William Fitzhugh (the Immigrant) in his lifetime amassed 54,000 acres in several land holdings including Ravensworth. He established his residence and seat of operations on the Potomac River, first at Bedford Plantation and ultimately at Eagle’s Nest Plantation.

At his death in 1701, his oldest son, William Fitzhugh, Jr., inherited Eagle’s Nest; Bedford was bequeathed to his second son, Henry Fitzhugh (Captain). From these well established plantation seats the brothers managed their half shares of Ravensworth (parcel 1.1 and parcel 1.2) and other inherited lands.

About 1768-71, William, Jr.’s grandson, William Fitzhugh (of Chatham), left Eagle’s Nest and built Chatham on a portion of his lands across the Rappahannock River from Fredericksburg, which had been incorporated in 1727. Thirty years later, about 1796, he moved to Ravensworth.

More information

Eagle’s Nest, WPA Survey Report, 1937 – Works Progress Administration of Virginia Historical Inventory, University of Virginia Library

Eagle’s Nest historical marker

Chatham Manor: history of the mansion, which now is part of the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park

Virginia: A Guide to the Old Dominion: See Tour 16, a self driving tour of Northern Neck historic sites, including directions to Chatham, Eagle’s Nest and Bedford. The Guide was compiled during the Great Depression and reissued digitally by Library of Virginia.