Chatham Manor the Custis slaves as executor after his in-laws' deaths. The plantation included an orchard, mill, and a race track where Fitzhugh's horses vied with those of other planters for prize money. Fizhugh named the mansion after the British parliamentarian William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham, who championed many of the opinions held by American colonists prior to the Revolutionary War. Flanking the main house were dozens of supporting structures: slave quarters, a dairy, ice house, barns, stables. Down on the river were fish traps. Fitzhugh sold the Chatham plantation to Major Churchill Jones, who had served under Col. William Washington
James Sinclair, 12th Earl of Caithness James Sinclair, 12th Earl of Caithness James Sinclair, 12th Earl of Caithness was a Scottish noble and chief of the Clan Sinclair. James Sinclair was born at Barrogill Castle (Castle of Mey) on 31 May 1766. He was the son of Sir John Sinclair of Mey, Baronet who he succeeded in the baronetcy in 1774. He succeeded as 12th earl of Caithness in 1789, as nearest lawful male heir of William Sinclair, 2nd Earl of Caithness. His claim to the peerage was sustained by the House of Lords. He was lord-lieutenant of the county of Caithness and lieutenant-colonel of the