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The Early Life of Patrick Henry

 Encyclopedia Virginia gives us a snapshop into the life of Virginia Statesman and great orator Patrick Henry. Let's take a look at his formative years: Patrick Henry was born on May 29, 1736, at Studley plantation in Hanover County. His father, John Henry, was a planter, mapmaker, and justice of the peace who was educated at Kings College, Aberdeen; his mother, Sarah Winston Syme Henry, was a former widow from a prominent family. Henry was the second of their nine children. He was educated by his father and by his uncle the Reverend Patrick Henry, rector of the Hanover parish , Saint Paul’s. Though Henry held true to his Anglican beliefs throughout his life (becoming an Episcopalian after the American Revolution), as a youth he regularly accompanied his mother to sermons given by the evangelical Presbyterian Samuel Davies , whose oratorical example had a strong influence on Henry. Here we have a hint of the Christian foundation that guided Mr. Henry throughout his amazing life,

Taking a Closer Look at Patrick Henry, Author of the Virginia Resolves

Patrick Henry (1736 - 1799) was a firebrand from Virginia during the early formation of our nation and the author of the Virginia Resolves . It's been said he was best known as a "fiery orator" and, in my opinion, he was a true Christian Statesmen. Let's take a closer look at his religious beliefs which shaped his character and the mark he left upon Virginia and our nation. Source:  Patrick Henry Before the Virginia House of Burgesses (Illustration)  World History Encyclopedia   Historic St. John's Church has a brief biography of Mr. Henry on their website and tells us this about his religious background: "He was born in Hanover County to John and Sarah Syme Henry. Henry belonged to the Anglican Church and his uncle was an Anglican minister. Members of his mother’s family, however, were religious dissenters." (Source:  Patrick Henry, Delegate, Governor of Virginia — Historic St. John's Church, 1741 (historicstjohnschurch.org) Source:  Patrick Henry

Taking a Closer Look at the 'Virginia Resolves'

  Encyclopedia Virginia tells us Patrick Henry was the author of the Virginia Resolves on the Stamp Act written in 1765: Patrick Henry wrote the following five resolutions against the Stamp Act and introduced them to the House of Burgesses on May 29, 1765. The House passed them after a heated debate, but rescinded the fifth resolution the following day. This iteration of the Virginia Stamp Act resolves comes from a handwritten document that was found inside a small envelope that Henry included with his last will and testament. Virginia Resolves on the Stamp Act - Encyclopedia Virginia Here is the full text of that marvelous document: Resolved , That the first Adventurers and Settlers of this his Majesties Colony and Dominion brought with them and transmitted to their Posterity and all other his Majestie’s Subjects since inhabiting in this his Majestie’s said Colony all the Priviledges, Franchises & Immunities that have at any Time been held, enjoyed, & possessed by the Peop

Remember Our Heritage: Leading Men And Why Ladies Love To Follow Them

By Angela Wittman As we look back through history and read of the leading men of our nation, let us take note of these men and the characteristics they had in common as they lived and died for the birth of our Republic of the United States of America. From the book America's God and Country, by William Federer, we read of leading men and how second President John Adams exhibited true patriotism while writing these words in June of 1776: "If it be the pleasure of Heaven that my country shall require the poor offering of my life, the victim shall be ready, at the appointed hour of sacrifice......But while I do live, let me have a country, and that a free country!" And who can forget the fire and passion of Patrick Henry who exclaimed, "Give me Liberty or give me death!" Or the courageous, compassionate leadership of General George Washington at Valley Forge who wrote: "No history now extant can furnish an instance of an army's suffering such uncommon hard