William Fitzhugh and his Chesapeake world, 1676-1701: The Fitzhugh letters and other documents (Virginia Historical Society documents)
by William Fitzhugh
Category: Fitzhugh, William, 1651-17

At least two methodical colonists of the later seventeenth century, however, one of whom lived on the James and the other on the Potomac, seem to have kept in bound volumes copies of outgoing letters, and at least retained and preserved these letters over a period of years. One of the men was William Byrd I (1652-1704), father of the polished Queen Anne gentleman who was the most distinguished writer of the colonial South. The other methodical colonist was William Fitzhugh, who lived on the Potomac and practiced law as well as raised tobacco. When he died at the age of fifty he left to his descendants more than fifty-four thousand acres of land and a reputation for ability in many lines of endeavor. His surname alone and in combined form through the marital alliances of his children and grandchildren with Washingtons and Lees and Masons, among others, has had a notable place in American history from his time to ours. Fitzhugh preserved some 212 of his letter to his clients, his London agents, his family in England, his law partner and other business associates, officials of the colony, and several personal friends. -- Pg. 6.