John Blair | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Virginia Governor's Council | |
| In office 1740-1771 | |
| Member of the House of Burgesses from Williamsburg, Colony of Virginia | |
| In office 1736-1740 | |
| Preceded by | John Clayton |
| Succeeded by | John Harmer |
| Member of the House of Burgesses from Jamestown, Colony of Virginia | |
| In office 1734-1735 | |
| Preceded by | Archibald Blair |
| Succeeded by | Lewis Burwell |
| Personal details | |
| Born | c. 1687 Scotland |
| Died | November 5, 1771 (aged 83–84) Williamsburg, Virginia |
| Resting place | Bruton Parish |
| Nationality | American |
| Spouse | Mary Munro |
| Children | 10, including John Blair, Jr. |
| Relatives | James Blair (uncle) |
| Alma mater | College of William and Mary |
| Occupation |
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| Known for |
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John Blair (c. 1687 – November 5, 1771) was a merchant and politician of the colony of Virginia. He served in both houses of the Virginia General Assembly. As a member of the House of Burgesses, he initially represented Jamestown then Williamsburg (the successive seats of the colony's government), before being appointed to the Governor's Council. There he served for more than 25 years, including four times becoming acting governor during changes of the royal governors and while governor Francis Fauquier was in the New York and Georgia colonies. Nonetheless, this John Blair, the earliest of the four men of the name serving in the Virginia General Assembly, may be best known either as the nephew and heir of Rev. James Blair (who founded the College of William and Mary, where many descendants would be educated) or father of John Blair, Jr. (a lawyer who served in many governmental posts, including as a burgess, delegate to the Constitutional Convention, Virginia judge and finally as associate justice of the United States Supreme Court).