Marriage and Beginnings

In 1868, Fairchilds gets married to Amanda Williams. According to the marriage certificate, Elias Dibble officiates.

(According to 1870 Census, Amanda Fairchild appears to be living in a different household, headed by a 48-year-old woman named Hannah Hendy, and with a 4-year-old named Ann Williams.)

Then, on March 27, 1872, Robert buys a piece of property in Ammerman tract from Melissa Ammerman for $300 in gold.¹

In 1880 Census, Robert heads a household with Amanda, his wife, and his mother-in-law Hannah Hendry, dauther Annie, and four other children. His occupation is given as drayman.

Emancipation Park and Community Leader

In 1886, he’s at a local meeting of Republicans.²

That same year, S. J. Leonard is President of the Emancipation Park association, and Fairchilds is a trustee.^[Houston Post, June 29, 1886, link.

He’s listed apparently as one of the Trustees of Emancipation Park Association Grounds, in 1887, where S. J. Leonard, husband of Bettie Leonard is also listed as a Trustee and as having been paid for services.³

In 1888, he is on the Finance committee for “Emancipation Day” planning.⁴

In 1889, he was chairman of committee on arrangements for Juneteenth celebration.⁵

See references to his Emancipation Park roles in Protected Landmark application and in Harris Masterson Papers.

Transfer of Ammerman Land to Amanda

In March 1888, he tried to protest his property tax assessment but was not allowed.

In January 1896, he again protested about assessment of property being too high on his property 100x189 feet, Fourth ward South. “Ruled out of order.”

Then, in March, he conveyed the tract to Amanda Fairchilds.

Robert Fairchilds conveys the property to Amanda Fairchilds, March 9, 1896, for $10.⁶

Final Years

In 1897, “Master Robert Fairchild” (probably their son born in 1882—see 1900 Census) completes studies at the “colored high school” and leaves to attend Tuskegee.

See also his 1891 third grade essay for Arbor Day.

In 1899 City Directory, Amanda Fairchild and Robert A. Fairchild are both living at 2015 Dallas, and Robert and Amanda’s daughter Ella (who also lives at that address) is a teacher at the “colored high school.” Robert is still living in 1903 City Directory, but has disappeared by 1905 directory.

In 1900 Census, he and Amanda are erroneously recorded with last name “Childs,” and they now have a son, Robert Jr., who is 18 years old, too young to have been captured on the 1882 Census. Amanda’s mother, no listed as “Johannah Hendry,” is still living with them at the age of 72. There are three school teachers in the family, and the neighborhood appears racially mixed.

In 1905, Amanda Fairchilds conveys 5.75 acres (which seems way too big; perhaps a typo) in Obedience smith survey, Lot 38, to H. M. Curtin for $1,800.⁷

Curtin then sold the property to the Rice Institute for $2280, as recorded in a deed placed on public record in 1908.⁸

In 1905, Amanda Fairchilds, also gets a building permit to work on Dallas Avenue cottage, so perhaps husband has died?

In 1910 Census, she is widowed.

Descendants and Amanda’s Death

Son Thornton H. Fairchild, and other descendants, appear in Houston Red Book. See also daughter Nettie Fairchild death certificate

Amanda Fairchild dies in 1933, according to death certificate, and is buried in Olivewood.]