keys on Prince St.: 1807, subscriber will open an oyster house and house of entertainment on Prince St. at the sign of "We are One" lately occupied by Mr. Shuck & Mr Bogan near the water--Lomax takes on boarders upon moderate terms--his ball room is in complete order; 11/1807, notice that Porter & Bishop would display their wax works at Lomax's Tavern; 6/1808, Rifle Co. of the militia met there; 5/1809, found a sum of money; ACCOB: June term 1803, 11th day November term 1808, 26th day; AA: 11/3/1807; 12/29/1807; 6/22/1808; AG: 5/5/1809Lomax John T
1816 Sale of the estate called Port Tobago late the property of Thomas Lomax: AG: 1/11/1816.
[1] Rebecca L. McMurry, James F. McMurry, John Lomax of Fauquier County, Virginia (2009), 54, citing Charles County Maryland Court Records, Liber T3, folio 260, [GoogleBooks].
[2] Beth Mitchell, Virginia Transportation Research Council, Fairfax County road orders, 1749-1800 (2003), 82, citing Fairfax County Minute Book 1768-1770, page 130, [Virginia_Department_Transportation].
[3] Beth Mitchell, Virginia Transportation Research Council, Fairfax County road orders, 1749-1800 (2003), 84, citing Fairfax County Minute Book 1768-1770, page 246, [Virginia_Department_Transportation].
[4] Beth Mitchell, Virginia Transportation Research Council, Fairfax County road orders, 1749-1800 (2003), 88, citing Fairfax County Court Order Book 1770-1772, page 66, [Virginia_Department_Transportation].
[5] Beth Mitchell, Virginia Transportation Research Council, Fairfax County road orders, 1749-1800 (2003), 93, citing Fairfax County Court Order Book 1770-1772, page 307, [Virginia_Department_Transportation].
[6] Beth Mitchell, Virginia Transportation Research Council, Fairfax County road orders, 1749-1800 (2003), 102, citing Fairfax County Court Order Book 1772-1774, page 141, [Virginia_Department_Transportation].
[7] T. Michael Miller, From Princess to Queen: Wandering Along the Alexandria Waterfront 80.
[8] Kelsey Ryan, Traveler's Accounts of the Historic Alexandria Waterfront (2009), 29, [AlexandriaVA.Gov].
[9] Fairfax County Virginia Circuit Court, Fairfax Deed Book Index 1742-1866 (electronic document), 36, Fairfax deed L1-304, [Fairfax Deed Book Index].
[10] Heads of Families at the First Census. 1790. Records of the State Enumerations: 1782 to 1785, Virginia, 16, column 4, [US_Census_pdf].
[11] Fairfax County Virginia Circuit Court, Fairfax Deed Book Index 1742-1866 (electronic document), 36, Fairfax deed Q1-195, [Fairfax Deed Book Index].
[12] Mary Gregory (Crawford) Powell, The History of old Alexandria, Virginia, from July 13, 1749 to May 24, 1861 (1928), 134, [HathiTrust].
[13] Fairfax County Virginia Circuit Court, Fairfax Deed Book Index 1742-1866 (electronic document), 36, Fairfax deed A2-311, [Fairfax Deed Book Index].
[14] H. J. Eckenrode, A calendar of legislative petitions, arranged by counties: Accomac-Bedford (1908), 63, [HathiTrust].
[15] Virginia. Commissioner of the Revenue (Fairfax County), Personal property tax lists of Fairfax County, 1782-1805, [FamilySearchImage], [FHL Catalog].
[16] Fairfax County Virginia Circuit Court, Fairfax Deed Book Index 1742-1866 (electronic document), 36, Fairfax deed Q1-25, [Fairfax Deed Book Index].
[17] Fairfax County Virginia Circuit Court, Fairfax Deed Book Index 1742-1866 (electronic document), 36, Fairfax deed Q1-192, 194, [Fairfax Deed Book Index].
[18] Fairfax County Virginia Circuit Court, Fairfax Deed Book Index 1742-1866 (electronic document), 36, Fairfax deed Q1-195, [Fairfax Deed Book Index].
[19] Fairfax County Virginia Circuit Court, Fairfax Deed Book Index 1742-1866 (electronic document), 36, Fairfax deed Q1-197, [Fairfax Deed Book Index].
[20] Virginia. Commissioner of the Revenue (Fairfax County), Personal property tax lists of Fairfax County, 1782-1805, right side, added, [FamilySearchImage], [FHL Catalog].
[21] Beth Mitchell, Virginia Transportation Research Council, Fairfax County road orders, 1749-1800 (2003), 120, citing Fairfax County Court Order Book 1783-1788, page 251, [Virginia_Department_Transportation].
[22] J Estelle Stewart King, Abstracts of Wills and Inventories, Fairfax County, Virginia, 1742-1801 (1936, copyright 1978), 28, Will book E-191-193, [GoogleBooks], [AncestryImage].
[23] J Estelle Stewart King, Abstracts of Wills and Inventories, Fairfax County, Virginia, 1742-1801 (1936, copyright 1978), 28, Will book E-191-193, [GoogleBooks], [AncestryImage].
[24] Robert K. Headley, Genealogical Abstracts from 18th Century Newspapers, (Baltimore: Genealogical Pub. Co., 1987), 211, [GoogleBooks].
[25] "List of obituaries from Richmond, Virginia Newspapers," The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography 20 (1912), 282-291, at 283, [HathiTrust].
[26] Fairfax County Virginia Circuit Court, Fairfax Deed Book Index 1742-1866 (electronic document), 36, Fairfax deed A2-312, [Fairfax Deed Book Index].
[27] Notes of Alexandria Lodge 39 (Alexandria, Virginia: 1783-1788), 24, [Alexandria_Lodge].
[28] Fairfax County Virginia Circuit Court, Fairfax Deed Book Index 1742-1866 (electronic document), 179, Fairfax deed Z1-115, [Fairfax Deed Book Index].
[29] Fairfax County Virginia Circuit Court, Fairfax Deed Book Index 1742-1866 (electronic document), 124, Fairfax deed A2-311, A2-314, [Fairfax Deed Book Index].
[30] James D. Munson, Alexandria, Virginia: Alexandria Hustings Court Deeds 1797-1801 (Heritage Books, 1991), 175, Deed M-408, [GoogleBooks], [World_Cat].
[31] Research Note (citation not recorded): Alexandria, Virginia, City & County Deed A-323.
[32] Research Note (citation not recorded): Alexandria, Virginia, City & County Deed A-323.
[33] Anonymous Lomax, Genealogy of the Virginia Family of Lomax, 1, [GoogleBooks], [HathiTrust].
[34] T. Michael Miller, Artisans and Merchants of Alexandria, Virginia 1720-1820, Vol. 1 (1991: ISBN 1-55613-389-8), 284.