Jesse Fairchild

Albany resident Jesse Fairchild was born about 1740 in New Jersey. Perhaps he was the same-named individual who was a blacksmith in Morris County in 1763.

In September 1771, St. Peter's church records identified him as a blacksmith and stated that John Willis was his journeyman. In November of that year the new Albany Gazette advertized that he was a blacksmith and that he had relocated to Albany from New Jersey. In December, he advertized that he was looking for an apprentice smith.

By the mid-1770s, he had married Albany native Maria Gerritsen. Between 1775 and 1779, four children had been christened at the Dutch church in Albany.

In October 1776, he was one of the smiths employed in making spades, nails, and later handcuffs for the Albany committee. In 1778, he served under the Continental Quartermaster General's command and had charge of six nailers. During the war, a Jesse Fairchild (probably not this blacksmith) was listed as an enlisted man on the rosters of the first and third regiments of the New York Line and on a subsequent land bounty list.

In 1779, his residence, shop, and lot were valued separately on the first ward assessment roll.

In November 1780, he was identified as an Albany blacksmith when he posted a bond for good behavior with the Albany Commissioners.

In July 1785, the city records noted that he was in business with Vosburgh and noted that he was paid from the city treasury.

The name of Jesse Fairchild has not been found in the community-based Albany record after 1785 nor was he on the census in New York State in 1790. But, was he the "Jesse Fairchild, Esq." who officiated the marriage of Colin Gibson and Peggy Miller in Cambridge in October 1807? Family-based resources hold that Jesse Fairchild died on February 13, 1813 in Colonie.

Sources: The life of Jesse Fairchild is CAP biography number 8014. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.