Henry Fitzhugh (1706December 6, 1742) was an American planter and soldier who served two terms in the

House of Burgesses The House of Burgesses was the elected representative element of the Virginia General Assembly, the legislative body of the Colony of Virginia. With the creation of the House of Burgesses in 1642, the General Assembly, which had been established ...

representing then-vast Stafford County and was an unsuccessful candidate for Speaker.

Early and family life

The only son of William Fitzhugh of "Eagles' Nest" was born in what was then Stafford County (but became

King George County, Virginia King George County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population sits at 26,723. Its county seat is the town of King George. The county's largest employer is the U.S. Naval Surface Warfare Center ...

) and was a member of the First Families of Virginia. His grandfather, William Fitzhugh had acquired large estates in Virginia, operated them using indentured and enslaved labor, then divided them among his five sons. Young Henry was sent to England to be educated at

Christ Church, Oxford University Christ Church ( la, Ædes Christi, the temple or house, '' ædēs'', of Christ, and thus sometimes known as "The House") is a constituent college of the University of Oxford in England. Founded in 1546 by King Henry VIII, the college is unique ...

. After returning to the Virginia colony, this Henry Fitzhugh married Lucy Carter, daughter of "King Carter" of ''Corotoman'' plantation and the largest landowner in Virginia of his day.

Career

Like other members of his family, Henry Fitzhugh operated large plantations acquired by his father and by using indentured and enslaved labor. When Stafford County reorganized and

was created, most would be in

. Stafford County voters elected Fitzhugh as one of their representatives in the

in 1736, and he won re-election in 1742, although he died during that legislative term. He succeeded his cousin Major John Fitzhugh, who died in 1733, and served alongside fellow planter John Peyton. Planter John Hedgman succeeded to the seat following Fitzhugh's death.Cynthia Miller Leonard, The Virginia General Assembly 1619-1978 (Richmond: Virginia State Library 1978) pp. 77, 79 Henry Fitzhugh also served as lieutenant colonel of the Stafford County militia and unsuccessfully campaigned to become speaker of the House of Burgesses.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Fitzhugh, Henry 1706 births 1742 deaths House of Burgesses members Fitzhugh family of Virginia American slave owners People from Stafford County, Virginia