Anna Frisby Rousby Fitzhugh

Description

Watercolor on ivory portrait miniature of Anna Frisby Rousby Fitzhugh (1727-1793) by a "Mr. Bell." Born in Cecil County, Maryland, Anna married John Rousby (1728-1750) at an unknown date and left her widowed with one child and in possession of "Rousby Hall," an estate at the mouth of the Patuxent River in Lusby, Maryland. In 1752, she married Virginia lawyer, and friend of George Washington, William Fitzhugh (1721-1798). He moved to "Rousby Hall" that same year and was soon involved in politics. William served in the British army during the French & Indian War, rising to the rank of colonel. He served in numerous political positions in Maryland, including: Lower House, Calvert County (1754-1761 and 1777-1783); Governor's Council (1769-c.1774); Upper House, Calvert County (1769-1771 and 1773-1774); Treasurer, Western Shore (1772-1773); Commissary General (appointed 1773); 9th Constitutional Convention, Calvert County (1776). For resigning from the British Army in 1776, British soldiers later targeted his estate and twice burned and looted their property of possessions and slaves (1780 and 1781). William, Anna, and their three children were driven from their home on both occasions.