Fitzhugh, William, 1741-1809

William Fitzhugh (August 24, 1741 – June 6, 1809) was an American planter, legislator and patriot during the American Revolutionary War who served as a delegate to the Continental Congress for Virginia in 1779, as well as many terms in the House of Burgesses and both houses of the Virginia General Assembly following the Commonwealth's formation. His Stafford County home, Chatham Manor, is on the National Register for Historic Places and serves as the National Park Service Headquarters for the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park.

Born in King George County in the Colony of Virginia, Fitzhugh pursued classical studies with private teachers before engaging in agricultural pursuits, farming large estates (in several counties in Virginia's Northern Neck and what has now become the northern Virginia suburbs of Washington D.C.) using enslaved labor. Fitzhugh first served as a legislator when Virginia's General Assembly consisted solely of the House of Burgesses. He was one of two part-time representatives from King George County, and served alongside Joseph Jones between 1772 and 1775. Fitzhugh was also a member of the Revolutionary Committee of Safety in 1774 and 1775. He served as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates from 1776 to 1778. From September 12 to October 31, 1779, Fitzhugh served as a Delegate to the Second Continental Congress from Virginia. From 1780 to 1781, he again served in the House of Delegates before voters in Westmoreland, Stafford, and King George Counties elected and re-elected Fitzhugh to the state Senate, where he served from 1781 to 1785. Fitzhugh represented Stafford County in the House of Delegates from 1787 to 1788. He served as a presidential elector for the 1789 election from Westmoreland District.

Fitzhugh died at his Ravensworth estate in Fairfax County, Virginia. He was initially buried there but when the mansion was destroyed, his remains and gravestone were moved to historic Pohick Church cemetery in Lorton, Virginia.