Ferdinando Fairfax (see entry for 31 May 1769) inherited from his uncle George William Fairfax in 1787 all his property, including the Belvoir estate in Fairfax County and tracts of land in Berkeley (later in Jefferson) County. Ferdinando’s home, Shannon Hill, on the Shenandoah River was about halfway between Key’s ferry and Snickers’ ferry. During this visit to Mount Vernon, Fairfax discussed with GW the possibility of hiring one of GW’s jackasses to stand at Shannon Hill for the season and of GW’s purchasing or hiring a cook to replace one who had recently run away (Ferdinando Fairfax to GW, 22 Aug. 1797 and 2 Mar. 1798, DLC:GW).