Henry Foxall

Henry Foxall (May 24, 1758 – December 11, 1823) was an English-born American politician, industrialist and Methodist preacher. He is considered one of the first United States defense contractors because he supplied the U.S. Navy during the Quasi War, First Barbary War and the War of 1812 with cannons and cannonballs from his iron foundries in Philadelphia, Georgetown (then part of Maryland) and Richmond, Virginia. He also served as Mayor of Georgetown and helped found the Foundry United Methodist Church in Washington, D.C.

Early life Henry Foxall was born on May 24, 1758, in Monmouth Forge in South Wales to Mary (née Hays) and Thomas Foxall. After his birth, the family returned to the British West Midlands.

In 1800, Foxall moved to Georgetown and built the Columbia Foundry in 1801. He also set up a foundry in Richmond, Virginia in 1809. Both foundries produced cannons for the federal government.

Later life and death After retiring in 1815, he returned to England on two occasions, once in 1815 and another time in 1823. On December 11, 1823, he died while visiting England.

Legacy The Foxhall Village neighborhood in Washington, D.C. is named after Foxall.