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.