Philip Richard Fendall I

[1] Born on November 24, 1734, in Charles County, Maryland, Philip Richard Fendall had a profound influence on the socioeconomic and political structure of Alexandria, Virginia, society.

He probably grew up at Batten Cliffs, his father's 550-acre estate overlooking the Potomac River in Charles County, Maryland.

As clerk, Fendall worked at the county seat at Port Tobacco, Maryland, and was responsible for the oversight of the judicial records.

Philip lived with Elizabeth, her two daughters, Flora and Matilda, and her son-in-law Col. "Light Horse Harry" Lee at Stratford Hall in 1784.

In that year, Fendall bought a half-acre lot at the corner of Washington and Oronoco Streets in Alexandria, Virginia from Light Horse Harry for £300.

With a group of leading Alexandria and Georgetown merchants, including George Washington, he became involved in the formation and development of the Potomac Canal Company, one of the greatest engineering feats of its day.

Like many prominent civic, business and social leaders in the South, Fendall became a victim of an erratic and uncontrolled national economy and declared bankruptcy in 1803.