Jane Fairfax (nee Bates) was the younger daughter of Mr. Bates, the vicar of Highbury, and his wife Mrs. Bates. Her elder sister was Hetty Bates. She married Lieut. Fairfax, an officer in the infantry, and had one daughter: Jane Fairfax. Her husband died in action abroad, and soon afterwards, Mrs. Fairfax died of consumption and grief, leaving their daughter an orphan at three years old.