Richard Hetherington

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Richard Hetherington (1785 - 1859)

Richard Hetherington, b. 1785 d. 1859 was a British naval officer, influential landowner and colonial administrator.

Son of Colonel Richard Hetherington b Dec 1737 (Hollins, Westmoreland, England), died Aug 1821 at Tortola and Mary Pickering b. circa 1743, d. 1788 (Thornton in Lonsdale, Lancashire). He was born in England (Christened in Burton In Lonsdale, Lancashire) and was a naval Captain. He married Mary Bell b. circa 1785 d. 1819 (during a hurricane at Tortola). Mary and Richard had two daughters Caroline Lavinia Fitz Hetherington (b after 1805) at Tortola and Bell Ellis Hetherington (b after 1805) 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.

He served as the President of the British Virgin Islands during the early 19th century.

Richard 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:

"...the law makes no distinction between master and servant. God created white and he created black creatures; and as God makes no distinction in administering justice, and to Him each is alike, you will not, nor can you alter your verdict, if murder has been proved - whether on white persons or on black persons, the crime is equally the same with God and the law."[1]

Hetherington's star would later wane though, and he would eventually be removed from office for financial irregularities.