Rufus Fairbanks, Jonathan Fairbanks’ grandson, was born in Killingly, Connecticut, on October 20, 1759, the youngest of seven children born to Eleazer Fairbanks III and Prudence Cary.
Much to the dismay of his loyal British family, Rufus Fairbanks desired to join the efforts for independence. His family forbid him to join. Through family lore it is known that one night when everyone was asleep, Rufus left the house, and completed a four-day walk to Boston where he joined in the fight for American independence from British control. He enlisted as a Private in Captain Reuben Munn’s Company in Colonel Elisha Porter’s Regiment. The Company later detached to join the army under General Gates in the Battle of Saratoga (September to October 1777).
After his enlistment, Rufus Fairbanks graduated from Dartmouth College in 1784. His uncle Joseph Fairbanks, having no heir, persuaded Rufus to join him in Halifax, Nova Scotia. There Rufus Fairbanks married Ann Prescott, daughter of Jonathan Prescott and Ann Blackden on November 17, 1785. They were the parents of 10 children. Rufus Fairbanks died in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on July 7, 1842 at the age of 83.