Philip was named in honor of his grandfather, Capt. Philip Lee, Sr., Hon., Esq. (1681-1714), his great grandfather, Col. Richard Lee II, Esq., “the scholar” (1647-1715), and his great great grandfather, Col. Richard Lee I, Esq., “the immigrant” (1618-1664).
Philip was an office holder, lawyer, merchant, and entrepreneur. Before the Revolution, Fendall was the Principal agent on the Potomac River for James Russell (1708-1788), merchant of London, England. Mr. Russell was married to Anne Lee (1715-1800), sister of Philip’s mother. Russell not only conducted one of the most prestigious and lucrative import-export business on the Maryland colony, he replaced Hanbury’s as the most important London trading house in the Chesapeake region. Being a mercantile agent consisted of persuading planters to consign their tobacco to Russell, take orders for manufactures, and oversee his ships when they were in Chesapeake waters. For these services Russell paid Philip commissions and advanced him credit.
On June 8, 1756, Philip became a County clerk succeeding his father Benjamin, who held the same office. As clerk, Philip worked at Port Tobacco, the county seat in Charles County, and was responsible for the oversight of the judicial records. He served in this position until 1776. On June 13, 1769 Philip’s future brother-in-law and Charles County Sheriff, Richard Lee IV (d. 1834), had been fined 40 pounds current money for whipping a slave. It seems the slave had escaped and Richard was charged with abusing a prisoner. Philip as clerk of the county court became pledge and security to pay the fine and the several fees due the officers and ministers of the court.
According to the Maryland Gazette, October 4, 1759, Philip and his first wife Sarah Lettice Lee were "...a very valuable young couple! with every natural Endowment, and needful Accomplishment, to render them agreeably useful in Public, and promise their Happiness in private Life. Long may they live, and be prosperous in the world; to reap, fully, the benefit of their early and constant affection for each other."
The marriage did not last long, according to the Maryland Gazette, January 22, 1761,“On Thursday, the 8th Instant, after a short Illness, Died Mrs. Sarah Lettice Fendall, Wife of Mr. Philip Richard Fendall, Clerk of Charles County. A very striking Example of the great uncertainty of all human Procurements, with what Zeal and Eagerness soever we pursue them, or Fondness we possess them with! She was a Lady very worthy our high Expectations, had God been pleased to allow her length of time to fulfil them in; but being cut off in almost the Bloom of Youth, and too, too soon from her happy Nuptials, she had but little opportunity for displaying to so full an extent that high pitch of merit in the character of Wife, which was justly ascribed her in her maiden condition. Her Fate was sudden and unexpected, and she has therefore the more left behind her a disconsolate Husband, most mournful Relations, and condoling Acquaintance. But her Memory is so grateful that it ought to set Bounds to our Sorrow and to mitigate all uneasiness on account of her Loss”.
Philip signed Maryland's nonimportation agreement in 1769, and served as cryer, and Court of Oyer and Terminere and Gaol (British for jail) delivery for Charles Co., 1772-1776. On June 14, 1774 he was listed with others as attending a meeting of the inhabitants of Charles County at Port Tobacco. The reason was “...to deliberate on the effect and tendancy of the Act of Parliament, for blocking up the Port and Harbour of Boston.” In 1775 he was on the Committee of Observation of Charles County, and in the Provincial Convention. In addition to this Philip was appointed County treasurer of the Charles County Committee, to receive subscriptions being raised to aid the Bostonians, who at this point were being held in check by the British blockade in Boston Harbor.
On May 22, 1775, a resolution was passed by Charles County residents at Port Tobacco which named Fendall as “one of fifteen Deputies to represent this county in any general convention to be held for this province, and that any five or more of them have power and authority to act for, and bind this county”. Philip was present at the Convention of Maryland that took place between July 26 until August 4, 1775.
It is ironic that the first day of the Convention the following incident occurred and this account appeared in the diary of Landon Carter (1757-1820) of “ Sabine Hall” on July 26, 1775: “Friday On the Potomac between Fendalls on Md. shore & Brents on Va. shore...4 men of War and their tenders which went from Dunmore's gang last Saturday on the Maryland side of St. Marys up the Potowmeck got as high as the house of Wm. Brent in Stafford and finding they had not been saluted from the shore as usual when the channel ran close by it, I suppose, from the musquitry, they concluded they were not expected there and ventured on shore and set fire to that plantation; and fired some cannon shot at Fendalls in Maryland opposite to it, which did a great deal of damage."
Later he traveled to Europe and specifically France, on an appointment from the Continental Congress to audit public accounts of American diplomatic personnel there. Philip sailed aboard the “Potomac”, the last ship to leave Maryland/Virginia, when trade links were broken with Britain. While there he visited his cousins Dr. Arthur Lee (1740-1792) and William Lee (1739-1795), who were serving as diplomats securing European assistance for the Revolution. Dr. Arthur Lee was one of America’s commissioners to the court of Louis XVI, King of France (1754-1793), and secured the famous Treaty of Alliance with the French in 1778, which called for France to provide needed munitions and food for the Continental Army.
On May 13, 1778, John Adams (1735-1826), the future 2nd President of the United States, who also happened to be in France, wrote in his diary, “Dined at Mrs. Chaumonts, with a great deal of Company. After dinner took a Walk to Chaillot to see Mr. Lee, who had a large Company of Americans to dine with him, among the rest Mr. Fendell of Maryland...”
Fendall returned to America about 1780, and married Elizabeth (Steptoe) Lee, the widow of Hon. Philip Ludwell Lee, Sr., Esq. (1727-1775) of “Stratford”. Elizabeth brought a significant amount of land holdings to this marriage including “Stratford Hall” plantation and the 6,595 acres on which it was situated. Elizabeth was the daughter of Col., Dr. James Steptoe (1709-1757) of “ Hominy Hall” in Westmoreland County, Virginia.
After the death of Philip Ludwell Lee, Sr., Elizabeth along with her new husband, continued to live at " Stratford" for several years before moving to Alexandria. Since Philip Ludwell Lee had died intestate, the court appointed a commission in 1780 to divide the estate. The commission recommended a tribunal: “A lot to Mrs. Fendall the Mansion House (Stratford) and offices thereunto belonging together with 1,000 acres of land next adjoining...” In addition, Mrs. Fendall received “13 men, 8 women, 8 boys and 12 girls” while Philip Fendall was awarded 1,352 pounds current money for Elizabeth’s one third dower interest in the estate. The remaining land was transmitted to the daughters, Flora and Matilda. Besides Elizabeth’s inheritance, Fendall had personally owned fifty-one slaves, and 4 wheels of vehicles by 1782. As a result the new couple was among the most affluent members of Westmoreland County. The new couple resided at “Stratford” along with her two daughters and son-in-law, Henry “Light Horse Harry” Lee, who had married the daughter Matilda. An arrangement was reached in 1784-85, that the Fendall’s would turn over their rights to “Stratford”, and at the same time, Henry would sell a ½ acre lot, situated on Oronoco Street in Alexandria, Virginia for 300 pounds. Alexandria was quickly becoming the social, political and ecclesiastical epicenter of Northern Virginia.
In May of 1785, he along with a group of leading citizens of Alexandria and Georgetown formed the Potomac Company. Philip was appointed chairman at the annual meeting of stockholders held in Alexandria on August 4, 1788. This Company’s goal was to construct a canal around the Great Falls of the Potomac River, which would allow trade from the Ohio Valley. However these men did not foresee the numerous difficulties such as labor riots, foul weather and engineering problems. As Director of the Company, Fendall continued to push for the canal’s completion, and by 1802 it was in operation. By the mid 1820's the Potomac Company filed for bankruptcy, and was sold to the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company in 1828.
In the spring of 1785 Philip built the “Fendall-Lee House” located at 614 Oronoco, Alexandria, Virginia, which was at the time part of Washington, D.C. The house was, if not completed, at least habitable by late 1785. The “Fendall-Lee House was where plans for George Washington's funeral were decided. The famous Author, Henry Cabot Lodge's (1850-1924) description of Virginia society in the eighteenth century might aptly be applied to Alexandria: "We must go back to Athens to find another instance of a Society so small in numbers and yet capable of such an outburst of ability and force."
In 1789, Philip along with Lewis Hipkins (1753-1794), another merchant, leased 107 acres of land at the mouth of Pimmitt Run. They decided to construct an industrial park where the Chain Bridge now crosses the Potomac River. They named this The Pimmit Run Industrial Park. This land was originally patented in 1719 by Col. Thomas Lee, Hon. (1690-1750), Elizabeth’s father-in-law. Part of the business venture here involved some stone quarries on the Virginia cliffs, which produced what is known commercially as blue stone, and was used for road beds and buildings in the nation’s new capital. Hipkins died in 1794, after being bit by a rabid dog while on business in Georgetown. In 1796, this land included “a very valuable merchant mill, a distillery and brewery, and sundry stone quarries”. During this year, Fendall advertised a number of his businesses at the Little Falls of the Potomac for lease. The Columbia Mirror and Alexandria Gazette advertisement on August 16, described Fendall’s land:
“I will rent my Merchant Mill at the Little Falls of Potowmac...The Mill house is 42 by 40 feet, three stories high, built of stone, and has in it 3 pair of French burr stones, two overshot 18 feet water wheels, and Evan’s machinery complete, with every other thing proper and necessary for carrying on the business with dispatch, and alas little expence as possible all in good order...where large quantities of wheat and other grain is annually...There are on the premises a large stone Cooper’s shop, a stone granery and a commodious Miller’s house. At the landing aforesaid a bridge is now building over the Potomac, which is in great forwardness and probably will be finished the ensuing Fall.
There is also on the premises a Brewery and Distillery built with stone, in them are three stills, two coopers...Upon my land adjoining the premisses...is an immense quantity of building and foundation stones, four quarries are now open, and as many more may be opened with ease, the stone taken from these quarries is better, and has the preference at this market, to any other stone brought to it...Upon the top of the hill...is a stone dwelling house, large enough for the accommodation of a family, also a kitchen, Dairy, Smoke house, etc. and a garden enclosed, and in Cultivation, the Soil of which is equal in goodness to any in this state...Adjoining...a Smith’s Shop...If agreeable I will hire to the tenant two negro blacksmiths, one of them is a complete workman”.
By 1803, Philip was forced to mortgage this land.
In 1791 Philip married as his third wife, Mary “Mollie” Lee (1764-1827), "of the Leesylvania Lees". Mary was thirty years younger than Philip and the daughter of Maj. Gen. Henry Lee II (1730-1787) of “ Leesylvania” and, Lucy Grymes (1734-1792) the "Lowland Beauty".
In 1791 he was involved with the rebuilding of the " White House" along with the architect James Hoban (1762-1831). Philip along with Hipkins, had secured the contract from Pierre Charles L'Enfant (1754-1825) to have sandstone transported from the "Free Stone Quarries" on Aquia Creek, to the new Federal District for the construction of the palace (White House). 99,000 cubic feet of foundation stone was taken up the Anacostia River for this purpose. In addition, timber from " Stratford Hall", a one time residence of Philip and his second wife Elizabeth (Steptoe) Lee, was also utilized to build the Presidents house. " Light Horse Harry" Lee (Philip's cousin, brother-in-law, and step-son-in-law), sold the timber to the District of Columbia Commissioners in 1793. In 1796 James Hoban (1762-1831), made a personal survey of " Stratford Hall", and decided to buy the lumber.
Also in 1791, Philip purchased land in Federal City, where Washington D.C. now stands. At the time the going price was between 19-25 pounds an acre. A tract of 500 acres was purchased by William Bagley from the owner, John Waring, Sr. (1737-1813), for himself, P.R.F., Capt. Benjamin Stoddert, Sr., 1st Secretary of the Navy (1751-1813), Maj. Gen. Uriah Forrest (1746-1805), and William Deakins, Jr. They however agreed to convey the land to the City in the future. On January 12, 1792 Philip sold this land, at least 494 acres of it, called " Jamaica", to Samuel Blodgett, Jr., of Boston. This tract lay within the lines of the city and extended in a broad belt from DuPont Circle in a Northeasterly direction entirely across the city, and overlapped the Northern bounds. The consideration named in the deed was 39,520 Mexican silver dollars. (taken from excerpt of "A History of the National Capital").
On December 6, 1791, Philip was named as one of the Managers of the Assemblers. This was a social body called the “Alexandria General Assemblers”, and was managed by the gentlemen of the town.
On October 9, 1792, Philip was listed along with others on a petition of merchants, for a bank in Alexandria. Therefore this bank became the first bank south of the Potomac River. In December of that same year, Philip was elected the first President of the Bank of Alexandria, which was established by Act of Virginia Assembly. It was first located at Albert’s Tavern, shortly thereafter, moved to DuVall’s Tavern at 305 Cameron from 1793-1807, and eventually moved to 133 Fairfax in 1807, the present location. Philip had been a director of the Bank of the United States in the early 1790's and was therefore qualified to accept this position. In an era when banks were distrusted, Fendall and his son/brother-in-law Light Horse Harry Lee, were instrumental in establishing a successful bank. At this time Lee was the Governor of Virginia, and on several occasions had Virginia funds deposited at the Bank of Alexandria. No doubt the close family bond was advantageous.
In 1792, Philip was elected a Vestryman of Protestant Episcopal Church in Virginia. He served in this capacity until at least 1795. Fendall was elected a Vestryman of Old Christ Church in Alexandria the following year for a period of three succeeding years. On June 15, 1803 Philip and William Fitzhugh (1741-1809) paid $40 for the downstairs pew #31 which was second pew from the front, just left of right hand isle when facing the pulpit.
In 1794 Philip and other Alexandria property owners were quick to realize the advantages of membership in the Mutual Assurance Society, offering protection "against fire on buildings in the State of Virginia". Philip was listed in the ledger as insuring a total of 7 buildings with a value of 10,000 lbs.
Fendall was also involved with several other civic responsibilities. In 1794 he was elected to the Alexandria City government and began serving as a member of the Board of Alderman. Philip was also an organizer of the Alexandria Library Company which was housed in the south end of the Lyceum, now located at 201 South Washington Street, in Alexandria. He was an early member of the Georgetown Bridge Company which constructed the first major bridge in the Washington, D.C. area located at Little Falls. This bridge, which was called Falls Bridge, was completed in 1797, and was maintained by a series of tolls: “for pedestrians, 3 cents; man & horse, 8 cents; 2 wheel vehicles, 25 cents; 4 wheel vehicles 50 cents”.
He became a partner in the firm of Robert Young and Company, an export-import business which shipped large quantities of wheat overseas. Brig. Gen. Robert Young (1768-1824) became the father-in-law of Philip’s son Philip Richard Fendall II. Unfortunately, Young and Company fell upon hard times and were unable to collect their debts. The company was dissolved by 1797.
In 1796 Philip was succeeded as President of the Bank of Alexandria by William Herbert (1743-1819), the son-in-law of John Carlyle (1720-1780).
Philip like many other members of the Virginia gentry, speculated in large tracts of western lands. He owned 64,000 acres in Wythe and Washington counties in Virginia, 1,000 acres in Bourbon County, Kentucky, 400 acres in Bath County, Virginia, and 15,000 acres in Botetourt County, Virginia. In the mid 1790's a severe depression enveloped the South and the land values plummeted. The final years of Philip’s life were not pleasant. He found himself besieged with debts and he became emotionally and financially overwhelmed. By 1803, Fendall owned over 82,408 acres of real estate, thus Philip found himself land rich but money poor. Philip was forced to declare bankruptcy in 1803, and was sent to debtors prison in Fairfax County.
In 1804 Philip was a member of the Washington Society of Alexandria, the oldest of the Patriotic Societies in America, except the Society of the Cincinnati.
Fendall died in March of 1805 and in his will he requested: “First, my will and desire is that my body may be decently interred without pomp or show, in my burying Ground at my farm...” This was despite the fact that Philip had purchased plot #158 in the Christ Church Cemetery located on Wilkes Street, which was then the edge of town. Fendall’s farm and cemetery were situated about two miles from the northwest perimeter of Alexandria near Abijah Janney’s Mill, currently bounded on the Old Georgetown Road, south of the present Monroe Street bridge. This would put the property at the present Madison and Henry Streets north to about Third Street, thence west across the Potomac Yard. The property was purchased in 1786 from Dr. Elisha Cullen Dick (1762-1825), and consisted of three lots of 12, 11 ½ , and 8 acres. The farm provided vegetables, fruits and other foodstuffs for his family and servants. It was on the 12 acre plot that Philip reserved ½ acre for the family burying ground. It is highly probable that his second wife Elizabeth was interred here in 1789. In 1827, Mary, Philips third wife was also buried here. For many years, the family burying ground was not found. It was thought that the cemetery was possibly destroyed by the Union Army who bivouacked in the area from 1861 to 1865. The soldiers often utilized tombstones as fire backs. Another theory was that the site may have been removed to some unknown location when the Potomac railroad yards were constructed in the vicinity in 1903. However, thanks to the research of T. Michael Miller in the late 1990's, we were able to uncover some clues to the whereabouts. The burying ground was located on First Street, and consisted of a one-acre walled in area with front gate and lock. This cemetery was still in existence as late as the 1950's, when it was situated near Potomac Yard’s railroad bunk house and water tower. The demise recently of the railroad yard, has brought about certain development. However, city code requires complete archeological investigation before any development can take place. The disposition of the Fendall family corpses are not known however. It is believed that the skeletons were removed to Christ Church Cemetery on upper Wilkes Street.
Although the latter years of his life were overshadowed by bankruptcy, Philip still had an impact on the social, political, and economic life of Alexandria, and his earlier residence of Charles County. Philip possessed a bookplate which was described as, “Paly of six arg and gu, on a chief az three mullets or”. Crest: “a stag’s head erased gorged with a collar charged with three mullets”. Motto: “Esse Quam Videri Malim” (To be righteous and genuine instead of just seeming to be so). This seems to be done by the same artist as the one done by Gen. George Washington’s bookplate. Philip’s bookplate was very similar to that of his brother John Fendall’s coat of arms. The only difference being the motto, which was “Nil desperandum” (Never despair). The latter was probably the original Fendall family coat of arms, as Philip’s descendants still possessed the coat of arms with “Nil desperandum” upon it.
Philip also owned two tracts of connected land plots. The first was called " Batten's Clifts", in Charles Co., Maryland. This was 107 acres on the east side of the Potomac River, which his father Benjamin had conveyed to him in 1758. It included all “gardens, orchards and fences”. In 1764, Philip added on to this tract of land by purchasing an additional 258.5 acres of “Batten’s Clifts”. The second tract was 130 acres called " Three Brothers", which was adjacent to the 365.5 he already had in possession. He purchased this in 1768, from William Barton Warren (ca. 1738-1818) who also sold him another 135 acres of " Batten’s Clifts”. He renamed the estate “ Window Upon The World” because of its panoramic view of the Potomac River. The Clifton Manor Development on Maryland Route 301, approximately twelve miles below La Plata, is on the site of the old homestead. By the time Philip decided to sell this estate in 1784, it included almost 700 acres.
Philip married first, 9-30-1759 Charles Co., Maryland to Sarah Lettice Lee b. 11-24-1734 Prince George's Co., MD. d. 1-8-1761 "Batten's Clifts", Charles Co., MD.
(no children)
Philip married second, by 1780 in Westmoreland Co., VA. to Elizabeth (Steptoe) Lee. b. 11-22-1743 "Hominy Hall", Westmoreland Co., VA. d. 6-1789 "Stratford Hall", Westmoreland Co., VA. Elizabeth was the widow of Hon. Philip Ludwell Lee, Sr. (1727-1775), of which he became the step-father of the following children:
1. Matilda Lee b. 1766 "Stratford Hall", Westmoreland Co., VA. d. 7-28-1790 "Leesylvania", Prince William Co., VA.
m. Gov. Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee III, Maj. Gen. b. 1-29-1756 "Leesylvania", Freestone Point, near Dumfries, Prince William Co., VA. d. 3-25-1818 Cumberland Island, Camden Co., GA.
2. Flora Lee b. 6-1771 "Stratford Hall", Westmoreland Co., VA. d. 1795 "Shuter's Hill", Fairfax Co., VA.
m. Col. Ludwell Lee b. 10-13-1760 "Chantilly", Westmoreland Co., VA. d. 3-25-1836 "Belmont", Spotsylvania, Loudoun Co., VA.
3. Philip Ludwell Lee, Jr. b. 2-24-1775 "Stratford Hall", Westmoreland Co., VA. d. 1779 "Stratford Hall", Westmoreland Co., VA.
Philip married third in 1791 to Mary "Mollie" Lee b. 7-9-1764 "Leesylvania", Prince William Co., VA. d. 11-10-1827 Washington, D.C. From this marriage, Philip had the following children:
1. Philip Richard Fendall II b. 12-18-1794 "Lee-Fendall House", Alexandria, VA. d. 2-16-1868 Washington, D.C.
m. Elizabeth Mary Young b. 10-7-1804 Alexandria, VA. d. 10-7-1859 Washington, D.C.
2. Lucy Eleanor "Eleanor" Fendall b. 1796 "Lee-Fendall House", Alexandria, VA. d. prior to 1872
m.1) Dr. Barnard James Miller d. 11-1837 Washington, D.C.
m.2) Capt. Darlon A. Wilds
Philip was an office holder, lawyer, merchant, and entrepreneur. Before the Revolution, Fendall was the Principal agent on the Potomac River for James Russell (1708-1788), merchant of London, England. Mr. Russell was married to Anne Lee (1715-1800), sister of Philip’s mother. Russell not only conducted one of the most prestigious and lucrative import-export business on the Maryland colony, he replaced Hanbury’s as the most important London trading house in the Chesapeake region. Being a mercantile agent consisted of persuading planters to consign their tobacco to Russell, take orders for manufactures, and oversee his ships when they were in Chesapeake waters. For these services Russell paid Philip commissions and advanced him credit.
On June 8, 1756, Philip became a County clerk succeeding his father Benjamin, who held the same office. As clerk, Philip worked at Port Tobacco, the county seat in Charles County, and was responsible for the oversight of the judicial records. He served in this position until 1776. On June 13, 1769 Philip’s future brother-in-law and Charles County Sheriff, Richard Lee IV (d. 1834), had been fined 40 pounds current money for whipping a slave. It seems the slave had escaped and Richard was charged with abusing a prisoner. Philip as clerk of the county court became pledge and security to pay the fine and the several fees due the officers and ministers of the court.
According to the Maryland Gazette, October 4, 1759, Philip and his first wife Sarah Lettice Lee were "...a very valuable young couple! with every natural Endowment, and needful Accomplishment, to render them agreeably useful in Public, and promise their Happiness in private Life. Long may they live, and be prosperous in the world; to reap, fully, the benefit of their early and constant affection for each other."
The marriage did not last long, according to the Maryland Gazette, January 22, 1761,“On Thursday, the 8th Instant, after a short Illness, Died Mrs. Sarah Lettice Fendall, Wife of Mr. Philip Richard Fendall, Clerk of Charles County. A very striking Example of the great uncertainty of all human Procurements, with what Zeal and Eagerness soever we pursue them, or Fondness we possess them with! She was a Lady very worthy our high Expectations, had God been pleased to allow her length of time to fulfil them in; but being cut off in almost the Bloom of Youth, and too, too soon from her happy Nuptials, she had but little opportunity for displaying to so full an extent that high pitch of merit in the character of Wife, which was justly ascribed her in her maiden condition. Her Fate was sudden and unexpected, and she has therefore the more left behind her a disconsolate Husband, most mournful Relations, and condoling Acquaintance. But her Memory is so grateful that it ought to set Bounds to our Sorrow and to mitigate all uneasiness on account of her Loss”.
Philip signed Maryland's nonimportation agreement in 1769, and served as cryer, and Court of Oyer and Terminere and Gaol (British for jail) delivery for Charles Co., 1772-1776. On June 14, 1774 he was listed with others as attending a meeting of the inhabitants of Charles County at Port Tobacco. The reason was “...to deliberate on the effect and tendancy of the Act of Parliament, for blocking up the Port and Harbour of Boston.” In 1775 he was on the Committee of Observation of Charles County, and in the Provincial Convention. In addition to this Philip was appointed County treasurer of the Charles County Committee, to receive subscriptions being raised to aid the Bostonians, who at this point were being held in check by the British blockade in Boston Harbor.
On May 22, 1775, a resolution was passed by Charles County residents at Port Tobacco which named Fendall as “one of fifteen Deputies to represent this county in any general convention to be held for this province, and that any five or more of them have power and authority to act for, and bind this county”. Philip was present at the Convention of Maryland that took place between July 26 until August 4, 1775.
It is ironic that the first day of the Convention the following incident occurred and this account appeared in the diary of Landon Carter (1757-1820) of “ Sabine Hall” on July 26, 1775: “Friday On the Potomac between Fendalls on Md. shore & Brents on Va. shore...4 men of War and their tenders which went from Dunmore's gang last Saturday on the Maryland side of St. Marys up the Potowmeck got as high as the house of Wm. Brent in Stafford and finding they had not been saluted from the shore as usual when the channel ran close by it, I suppose, from the musquitry, they concluded they were not expected there and ventured on shore and set fire to that plantation; and fired some cannon shot at Fendalls in Maryland opposite to it, which did a great deal of damage."
Later he traveled to Europe and specifically France, on an appointment from the Continental Congress to audit public accounts of American diplomatic personnel there. Philip sailed aboard the “Potomac”, the last ship to leave Maryland/Virginia, when trade links were broken with Britain. While there he visited his cousins Dr. Arthur Lee (1740-1792) and William Lee (1739-1795), who were serving as diplomats securing European assistance for the Revolution. Dr. Arthur Lee was one of America’s commissioners to the court of Louis XVI, King of France (1754-1793), and secured the famous Treaty of Alliance with the French in 1778, which called for France to provide needed munitions and food for the Continental Army.
On May 13, 1778, John Adams (1735-1826), the future 2nd President of the United States, who also happened to be in France, wrote in his diary, “Dined at Mrs. Chaumonts, with a great deal of Company. After dinner took a Walk to Chaillot to see Mr. Lee, who had a large Company of Americans to dine with him, among the rest Mr. Fendell of Maryland...”
Fendall returned to America about 1780, and married Elizabeth (Steptoe) Lee, the widow of Hon. Philip Ludwell Lee, Sr., Esq. (1727-1775) of “Stratford”. Elizabeth brought a significant amount of land holdings to this marriage including “Stratford Hall” plantation and the 6,595 acres on which it was situated. Elizabeth was the daughter of Col., Dr. James Steptoe (1709-1757) of “ Hominy Hall” in Westmoreland County, Virginia.
After the death of Philip Ludwell Lee, Sr., Elizabeth along with her new husband, continued to live at " Stratford" for several years before moving to Alexandria. Since Philip Ludwell Lee had died intestate, the court appointed a commission in 1780 to divide the estate. The commission recommended a tribunal: “A lot to Mrs. Fendall the Mansion House (Stratford) and offices thereunto belonging together with 1,000 acres of land next adjoining...” In addition, Mrs. Fendall received “13 men, 8 women, 8 boys and 12 girls” while Philip Fendall was awarded 1,352 pounds current money for Elizabeth’s one third dower interest in the estate. The remaining land was transmitted to the daughters, Flora and Matilda. Besides Elizabeth’s inheritance, Fendall had personally owned fifty-one slaves, and 4 wheels of vehicles by 1782. As a result the new couple was among the most affluent members of Westmoreland County. The new couple resided at “Stratford” along with her two daughters and son-in-law, Henry “Light Horse Harry” Lee, who had married the daughter Matilda. An arrangement was reached in 1784-85, that the Fendall’s would turn over their rights to “Stratford”, and at the same time, Henry would sell a ½ acre lot, situated on Oronoco Street in Alexandria, Virginia for 300 pounds. Alexandria was quickly becoming the social, political and ecclesiastical epicenter of Northern Virginia.
In May of 1785, he along with a group of leading citizens of Alexandria and Georgetown formed the Potomac Company. Philip was appointed chairman at the annual meeting of stockholders held in Alexandria on August 4, 1788. This Company’s goal was to construct a canal around the Great Falls of the Potomac River, which would allow trade from the Ohio Valley. However these men did not foresee the numerous difficulties such as labor riots, foul weather and engineering problems. As Director of the Company, Fendall continued to push for the canal’s completion, and by 1802 it was in operation. By the mid 1820's the Potomac Company filed for bankruptcy, and was sold to the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company in 1828.
In the spring of 1785 Philip built the “Fendall-Lee House” located at 614 Oronoco, Alexandria, Virginia, which was at the time part of Washington, D.C. The house was, if not completed, at least habitable by late 1785. The “Fendall-Lee House was where plans for George Washington's funeral were decided. The famous Author, Henry Cabot Lodge's (1850-1924) description of Virginia society in the eighteenth century might aptly be applied to Alexandria: "We must go back to Athens to find another instance of a Society so small in numbers and yet capable of such an outburst of ability and force."
In 1789, Philip along with Lewis Hipkins (1753-1794), another merchant, leased 107 acres of land at the mouth of Pimmitt Run. They decided to construct an industrial park where the Chain Bridge now crosses the Potomac River. They named this The Pimmit Run Industrial Park. This land was originally patented in 1719 by Col. Thomas Lee, Hon. (1690-1750), Elizabeth’s father-in-law. Part of the business venture here involved some stone quarries on the Virginia cliffs, which produced what is known commercially as blue stone, and was used for road beds and buildings in the nation’s new capital. Hipkins died in 1794, after being bit by a rabid dog while on business in Georgetown. In 1796, this land included “a very valuable merchant mill, a distillery and brewery, and sundry stone quarries”. During this year, Fendall advertised a number of his businesses at the Little Falls of the Potomac for lease. The Columbia Mirror and Alexandria Gazette advertisement on August 16, described Fendall’s land:
“I will rent my Merchant Mill at the Little Falls of Potowmac...The Mill house is 42 by 40 feet, three stories high, built of stone, and has in it 3 pair of French burr stones, two overshot 18 feet water wheels, and Evan’s machinery complete, with every other thing proper and necessary for carrying on the business with dispatch, and alas little expence as possible all in good order...where large quantities of wheat and other grain is annually...There are on the premises a large stone Cooper’s shop, a stone granery and a commodious Miller’s house. At the landing aforesaid a bridge is now building over the Potomac, which is in great forwardness and probably will be finished the ensuing Fall.
There is also on the premises a Brewery and Distillery built with stone, in them are three stills, two coopers...Upon my land adjoining the premisses...is an immense quantity of building and foundation stones, four quarries are now open, and as many more may be opened with ease, the stone taken from these quarries is better, and has the preference at this market, to any other stone brought to it...Upon the top of the hill...is a stone dwelling house, large enough for the accommodation of a family, also a kitchen, Dairy, Smoke house, etc. and a garden enclosed, and in Cultivation, the Soil of which is equal in goodness to any in this state...Adjoining...a Smith’s Shop...If agreeable I will hire to the tenant two negro blacksmiths, one of them is a complete workman”.
By 1803, Philip was forced to mortgage this land.
In 1791 Philip married as his third wife, Mary “Mollie” Lee (1764-1827), "of the Leesylvania Lees". Mary was thirty years younger than Philip and the daughter of Maj. Gen. Henry Lee II (1730-1787) of “ Leesylvania” and, Lucy Grymes (1734-1792) the "Lowland Beauty".
In 1791 he was involved with the rebuilding of the " White House" along with the architect James Hoban (1762-1831). Philip along with Hipkins, had secured the contract from Pierre Charles L'Enfant (1754-1825) to have sandstone transported from the "Free Stone Quarries" on Aquia Creek, to the new Federal District for the construction of the palace (White House). 99,000 cubic feet of foundation stone was taken up the Anacostia River for this purpose. In addition, timber from " Stratford Hall", a one time residence of Philip and his second wife Elizabeth (Steptoe) Lee, was also utilized to build the Presidents house. " Light Horse Harry" Lee (Philip's cousin, brother-in-law, and step-son-in-law), sold the timber to the District of Columbia Commissioners in 1793. In 1796 James Hoban (1762-1831), made a personal survey of " Stratford Hall", and decided to buy the lumber.
Also in 1791, Philip purchased land in Federal City, where Washington D.C. now stands. At the time the going price was between 19-25 pounds an acre. A tract of 500 acres was purchased by William Bagley from the owner, John Waring, Sr. (1737-1813), for himself, P.R.F., Capt. Benjamin Stoddert, Sr., 1st Secretary of the Navy (1751-1813), Maj. Gen. Uriah Forrest (1746-1805), and William Deakins, Jr. They however agreed to convey the land to the City in the future. On January 12, 1792 Philip sold this land, at least 494 acres of it, called " Jamaica", to Samuel Blodgett, Jr., of Boston. This tract lay within the lines of the city and extended in a broad belt from DuPont Circle in a Northeasterly direction entirely across the city, and overlapped the Northern bounds. The consideration named in the deed was 39,520 Mexican silver dollars. (taken from excerpt of "A History of the National Capital").
On December 6, 1791, Philip was named as one of the Managers of the Assemblers. This was a social body called the “Alexandria General Assemblers”, and was managed by the gentlemen of the town.
On October 9, 1792, Philip was listed along with others on a petition of merchants, for a bank in Alexandria. Therefore this bank became the first bank south of the Potomac River. In December of that same year, Philip was elected the first President of the Bank of Alexandria, which was established by Act of Virginia Assembly. It was first located at Albert’s Tavern, shortly thereafter, moved to DuVall’s Tavern at 305 Cameron from 1793-1807, and eventually moved to 133 Fairfax in 1807, the present location. Philip had been a director of the Bank of the United States in the early 1790's and was therefore qualified to accept this position. In an era when banks were distrusted, Fendall and his son/brother-in-law Light Horse Harry Lee, were instrumental in establishing a successful bank. At this time Lee was the Governor of Virginia, and on several occasions had Virginia funds deposited at the Bank of Alexandria. No doubt the close family bond was advantageous.
In 1792, Philip was elected a Vestryman of Protestant Episcopal Church in Virginia. He served in this capacity until at least 1795. Fendall was elected a Vestryman of Old Christ Church in Alexandria the following year for a period of three succeeding years. On June 15, 1803 Philip and William Fitzhugh (1741-1809) paid $40 for the downstairs pew #31 which was second pew from the front, just left of right hand isle when facing the pulpit.
In 1794 Philip and other Alexandria property owners were quick to realize the advantages of membership in the Mutual Assurance Society, offering protection "against fire on buildings in the State of Virginia". Philip was listed in the ledger as insuring a total of 7 buildings with a value of 10,000 lbs.
Fendall was also involved with several other civic responsibilities. In 1794 he was elected to the Alexandria City government and began serving as a member of the Board of Alderman. Philip was also an organizer of the Alexandria Library Company which was housed in the south end of the Lyceum, now located at 201 South Washington Street, in Alexandria. He was an early member of the Georgetown Bridge Company which constructed the first major bridge in the Washington, D.C. area located at Little Falls. This bridge, which was called Falls Bridge, was completed in 1797, and was maintained by a series of tolls: “for pedestrians, 3 cents; man & horse, 8 cents; 2 wheel vehicles, 25 cents; 4 wheel vehicles 50 cents”.
He became a partner in the firm of Robert Young and Company, an export-import business which shipped large quantities of wheat overseas. Brig. Gen. Robert Young (1768-1824) became the father-in-law of Philip’s son Philip Richard Fendall II. Unfortunately, Young and Company fell upon hard times and were unable to collect their debts. The company was dissolved by 1797.
In 1796 Philip was succeeded as President of the Bank of Alexandria by William Herbert (1743-1819), the son-in-law of John Carlyle (1720-1780).
Philip like many other members of the Virginia gentry, speculated in large tracts of western lands. He owned 64,000 acres in Wythe and Washington counties in Virginia, 1,000 acres in Bourbon County, Kentucky, 400 acres in Bath County, Virginia, and 15,000 acres in Botetourt County, Virginia. In the mid 1790's a severe depression enveloped the South and the land values plummeted. The final years of Philip’s life were not pleasant. He found himself besieged with debts and he became emotionally and financially overwhelmed. By 1803, Fendall owned over 82,408 acres of real estate, thus Philip found himself land rich but money poor. Philip was forced to declare bankruptcy in 1803, and was sent to debtors prison in Fairfax County.
In 1804 Philip was a member of the Washington Society of Alexandria, the oldest of the Patriotic Societies in America, except the Society of the Cincinnati.
Fendall died in March of 1805 and in his will he requested: “First, my will and desire is that my body may be decently interred without pomp or show, in my burying Ground at my farm...” This was despite the fact that Philip had purchased plot #158 in the Christ Church Cemetery located on Wilkes Street, which was then the edge of town. Fendall’s farm and cemetery were situated about two miles from the northwest perimeter of Alexandria near Abijah Janney’s Mill, currently bounded on the Old Georgetown Road, south of the present Monroe Street bridge. This would put the property at the present Madison and Henry Streets north to about Third Street, thence west across the Potomac Yard. The property was purchased in 1786 from Dr. Elisha Cullen Dick (1762-1825), and consisted of three lots of 12, 11 ½ , and 8 acres. The farm provided vegetables, fruits and other foodstuffs for his family and servants. It was on the 12 acre plot that Philip reserved ½ acre for the family burying ground. It is highly probable that his second wife Elizabeth was interred here in 1789. In 1827, Mary, Philips third wife was also buried here. For many years, the family burying ground was not found. It was thought that the cemetery was possibly destroyed by the Union Army who bivouacked in the area from 1861 to 1865. The soldiers often utilized tombstones as fire backs. Another theory was that the site may have been removed to some unknown location when the Potomac railroad yards were constructed in the vicinity in 1903. However, thanks to the research of T. Michael Miller in the late 1990's, we were able to uncover some clues to the whereabouts. The burying ground was located on First Street, and consisted of a one-acre walled in area with front gate and lock. This cemetery was still in existence as late as the 1950's, when it was situated near Potomac Yard’s railroad bunk house and water tower. The demise recently of the railroad yard, has brought about certain development. However, city code requires complete archeological investigation before any development can take place. The disposition of the Fendall family corpses are not known however. It is believed that the skeletons were removed to Christ Church Cemetery on upper Wilkes Street.
Although the latter years of his life were overshadowed by bankruptcy, Philip still had an impact on the social, political, and economic life of Alexandria, and his earlier residence of Charles County. Philip possessed a bookplate which was described as, “Paly of six arg and gu, on a chief az three mullets or”. Crest: “a stag’s head erased gorged with a collar charged with three mullets”. Motto: “Esse Quam Videri Malim” (To be righteous and genuine instead of just seeming to be so). This seems to be done by the same artist as the one done by Gen. George Washington’s bookplate. Philip’s bookplate was very similar to that of his brother John Fendall’s coat of arms. The only difference being the motto, which was “Nil desperandum” (Never despair). The latter was probably the original Fendall family coat of arms, as Philip’s descendants still possessed the coat of arms with “Nil desperandum” upon it.
Philip also owned two tracts of connected land plots. The first was called " Batten's Clifts", in Charles Co., Maryland. This was 107 acres on the east side of the Potomac River, which his father Benjamin had conveyed to him in 1758. It included all “gardens, orchards and fences”. In 1764, Philip added on to this tract of land by purchasing an additional 258.5 acres of “Batten’s Clifts”. The second tract was 130 acres called " Three Brothers", which was adjacent to the 365.5 he already had in possession. He purchased this in 1768, from William Barton Warren (ca. 1738-1818) who also sold him another 135 acres of " Batten’s Clifts”. He renamed the estate “ Window Upon The World” because of its panoramic view of the Potomac River. The Clifton Manor Development on Maryland Route 301, approximately twelve miles below La Plata, is on the site of the old homestead. By the time Philip decided to sell this estate in 1784, it included almost 700 acres.
Philip married first, 9-30-1759 Charles Co., Maryland to Sarah Lettice Lee b. 11-24-1734 Prince George's Co., MD. d. 1-8-1761 "Batten's Clifts", Charles Co., MD.
(no children)
Philip married second, by 1780 in Westmoreland Co., VA. to Elizabeth (Steptoe) Lee. b. 11-22-1743 "Hominy Hall", Westmoreland Co., VA. d. 6-1789 "Stratford Hall", Westmoreland Co., VA. Elizabeth was the widow of Hon. Philip Ludwell Lee, Sr. (1727-1775), of which he became the step-father of the following children:
1. Matilda Lee b. 1766 "Stratford Hall", Westmoreland Co., VA. d. 7-28-1790 "Leesylvania", Prince William Co., VA.
m. Gov. Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee III, Maj. Gen. b. 1-29-1756 "Leesylvania", Freestone Point, near Dumfries, Prince William Co., VA. d. 3-25-1818 Cumberland Island, Camden Co., GA.
2. Flora Lee b. 6-1771 "Stratford Hall", Westmoreland Co., VA. d. 1795 "Shuter's Hill", Fairfax Co., VA.
m. Col. Ludwell Lee b. 10-13-1760 "Chantilly", Westmoreland Co., VA. d. 3-25-1836 "Belmont", Spotsylvania, Loudoun Co., VA.
3. Philip Ludwell Lee, Jr. b. 2-24-1775 "Stratford Hall", Westmoreland Co., VA. d. 1779 "Stratford Hall", Westmoreland Co., VA.
Philip married third in 1791 to Mary "Mollie" Lee b. 7-9-1764 "Leesylvania", Prince William Co., VA. d. 11-10-1827 Washington, D.C. From this marriage, Philip had the following children:
1. Philip Richard Fendall II b. 12-18-1794 "Lee-Fendall House", Alexandria, VA. d. 2-16-1868 Washington, D.C.
m. Elizabeth Mary Young b. 10-7-1804 Alexandria, VA. d. 10-7-1859 Washington, D.C.
2. Lucy Eleanor "Eleanor" Fendall b. 1796 "Lee-Fendall House", Alexandria, VA. d. prior to 1872
m.1) Dr. Barnard James Miller d. 11-1837 Washington, D.C.
m.2) Capt. Darlon A. Wilds
Philip was named in honor of his grandfather, Capt. Philip Lee, Sr., Hon., Esq. (1681-1714), his great grandfather, Col. Richard Lee II, Esq., “the scholar” (1647-1715), and his great great grandfather, Col. Richard Lee I, Esq., “the immigrant” (1618-1664).
Philip was an office holder, lawyer, merchant, and entrepreneur. Before the Revolution, Fendall was the Principal agent on the Potomac River for James Russell (1708-1788), merchant of London, England. Mr. Russell was married to Anne Lee (1715-1800), sister of Philip’s mother. Russell not only conducted one of the most prestigious and lucrative import-export business on the Maryland colony, he replaced Hanbury’s as the most important London trading house in the Chesapeake region. Being a mercantile agent consisted of persuading planters to consign their tobacco to Russell, take orders for manufactures, and oversee his ships when they were in Chesapeake waters. For these services Russell paid Philip commissions and advanced him credit.
On June 8, 1756, Philip became a County clerk succeeding his father Benjamin, who held the same office. As clerk, Philip worked at Port Tobacco, the county seat in Charles County, and was responsible for the oversight of the judicial records. He served in this position until 1776. On June 13, 1769 Philip’s future brother-in-law and Charles County Sheriff, Richard Lee IV (d. 1834), had been fined 40 pounds current money for whipping a slave. It seems the slave had escaped and Richard was charged with abusing a prisoner. Philip as clerk of the county court became pledge and security to pay the fine and the several fees due the officers and ministers of the court.
According to the Maryland Gazette, October 4, 1759, Philip and his first wife Sarah Lettice Lee were "...a very valuable young couple! with every natural Endowment, and needful Accomplishment, to render them agreeably useful in Public, and promise their Happiness in private Life. Long may they live, and be prosperous in the world; to reap, fully, the benefit of their early and constant affection for each other."
The marriage did not last long, according to the Maryland Gazette, January 22, 1761,“On Thursday, the 8th Instant, after a short Illness, Died Mrs. Sarah Lettice Fendall, Wife of Mr. Philip Richard Fendall, Clerk of Charles County. A very striking Example of the great uncertainty of all human Procurements, with what Zeal and Eagerness soever we pursue them, or Fondness we possess them with! She was a Lady very worthy our high Expectations, had God been pleased to allow her length of time to fulfil them in; but being cut off in almost the Bloom of Youth, and too, too soon from her happy Nuptials, she had but little opportunity for displaying to so full an extent that high pitch of merit in the character of Wife, which was justly ascribed her in her maiden condition. Her Fate was sudden and unexpected, and she has therefore the more left behind her a disconsolate Husband, most mournful Relations, and condoling Acquaintance. But her Memory is so grateful that it ought to set Bounds to our Sorrow and to mitigate all uneasiness on account of her Loss”.
Philip signed Maryland's nonimportation agreement in 1769, and served as cryer, and Court of Oyer and Terminere and Gaol (British for jail) delivery for Charles Co., 1772-1776. On June 14, 1774 he was listed with others as attending a meeting of the inhabitants of Charles County at Port Tobacco. The reason was “...to deliberate on the effect and tendancy of the Act of Parliament, for blocking up the Port and Harbour of Boston.” In 1775 he was on the Committee of Observation of Charles County, and in the Provincial Convention. In addition to this Philip was appointed County treasurer of the Charles County Committee, to receive subscriptions being raised to aid the Bostonians, who at this point were being held in check by the British blockade in Boston Harbor.
On May 22, 1775, a resolution was passed by Charles County residents at Port Tobacco which named Fendall as “one of fifteen Deputies to represent this county in any general convention to be held for this province, and that any five or more of them have power and authority to act for, and bind this county”. Philip was present at the Convention of Maryland that took place between July 26 until August 4, 1775.
It is ironic that the first day of the Convention the following incident occurred and this account appeared in the diary of Landon Carter (1757-1820) of “ Sabine Hall” on July 26, 1775: “Friday On the Potomac between Fendalls on Md. shore & Brents on Va. shore...4 men of War and their tenders which went from Dunmore's gang last Saturday on the Maryland side of St. Marys up the Potowmeck got as high as the house of Wm. Brent in Stafford and finding they had not been saluted from the shore as usual when the channel ran close by it, I suppose, from the musquitry, they concluded they were not expected there and ventured on shore and set fire to that plantation; and fired some cannon shot at Fendalls in Maryland opposite to it, which did a great deal of damage."
Later he traveled to Europe and specifically France, on an appointment from the Continental Congress to audit public accounts of American diplomatic personnel there. Philip sailed aboard the “Potomac”, the last ship to leave Maryland/Virginia, when trade links were broken with Britain. While there he visited his cousins Dr. Arthur Lee (1740-1792) and William Lee (1739-1795), who were serving as diplomats securing European assistance for the Revolution. Dr. Arthur Lee was one of America’s commissioners to the court of Louis XVI, King of France (1754-1793), and secured the famous Treaty of Alliance with the French in 1778, which called for France to provide needed munitions and food for the Continental Army.
On May 13, 1778, John Adams (1735-1826), the future 2nd President of the United States, who also happened to be in France, wrote in his diary, “Dined at Mrs. Chaumonts, with a great deal of Company. After dinner took a Walk to Chaillot to see Mr. Lee, who had a large Company of Americans to dine with him, among the rest Mr. Fendell of Maryland...”
Fendall returned to America about 1780, and married Elizabeth (Steptoe) Lee, the widow of Hon. Philip Ludwell Lee, Sr., Esq. (1727-1775) of “Stratford”. Elizabeth brought a significant amount of land holdings to this marriage including “Stratford Hall” plantation and the 6,595 acres on which it was situated. Elizabeth was the daughter of Col., Dr. James Steptoe (1709-1757) of “ Hominy Hall” in Westmoreland County, Virginia.
After the death of Philip Ludwell Lee, Sr., Elizabeth along with her new husband, continued to live at " Stratford" for several years before moving to Alexandria. Since Philip Ludwell Lee had died intestate, the court appointed a commission in 1780 to divide the estate. The commission recommended a tribunal: “A lot to Mrs. Fendall the Mansion House (Stratford) and offices thereunto belonging together with 1,000 acres of land next adjoining...” In addition, Mrs. Fendall received “13 men, 8 women, 8 boys and 12 girls” while Philip Fendall was awarded 1,352 pounds current money for Elizabeth’s one third dower interest in the estate. The remaining land was transmitted to the daughters, Flora and Matilda. Besides Elizabeth’s inheritance, Fendall had personally owned fifty-one slaves, and 4 wheels of vehicles by 1782. As a result the new couple was among the most affluent members of Westmoreland County. The new couple resided at “Stratford” along with her two daughters and son-in-law, Henry “Light Horse Harry” Lee, who had married the daughter Matilda. An arrangement was reached in 1784-85, that the Fendall’s would turn over their rights to “Stratford”, and at the same time, Henry would sell a ½ acre lot, situated on Oronoco Street in Alexandria, Virginia for 300 pounds. Alexandria was quickly becoming the social, political and ecclesiastical epicenter of Northern Virginia.
In May of 1785, he along with a group of leading citizens of Alexandria and Georgetown formed the Potomac Company. Philip was appointed chairman at the annual meeting of stockholders held in Alexandria on August 4, 1788. This Company’s goal was to construct a canal around the Great Falls of the Potomac River, which would allow trade from the Ohio Valley. However these men did not foresee the numerous difficulties such as labor riots, foul weather and engineering problems. As Director of the Company, Fendall continued to push for the canal’s completion, and by 1802 it was in operation. By the mid 1820's the Potomac Company filed for bankruptcy, and was sold to the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company in 1828.
In the spring of 1785 Philip built the “Fendall-Lee House” located at 614 Oronoco, Alexandria, Virginia, which was at the time part of Washington, D.C. The house was, if not completed, at least habitable by late 1785. The “Fendall-Lee House was where plans for George Washington's funeral were decided. The famous Author, Henry Cabot Lodge's (1850-1924) description of Virginia society in the eighteenth century might aptly be applied to Alexandria: "We must go back to Athens to find another instance of a Society so small in numbers and yet capable of such an outburst of ability and force."
In 1789, Philip along with Lewis Hipkins (1753-1794), another merchant, leased 107 acres of land at the mouth of Pimmitt Run. They decided to construct an industrial park where the Chain Bridge now crosses the Potomac River. They named this The Pimmit Run Industrial Park. This land was originally patented in 1719 by Col. Thomas Lee, Hon. (1690-1750), Elizabeth’s father-in-law. Part of the business venture here involved some stone quarries on the Virginia cliffs, which produced what is known commercially as blue stone, and was used for road beds and buildings in the nation’s new capital. Hipkins died in 1794, after being bit by a rabid dog while on business in Georgetown. In 1796, this land included “a very valuable merchant mill, a distillery and brewery, and sundry stone quarries”. During this year, Fendall advertised a number of his businesses at the Little Falls of the Potomac for lease. The Columbia Mirror and Alexandria Gazette advertisement on August 16, described Fendall’s land:
“I will rent my Merchant Mill at the Little Falls of Potowmac...The Mill house is 42 by 40 feet, three stories high, built of stone, and has in it 3 pair of French burr stones, two overshot 18 feet water wheels, and Evan’s machinery complete, with every other thing proper and necessary for carrying on the business with dispatch, and alas little expence as possible all in good order...where large quantities of wheat and other grain is annually...There are on the premises a large stone Cooper’s shop, a stone granery and a commodious Miller’s house. At the landing aforesaid a bridge is now building over the Potomac, which is in great forwardness and probably will be finished the ensuing Fall.
There is also on the premises a Brewery and Distillery built with stone, in them are three stills, two coopers...Upon my land adjoining the premisses...is an immense quantity of building and foundation stones, four quarries are now open, and as many more may be opened with ease, the stone taken from these quarries is better, and has the preference at this market, to any other stone brought to it...Upon the top of the hill...is a stone dwelling house, large enough for the accommodation of a family, also a kitchen, Dairy, Smoke house, etc. and a garden enclosed, and in Cultivation, the Soil of which is equal in goodness to any in this state...Adjoining...a Smith’s Shop...If agreeable I will hire to the tenant two negro blacksmiths, one of them is a complete workman”.
By 1803, Philip was forced to mortgage this land.
In 1791 Philip married as his third wife, Mary “Mollie” Lee (1764-1827), "of the Leesylvania Lees". Mary was thirty years younger than Philip and the daughter of Maj. Gen. Henry Lee II (1730-1787) of “ Leesylvania” and, Lucy Grymes (1734-1792) the "Lowland Beauty".
In 1791 he was involved with the rebuilding of the " White House" along with the architect James Hoban (1762-1831). Philip along with Hipkins, had secured the contract from Pierre Charles L'Enfant (1754-1825) to have sandstone transported from the "Free Stone Quarries" on Aquia Creek, to the new Federal District for the construction of the palace (White House). 99,000 cubic feet of foundation stone was taken up the Anacostia River for this purpose. In addition, timber from " Stratford Hall", a one time residence of Philip and his second wife Elizabeth (Steptoe) Lee, was also utilized to build the Presidents house. " Light Horse Harry" Lee (Philip's cousin, brother-in-law, and step-son-in-law), sold the timber to the District of Columbia Commissioners in 1793. In 1796 James Hoban (1762-1831), made a personal survey of " Stratford Hall", and decided to buy the lumber.
Also in 1791, Philip purchased land in Federal City, where Washington D.C. now stands. At the time the going price was between 19-25 pounds an acre. A tract of 500 acres was purchased by William Bagley from the owner, John Waring, Sr. (1737-1813), for himself, P.R.F., Capt. Benjamin Stoddert, Sr., 1st Secretary of the Navy (1751-1813), Maj. Gen. Uriah Forrest (1746-1805), and William Deakins, Jr. They however agreed to convey the land to the City in the future. On January 12, 1792 Philip sold this land, at least 494 acres of it, called " Jamaica", to Samuel Blodgett, Jr., of Boston. This tract lay within the lines of the city and extended in a broad belt from DuPont Circle in a Northeasterly direction entirely across the city, and overlapped the Northern bounds. The consideration named in the deed was 39,520 Mexican silver dollars. (taken from excerpt of "A History of the National Capital").
On December 6, 1791, Philip was named as one of the Managers of the Assemblers. This was a social body called the “Alexandria General Assemblers”, and was managed by the gentlemen of the town.
On October 9, 1792, Philip was listed along with others on a petition of merchants, for a bank in Alexandria. Therefore this bank became the first bank south of the Potomac River. In December of that same year, Philip was elected the first President of the Bank of Alexandria, which was established by Act of Virginia Assembly. It was first located at Albert’s Tavern, shortly thereafter, moved to DuVall’s Tavern at 305 Cameron from 1793-1807, and eventually moved to 133 Fairfax in 1807, the present location. Philip had been a director of the Bank of the United States in the early 1790's and was therefore qualified to accept this position. In an era when banks were distrusted, Fendall and his son/brother-in-law Light Horse Harry Lee, were instrumental in establishing a successful bank. At this time Lee was the Governor of Virginia, and on several occasions had Virginia funds deposited at the Bank of Alexandria. No doubt the close family bond was advantageous.
In 1792, Philip was elected a Vestryman of Protestant Episcopal Church in Virginia. He served in this capacity until at least 1795. Fendall was elected a Vestryman of Old Christ Church in Alexandria the following year for a period of three succeeding years. On June 15, 1803 Philip and William Fitzhugh (1741-1809) paid $40 for the downstairs pew #31 which was second pew from the front, just left of right hand isle when facing the pulpit.
In 1794 Philip and other Alexandria property owners were quick to realize the advantages of membership in the Mutual Assurance Society, offering protection "against fire on buildings in the State of Virginia". Philip was listed in the ledger as insuring a total of 7 buildings with a value of 10,000 lbs.
Fendall was also involved with several other civic responsibilities. In 1794 he was elected to the Alexandria City government and began serving as a member of the Board of Alderman. Philip was also an organizer of the Alexandria Library Company which was housed in the south end of the Lyceum, now located at 201 South Washington Street, in Alexandria. He was an early member of the Georgetown Bridge Company which constructed the first major bridge in the Washington, D.C. area located at Little Falls. This bridge, which was called Falls Bridge, was completed in 1797, and was maintained by a series of tolls: “for pedestrians, 3 cents; man & horse, 8 cents; 2 wheel vehicles, 25 cents; 4 wheel vehicles 50 cents”.
He became a partner in the firm of Robert Young and Company, an export-import business which shipped large quantities of wheat overseas. Brig. Gen. Robert Young (1768-1824) became the father-in-law of Philip’s son Philip Richard Fendall II. Unfortunately, Young and Company fell upon hard times and were unable to collect their debts. The company was dissolved by 1797.
In 1796 Philip was succeeded as President of the Bank of Alexandria by William Herbert (1743-1819), the son-in-law of John Carlyle (1720-1780).
Philip like many other members of the Virginia gentry, speculated in large tracts of western lands. He owned 64,000 acres in Wythe and Washington counties in Virginia, 1,000 acres in Bourbon County, Kentucky, 400 acres in Bath County, Virginia, and 15,000 acres in Botetourt County, Virginia. In the mid 1790's a severe depression enveloped the South and the land values plummeted. The final years of Philip’s life were not pleasant. He found himself besieged with debts and he became emotionally and financially overwhelmed. By 1803, Fendall owned over 82,408 acres of real estate, thus Philip found himself land rich but money poor. Philip was forced to declare bankruptcy in 1803, and was sent to debtors prison in Fairfax County.
In 1804 Philip was a member of the Washington Society of Alexandria, the oldest of the Patriotic Societies in America, except the Society of the Cincinnati.
Fendall died in March of 1805 and in his will he requested: “First, my will and desire is that my body may be decently interred without pomp or show, in my burying Ground at my farm...” This was despite the fact that Philip had purchased plot #158 in the Christ Church Cemetery located on Wilkes Street, which was then the edge of town. Fendall’s farm and cemetery were situated about two miles from the northwest perimeter of Alexandria near Abijah Janney’s Mill, currently bounded on the Old Georgetown Road, south of the present Monroe Street bridge. This would put the property at the present Madison and Henry Streets north to about Third Street, thence west across the Potomac Yard. The property was purchased in 1786 from Dr. Elisha Cullen Dick (1762-1825), and consisted of three lots of 12, 11 ½ , and 8 acres. The farm provided vegetables, fruits and other foodstuffs for his family and servants. It was on the 12 acre plot that Philip reserved ½ acre for the family burying ground. It is highly probable that his second wife Elizabeth was interred here in 1789. In 1827, Mary, Philips third wife was also buried here. For many years, the family burying ground was not found. It was thought that the cemetery was possibly destroyed by the Union Army who bivouacked in the area from 1861 to 1865. The soldiers often utilized tombstones as fire backs. Another theory was that the site may have been removed to some unknown location when the Potomac railroad yards were constructed in the vicinity in 1903. However, thanks to the research of T. Michael Miller in the late 1990's, we were able to uncover some clues to the whereabouts. The burying ground was located on First Street, and consisted of a one-acre walled in area with front gate and lock. This cemetery was still in existence as late as the 1950's, when it was situated near Potomac Yard’s railroad bunk house and water tower. The demise recently of the railroad yard, has brought about certain development. However, city code requires complete archeological investigation before any development can take place. The disposition of the Fendall family corpses are not known however. It is believed that the skeletons were removed to Christ Church Cemetery on upper Wilkes Street.
Although the latter years of his life were overshadowed by bankruptcy, Philip still had an impact on the social, political, and economic life of Alexandria, and his earlier residence of Charles County. Philip possessed a bookplate which was described as, “Paly of six arg and gu, on a chief az three mullets or”. Crest: “a stag’s head erased gorged with a collar charged with three mullets”. Motto: “Esse Quam Videri Malim” (To be righteous and genuine instead of just seeming to be so). This seems to be done by the same artist as the one done by Gen. George Washington’s bookplate. Philip’s bookplate was very similar to that of his brother John Fendall’s coat of arms. The only difference being the motto, which was “Nil desperandum” (Never despair). The latter was probably the original Fendall family coat of arms, as Philip’s descendants still possessed the coat of arms with “Nil desperandum” upon it.
Philip also owned two tracts of connected land plots. The first was called " Batten's Clifts", in Charles Co., Maryland. This was 107 acres on the east side of the Potomac River, which his father Benjamin had conveyed to him in 1758. It included all “gardens, orchards and fences”. In 1764, Philip added on to this tract of land by purchasing an additional 258.5 acres of “Batten’s Clifts”. The second tract was 130 acres called " Three Brothers", which was adjacent to the 365.5 he already had in possession. He purchased this in 1768, from William Barton Warren (ca. 1738-1818) who also sold him another 135 acres of " Batten’s Clifts”. He renamed the estate “ Window Upon The World” because of its panoramic view of the Potomac River. The Clifton Manor Development on Maryland Route 301, approximately twelve miles below La Plata, is on the site of the old homestead. By the time Philip decided to sell this estate in 1784, it included almost 700 acres.
Philip married first, 9-30-1759 Charles Co., Maryland to Sarah Lettice Lee b. 11-24-1734 Prince George's Co., MD. d. 1-8-1761 "Batten's Clifts", Charles Co., MD.
(no children)
Philip married second, by 1780 in Westmoreland Co., VA. to Elizabeth (Steptoe) Lee. b. 11-22-1743 "Hominy Hall", Westmoreland Co., VA. d. 6-1789 "Stratford Hall", Westmoreland Co., VA. Elizabeth was the widow of Hon. Philip Ludwell Lee, Sr. (1727-1775), of which he became the step-father of the following children:
1. Matilda Lee b. 1766 "Stratford Hall", Westmoreland Co., VA. d. 7-28-1790 "Leesylvania", Prince William Co., VA.
m. Gov. Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee III, Maj. Gen. b. 1-29-1756 "Leesylvania", Freestone Point, near Dumfries, Prince William Co., VA. d. 3-25-1818 Cumberland Island, Camden Co., GA.
2. Flora Lee b. 6-1771 "Stratford Hall", Westmoreland Co., VA. d. 1795 "Shuter's Hill", Fairfax Co., VA.
m. Col. Ludwell Lee b. 10-13-1760 "Chantilly", Westmoreland Co., VA. d. 3-25-1836 "Belmont", Spotsylvania, Loudoun Co., VA.
3. Philip Ludwell Lee, Jr. b. 2-24-1775 "Stratford Hall", Westmoreland Co., VA. d. 1779 "Stratford Hall", Westmoreland Co., VA.
Philip married third in 1791 to Mary "Mollie" Lee b. 7-9-1764 "Leesylvania", Prince William Co., VA. d. 11-10-1827 Washington, D.C. From this marriage, Philip had the following children:
1. Philip Richard Fendall II b. 12-18-1794 "Lee-Fendall House", Alexandria, VA. d. 2-16-1868 Washington, D.C.
m. Elizabeth Mary Young b. 10-7-1804 Alexandria, VA. d. 10-7-1859 Washington, D.C.
2. Lucy Eleanor "Eleanor" Fendall b. 1796 "Lee-Fendall House", Alexandria, VA. d. prior to 1872
m.1) Dr. Barnard James Miller d. 11-1837 Washington, D.C.
m.2) Capt. Darlon A. Wilds
Philip was an office holder, lawyer, merchant, and entrepreneur. Before the Revolution, Fendall was the Principal agent on the Potomac River for James Russell (1708-1788), merchant of London, England. Mr. Russell was married to Anne Lee (1715-1800), sister of Philip’s mother. Russell not only conducted one of the most prestigious and lucrative import-export business on the Maryland colony, he replaced Hanbury’s as the most important London trading house in the Chesapeake region. Being a mercantile agent consisted of persuading planters to consign their tobacco to Russell, take orders for manufactures, and oversee his ships when they were in Chesapeake waters. For these services Russell paid Philip commissions and advanced him credit.
On June 8, 1756, Philip became a County clerk succeeding his father Benjamin, who held the same office. As clerk, Philip worked at Port Tobacco, the county seat in Charles County, and was responsible for the oversight of the judicial records. He served in this position until 1776. On June 13, 1769 Philip’s future brother-in-law and Charles County Sheriff, Richard Lee IV (d. 1834), had been fined 40 pounds current money for whipping a slave. It seems the slave had escaped and Richard was charged with abusing a prisoner. Philip as clerk of the county court became pledge and security to pay the fine and the several fees due the officers and ministers of the court.
According to the Maryland Gazette, October 4, 1759, Philip and his first wife Sarah Lettice Lee were "...a very valuable young couple! with every natural Endowment, and needful Accomplishment, to render them agreeably useful in Public, and promise their Happiness in private Life. Long may they live, and be prosperous in the world; to reap, fully, the benefit of their early and constant affection for each other."
The marriage did not last long, according to the Maryland Gazette, January 22, 1761,“On Thursday, the 8th Instant, after a short Illness, Died Mrs. Sarah Lettice Fendall, Wife of Mr. Philip Richard Fendall, Clerk of Charles County. A very striking Example of the great uncertainty of all human Procurements, with what Zeal and Eagerness soever we pursue them, or Fondness we possess them with! She was a Lady very worthy our high Expectations, had God been pleased to allow her length of time to fulfil them in; but being cut off in almost the Bloom of Youth, and too, too soon from her happy Nuptials, she had but little opportunity for displaying to so full an extent that high pitch of merit in the character of Wife, which was justly ascribed her in her maiden condition. Her Fate was sudden and unexpected, and she has therefore the more left behind her a disconsolate Husband, most mournful Relations, and condoling Acquaintance. But her Memory is so grateful that it ought to set Bounds to our Sorrow and to mitigate all uneasiness on account of her Loss”.
Philip signed Maryland's nonimportation agreement in 1769, and served as cryer, and Court of Oyer and Terminere and Gaol (British for jail) delivery for Charles Co., 1772-1776. On June 14, 1774 he was listed with others as attending a meeting of the inhabitants of Charles County at Port Tobacco. The reason was “...to deliberate on the effect and tendancy of the Act of Parliament, for blocking up the Port and Harbour of Boston.” In 1775 he was on the Committee of Observation of Charles County, and in the Provincial Convention. In addition to this Philip was appointed County treasurer of the Charles County Committee, to receive subscriptions being raised to aid the Bostonians, who at this point were being held in check by the British blockade in Boston Harbor.
On May 22, 1775, a resolution was passed by Charles County residents at Port Tobacco which named Fendall as “one of fifteen Deputies to represent this county in any general convention to be held for this province, and that any five or more of them have power and authority to act for, and bind this county”. Philip was present at the Convention of Maryland that took place between July 26 until August 4, 1775.
It is ironic that the first day of the Convention the following incident occurred and this account appeared in the diary of Landon Carter (1757-1820) of “ Sabine Hall” on July 26, 1775: “Friday On the Potomac between Fendalls on Md. shore & Brents on Va. shore...4 men of War and their tenders which went from Dunmore's gang last Saturday on the Maryland side of St. Marys up the Potowmeck got as high as the house of Wm. Brent in Stafford and finding they had not been saluted from the shore as usual when the channel ran close by it, I suppose, from the musquitry, they concluded they were not expected there and ventured on shore and set fire to that plantation; and fired some cannon shot at Fendalls in Maryland opposite to it, which did a great deal of damage."
Later he traveled to Europe and specifically France, on an appointment from the Continental Congress to audit public accounts of American diplomatic personnel there. Philip sailed aboard the “Potomac”, the last ship to leave Maryland/Virginia, when trade links were broken with Britain. While there he visited his cousins Dr. Arthur Lee (1740-1792) and William Lee (1739-1795), who were serving as diplomats securing European assistance for the Revolution. Dr. Arthur Lee was one of America’s commissioners to the court of Louis XVI, King of France (1754-1793), and secured the famous Treaty of Alliance with the French in 1778, which called for France to provide needed munitions and food for the Continental Army.
On May 13, 1778, John Adams (1735-1826), the future 2nd President of the United States, who also happened to be in France, wrote in his diary, “Dined at Mrs. Chaumonts, with a great deal of Company. After dinner took a Walk to Chaillot to see Mr. Lee, who had a large Company of Americans to dine with him, among the rest Mr. Fendell of Maryland...”
Fendall returned to America about 1780, and married Elizabeth (Steptoe) Lee, the widow of Hon. Philip Ludwell Lee, Sr., Esq. (1727-1775) of “Stratford”. Elizabeth brought a significant amount of land holdings to this marriage including “Stratford Hall” plantation and the 6,595 acres on which it was situated. Elizabeth was the daughter of Col., Dr. James Steptoe (1709-1757) of “ Hominy Hall” in Westmoreland County, Virginia.
After the death of Philip Ludwell Lee, Sr., Elizabeth along with her new husband, continued to live at " Stratford" for several years before moving to Alexandria. Since Philip Ludwell Lee had died intestate, the court appointed a commission in 1780 to divide the estate. The commission recommended a tribunal: “A lot to Mrs. Fendall the Mansion House (Stratford) and offices thereunto belonging together with 1,000 acres of land next adjoining...” In addition, Mrs. Fendall received “13 men, 8 women, 8 boys and 12 girls” while Philip Fendall was awarded 1,352 pounds current money for Elizabeth’s one third dower interest in the estate. The remaining land was transmitted to the daughters, Flora and Matilda. Besides Elizabeth’s inheritance, Fendall had personally owned fifty-one slaves, and 4 wheels of vehicles by 1782. As a result the new couple was among the most affluent members of Westmoreland County. The new couple resided at “Stratford” along with her two daughters and son-in-law, Henry “Light Horse Harry” Lee, who had married the daughter Matilda. An arrangement was reached in 1784-85, that the Fendall’s would turn over their rights to “Stratford”, and at the same time, Henry would sell a ½ acre lot, situated on Oronoco Street in Alexandria, Virginia for 300 pounds. Alexandria was quickly becoming the social, political and ecclesiastical epicenter of Northern Virginia.
In May of 1785, he along with a group of leading citizens of Alexandria and Georgetown formed the Potomac Company. Philip was appointed chairman at the annual meeting of stockholders held in Alexandria on August 4, 1788. This Company’s goal was to construct a canal around the Great Falls of the Potomac River, which would allow trade from the Ohio Valley. However these men did not foresee the numerous difficulties such as labor riots, foul weather and engineering problems. As Director of the Company, Fendall continued to push for the canal’s completion, and by 1802 it was in operation. By the mid 1820's the Potomac Company filed for bankruptcy, and was sold to the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company in 1828.
In the spring of 1785 Philip built the “Fendall-Lee House” located at 614 Oronoco, Alexandria, Virginia, which was at the time part of Washington, D.C. The house was, if not completed, at least habitable by late 1785. The “Fendall-Lee House was where plans for George Washington's funeral were decided. The famous Author, Henry Cabot Lodge's (1850-1924) description of Virginia society in the eighteenth century might aptly be applied to Alexandria: "We must go back to Athens to find another instance of a Society so small in numbers and yet capable of such an outburst of ability and force."
In 1789, Philip along with Lewis Hipkins (1753-1794), another merchant, leased 107 acres of land at the mouth of Pimmitt Run. They decided to construct an industrial park where the Chain Bridge now crosses the Potomac River. They named this The Pimmit Run Industrial Park. This land was originally patented in 1719 by Col. Thomas Lee, Hon. (1690-1750), Elizabeth’s father-in-law. Part of the business venture here involved some stone quarries on the Virginia cliffs, which produced what is known commercially as blue stone, and was used for road beds and buildings in the nation’s new capital. Hipkins died in 1794, after being bit by a rabid dog while on business in Georgetown. In 1796, this land included “a very valuable merchant mill, a distillery and brewery, and sundry stone quarries”. During this year, Fendall advertised a number of his businesses at the Little Falls of the Potomac for lease. The Columbia Mirror and Alexandria Gazette advertisement on August 16, described Fendall’s land:
“I will rent my Merchant Mill at the Little Falls of Potowmac...The Mill house is 42 by 40 feet, three stories high, built of stone, and has in it 3 pair of French burr stones, two overshot 18 feet water wheels, and Evan’s machinery complete, with every other thing proper and necessary for carrying on the business with dispatch, and alas little expence as possible all in good order...where large quantities of wheat and other grain is annually...There are on the premises a large stone Cooper’s shop, a stone granery and a commodious Miller’s house. At the landing aforesaid a bridge is now building over the Potomac, which is in great forwardness and probably will be finished the ensuing Fall.
There is also on the premises a Brewery and Distillery built with stone, in them are three stills, two coopers...Upon my land adjoining the premisses...is an immense quantity of building and foundation stones, four quarries are now open, and as many more may be opened with ease, the stone taken from these quarries is better, and has the preference at this market, to any other stone brought to it...Upon the top of the hill...is a stone dwelling house, large enough for the accommodation of a family, also a kitchen, Dairy, Smoke house, etc. and a garden enclosed, and in Cultivation, the Soil of which is equal in goodness to any in this state...Adjoining...a Smith’s Shop...If agreeable I will hire to the tenant two negro blacksmiths, one of them is a complete workman”.
By 1803, Philip was forced to mortgage this land.
In 1791 Philip married as his third wife, Mary “Mollie” Lee (1764-1827), "of the Leesylvania Lees". Mary was thirty years younger than Philip and the daughter of Maj. Gen. Henry Lee II (1730-1787) of “ Leesylvania” and, Lucy Grymes (1734-1792) the "Lowland Beauty".
In 1791 he was involved with the rebuilding of the " White House" along with the architect James Hoban (1762-1831). Philip along with Hipkins, had secured the contract from Pierre Charles L'Enfant (1754-1825) to have sandstone transported from the "Free Stone Quarries" on Aquia Creek, to the new Federal District for the construction of the palace (White House). 99,000 cubic feet of foundation stone was taken up the Anacostia River for this purpose. In addition, timber from " Stratford Hall", a one time residence of Philip and his second wife Elizabeth (Steptoe) Lee, was also utilized to build the Presidents house. " Light Horse Harry" Lee (Philip's cousin, brother-in-law, and step-son-in-law), sold the timber to the District of Columbia Commissioners in 1793. In 1796 James Hoban (1762-1831), made a personal survey of " Stratford Hall", and decided to buy the lumber.
Also in 1791, Philip purchased land in Federal City, where Washington D.C. now stands. At the time the going price was between 19-25 pounds an acre. A tract of 500 acres was purchased by William Bagley from the owner, John Waring, Sr. (1737-1813), for himself, P.R.F., Capt. Benjamin Stoddert, Sr., 1st Secretary of the Navy (1751-1813), Maj. Gen. Uriah Forrest (1746-1805), and William Deakins, Jr. They however agreed to convey the land to the City in the future. On January 12, 1792 Philip sold this land, at least 494 acres of it, called " Jamaica", to Samuel Blodgett, Jr., of Boston. This tract lay within the lines of the city and extended in a broad belt from DuPont Circle in a Northeasterly direction entirely across the city, and overlapped the Northern bounds. The consideration named in the deed was 39,520 Mexican silver dollars. (taken from excerpt of "A History of the National Capital").
On December 6, 1791, Philip was named as one of the Managers of the Assemblers. This was a social body called the “Alexandria General Assemblers”, and was managed by the gentlemen of the town.
On October 9, 1792, Philip was listed along with others on a petition of merchants, for a bank in Alexandria. Therefore this bank became the first bank south of the Potomac River. In December of that same year, Philip was elected the first President of the Bank of Alexandria, which was established by Act of Virginia Assembly. It was first located at Albert’s Tavern, shortly thereafter, moved to DuVall’s Tavern at 305 Cameron from 1793-1807, and eventually moved to 133 Fairfax in 1807, the present location. Philip had been a director of the Bank of the United States in the early 1790's and was therefore qualified to accept this position. In an era when banks were distrusted, Fendall and his son/brother-in-law Light Horse Harry Lee, were instrumental in establishing a successful bank. At this time Lee was the Governor of Virginia, and on several occasions had Virginia funds deposited at the Bank of Alexandria. No doubt the close family bond was advantageous.
In 1792, Philip was elected a Vestryman of Protestant Episcopal Church in Virginia. He served in this capacity until at least 1795. Fendall was elected a Vestryman of Old Christ Church in Alexandria the following year for a period of three succeeding years. On June 15, 1803 Philip and William Fitzhugh (1741-1809) paid $40 for the downstairs pew #31 which was second pew from the front, just left of right hand isle when facing the pulpit.
In 1794 Philip and other Alexandria property owners were quick to realize the advantages of membership in the Mutual Assurance Society, offering protection "against fire on buildings in the State of Virginia". Philip was listed in the ledger as insuring a total of 7 buildings with a value of 10,000 lbs.
Fendall was also involved with several other civic responsibilities. In 1794 he was elected to the Alexandria City government and began serving as a member of the Board of Alderman. Philip was also an organizer of the Alexandria Library Company which was housed in the south end of the Lyceum, now located at 201 South Washington Street, in Alexandria. He was an early member of the Georgetown Bridge Company which constructed the first major bridge in the Washington, D.C. area located at Little Falls. This bridge, which was called Falls Bridge, was completed in 1797, and was maintained by a series of tolls: “for pedestrians, 3 cents; man & horse, 8 cents; 2 wheel vehicles, 25 cents; 4 wheel vehicles 50 cents”.
He became a partner in the firm of Robert Young and Company, an export-import business which shipped large quantities of wheat overseas. Brig. Gen. Robert Young (1768-1824) became the father-in-law of Philip’s son Philip Richard Fendall II. Unfortunately, Young and Company fell upon hard times and were unable to collect their debts. The company was dissolved by 1797.
In 1796 Philip was succeeded as President of the Bank of Alexandria by William Herbert (1743-1819), the son-in-law of John Carlyle (1720-1780).
Philip like many other members of the Virginia gentry, speculated in large tracts of western lands. He owned 64,000 acres in Wythe and Washington counties in Virginia, 1,000 acres in Bourbon County, Kentucky, 400 acres in Bath County, Virginia, and 15,000 acres in Botetourt County, Virginia. In the mid 1790's a severe depression enveloped the South and the land values plummeted. The final years of Philip’s life were not pleasant. He found himself besieged with debts and he became emotionally and financially overwhelmed. By 1803, Fendall owned over 82,408 acres of real estate, thus Philip found himself land rich but money poor. Philip was forced to declare bankruptcy in 1803, and was sent to debtors prison in Fairfax County.
In 1804 Philip was a member of the Washington Society of Alexandria, the oldest of the Patriotic Societies in America, except the Society of the Cincinnati.
Fendall died in March of 1805 and in his will he requested: “First, my will and desire is that my body may be decently interred without pomp or show, in my burying Ground at my farm...” This was despite the fact that Philip had purchased plot #158 in the Christ Church Cemetery located on Wilkes Street, which was then the edge of town. Fendall’s farm and cemetery were situated about two miles from the northwest perimeter of Alexandria near Abijah Janney’s Mill, currently bounded on the Old Georgetown Road, south of the present Monroe Street bridge. This would put the property at the present Madison and Henry Streets north to about Third Street, thence west across the Potomac Yard. The property was purchased in 1786 from Dr. Elisha Cullen Dick (1762-1825), and consisted of three lots of 12, 11 ½ , and 8 acres. The farm provided vegetables, fruits and other foodstuffs for his family and servants. It was on the 12 acre plot that Philip reserved ½ acre for the family burying ground. It is highly probable that his second wife Elizabeth was interred here in 1789. In 1827, Mary, Philips third wife was also buried here. For many years, the family burying ground was not found. It was thought that the cemetery was possibly destroyed by the Union Army who bivouacked in the area from 1861 to 1865. The soldiers often utilized tombstones as fire backs. Another theory was that the site may have been removed to some unknown location when the Potomac railroad yards were constructed in the vicinity in 1903. However, thanks to the research of T. Michael Miller in the late 1990's, we were able to uncover some clues to the whereabouts. The burying ground was located on First Street, and consisted of a one-acre walled in area with front gate and lock. This cemetery was still in existence as late as the 1950's, when it was situated near Potomac Yard’s railroad bunk house and water tower. The demise recently of the railroad yard, has brought about certain development. However, city code requires complete archeological investigation before any development can take place. The disposition of the Fendall family corpses are not known however. It is believed that the skeletons were removed to Christ Church Cemetery on upper Wilkes Street.
Although the latter years of his life were overshadowed by bankruptcy, Philip still had an impact on the social, political, and economic life of Alexandria, and his earlier residence of Charles County. Philip possessed a bookplate which was described as, “Paly of six arg and gu, on a chief az three mullets or”. Crest: “a stag’s head erased gorged with a collar charged with three mullets”. Motto: “Esse Quam Videri Malim” (To be righteous and genuine instead of just seeming to be so). This seems to be done by the same artist as the one done by Gen. George Washington’s bookplate. Philip’s bookplate was very similar to that of his brother John Fendall’s coat of arms. The only difference being the motto, which was “Nil desperandum” (Never despair). The latter was probably the original Fendall family coat of arms, as Philip’s descendants still possessed the coat of arms with “Nil desperandum” upon it.
Philip also owned two tracts of connected land plots. The first was called " Batten's Clifts", in Charles Co., Maryland. This was 107 acres on the east side of the Potomac River, which his father Benjamin had conveyed to him in 1758. It included all “gardens, orchards and fences”. In 1764, Philip added on to this tract of land by purchasing an additional 258.5 acres of “Batten’s Clifts”. The second tract was 130 acres called " Three Brothers", which was adjacent to the 365.5 he already had in possession. He purchased this in 1768, from William Barton Warren (ca. 1738-1818) who also sold him another 135 acres of " Batten’s Clifts”. He renamed the estate “ Window Upon The World” because of its panoramic view of the Potomac River. The Clifton Manor Development on Maryland Route 301, approximately twelve miles below La Plata, is on the site of the old homestead. By the time Philip decided to sell this estate in 1784, it included almost 700 acres.
Philip married first, 9-30-1759 Charles Co., Maryland to Sarah Lettice Lee b. 11-24-1734 Prince George's Co., MD. d. 1-8-1761 "Batten's Clifts", Charles Co., MD.
(no children)
Philip married second, by 1780 in Westmoreland Co., VA. to Elizabeth (Steptoe) Lee. b. 11-22-1743 "Hominy Hall", Westmoreland Co., VA. d. 6-1789 "Stratford Hall", Westmoreland Co., VA. Elizabeth was the widow of Hon. Philip Ludwell Lee, Sr. (1727-1775), of which he became the step-father of the following children:
1. Matilda Lee b. 1766 "Stratford Hall", Westmoreland Co., VA. d. 7-28-1790 "Leesylvania", Prince William Co., VA.
m. Gov. Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee III, Maj. Gen. b. 1-29-1756 "Leesylvania", Freestone Point, near Dumfries, Prince William Co., VA. d. 3-25-1818 Cumberland Island, Camden Co., GA.
2. Flora Lee b. 6-1771 "Stratford Hall", Westmoreland Co., VA. d. 1795 "Shuter's Hill", Fairfax Co., VA.
m. Col. Ludwell Lee b. 10-13-1760 "Chantilly", Westmoreland Co., VA. d. 3-25-1836 "Belmont", Spotsylvania, Loudoun Co., VA.
3. Philip Ludwell Lee, Jr. b. 2-24-1775 "Stratford Hall", Westmoreland Co., VA. d. 1779 "Stratford Hall", Westmoreland Co., VA.
Philip married third in 1791 to Mary "Mollie" Lee b. 7-9-1764 "Leesylvania", Prince William Co., VA. d. 11-10-1827 Washington, D.C. From this marriage, Philip had the following children:
1. Philip Richard Fendall II b. 12-18-1794 "Lee-Fendall House", Alexandria, VA. d. 2-16-1868 Washington, D.C.
m. Elizabeth Mary Young b. 10-7-1804 Alexandria, VA. d. 10-7-1859 Washington, D.C.
2. Lucy Eleanor "Eleanor" Fendall b. 1796 "Lee-Fendall House", Alexandria, VA. d. prior to 1872
m.1) Dr. Barnard James Miller d. 11-1837 Washington, D.C.
m.2) Capt. Darlon A. Wilds
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