Jonathan Fayerbanke
also written Jonathan, Jonathan Fairbanks in the book
Biography
Sailed in his own ship with his wife and children in 1633 at age 39. The move in 1636 is also described as occurring six years after landing in America. Entered the Dedham township covenant with three teen sons; joined the Christian church ten years later after objections to public declaration of faith. Earned the right to wear thigh-high great boots when his estate reached $200. Said to have died at age 74 and to be buried in Essex, England. The passage says his death was '11 year later' than Grace's June 19, 1676 death, despite giving his death date as December 5, 1668. Child of the original Jonathan and Grace; distinct from their grandson Jonathan. Death date also recorded as “1697” (History of the Guild Family). Place of death also recorded as “Lancaster, Pennsylvania” (History of the Guild Family). Grandson of the original Jonathan and Grace Fairbanks of Dedham. Killed in a raid with his unnamed seven-year-old daughter and his fifteen-year-old brother Joshua. His unnamed wife was taken captive with six other women and later released through local government negotiation. Built the house in Dedham. William Fairbanks is described as his descendant seven generations later.
Timeline
spring of 1617
Jonathan and Grace marry in Halifax
History of the Guild FamilySpanning the 9 years from 1618, to 1627
Seven children born to Jonathan and Grace
The list contains two children named Mary; individual birth dates are not given.
History of the Guild Family1633
Family sails to Boston in Jonathan's ship
Jonathan was 39. A later sentence describes the 1636 move as six years after landing, inconsistent with this arrival year.
History of the Guild FamilyIn 1636, six years after landing in America
Family moves down the Charles River
The destination is described as 40 miles down the Charles River. The stated elapsed time conflicts with the 1633 arrival.
History of the Guild Family1636
Building the enduring Dedham home
Built on 12 acres of government Common Grant Land plus eight acres of swamp, either from the ship's beams and boards or from English oak beams shipped to him. Both alternatives are preserved.
History of the Guild Family1636
Jonathan enters the Dedham township covenant
Jonathan and three unnamed teen sons joined 120 others in promising proportional taxation and protection of the Christian faith.
History of the Guild FamilyDecember 5, 1668; also described as '11 year later' than Grace's death
Death of Jonathan Fayerbanke
Said to have died at 74 and to be buried in Essex, England. The relative chronology contradicts Grace's stated death in 1676.
History of the Guild Family1697
Jonathan and Joshua killed in the Lancaster raid
The two grandsons of Jonathan and Grace were killed along with Jonathan's unnamed seven-year-old daughter. Joshua was fifteen. Jonathan's wife was captured and later released.
History of the Guild Family10 years after entering the township covenant
Jonathan makes a public confession of faith
After initially objecting to doctrine requiring a public declaration, he joined the church following loving persuasion by the Deacons.
History of the Guild FamilyBefore the September 1, 1801 hanging
Escape to Canada and recapture
The Jason narrative calls the escapee 'Jonathan'. It recounts claims of innocence and a botched double suicide, escape from jail, a confession to a friend in Canada, and recapture and trial.
History of the Guild Family
Stories mentioning Jonathan
- Across the Atlantic to a Lasting Family HomeThe family traces its line to Mr. William Fairbanks in Yorks in 1445, then recounts Jonathan Fayerbanke's marriage to Grace Smith Lee, their seven children, and their voyage to Boston in his own ship in 1633. Jonathan moved to Contentment in 1636, built the enduring Dedham house, acquired land, joined the township covenant and eventually the church, and prospered as a farmer. The house is described as America's oldest standing timber frame dwelling, a National Landmark continuously owned by the family and never mortgaged, with replicas including one at Boston Commons. The passage also describes the wider family's political activity, Patriot and Union service, and slaveholding by some landed members. It retains inconsistent arrival chronology and contradictory wording about Jonathan's death relative to Grace's.
- A Family's Loss at LancasterJonathan and Joshua, grandsons of the original Jonathan and Grace Fairbanks, were killed in a raid in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, along with Jonathan's unnamed seven-year-old daughter. Joshua was fifteen. Jonathan's unnamed wife was taken captive with six other town women and later released through government negotiation, carrying memories of bodily and spiritual suffering.
- Jason Fairbanks and the Legends After the HangingJason Fairbanks, youngest son of Ebenezer Fairbanks, was hanged on September 1, 1801 for murdering Elizabeth Fales. The narrative recounts his physical impairment, intellectual pursuits, claims of innocence and a failed double suicide, escape to Canada, reported confession, recapture and trial. It calls him 'Jonathan' during the escape account without explanation. A storm interrupted the hanging, and subsequent legends claimed that friends revived him and that he escaped to South America; the narrator compares these tales to those about Elvis Presley.
- Carrie’s Roots and a Treasured Lock of Red HairThe family traces Carrie’s Fairbanks ancestry and Newton’s Guild ancestry, notes the neighboring family grave sections near Dedham’s old St. Paul Church, and recounts Carrie’s birth, marriage, children and death. A lock of her red hair passed from Belle to Barbara Guild Miller. Floyd was born after both grandparents had died.
Referenced in
Family corrections
Notes sent in by the family and approved on review. They sit alongside the original record — the book's wording is never changed.
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