Patrick Henry Papers, 1778-1927, 1778-1792.

Access and use

Location of collection:
College of William and Mary
Special Collections Research Center
Earl Gregg Swem Library
College of William and Mary
400 Landrum Drive
PO 8795
Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (757) 221-3090
Fax: (757) 221-5440

Summary

Creator:
Patrick Henry, Richard Henry Lee, William Wirt, George Wythe.
Abstract:
Includes letters, 1778-1792, of Patrick Henry while living in Prince Edward County, Virginia and including letter, 28 May 1778, to Richard Henry Lee. Also includes copies of letters received by William Wirt from persons to whom he had written seeking biographical and anecdotal material concerning Henry (including one letter from George Wythe); prints and engravings of Henry; and an article concerning Patrick Henry's mother, Sarah Henry from the Journal of American History.
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

Includes letters, 1778-1792, of Patrick Henry while living in Prince Edward County, Virginia and including letter, 28 May 1778, to Richard Henry Lee. Also includes copies of letters received by William Wirt from persons to whom he had written seeking biographical and anecdotal material concerning Henry (including one letter from George Wythe); prints and engravings of Henry; and an article concerning Patrick Henry's mother, Sarah Henry from the Journal of American History.

Biographical / historical:

Patrick Henry was born in Hanover County, Virginia in 1736. He was largely self-educated, becoming a prominent trial lawyer and great orator. The most famous phrase attributed to him is "Give me liberty or give me death." He was delegate to the House of Burgesses, 1765-1774; the Continential Congress, 1774-1776; and the Virginia provincial convention, 1775. He also served as governor of Virginia from 1776 to 1779 and from 1784 to 1786. Patrick Henry died in 1799.

Acquisition information:
29 items, in the possession of Swem Library before 1939. Purchase: 1 item, 6/3/1980.
Arrangement:
Organization

This collection has been organized into four series. Series 1 contains portrait engravings and prints, Series 2 contains letters written to and from Patrick Henry, Series 3 contains photostatic copies of papers, and Series 4 contains material relating to Patrick Henry's mother, Sarah Henry.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged chronologically.

Physical description:
30 items.

Indexed terms

Subjects:
1778- 1927.