2016 – Summer Newsletter

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

2016 – Summer Newsletter News From Red Hill Published By the Patrick Henry Memorial Foundation — Brookneal, VA Annual Fourth of July Celebration at Red Hill July 4th, 2016 was an unspoiled day; even the threat of rain could not dampen the spirit of celebration here at Red Hill. The rain and storm-free skies combined with pleasant temperatures made for the perfect day to celebrate America’s birth. Visitors came from all over this great nation, many of whom had never been to Red Hill before. Everyone was able (continued on page 2) Patrick Henry Digital In This Issue... Library is Live Red Hill Collection We are pleased to an- titles that Henry was known Page 3 nounce the official launch of to have owned at one time in The Patrick Henry Digital his life. The third part is books What Would Library (PHDL). Supported by about Patrick Henry. Here you Henry Say? a generous grant from the Jes- will find fully searchable digi- Page 4 sie Ball duPont Fund awarded tized books devoted to Patrick to the Patrick Henry National Henry’s life and his writings. Patrick Daily Essay Memorial Foundation in 2015, In many cases there is overlap Page 6 the PHDL is composed of between this collection and the four parts. The first part is the Patrick Henry Digital Library. Original Oratory Patrick Henry Digital Edition, The fourth and final part is Page 9 which is the first comprehen- Museum Collections, which sive scholarly edition of the presents objects from Patrick Faces of Red Hill known writings of Patrick Henry and his family that are Page 11 Henry. This includes all of now owned by the Patrick his incoming and outgoing Henry Memorial Foundation. correspondence. The second The overall objective of the part is Patrick Henry’s Library, Patrick Henry Digital Library which is a collection of book is to (continued on page 5) Summer 2016 — Published By the Patrick Henry Memorial Foundation — Brookneal, VA 24528 2 Fourth of July (Cont’d.) (Continued from page 1) to enjoy the grounds, Visitor Center, and cued chicken, hotdogs, hamburgers, and museum. Docents were on hand to share funnel cakes and kettle corn. Children were information about the history of the estate, running across the lawns playing colonial along with living history demonstrations games--you can see a picture of the hoop that gave insight into 18th Century living. and stick game below--as well as traditional Outdoors, where guests sat on blankets and rounds of tag, soccer, and frisbee. All of this camp chairs scattered across the green lawn, was done with festively painted faces, thanks the air was filled with music from the band, to the face painting booth where volunteers Laurel Junction, and the aromas of barbe- adorned anyone who visited with flags, butterflies, rainbows, and more. Face painting booth. At 7:00pm, everyone stood with their hands over their hearts to recite the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a moving rendition of the National Anthem sung by Brittany Bowman. Then Patrick Henry Jolly, in character as his fifth great-grandfather Patrick Henry, delivered the “Give me lib- erty or give me death” speech in its entirety, after which the crowd erupted in applause and cheers. Patrick greeted visitors, signed books and programs, and took many photos with young and old fans alike, eager to meet and shake hands with Mr. Henry. Later when the sun was down, “Patrick Dancing to the band! Henry” read the Declaration of Indepen- dence by candlelight, reminding everyone those familiar words, “when in the course in attendance of the ideals our Founding of human events, it becomes necessary for A fun day for a family outing...food, Fathers had set into writing some two one people to dissolve the politcal bands fireworks, and fun. hundred and forty years ago, beginning with (continued page 5) 3 From the Red Hill Collection Dorothea Spotswood Henry Bodice This empire-style bodice of printed woman. The fabric of the bodice has rial is yellowed with age and has some silk was a piece of outerwear worn a cream background with blue stripes staining. The sleeve material is much by Dorothea Spotswood Henry. She and flowers in rose and green. There is cleaner and shows less wear, imply- was the first of eleven children born a small brass hook and eye closure in ing that the sleeves were added to the to Patrick Henry and his second wife, the back and has fine cord trimming bodice much later. Dorothea Dandridge Henry, as well as the neckline. The cap sleeves are made This piece was donated as a gift to the last child born in the Governor’s of silk with purple, orange, and yellow the Patrick Henry Memorial Founda- Palace in Williamsburg. flowers with blue fringed scallops. The tion by Margo Pettway. Mrs. Pettway With a 24-inch waist and 4-inch original part of the bodice dates to the discovered this bodice in her attic in armholes, it is believed that this bodice 1790s, though the sleeves date closer to Columbus, Missouri with a note was worn by Dorothea as a young the 1820s or 1830s. The bodice mate- attached (continued page 4) ...set into writing some two hundred and forty years ago... 4 From the Collection (Cont’d.) (Continued from page 3) connecting the item to Dorothea Dorothea Spotswood Henry. Upon tion. Dorothea’s bodice is currently on Spotswood Henry. Mrs. Pettway’s late discovering this piece after her hus- display in the Eugene B. Casey Orien- husband Richard was the son of Vir- band’s death, Mrs. Pettway donated tation Room in the Visitoror CenterCen at ginia Randolph Harper Pettway, who the bodice in January of 2004 to the Patrick Henry’s Red Hill. was the great-great-granddaughter of Patrick Henry Memorial Founda- What Would Henry Say? about political parties? By Mark Couvillon uring Patrick Henry’s time of the Anti-Federalists in Virginia. in the legislature, first in the Yet, these factions were not true par- DHouse of Burgesses and later ties and disappeared once the Consti- as a member of the Virginia House tution was ratified. With the forma- of Delegates, political parties did not tion of the new government, Patrick exist. Geography and ideology occa- Henry wrote George Washington that One of the most misunder- sionally influenced how one voted on he had “bid adieu to the distinction stood parts of Patrick Henry’s biog- certain issues, but the idea of belong- of federal and anti-federal.” Early in raphy is the belief that he became a ing to a specific organization that Washington’s first administration as Federalist before his death. In truth, selected candidates, mobilized voters, president, two new factions formed: Henry had fundamental problems and monitored the opposing party in the Federalists, who supported na- with the Hamiltonian Party, though power came with the adoption of the tionalism and a strong federal system he did believe the actions of the Jeffer- U.S. Constitution. of governance, and the Democratic sonian Republicans with their attach- The first two political factions Republicans, who pushed for states’ ment to Revolutionary France and to appear were the Federalists, who rights and the primacy of yeoman their passage of the explosive Virginia supported the ratification of the U.S. farmers. These two parties, headed Kentucky Resolutions, were of greater Constitution, and the Anti-Federalists by Alexander Hamilton and Thomas threat to the happiness and welfare who opposed ratification. Patrick Jefferson, gave birth to our two-party of the Country. Though Henry was Henry was the acknowledged leader system of government we have today. courted vigorously by both parties, he (continued on page 10) “What Would Henry Say?” is a series that presents how Patrick Henry actually addressed a question of his day, so that the reader can consider how Henry’s principles might inform today’s debates. 5 Fourth of July (Cont’d.) (Continued from page 2) which have connected them with another...” sacred Honor.” ful end to an evening of fun and festivities, and ending with the promise of the sign- Finally, this solemn moment of marking the thirty-ninth year of celebrating ers, which would carry them through the rememberance was capped off with a spec- Independence Day at Red Hill. We hope to Revolution, that “we mutually pledge to tacular, thirty-minute fireworks show. The see everyoneyone jojoin us again next year for the each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our display awed everyone, and was a wonder- fortieth! Henry was courted vigorously by both parties... Documents Compass (Cont’d.) (Continued from page 1) connect related objects across these writings, quotes, and biographies will explanatory notes that accompany the four collections in order to provide make a major impact on the study transcript. users a more comprehensive look at of Henry. Using innovative tools and The collection called “Patrick what Patrick Henry wrote, read, and publication methods, the work of Henry’s Library,” consists of the 185 used in his daily life, and the works building the PHDL has been under- book titles known to be owned by written about him since his death in taken by Documents Compass, a digi- Henry during his lifetime, based on 1799. tal program at the Virginia Founda- an estate inventory compiled after This ambitious project provides tion for the Humanities. Documents 1799. Users can search through this totally free access to a wealth of con- Compass has extensive experience virtual library on a wide range of top- tent including the first fully compre- with documentary editing and they ics, from law to fiction (Henry owned hensive edition of Henry’s writings, have digitized thousands of historical Robinson Crusoe and Don Quixote as to all known items in his personal documents for web publication over well as numerous works on English library, to his personal belongings the past eight years.
Recommended publications
  • Richatd Henry Lee 0Az-1Ts4l Although He Is Not Considered the Father of Our Country, Richard Henry Lee in Many Respects Was a Chief Architect of It
    rl Name Class Date , BTocRAPHY Acrtvrry 2 Richatd Henry Lee 0az-1ts4l Although he is not considered the father of our country, Richard Henry Lee in many respects was a chief architect of it. As a member of the Continental Congress, Lee introduced a resolution stating that "These United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States." Lee's resolution led the Congress to commission the Declaration of Independence and forever shaped U.S. history. Lee was born to a wealthy family in Virginia and educated at one of the finest schools in England. Following his return to America, Lee served as a justice of the peace for Westmoreland County, Virginia, in 1757. The following year, he entered Virginia's House of Burgesses. Richard Henry Lee For much of that time, however, Lee was a quiet and almost indifferent member of political connections with Britain be Virginia's state legislature. That changed "totaIIy dissolved." The second called in 1765, when Lee joined Patrick Henry for creating ties with foreign countries. in a spirited debate opposing the Stamp The third resolution called for forming a c Act. Lee also spoke out against the confederation of American colonies. John .o c Townshend Acts and worked establish o to Adams, a deiegate from Massachusetts, o- E committees of correspondence that seconded Lee's resolution. A Declaration o U supported cooperation between American of Independence was quickly drafted. =3 colonies. 6 Loyalty to Uirginia An Active Patriot Despite his support for the o colonies' F When tensions with Britain increased, separation from Britain, Lee cautioned ! o the colonies organized the Continental against a strong national government.
    [Show full text]
  • Patrick Henry
    LIBERTY UNIVERSITY PATRICK HENRY: THE SIGNIFICANCE OF HARMONIZED RELIGIOUS TENSIONS A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF THE HISTORY DEPARTMENT IN CANDIDACY FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS IN HISTORY BY KATIE MARGUERITE KITCHENS LYNCHBURG, VIRGINIA APRIL 1, 2010 Patrick Henry: The Significance of Harmonized Religious Tensions By Katie Marguerite Kitchens, MA Liberty University, 2010 SUPERVISOR: Samuel Smith This study explores the complex religious influences shaping Patrick Henry’s belief system. It is common knowledge that he was an Anglican, yet friendly and cooperative with Virginia Presbyterians. However, historians have yet to go beyond those general categories to the specific strains of Presbyterianism and Anglicanism which Henry uniquely harmonized into a unified belief system. Henry displayed a moderate, Latitudinarian, type of Anglicanism. Unlike many other Founders, his experiences with a specific strain of Presbyterianism confirmed and cooperated with these Anglican commitments. His Presbyterian influences could also be described as moderate, and latitudinarian in a more general sense. These religious strains worked to build a distinct religious outlook characterized by a respect for legitimate authority, whether civil, social, or religious. This study goes further to show the relevance of this distinct religious outlook for understanding Henry’s political stances. Henry’s sometimes seemingly erratic political principles cannot be understood in isolation from the wider context of his religious background. Uniquely harmonized
    [Show full text]
  • Patrick Henry's Integrity Patrick Henry Was Born in Virginia in 1736 When Virginia Was Still a British Colony
    Patrick Henry's Integrity Patrick Henry was born in Virginia in 1736 when Virginia was still a British colony. He became a lawyer when he was 24 years old and quickly became well known for his eloquent work in the legal case known as the Parsons' Cause. This case was significant because it argued whether the colonial government or the British crown should make financial decisions for the colonies. About five years before, the Two Penny Act restricted the pay of ministers of the Anglican church (parsons) during a drought year in which the price of tobacco jumped higher (high demand, low supply). Parsons were paid in those days with tobacco, which had a value of about 2 cents a pound. The Two Penny Act of Virginia, enacted by the colonial government [that is, Virginia's government, not England's], maintained that parsons continue to earn 2 cents despite the higher price of tobacco. The parsons protested this because they believed they should benefit from the increased value of tobacco. The parsons appealed to authorities in England, who overruled [set aside, didn't enforce] the Two Penny Act. This judgment by England angered colonialists who believed England had no right to interfere in the colony's financial decision making. Although the Two Penny Act lasted only a year, some parsons sued for back wages. Patrick Henry argued in the case against one parson for the state's right to make its own laws. Although the parson won the case, he was awarded only a penny in back pay. Henry’s success launched a new recognition of his skills.
    [Show full text]
  • Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death!”
    “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death!” These words first rang out in Richmond’s St. John’s Church on March 23, 1775. Approximately 120 delegates were meeting to discuss Virginia’s position regarding King George III. George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were both attending this Second Virginia Convention. The United States was not yet an independent nation. The coLonies were under British rule, which meant King George III governed them. What exactLy was happening in the coLonies at this time? There was a great deal of unrest and there was talk of revolution. The British government thought they had the right to tax the colonies and control their trade. OnLy six months earLier deLegates from 12 of the 13 colonies (Georgia could not attend) met in PhiLadeLphia for the First ContinentaL Congress. They were meeting to decide what to do. Some wanted to stop trade with the British and some were talking of fighting the British. On March 23, 1775 Patrick Henry made his speech to a group of Virginia legislators to convince them that Virginia shouLd support the Revolutionary War effort. BeLow is the closing paragraph of Patrick Henry’s famous speech. The Last 7 words are renown. “It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace-- but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!” Henry’s speech is credited for inspiring the Virginia deLegates to take up arms.
    [Show full text]
  • Saint Louis Mercantile Library Special Collections - Letters M-002 – Harrison, Benjamin
    Saint Louis Mercantile Library Special Collections - Letters M-002 – Harrison, Benjamin Extended History of Collection M-042 – Harrison, Benjamin Benjamin Harrison (V) (1726-1801) was born on April 5, 1726 at Berkeley Plantation, the eldest son of Benjamin Harrison IV. Berkeley Plantation is still situated on the James River. Benjamin's mother, Ann Carter, was the daughter of Robert “King” Carter whose family like the Harrison’s was a force in Virginia and American politics. In 1748, at the age of 22, Benjamin married his second cousin Elizabeth Bassett, the daughter of William Bassett, from neighboring New Kent County, and a niece of George Washington’s wife Martha. Benjamin attended William and Mary College where he met Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson. His classical studies education was cut short after a lightning strike killed his father and two of his sisters at Berkeley on July 12, 1745. At age 19 he returned home and took over managing Berkeley’s 1,000 acre operations including ship building and horse breeding. Eight of the Harrison’s children survived to adulthood. Their most famous son was William Henry Harrison, the American general in the victory over the Indians at Tippecanoe, and who was elected President of the United States in 1840. Their great- grandson, Benjamin Harrison, a Civil War general, was also elected President, in 1888. Harrison’s public service began in the Virginia House of Burgesses in 1749 and continued there for 25 years, sometimes as Speaker. He vehemently opposed the Stamp Act and helped pen the Colony’s protest. By 1772 he was urging that the importation of slaves be curbed and heavily taxed.
    [Show full text]
  • Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and Patrick Henry
    Social Studies Grade 4 Week 4 (September 7-11, 2020) Wednesday Step 1: Students will view the American Revolution chart below for visual images and key facts about three of the key players of the American Revolution. Note to parent: Students will likely not know who any of the people pictured in the chart are, but they should familiarize themselves with who they are as they will learn more about key players and groups of the American Revolution over the next two weeks. Key Players of the American Revolution A scientist, writer, and One of the nation’s founding A politician and lawyer. He inventor. He helped edit the fathers. H serves as the first was famous for his “give me Declaration of Independence vice president and second liberty or give me death” president of the nation speech Step 2: Students will review additional information on Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and Patrick Henry. They will use the information to complete the reflection question. Who was Benjamin Franklin? Benjamin Franklin was one of the most important and influential Founding Fathers of the United States of America. Franklin spent the next several years working at various jobs in London and Philadelphia. In 1729, Franklin became the publisher of a newspaper called the Pennsylvania Gazette. As a newspaper publisher, Franklin became a prominent voice in Pennsylvania politics and his reputation began to grow throughout the American colonies. In the 1750s and 1760s, Franklin spent much of his time in London, England. Later, he represented all of the American colonies when he spoke out against the much hated Stamp Act of 1765.
    [Show full text]
  • Virginia State Capitol and Capitol Square
    Virginia State Capitol and Capitol Square In 1779, the Virginia Legislature voted to move the capital from Williamsburg to Richmond. Until a permanent Capitol could be built, the Virginia General Assembly met in two wood-framed buildings at the corner of what is now 14th Street and Cary Street. With Richmond as the new capital, six squares of land were selected for the placement of permanent public buildings. In 1788, the Thomas Jefferson designed Capitol was considered finished enough to house the Virginia General Assembly. Jefferson’s Roman temple form building is the middle portion of the present-day Capitol. The original building was expanded in 1906 with the addition of two wings, and again in 2007 with an underground extension. The architecturally and historically important building is designated as a National Historic Landmark and tentatively listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The public area surrounding the Capitol was originally a weed-filled open square with informal lanes and footpaths. In 1816, the Virginia General Assembly hired French-born Maximilian Godefroy to lay out a formal park. Two years later, the newly landscaped grounds were enclosed by the cast- and wrought-iron fence still in place today, and this area eventually came to be called Capitol Square. While retaining aspects of Godefroy’s framework, Scottish-born John Notman developed an 1850 overlay plan of meandering walkways and native trees and shrubs that gave Capitol Square much of the character and appeal it retains today. This designed historic landscape is nationally significant. Broad Street 12th Street Patrick Henry Building General Assembly Building Old City Hall Originally the Virginia State Library and Originally the Life Insurance Company of Built: 1887-94 Archives and the Virginia Supreme Court Virginia Building Now State Owned Designed: 1912 Built: 1938-40 Additions: 1922, 1955, 1964 Ninth Street Public Safety Memorial Darden Garden Capitol Street Steps Morson’s St.
    [Show full text]
  • Classical Rhetoric in America During the Colonial and Early National Periods
    University of New Hampshire University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository Communication Scholarship Communication 9-2011 “Above all Greek, above all Roman Fame”: Classical Rhetoric in America during the Colonial and Early National Periods James M. Farrell University of New Hampshire, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://scholars.unh.edu/comm_facpub Part of the Classical Literature and Philology Commons, Cultural History Commons, Liberal Studies Commons, Rhetoric Commons, and the United States History Commons Recommended Citation James M. Farrell, "'Above all Greek, above all Roman fame': Classical Rhetoric in America during the Colonial and Early National Periods," International Journal of the Classical Tradition 18:3, 415-436. This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Communication at University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in Communication Scholarship by an authorized administrator of University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository. For more information, please contact [email protected]. “Above all Greek, above all Roman Fame”: Classical Rhetoric in America during the Colonial and Early National Periods James M. Farrell University of New Hampshire The broad and profound influence of classical rhetoric in early America can be observed in both the academic study of that ancient discipline, and in the practical approaches to persuasion adopted by orators and writers in the colonial period, and during the early republic. Classical theoretical treatises on rhetoric enjoyed wide authority both in college curricula and in popular treatments of the art. Classical orators were imitated as models of republican virtue and oratorical style. Indeed, virtually every dimension of the political life of early America bears the imprint of a classical conception of public discourse.
    [Show full text]
  • Slavery in Ante-Bellum Southern Industries
    A Guide to the Microfilm Edition of BLACK STUDIES RESEARCH SOURCES Microfilms from Major Archival and Manuscript Collections General Editors: John H. Bracey, Jr. and August Meier SLAVERY IN ANTE-BELLUM SOUTHERN INDUSTRIES Series C: Selections from the Virginia Historical Society Part 1: Mining and Smelting Industries Editorial Adviser Charles B. Dew Associate Editor and Guide compiled by Martin Schipper A microfilm project of UNIVERSITY PUBLICATIONS OF AMERICA An Imprint of CIS 4520 East-West Highway • Bethesda, MD 20814-3389 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Slavery in ante-bellum southern industries [microform]. (Black studies research sources.) Accompanied by printed reel guides, compiled by Martin P. Schipper. Contents: ser. A. Selections from the Duke University Library / editorial adviser, Charles B. Dew, associate editor, Randolph Boehm—ser. B. Selections from the Southern Historical Collection, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill—ser. C. Selections from the Virginia Historical Society / editorial adviser, Charles B. Dew, associate editor, Martin P. Schipper. 1. Slave labor—Southern States—History—Sources. 2. Southern States—Industries—Histories—Sources. I. Dew, Charles B. II. Boehm, Randolph. III. Duke University. Library. IV. University Publications of America (Firm). V. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Historical Collection. VI. Virginia Historical Society. HD4865 306.3′62′0975 91-33943 ISBN 1-55655-547-4 (ser. C : microfilm) CIP Compilation © 1996 by University Publications
    [Show full text]
  • Patrick Henry, by Moses Coit Tyler 1
    Patrick Henry, by Moses Coit Tyler 1 CHAPTER I CHAPTER II CHAPTER III CHAPTER IV CHAPTER V CHAPTER VI CHAPTER VII CHAPTER VIII CHAPTER IX CHAPTER X CHAPTER XI CHAPTER XII CHAPTER XIII CHAPTER XIV CHAPTER XV CHAPTER XVI CHAPTER XVII CHAPTER XVIII CHAPTER XIX CHAPTER XX CHAPTER XXI CHAPTER XXII Patrick Henry, by Moses Coit Tyler The Project Gutenberg eBook, Patrick Henry, by Moses Coit Tyler This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or Patrick Henry, by Moses Coit Tyler 2 online at www.gutenberg.org Title: Patrick Henry Author: Moses Coit Tyler Release Date: July 10, 2009 [eBook #29368] Language: English Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 ***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PATRICK HENRY*** E-text prepared by Barbara Tozier, Bill Tozier, and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net) American Statesmen PATRICK HENRY by MOSES COIT TYLER Boston and New York Houghton Mifflin Company The Riverside Press Cambridge Copyright, 1887, by Moses Coit Tyler Copyright, 1898, by Moses Coit Tyler And Houghton, Mifflin & Co. Copyright, 1915, by Jeannette G. Tyler The Riverside Press Cambridge · Massachusetts Printed in the U.S.A. PREFACE In this book I have tried to embody the chief results derived from a study of all the materials known to me, in print and in manuscript, relating to Patrick Henry,--many of these materials being now used for the first time in any formal presentation of his life.
    [Show full text]
  • The Magazine: August 2021
    The Magazine Williamsburg Chapter Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution By signing the Declaration of Independence, the fifty-six Americans pledged their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor. Nine died of wounds during the Revolutionary War, Five were captured or imprisoned. Wives and children were jailed, mistreated, or left penniless. Twelve signers’ houses were burned to the ground. No signer defected. Their honor, like their nation remained intact. Vol. XXVI First, an administrative note. Our meeting venue for the remainder of 2021 will be the Colonial Heritage Club. This month our speaker is Compatriot Ross Schwalm. His bio can be found later in this newsletter. He will be speaking on the Amphibious Assault on Long Island. I encourage you to attend the upcoming luncheon meeting on August 14 to hear about this very interesting event. Highlights of chapter activities this past month included our 36th annual July 4 Service of Prayer & Thanksgiving at Bruton Parish Episcopal Church. We were able to meet in person and for the first time, Patrick Henry (CW Interpreter Richard Schumann), attended as the newly elected Governor of Virginia. The service was well attended by the SAR, DAR and the public. Thanks go to Jim Morford, Chaplain, for planning and organizing the event. We also supported the Williamsburg Chapter DAR at their July 4 event at Berkeley where Compatriot Ron Adolphi represented the chapter and presented a wreath. We participated in grave markings for two Virginia signers of the Declaration of Independence. On July 3rd, Francis Lightfoot Lee’s grave at Mount Airy Farm near Warsaw, Va.
    [Show full text]
  • Patrick Henry and "Give Me Liberty!"
    Give Me Liberty! Advisor: Robert A. Ferguson, George Edward Woodberry Professor in Law, Literature and Criticism, Columbia University, National Humanities Center Fellow Copyright National Humanities Center, 2015 Framing Question What arguments, appeals, and rhetorical strategies did Patrick Henry use in 1775 to persuade reluctant members of the Second Virginia Convention to develop a military response to British aggression? Understanding In 1775 American independence was not a foregone conclusion. While there had been unrest and resistance in Massachusetts with scattered acts of support from other areas, no organized movement toward revolution existed across the Colonies. Virginia ranked among the largest, wealthiest, and most populous colonies in 1775, and her political and military support for independence would be crucial for success. In this speech Patrick Henry (1736–1799) uses powerful rhetoric to convince influential, affluent, landed men of Virginia with much to lose to move past their current diplomatic posture opposing British aggression to the more treasonous one of open military preparedness. Text Patrick Henry (1736–1799) Patrick Henry, speech to the Virginia Convention, March 23, 1775. Background In 1775 unrest bubbled through the American Colonies. Britain had severely restricted Massachusetts through the Intolerable Acts; towns were voting to boycott British goods, and British soldiers were becoming a common sight in the American Colonies. In this lesson you will explore a famous speech by Patrick Henry (1736–1799), member of the Second Virginia Convention. Patrick Henry is not speaking in the Virginia House of Burgesses [the state legislature] in Williamsburg because it had been dissolved the year before by Royal Governor Dunmore.
    [Show full text]