Philip Richard Fendall II
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 Philip Richard Fendall II (1794-1868) |
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| Born: | December 18, 1794 "Lee-Fendall House", 614 Oronoco St., Alexandria, Virginia |
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| Died: | February 16, 1868 Washington, D.C. |
| Occupation: | District Attorney of Washington, D.C. |
Philip Richard Fendall II (December 18, 1794 - February 16, 1867) served as District Attorney of Washington, D.C. from 1841 to 1845 and again from 1849 to 1853.
[edit] Early Life
Philip was born December 18, 1794 at the "Lee-Fendall House", located at 614 Oronoco St., Alexandria, Virginia. 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. His academic performance was excellent and he graduated with honors in 1815. He was the "First Honor Man" (Salutorian of his class).
[edit] Law Practice and Early Career
Upon his return to Alexandria, Virginia following his graduation, he secured a position working in the law practice of his uncle, Richard Bland Lee I, who was a Congressman from Northern Virginia. 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. In 1820 Philip was admitted to the Alexandria Bar. The 1820's were filled with financial woes for Philip, which were compounded by his mother's financial difficulties, and by 1821 the Fendall's were forced to mortgage the Lee-Fendall House on Oronoco Street, Alexandria, Virginia, which Philip's father built. In 1822, Philip was elected President of the Periclean Society of Alexandria. This organization was composed of 24 men who met and debated philosophical and political questions. It was through this, that Philip sharpened his forensic skills.
In August of 1824, Philip was appointed by President James Monroe (1758-1831), as Captain of Infantry, 2nd Brigaide of the local District of Columbia Militia. However, he did not hold this position very long, and it is doubtful that he exercised his command, for he resigned his commission on May 26, 1825. Philip became the Editor of the National Journal in Washington D.C. from 1824 to 1830, which was established by his close friend Peter Force (1790-1868), who at one time was Mayor of Washington, D.C. President Monroe appointed him judge of the Orphan's Court for Alexandria County.
[edit] Fendall's Marriage
Philip married Elizabeth Mary Young (1804-1859) in Alexandria, Virginia on March 31, 1827. Elizabeth was the daughter of Brig. Gen. Robert Young (1768-1824) and Elizabeth Mary Conrad (1772-1810).
Elizabeth was considered by the famous British novelist, Charles Dickens (1812-1870), “the most interesting woman he met in the United States”. In 1827-1830 Elizabeth owned a boarding house in Washington D.C. This was located at South Side Fn. between 12th and 13th West. She died of disease of the heart in 1854.
Elizabeth was the sister of Roberta Eugenia Young (1813-1886), who married Gov. Albert Gallatin Brown (1813-1880), Governor of Mississippi.
[edit] Becomes Clerk
Philip was clerk secretary of State's Office from 1827-1830. While working there he developed a lifelong friendship with Sen. Henry Clay (1777-1852), Secretary of State.
[edit] Early Writings
In 1829, while still a Clerk, Philip began writing a book entitled A History Of The Adams Administration (President John Quincy Adams and Philip Richard Fendall were good friends). This was rumored a month before the inauguration of Andrew Jackson. It never was published, whether because of a lack of subscribers or time restraints on Philip's career. However, a book was released entitled Parties In The United States that Philip is rumored to be a collaborator of.
On May 1, 1829, Fendall was terminated from his position by then-Secretary of State Martin Van Buren in an early example of patronage based terminations at the State Department.
On June 16th, 1830, upon the advent of Gen. Andrew Jackson (1767-1845), Philip became the Editor of the National Intelligencer, one of the two daily papers in Washington D.C. along with the Globe.
[edit] American Colonization Society
In April of 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 (1779-1843), George Washington Parke Custis (1781-1857), Andrew Jackson (1767-1845), Henry Clay (1777-1852), and ex-president James Monroe (1758-1831). The Society was interested in setting up a Colony, outside of America for free slaves to enjoy their freedom and own their own land. Fendall was instrumental in formulating the Society's goals. His draft stated that, "Slavery is not a good either moral, political or economical but it is an evil imposed on many of the Southern States, in far gone days without their consent. In the introduction of it, the Northern states bear their full share of responsibility."
[edit] District Attorney
On July 4, 1841, President John Tyler IV, Gen. (1790-1842) appointed Philip District Attorney. In 1844 he was dismissed when the Whig Party lost out to the Democrats, and President James Knox Polk (1795-1849) came into office. In 1849 President Millard Fillmore (1800-1874) re-appointed him to his former post and he served in this capacity until his resignation in 1853 during the Pierce administration. Philip also maintained his own practice as a lawyer when not handling the affairs of U.S. District Attorney. He was a pall bearer for the burial of Dolley (Payne) Todd Madison (1768-1849), wife of President James Madison.
[edit] The Madison Papers
In 1860 under direction of the Joint Committee of Congress, he began to edit, revise and index the Madison Papers, which were the correspondences of President James Madison.
[edit] Civil War
When the Civil War broke out, Philip was put in an awkward position, he opposed slavery. On the other hand he watched as his cousins, Gen. Robert Edward Lee (1807-1870) and Col. Richard Bland Lee II (1797-1875) resigned their commissions in the Army and took up with the Confederacy. Philip had one son Lt. James Robert Young Fendall (1838-1869)who fought for the Confederacy, and two others who sided with the North. His son Maj. Philip Richard Fendall III (1832-1879), was a Lieutenant in the Union Marine Corps., and another son, Clarence “Claude” Fendall (1836-1868) was in the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, responsible for drafting maps for the Union Army.
[edit] The Jamestown Society & The Washington Monument
Philip was the second President of The Jamestown Society, originated in 1854 to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the settlement of Jamestown. His name is on a bronze plaque at the base of the Washington Monument. The plaque honors those who formed the Washington Monument Society, to construct the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C. He was active in this work during the mid 1800's.
[edit] Philip's Home
Philip’s residence was located at the corner of 4 ½ D Street and Louisiana, in Washington, D. C. This was the scene of many brilliant entertainments. Henry Clay (1777-1852), Sen. Daniel Webster (1786-1852), and Jefferson Davis (1808-1889) were among the frequent visitors at the Fendall’s. It was in this house that Gen. Robert Edward Lee (1807-1870), then a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army, is said to have declared that he hoped Virginia would not secede, but that if she did secede his first allegiance was due to his State. Philip died in 1868, and this residence was torn down, in 1886. In it’s place rose the Fendall Building, which was used as a lawyer’s office for his many son’s who followed in his foot steps this prestigious profession. The building was 7 stories high, and was rented out to many other private lawyers and firms. The building was torn down in 1931-1932, and in it’s place now stands the large city police building.
[edit] Securing homes for relatives
At the age of 16, Philip received a letter from his Aunt, Ann Hill (Carter) Lee (1773-1829), second wife of Maj. Gen. Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee III (1756-1818):
"Eastern View - September 21, 1811
My Dear Philip:
I am truly grateful for the friendly attention of Mrs. Fendall and yourself at present Mr. Randolph has not the disposal of Mr. Fitzhugh's house, the term not being yet expired for which Mrs. Alexander rented it. I must therefore be indebted to the courtesy of that lady for preferring me as her tenant: Which I can only hope for from the influence of your mama -request the favor of her, dear Philip, to exercise her powers of eloquence in procuring me so comfortable a house and the happiness of living near herself and Mrs. Edmund Lee, and assure her the obligation will be justly appreciated. I expect to be in Alexandria on Wednesday next, and would prefer examining the state of the house before positively engaging it; but if there is any probability of our having it, do request dear Mrs. Fendall to secure it. -Ann H. Lee
Through his efforts and those of his mother, Philip was able to secure the rental of 607 Oronoco Street for Mrs. Ann Lee and her family. It was here that Gen. Robert Edward Lee and his siblings would grow to maturity. Years later this lovely federal structure would be known as the boyhood home of Gen. Robert Edward Lee (1807-1870). ("Visitors From The Past - A Bi-Centennial Reflection Of Life At The Lee-Fendall House").
*Note - “Eastern View” was located in Fauquier County, and was the home of Ann’s sister Elizabeth Hill (Carter) Randolph (1764-1832), who was married to Col. Robert Randolph (1760-1825).
George Washington had dined at “Eastern View” with John Potts, Jr., who built the house in 1795, and with William Fitzhugh (1741-1809), who bought it in 1799. While surveying his lands at Four Mile Run, Washington was Fitzhugh's guest for two nights. George Washington Parke Custis, grandson of Martha Washington, came here to court a Fitzhugh daughter, Mary Lee. Fitzhugh died in 1809. By the spring of 1812 Light Horse Harry Lee and his family were living here. By the spring of 1817 his family had moved to 407 North Washington. By or before 1818 William Henry Fitzhugh (1792-1830) was in residence. By 1821 Light Horse Harry Lee's family had moved back to 607 Oronoco Street. The family lived here until 1825, when young Robert E. Lee reported to West Point.
During the Civil War “Arlington House”, the estate of Gen. Robert Edward Lee (1807-1870) was hit with a tax levy of $92.07, plus a fifty percent penalty, payable in Alexandria. This tax was done under war time laws designed to penalize “rebels” by confiscating their property within the Federal lines, and demanding that the owners must pay the tax in person. Too crippled to undertake such a journey even if she could have gotten a pass through the lines, Mary Anne Randolph (Custis) Lee (1808-1873) sent her cousin Philip R. Fendall to pay the tax. Unfortunately the tax commissioners turned him away on the grounds that he was not the owner of the property. As a result, the estate was then advertised for sale at public auction. It was sold to the Government for $26,800. Later it was decided to establish a National Cemetery at “Arlington”.
[edit] Death
Philip died February 16, 1868 at his home in Washington, D.C. at 1:00 pm. He was placed in the vault at Glenwood Cem., then removed to the Presbyterian Cem., Alexandria, Virginia.
[edit] Issue of Philip and Elizabeth Fendall
1. Mary Lee Fendall (1828-1911), who never married.
2. Robert Young Fendall (1829-1832), who died young.
3. Maj. Philip Richard Fendall III (1832-1879), who married Annie Catherine Tredick (1836), daughter of Jonathan Martin Tredick, Jr. (1802-1875) and Mary Frances Salter.
4. William Young “Willie” Fendall (1834-1871), who never married.
5. Clarence “Claude” Fendall (1836-1868), who never married.
6. Lt. James Robert Young Fendall (1838-1869), who never married.
7. Florence Fendall (ca. 1840-1926), who never married.
8. Arthur Fendall (1843-1878), who married Sally Cornelia "Fany" Miller (1843-1929), daughter of Dr. Thomas Miller (1806-1873) and Virginia Collins Jones (1809-1892).
9. Reginald Fendall (1845-1898), who married Annie Augusta Galt (1854-1934), daughter of Matthew William Galt (1821-1898) and first cousin, Mary Jane Galt (1827-1892).
10. Elizabeth Young “Bessie” Fendall (1847-1903), who never married.
11. Stratford Fendall (1849-1877), who married Annie B. "Nannie" Robinson (1836-1876), son of W.C. Robinson (1803-1871) and Abby S.
[edit] Ancestry of Philip Richard Fendall II
Philip II, was the son of Philip Richard Fendall I, Esq. (1734-1805) and his third wife, Mary "Mollie" Lee (1764-1827).
Mary was the daughter of Maj. Gen. Henry Lee II (1730-1787) of "Leesylvania", and his wife, Lucy Grymes (1734-1792) the "Lowland Beauty".
Philip Richard Fendall I, was in turn the son of Benjamin Fendall I, Esq. (1708-1764), of "Potomac" and Eleanor Lee (1710-1759), of the "Blenheim Lee's".
Eleanor was the daughter of Capt. Philip Lee, Sr., Hon., Esq. (1681-1744) of "Blenheim", and his first wife, Sarah (Brooke) Dent (1683-1724), of "Brookefield", widow of Col. William Dent, Sr. (1660-1705).
Benjamin I, was in turn the son of Col. John Fendall I (1672-1734) of "Clivedon Hall", and his wife, Elizabeth (Hanson) Marshall (1671-1735), widow of William Marshall II (1670-1698).
Elizabeth was the daughter of Randall Hanson (1630-1699) and his first wife, Barbara (Hatton) Johnson (ca. 1634), widow of James Johnson.
John I, was in turn the son of Gov. Josias Fendall I, Lt. Gen., Esq. (ca. 1628-1687), fourth proprietary and colonial Governor of Maryland from 1656-1660.
[edit] References
- Fendall, Douglas Allen. The Descendants of Governor Josias Fendall (for a detailed list of references click the link).
