Sarah Cary, called Sally, was born into the narrow closed society re-membered today as Virginia’s Aristocracy. She was probably born in 1730 on Richneck Plantation, one of her wealthy father’s many properties in the Middle Peninsula between Williamsburg and Hamp-ton Roads. She was the oldest daughte of Colonel Wilson Cary and Sarah Pate.
Her great grandfather arrived in Virginia in 1645 and set the Cary family on success as a planter and as a member of the House of Burgesses and the Governovr's Council.
Because the Cary's were prosperous and socially prominent, Sally re-ceived what was that the time a very extensive education. This training was meant, of course, to prepare her to be the mistress of a great home and family.
At 15 years of age of 15 she was old enough to marry. Eligible bachelors from among her social class began to court her at that time. She enjoyed the attention they show-ered on her, but her father was careful to banish suitors who were below her station. This included virtually all of the young men in Virginia.
Men who could have been a suit-able for Sally Cary included:
* William Randolph (b. 1710) married Anne Harrison
* Landon Carter (b. 1710) married Maria Byrd, daughter of William Byrd II
* Daniel Parke Custis (b. 1711) married Martha Dandridge in 1750
* Mann Page II (b. 1718) married Jane Carter
* Peyton Randolph (b. 1721) married Betty Harrison in 1746
* George Mason (b. 1725) married Ann Eilbeck in 1750
* Philip Ludwell Lee (b. 1726) married Elizabeth Steptoe in 1761
* Benjamin Harrison V (b. 1726) married Elizabeth Bassett about 1754
* William Byrd III (b. 1729) married Elizabeth Hill Carter in 1748.
Thomas Ludwell Lee (b. 1730) married Mary Aylett in 1751.
Richard Henry Lee (b. 1732) married Anne Aylett in 1757.
George Mercer (b. 1733) married – unknown.
Given the quality of the young men in your class, why did you choose George William Fairfax?
And what did you think of his family?
Did you have children? What became of them?
Did something happened between your husband and his family to keep him from his inheritance?
Tell us about George Washington – he was your special friend, was he not?
And what about his friendship with your husband - were they also close?
We are all curious about your connections with the town of Alexandria and Fairfax County.
Your husband was a loyalist was he not? Would you share your thoughts about the conflict that divided your hysband and yourself from your American friends?
Your years in England - what were they like?
Why did you stay in England after your husband died?
Thank you for joining us this afternoon Lady Fairfax. Here are the items that we would like to discuss with you:
Congratulations - Beverley Benda! Your performance was great.
Soprano Beverley Benda appears frequently on stage in musical theater and concert productions. She has been featured in pops concerts across the country with such organizations as The Greenville Symphony, The Richmond Symphony, The Dallas Wind Orchestra, and The Mt. Vernon Chamber Orchestra, and has performed leading roles in musicals and operettas such as The Pirates of Penzance, Hollywood Pinafore, Showboat, My Fair Lady, and Brigadoon.
Currently, Ms. Benda is a Master Vocalist with The United States Army Band (Pershing’s Own) in Washington, DC, performing regularly with The Army Band Downrange and The Broadway Trio for heads of state, the White House, and visitors to the Nation’s Capital.
