Judge William Fleming (July 6, 1736 – February 15, 1824) was an American lawyer, jurist and political figure from Cumberland County, Virginia. He is often confused with his contemporary, Colonel William Fleming, who was born and educated in Scotland, lived in Staunton considerably to the west, briefly served as Governor of Virginia during the American Revolution, and served in the state senate representing Botetourt, Montgomery and Kentucky Counties in this same period.
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Early life and education
Born to the former Mary Bolling and her husband John Fleming (a planter and later judge), Fleming received his education at The College of William & Mary.
Career
Admitted to the bar, Fleming started practicing law before the county courts (as Goochland County split several times as discussed below) and was selected as an assistant prosecutor during the American Revolutionary War. He was also a planter, and operated his plantations using enslaved labor. After the various splits of Goochland County during the conflict, his main plantation, Summervelle, was in Chesterfield County by 1787. In the tax census that year, Fleming owned 19 slaves 16 years old and older, as well as 28 enslaved children, nine horses, 42 cattle as well as a 4-wheeled carriage there. William and Charles Fleming also owned 7 adult slaves, three enslaved children and 7 horses and 28 cattle in Goochland County in 1787, as well as three cattle in Powhatan County.