Philip Richard Fendall II (December 18, 1794 – February 16, 1868) was an American lawyer and politician who served as the District Attorney of Washington, D.C.

[1] Fendall matriculated to the College of New Jersey, later known as Princeton University in 1812 where he excelled at forensics and belonged to several clubs and debating societies.

He was an aide to Richard, who was placed by President James Madison, as an overseer in charge of reconstructing the new Capital, due to the British burning the city during the War of 1812.

[3] In August 1824, Fendall was appointed by President James Monroe, as Captain of Infantry, 2nd Brigaide of the local District of Columbia Militia.

While working there he developed a lifelong friendship with Sen. Henry Clay, Secretary of State under President John Quincy Adams.

In 1849 President Millard Fillmore re-appointed him to his former post and he served in this capacity until his resignation in 1853 during the Pierce administration.

On June 29, 1861, Fendall may have written an introduction letter for Henry May (Maryland) to meet Edward Bates, Lincoln's Attorney General.

On June 16, 1830, upon the advent of Gen. Andrew Jackson, Fendall became the Editor of the National Intelligencer, one of the two daily papers in Washington, D.C., along with the Globe.

This spacious house would serve as Philip's home and law office for the balance of his life.

In April 1833, Fendall became the assistant secretary to the American Colonization Society in Washington, D.C., a society, which was formed in 1816 by a number of prominent Southern liberals including Francis Scott Key, George Washington Parke Custis, Andrew Jackson, Henry Clay, and ex-president James Monroe.

The Society was interested in setting up a Colony, outside of America for free slaves to enjoy their freedom and own their own land.