Richard Hetherington


Richard Hetherington was a British naval officer, influential landowner and colonial administrator.
Son of Colonel Richard Hetherington b Dec 1737, died Aug 1821 at Tortola and Mary Pickering born c. 1743, died 1788, he was born in England and was a naval Captain. He married Mary Bell born c. 1785 died 30 November 1819. Mary and Richard had two daughters Caroline Lavinia Fitz Hetherington at Tortola and Bell Ellis Hetherington at Tortola. From 1811 to 1839, he was the President of the British Virgin Islands. In 1843 he became a Lieutenant of the Royal Navy.
Bell Ellis Hetherington at Tortola married Alan Stewart c. 1840s, Alan Stewart and Bell Ellis Hetherington had at least one son, John Ellis Stewart born 1848 in Prahran, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia died 21 December 1918 in Prahran, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia,.
Hetherington was President of the Council during the time of the trial of Arthur Hodge for the murder of the slave "Prosper". Hetherington appears to have taken on the role of prosecuting counsel. In response to the submission that Hodge could not be guilty of murdering his own slave, Hetherington is reported to have submitted to the jury:

Political Summary