William Farrar Jr.
William Farrar Jr. was a Virginia planter and politician who represented Henrico County in the House of Burgesses.
Early life
The eldest son of William Farrar, who had married the widow Cecily (a/k/a Cisley) Jordan. His father had emigrated from England and became a planter and member of the Virginia Governor's Council, but died in 1637 when both his sons were boys. His parents also had another son and daughter who survived infancy.Career
Because of primogeniture, William inherited his father's estate, including Farrar's Island. About 2000 acres was repatented in his name in June 1637, although he gave a parcel to his younger brother around 1649, and later in his will suggested John trade that parcel to benefit one of this man's three sons, which was accomplished in 1678. He and Thomas Ligon also purchased about 335 acres in 1664, but it appeared deserted in 1671 and was regranted to Henry Randolph.By 1655, Farrar was captain of the local militia troop, and in 1661 was captain of the company from Turkey Island Creek to the falls of the James River. By 1657 he was a justice of the peace for Henrico County, the justices jointly administering counties in that era. Tyler states that his final rank was "colonel".
William Farrar won election to the House of Burgesses at least twice: in 1660 as the only man representing rapidly growing.
Personal life
William Farrar married a woman named Mary, who bore three sons and daughters Martha and Cicely.Death and legacy
He died around January 1678, with his widow Mary mentioned as administering his estate in 1682. The inventory of his estate appraises many household furnishings and livestock, as well as the remaining terms of one named female and three named male indentured servants, and two "Indian" boys named Will and Jacke.Farrar was probably buried on his land, which included a mainland section as well as Farrar's Island, but subsequent floods would have obliterated the gravesite. His younger brother John would be elected a burgess after suppression of Bacon's Rebellion, and may have supervised the education of his three nephews alongside the widow, since John never married and bequeathed most of his property to this man's sons. Thomas, the middle son, may have been the most economically successful, owning 1444 acres in Henrico County in 1704, although his brother, the eldest son William Farrar III followed his father's and grandfather's career path into public service and politics. The youngest son, another John Farrar, married Temperance Brown Batte, widow of Thomas Batte and daughter of John Brown and his widow Sarah Woodson, who bequeathed land to her grandchildren. That John Farrar owned 600 acres in Henrico County in 1704 and was named administrator for his late wife Temperance in February 1721. This man's heir William Farrar IV would sell 686 acres of Farrar's Island to Thomas Randolph of Tuckahoe in 1727, within months of his uncle.
In modern times, Farrar's Island is part of the Dutch Gap Conservation Area and Henricus Historical Park, both administered by Chesterfield County, Virginia.