Upon close examination, this Hesselius portrait shows his sightless right eye, the result of a childhood accident.
William was the last Fitzhugh born at "Eagle's Nest," in King George County, VA. He was the son of Henry Fitzhugh and his wife, Lucy Carter. His father died when he was three leaving him a wealthy young man. In 1771, William and his wife moved to "Chatham," in Stafford County, VA.
William was a man of high character and wide influence with a long public career. He was responsible for the the operations of vast holdings. When, in later years, he found burdensome the operation of "Chatham" he bought this house and developed Ravensworth Plantation in Fairfax County, VA.