Faw Family of Virginia Faw Family of Virginia
In 1776 Maryland contracted to construct a proper powder magazine. In August, Abraham Faw reported "Good Success" in building one despite "the scarcity of Hands and the advance Price Every article is at with us." He lacked shingles and sent some men off to Lancaster and Philadelphia to pick up glass, hinges, and workmen. When, completed, the magazine handled fewer but larger order for powder from around the state. Like the jail, the magazine required a significant guard day and night, which was often very difficult to find. At the same time Abraham Faw was building the magazine, he was also engaged in the final and most import project during the war years in Frederick Town - the barracks. These buildings represented a major investment for the state, at least $2,500 (pounds). Built just south of the city, the barracks were originally designed to prevent the quartering of troops in private homes and did so during the winter of 1779-80.-- Maryland Historical Magazine, Spring 2000, "Such a Banditty You Never See Collected!": Frederick Town and the American Revolution by Andrew King.
Abraham gained prominence in Frederick, MD after receiving the family farm "Friendship" in 1788 serving on the State Constitutional Convention to ratify U.S. Constitution, and he is recorded by the Carlisle Gazette as interpreting it in German to a crowd in Hagerstown before its ratification. His signature appears on Maryland's copy of the U.S. Constitution.
Abraham Faw also served in the Maryland House of Representatives in 1786-8 where he supported an unsuccessful end to slavery although he was a slave holder as late as 1790. Among his various business interests, he was recorded as an agent of Amulung glass, first in America, and after a fire at the firm, suffered large debts to Philadelphia suppliers in an attempt to continue the business. This led to personal bankruptcy, and his removal first to Montgomery County, then Alexandria, VA although the debts were subsequently paid in full. He was an unsuccessful candidate for the first U.S. Congress 1788, a general state wide election that saw no election of western Maryland candidates.
Faw appears in Alexandria, VA in 1796 when he is named Justice of the Peace and Coroner for the City of Alexandria. In 1800 he leased Spring Garden and then sold a house and lot on the south side of King St. between Washington and Columbus Streets (very near Washington Hall). His office was located on St. Asaph Street. 1804 tax records indicate he owned 4 houses. He was involved in three U.S. Supreme Court disputes involving property. His death notice appeared in the Alexandria Gazette, June 27, 1828. (All of this property is part of present-day Historic Old Town Alexandria.) He was buried in the third churchyard of Christ Church in Alexandria, but his gravestone was last noted in 1955.
Abraham was first married to Julianna Lowe in 1770. Their son, Jonathan was born in 1773 and in 1801 granted permission to practice law. This wife died in 1788 and in 1790 Abraham married Mary Steiner in Frederick Co MD. Of this union there were three children. His third wife was Sarah Moody whom he married on April 20, 1806, she died 1818.
Children of Abraham Faw and 1) Julianna Lowe
Jonathan Faw (1773-1807) (granted permission to practice law in 1801)
Children of Abraham Faw and 2) Mary Anne Steiner
William H. S. Faw (1791-1822) m. Nancy Williams
(William served in the War of 1812 and was a Hat Manufacturer in Alex)
Julianna Faw (1792-?) m. Rev. Epoch M. Lowe in 1815
Sophia Eliza Faw (1794-?) m. 1) Jacob Leonard in 1814, 2) John F.M. Lowe
Children of William H. S. Faw and Nancy
Elizabeth Faw m. unknown Henry
Children of Sophia Faw and 1) Jacob Leonard
Julianna Leonard (1815-1830)
Children of Sophia Faw and 2) John F.M. Lowe
Robert Steed Lowe (1831-1832)
Epoch M. Lowe (1832-?)
Jane Richards Lowe (1835-1857)
Julianna Lowe (1837-?)
Mercer Lloyd Lowe (1839-1840)
Personal communications with Jack Lynch. Jack would like to correspond with anyone interested or researching this Faw family. His email address is: dbsbride@ix.netcom.com
Alexandria City and County VA, Wills, Administrations and Guardian Bonds, 1800-1870
Will dated 15 Jun 1824 - 8 Jul 1828
Husbands and Wives Association, Early Alexandria, VA., Wesly E. Pippenger
Obituaries Notices from Alexandria Gazette, 1784-1915, pg. 105
Merchants of Alexandria VA
Monocacy and Catoctin, Vol. I
Journal and Correspondence of the Safety Council (1777-78), Maryland Archives
Carlisle Gazette, 1788, Maryland Archives
Lowe family Bible, Maryland Historical Society, Baltimore
History of Maryland
History of Frederick County
First Courthouses of Maryland
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