2019 – Spring Newsletter
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News From Red Hill Published By the Patrick Henry Memorial Foundation — Brookneal, VA Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening On April 26th, the long-awaited day finally arrived for the grand unveiling of Red Hill’s newly completed Eugene B. Casey Education and Events Center. Celebrations began Thursday evening with a VIP preview of the building for members of the Patrick Henry Descendants’ Branch and special guests. Friday marked the main event with the official ribbon cutting and a catered party and presentations in (continued on page 2) Celebrating The Life of In This Issue... Mrs. Edith Poindexter On the morning of March including her son Cole Poindexter, Red Hill Collection 11, 2019, Edith Cabaniss Poindexter, who has inherited her role as Henry Page 3 91, went to be with her husband Geneaologist. Ms. Marstin shared Jack Robinson Poindexter. that Miz P., “told me many times PHDB Reunion Edith Poindexter—or Miz she wanted some of her ashes to be Page 4 P., as she was affectionately known scattered at this place so precious to at Red Hill—was honored at a cel- her. She deserves to be here, she has Living History Series ebration of life ceremony at the Red earned the right to be here, and I am Page 4 Hill Scatter Garden on April 26th. so happy she will always be a part Those gathered together were able of Patrick Henry’s Red Hill. Let our Alexi Garrett Essay to share stories and memories of the hearts find comfort in this and let Page 6 formidable woman and historian us hold onto our memories of her as whose work was so vital to Red Hill precious gifts.” Faces of Red Hill for many, many years. Special music Over the years Miz P. Page 15 was performed for the occasion by worked at Red Hill as Administra- Lloyd Holt, and remarks were made tive Assistant, Curator and Genealo- by Hope Marstin, CEO, and Jack gist, and was an honorary trustee of Schaffer, Board Member. Miz P.’s the Patrick Henry Memorial Foun- ashes were scattered by her family dation. (continued on page 11) Spring 2019 — Published By the Patrick Henry Memorial Foundation — Brookneal, VA 24528 2 Grand Opening (Cont.) (Continued from page 1) honor of the occasion. present, along with construction workers The day was well-attended. and several sub-contractors, all of whom Guests included local community leaders enjoyed the chance to see their handiwork from our surrounding region includ- complete and being enjoyed by the public. ing Campbell, Charlotte, Halifax, and Of course, a Red Hill event would not be Appomatox Counties, and the Town of complete without Red Hill Staff, Board Brookneal and City of Lynchburg. Also in members, volunteers, donors, and de- attendance were representatives from the scendants there to cheer on the festivities. Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance, While the day began with rain, Virginia Tourism, the Halifax Chamber, the skies cleared up just in time for the the Brookneal Chamber, and the National ribbon cutting. Hope Marstin, CEO, Park Service. William Cook, President of wielded the scissors, surrounded by Jamerson-Lewis Construction Co. who several Patrick Henry Memorial Founda- built the Center, and architects Stephen tion Board members. Afterward guests Blashfield and Jaclyn Miller from Glave & were invited inside to enjoy the Holmes who designed the building were beautiful new space, decorated especially with flower arrangements designed by Production Co., who has produced some Celebrations it will be used for VIP seat- the Red Hill Garden Club—including one of Red Hill’s educational film media in the ing during the festivities and for viewing eye-catching floral centerpiece that stood past. the fireworks. Our newest event, Starry over three feet tall! Catered hors d’oeuvres With the Eugene B. Casey Edu- Night Star Gazing will also be held there were enjoyed by everyone. cation and Events Center now officially on July 12th. We look forward to all of the Ms. Marstin welcomed every- open for use, Red Hill is already enjoy- many exciting events that will be possible body with some brief remarks recog- ing the many opportunities available for in the new space in the days and years to nizing several of the representatives programming with the option of such a come! attending and introducing the Board of beautiful, large indoor space. It provided Directors, after which Board Chair Mark the chance to host the luncheon for new Holman shared a few words. There was citizens at our annual Naturalization Cer- also a video presented especially for the emony here on the grounds on May 29th. occasion by Kevin Ernst of Haven Falls During our July 4th Independence Day 3 From the Red Hill Collection Elvira Henry’s Box Miss Susan Dabney graciously donated this interesting item to the Patrick Henry Memorial Foundation in 1947. Unfortunately, not much is known about the piece, which may have belonged to Miss Dabney’s great grandmother, Elvira McClelland Henry, the wife of Patrick Henry’s young- est son, John. The wooden box measures just over 10 inches wide and stands 4 ½ inches tall, with a mirror on the inside of the gold adorned, hinged lid. A few small compartments covered in faded purple velvet contain an as- sortment of small unidentified brass and ivory fittings. Two other com- partments hold two small crystal bottles with glass stoppers. The most curious of the objects within this piece is an empty cardboard box with the inscription, “brooch with Patrick Henry’s hair”. Do you know anything about the history of this piece, or can you identify any of the small pieces contained within the decorative box? If so, please contact Red Hill. You may be able to help further identify and interpret this heirloom treasure. ...invited inside to enjoy the beautiful new space... 4 PHDB Reunion This spring 27 Patrick Henry descen- an eventful time for the descendants touring important Henry-related sites dants from the Patrick Henry Descen- to be a part of several meaningful in Virginia and getting to connect dants’ Branch at Red Hill gathered for occasions taking place at Red Hill, in with one another. The Descendants’ their annual family reunion. It was addition to their usual adventures in Reunion gives members of the PHDB Living History at Red Hill Colonial Medicine olonial Medicine is a subject the medicines and how to make them been Lynchburg or perhaps Charlotte many teachers ask for as they by age 12. Blood, phlegm, black bile, Court House (roughly a 30 minute schedule their annual field and yellow bile were the four ailments drive by car today). Patrick Henry Ctrips. The science-based teachings and medicines were used to treat. The use used the doctor based in Lynchburg, emphasis on what it was like to be of laxatives and blood-letting was Dr. George Cabell, only called upon “self-sufficient” draw the students in quite common. as a last resort. to a simpler time. In Southside Virginia, where There are several different Patrick Henry’s wife Doro- plantations were spread miles apart, types of medicines our docents show thea would have the recipes for the there were not many doctors avail- students how to make and tell what medicines and would be the holder of able. Few doctors in the thirteen colo- they would be used for. The first is the key to the medicine cabinet. Colo- nies were formally educated. The only water-based teas. Our docents show nial women would pass down the rec- college that offered a doctoral-level children lemon balm picked from our ipes for medicines they learned from medical program was in Philadelphia. own herb garden on the property and their mothers, to their daughters. The next nearest medical schools were how to make tea from it. This tea was African slaves and Native Americans in Scotland and western Europe. Most used for stomach ailments and would also shared information on medicines doctors were actually apprentices to be made just as we would make tea which impacted the knowledge base other doctors who themselves had in our own homes today. Colonial of medicines immensely. The Henry been apprenticed or trained. For Red women would take cheesecloth to daughters would begin learning about Hill, the closest doctor would have make a bag (continued on page 12) In each issue “Living History at Red Hill” will introduce our readers to one of the living history programs that our visitors encounter. 5 the chance to gather with their distant group to Point of Honor, the historic plantation in Lynchburg, the estate cousins and learn about their shared home of Patrick Henry’s good friend was built by Dr. Cabell and his wife. heritage. and personal physician Dr. George The name Point of Honor came about This year’s excursion took the Cabell. Once a sprawling 737 acre thanks to stories at the time that the ...medicines they learned from their mothers... place was where locals would go to her memorial ceremony at which her and are so appreciative that we are settle arguments through duels. The ashes were scattered in the Scatter interested in their lineage. In fact, in group also made a stop at Old City Garden at Red Hill. It was Miz P. who 1999 they paid me the high honor of Cemetery, which is the oldest munici- many years ago began the effort to making me a Lifetime Honorary Pat- pal cemetery still in use in Virginia create and track the Patrick Henry rick Henry Descendant.” Many, if not and one of the oldest burial grounds family genealogy and began to regis- most, of the descendants now active in the country.