Life
Fitzhugh and his wife, Ann Bolling Randolph Fitzhugh (1747–1805), built Chatham Manor on property across the Rappahannock River from Fredericksburg, Virginia, completing it in 1771 after 3 years of construction. It still stands today as the National Park Service Headquarters for the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park. The Fitzhughs lived a lavish life there that included experimental farming and horse racing. After the Revolutionary War, as the economy floundered, Fitzhugh sold Chatham Manor and 1,288 acres (5.2 km2) to Churchill Jones for $20,000.
About 1799, William Fitzhugh bought the house at 607 Oronoco St., Alexandria, Virginia, that has become known as "The Boyhood Home of Robert E. Lee." The house was built in 1795 by John Potts, Jr. After William Fitzhugh's death, it then passed to William Henry Fitzhugh, his only son, and was rented to the Lee family.
Fitzhugh had built another mansion, Ravensworth, in 1796, where North Springfield, Virginia, is now located. This was his country home, with the Alexandria one being his townhouse. Ravensworth stood until about 1925, when it burned under mysterious circumstances.
William Fitzhugh and George Washington visited one another frequently until Washington's death in 1799, with Washington mentioning Fitzhugh in his diary and the two serving together on the Pohick Church vestry. Fitzhugh was the last person that Washington visited outside of Mount Vernon before his death in 1799.
Read more about this topic: William Fitzhugh
Famous quotes containing the word life:
“She never dies, but lasteth
In life of lover’s heart;
He ever dies that wasteth
In love his chiefest part.”
—Sir Philip Sidney (1554–1586)
“The child who enters life comes not with knowledge or intent,
So those who enter death must go as little children sent.
Nothing is known. But I believe that God is overhead;
And as life is to the living, so death is to the dead.”
—Mary Mapes Dodge (1831–1905)
“On wings of morning our prayers and devotions are soaring.
All of creation awakens, the Maker adoring.
Join in the song. Harmonies blending along,
Vigor and life now restoring.”
—Jane Parker Huber (b. 1926)