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Patrick Henry

Patrick Henry

Patrick Henry Biography

Patrick Henry, a high-flying icon in American Revolution, was born on May 29th, 1736. He was known as a historic person for his speech "Give me Liberty, or give me Death!" He was the first Governor of Virginia (1976-1979).

Patrick Henry Childhood & Schooling:

Patrick Henry was born in Studley, Hanover County, Virginia. His parents were John Henry and Sarah Winston Syme. Patrick was admitted into local schools and studied partly and subsequently schooled by his father.

Patrick Henry Marital Life:

Patrick Henry married Sarah Shelton in 1754. This couple had six children. He got a couple six slaves and 300-acre Pine Slash Farm as wedding gift from his father-in-law. Later, Patrick Henry married Dorothea Dandridge in 1777. They had 11 descendants.

Patrick Henry Business Career:

Patrick Henry started his career as a cultivator. But, his house was smashed in a fire accident in 1757. Henry restarted his business but in vain. Later, he decided to become a lawyer in 1760.

Patrick Henry Legal Career:

Patrick Henry started his lawyer career. He was named as “Parson’s Cause” (1763) after his first argument against “The cost of tobacco paid to priesthood for their services should be established by the government or by the Crown”.

Patrick Henry Political Career:

Patrick Henry was nominated from Lousia County to House of Burgesses, the legislative body of Virginia colony in 1765. As soon as he reached to Williamsburg the legislature was already in session. After nine days, Henry initiated the Virginia Stamp Act Resolutions, "in language so extreme that some Virginians told it smacked of treason".

Before the Revolution:

Patrick Henry gave a best speech at the House of Burgesses on March 23, 1775 in Saint John's Church in Richmond, Virginia.

Henry was elected as the colonel of the 1st Virginia Regiment in August 1775. In the revolutionary war, Henry led the armed force against Lord Dunmore in Gunpowder Dispute. Later, he was elected as the post-colonial Governor of Virginia 1776-79, and presided over several attacks of Cherokee Indian lands.

Henry lived at his 10,000-acre Leatherwood Plantation in Henry County, Virginia during Revolution time for 5 years. Henry was elected as the Founding Trusty of Hampden-Sydney College in 1775, and continued till his death. His 7 children were studied in this new college.

After the Revolution:

After the Revolution, Patrick Henry was elected again as the Governor of Virginia (1784 to 1786). But, he rejected to attend the Constitutional Convention of 1787 saying that he "smelt a rat in Philadelphia, tending toward the monarchy."

Henry was a critic of the United States Constitution. He was a dominant Antifederalist. He forced the acceptance of the Bill of Rights to change the new Constitution. He was offered the post of Secretary of State by the President George Washington in 1795, but rejected for the reason of rivalry to Washington's Federalist policies.

Henry especially condemned the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions. Henry was elected as Special Emissary to France by the President John Adams in 1798, but he rejected due to his unhealthiness. He was nominated as a Federalist to the Virginia House of Delegates.










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