| Name |
HENRY, Patrick [1, 2, 3, 4, 5] |
| Prefix |
Governor |
| Birth |
29 May 1736 |
Studley Plantation - Syme Family Home, Studley, Hanover, Colony of Virginia, UK  [3, 4] |
Address:
"Studley" Plantation, Syme Family Home
Studley, Virginia
USA |
| Gender |
Male |
| Historical Event- |
20 Jul 1774 |
Hanover County, Colony of Virginia, UK [6] |
| John SYME Jr. and Patrick HENRY were elected as the two delegates, to represent Hanover County at the first Virginia Convention, |
- The first Virginia Convention met in the Raleigh Tavern in Williamsburg from 1-6 August, and elected Virginia's delegates to the first Continental Congress in Philadelphia, which included Patrick HENRY.
"PROCEEDINGS of VIRGINIA
"At a meeting of the freeholders of Hanover county, at the courthouse, on Wednesday the 20th of July, 1774, the following ADDRESS was agreed to.
"To JOHN SYME and PATRICK HENRY, junior, esquires.
"Gentlemen,
"You have our thanks for your patriotic, faithful, and spirited conduct, in the part you acted in the late assembly, as our burgesses, and as we are greatly alarmed at the proceedings of the British parliament, respecting the town of Boston, and the province of Massachusetts Bay, and as we understand a meeting of delegates from all the counties in this colony is appointed to be in Williamsburg on the first day of next month, to deliberate on our public affairs, we do hereby appoint you, gentlemen, our delegates, and we do request you then and there to meet, consult, and advise, touching such matters as are likely to effect our deliverance from the evils with which our country is threatened.
"The importance of those things which will offer themselves for your deliberation is exceeding great; and when it is considered that the effect of the measures you may adopt will reach our latest posterity, you will excuse us for giving you our sentiments, and pointing out some particulars, proper for that plan of conduct we wish you to observe.
"We are free men; we have a right to be so, and to enjoy all the privileges and immunities of our fellow subjects in England, and while we retain a just sense of that freedom, and those rights and privileges necessary for its safety and security, we shall never give up the right of taxation. Let it suffice to say, once for all, we will never be taxed but by our own representatives; this is the great badge of Freedom, and British America hath been hitherto distinguished by it; and when we see the British parliament trampling upon that right, and acting with determined resolution to destroy it, we would wish to see the united wisdom and fortitude of America collected for its defense.
"The sphere of lite in which we move hath not afforded us lights sufficient to determine with certainty concerning those things from which the troubles at Boston originated. Whether the people there were warranted by justice when they destroyed the tea we know not; but this we know, that the parliament, by their proceedings, have made us and all North America parties in the present dispute, and deeply interested in the event of it; insomuch, that if our sister colony of Massachusetts Bay is enslaved, we cannot long remain free.
"Our minds are filled with anxiety when we view the friendly regards of our parent state turned into enmity, and those powers of government, formerly exerted for our aid and protection, formed into dangerous efforts for our destruction. We read our intended doom in the Boston port bill, in that for altering the mode of trial in criminal cases, and finally in the bill for altering the form of government in the Massachusetts Bay. These several acts are replete with injustice and oppression, and strongly expressive of the future policy of Britain towards all her colonies; if a full and uncontrouled [sp] operation is given to this detestable system, in its early stages, it will probably be fixed upon us forever.
"Let it, therefore, be your great object to obtain a speedy repeal of those acts, and for this purpose we recommend the adoption of such measure, as may produce the hearty union of all our countrymen and sister colonies. UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL. To attain this wished for union, we declare our readiness, to _______________________.
"We judge it conducive to the interests of America that a general congress of deputies from all the colonies be held, in order to form a plan for guarding the claims of the colonies and their constitutional rights, from future encroachment, and ___ ___ speedy relief of our suffering brethren at Boston. For the ___ ___think it proper to form a general association against the ___ ___ articles of goods imported from Great Britain, except ___ ___, salt, saltpetre [sp], powder, lead, utensils, and implements for ___ ___ and manufacturers, which cannot be had in America, ___ ___, and the like necessities, and not to purchase any goods or merchandise that shall be imported from Great Britain after a certain day that may be agreed on for that purpose by the said general meeting of deputies at Williamsburg, except the articles aforesaid, or such as shall be allowed to be imported by the said meeting, and that we will encourage the manufacturers of America by every means in our power. A regard to justice hinders us at this time from withholding our exports; nothing but the direct necessity shall induce us to adopt that proceeding, which we shall strive to avoid as long as possible.
"The African trade for slaves we consider as most dangerous to virtue and the welfare of this country; we therefore most earnestly wish to see it totally discouraged.
"A steady loyalty to the kings of England has ever distinguished our country; the present state of things here, as well as the many influences of it to be found in our history, leave no room to doubt it. God grant we may never see the time when that loyalty shall be found incompatible with the rights of free men. Our most ardent desire is that we, and our latest posterity, may continue to live under the genuine, unaltered constitution of England, and be subjects, in the true spirit of that constitution, to his majesty, and his illustrious house; and may the wretches that affirm that we desire the contrary feel the punishment due to falsehood and villainy.
"While prudence and moderation shall guide your councils, we trust, gentlemen, that firmness, resolution, and zeal, will animate you in the glorious struggle. The arm of power, which is now stretched forth against us, is indeed formidable, but we do not despair. Our cause is good; and if it is served with constancy and fidelity, it cannot fail of success. We promise you our best support, and we will heartily join in such measures as a majority of our countrymen shall adopt for securing the public liberty.
"Resolved, that the above address be transmitted to the printers to be published in the gazettes.
"WILLIAM POLLARD, Clerk." - Virginia Gazette, Williamsburg, 28 July 1774, page 2
|
| Election- |
1774-1776 |
Hanover County, Colony of Virginia, UK [7, 8] |
| John SYME II was elected as a delegate to all five of the Virginia Conventions in 1774, 1775 and 1776 |
- In 1774, the first Convention met in the Raleigh Tavern in Williamsburg from 1-6 August, electing Virginia's delegates to the first Continental Congress in Philadelphia. From 20-27 March 1775, the second Convention met in St. John's Episcopal Church in Richmond, and it was here that Patrick HENRY delivered his famous speech, "Give me liberty or give me death." The third Convention met again in St. John's Episcopal Church in Richmond 17 July through 26 August, 1775. A Committee of Safety was elected to act as an executive branch of government, primarily to raise and fund a defense force for the Colony. On 1 December 1775 the fourth Convention met in Richmond, moved to Williamsburg on 11 December, and adjourned on 20 January 1776. It's actions were to increase the defense force and impose penalties on those remaining loyal to the King.
The fifth Convention convened on 6 May 1776 in Williamsburg. On 15 May, Virginia's independence from Britain was declared, and its delegates to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia were instructed to declare independence, the only colony to do so unconditionally. On 12 June, the Convention adopted George MASON's Declaration of Rights, a precursor to the United States Constitution's Bill of Rights. On 29 June the Convention approved the first Virginia Constitution, and chose and inaugurated Patrick HENRY as the first Governor of Virginia. Thus, Virginia had a functioning republican government before the Continental Congress completed its Declaration of Independence on 4 July. The Virginia Convention adjourned on 5 July.
|
| Inheritance-Participant |
- Role: Participant
"By the law of progeniture, Capt. John Syme at the death of his mother, Mildred Meriwether, became possessed of her immense estate, but which by the cooperation of his father and Patrick Henry and his yielding and accommodating disposition, he was induced to sign away to his father, Col. John Syme, for a very inadequate consideration. It happened that his father, Col. John Syme, had sustained some heavy losses in aid of the Revolutionary War in an official capacity, and not having it in his power to meet the demands against him, he most unrighteously undertook to make sale of his son's, Capt. John Syme's, vast landed estate before his son, Capt. John Syme, became of mature age. Entering into covenant bonds to those to whom he had sold his son's property, with Patrick Henry and one John Hawkins as his securities, that his son, Capt. John Syme, on his arriving at mature age would ratify & make good all the sales he had made. The interposition of numerous friends was exercised to prevent Capt. John Syme from ratiffing or fulfilling his father's, Col. John Syme's, sales of his immense property during his minority, but the persuasive powers of Patrick Henry over him, and he was induced to yield up his vast claims & remained possessed of moderate fortune." - Dr. William COCHRAN, 17 November 1841
|
| Will-Heir and Executor |
12 Mar 1784 |
Amherst County, Virginia, USA [1] |
- Role: Heir and Executor
"In the name of God, Amen.
"I Sarah Henry of Amherst County Widow of Sound Sense and Perfect Memory - do - hereby make and ordain this my Last Will and Testament in manner and form Following
"I give to my son John Syme [II] a Mourning Ring.
"I give to my son William Henry a Mourning Ring.
"I give to my son Patrick Henry a Mourning Ring.
"Item: I give to my son Patrick Henry's daughter - Elizabeth Henry, my negro man Ruben who is in the possession of my Son in Law William Russell and my Daughter Elizabeth Russell. But it is my Desire that the negroe [sic] man Ruben may chuse [sic] at my decease whether he will belong to the said Elizabeth Henry or be sold to my Son in Law William Russell - if he chuses [sic] to be sold Then I desire my Executors may sett [sic] a price on him and that price paid to the above Elizabeth Henry.
"Item: I give to my Son in Law Samuel Meredith's daughter Jane Henry Meredith my negro Boy Simon.
"Item: I give to my daughter Lucy Wood - a Mourning Ring.
"Item: I give to my daughter Annie Christian a Mourning Ring - and to her daughter - Sarah Winston Christian I give my negro Boy Charles.
"Item: I give to my daughter Susanna Madison a Mourning Ring - and I give to Her daughter Sarah Madison £20 Current Money.
"Item: I lend to my daughter Elizabeth Russell The following Negroes - Simon and Aggy - Kiah and Delphia - and James Allen - dureing [sic] her naturall [sic] Life - and - at the decease - of my daughter - Elizabeth Russell the aforesaid negroes [sic] - except James Allen - to be equally divided between Every surviving Child of my daughter Elizabeth Russell - and James Allen to Descend to my Grandson Charles Henry Campbell.
"If my daughter Elizabeth Russell should decease without Children or Grand Children Or such Children or Grandchildren should die without Lawfull [sic] Issue to Possess and Enjoy the aforesaid Gifts - In such Case I Desire that the aforesaid negroes [sic] may be Equally divided among my Surviving daughters.
"In Case Debts should arise against the Estate of my Deceased Husband John Henry that may Cause the aforesaid negroes [sic] to be Sold, then it is my desire that my Children pay, Porportionably [sic] according to the number and Worth of the Mortgaged negroes [sic] in their Possession - and I Desire that Simon and Aggy and Kiah may Chuse [sic] their Master and Mistress among my Children - their prices to be Sett [sic] by my Executors, hereafter named, - and their Value to go in my Estate Towards paying the Debts and Legacies, - and all the Residue of my Estate I give to my daughter Elizabeth Russell and Her Children - as above.
"Item: I give to my Grandson Charles Henry Campbell and my Grand Daughter Sarah Buchanan Campbell Eight Thousand pounds of Tobacco - out of that I am to Reserve of Peter Rippoto for a Tract of Land which I sold the said Rippoto Lying in this County - which Tobo [tobacco] when Received by my Exexrs to be sold by them for money and Put out to Interest until my said Grandson and Granddaughter arrive to Lawfull [sic] age or marry - at which Time each one of them shall be entitled to an Equal Part - in case either of them should die before they are of age or have Lawfull [sic] Issue - in such case it is my desire the survivor may have the whole of the money with the interest arising thereon - But in case Both of these my Grand Children should Decease before they are of age, or have Lawfull [sic] Issue, in such case it is my desire that the above mentioned Money should be Equally divided among my surviving sons and daughters - each one an equal part.
"The Remainder of the Tobo [tobacco] arising from the Sale of the aforesaid Land sold to Rippoto I give to my Son in Law Samuel Meredith - on his paying John Lankester his Charges and for his improvements which he made on that Land, also the Expenses of Surveying the Land, after Lankester went to Live on it.
"I desire that my Wearing Apparrell [sic] be divided among my daughters.
"and Lastly I appoint my Son in Law Samuel Meredith and my son Patrick Henry and my Son in Law William Christian and my son in Law Thomas Madison and my worthy friend Edmund Winston Executors of this my Last Will and Testament - and in Case of any Disputes - or misunderstandings should arise about my aforesaid Will - Then I appoint and desire my above mentioned Exectuors [sic] or any Three of them Shall Decide and Determine all such Disputes and misunderstandings - that may arise among my Legatees - That no Law Sutes [sic] shall be Commenced about my Will.
"This 12th day of March 1784 I Sett [sic] my Hand and Seal.
"Sarah Henry (seal)
"acknowledged in presence of
James Franklin
James Higginbotham
Jos. Barnett
"At a Court held for Amherst County the Second Day of May 1785 This Last Will & Testament of Sarah Henry Deceased was this Day presented in Court by Edmund Winston one of the Executors therein Named & proved by the Oaths of James Franklin & Joseph Barnett two of the witness thereto whereupon the said Executor with Saml Meredith his Surety Entered into & acknowledged Bond in the penalty of Two Thousand Pounds Took the Oath Required by Law and Ordered to be Recorded.
Test Edm'd. Wilcox Clk."
- Amherst County, VA, Will Book #2, p 229
|
| Will-Executor |
11 Oct 1784 |
Henrico County, Virginia, USA [9, 10] |
- Role: Executor
It was probated on 6 Dec 1784. Executors were Isaac WINSTON (brother), Robin POVALL (brother-in-law), Patrick HENRY (cousin), Edmund WINSTON (cousin), Capt. John PRICE of Hanover County, and neighbor Hodson OWEN. Witnesses were James LITTLEPAGE, John WARRINGTON, Elizabeth LONGAN and J. K. READ.
His instructions for educating his children: "Testator's brother Isaac Winston to have direction of my sons education and that he put them to business as soon as they are capable of engageing in it - and my brother-in-law Robin Povall and his wife have the direction of the education of my daughters."
He disposed of his land as follows:
- "Son Isaac Winston land on Chickahominy Swamp and Merideths branch purchased by my father [Major Isaac WINSTON] of William Harris, containing six hundred acres."
- "Son Peter Winston land known as Gadberry's adjoing lands of James Britton, Josiah Mosby and James Royall, the quantity of which may be known by application to the Sheriff's books"
- "Son John Povall Winston all land testator possesses in Hanover Co. viz: one hundred and sixty acres called Pagistus Point, also tract testator purchased of John Priddy adjoining the aforesaid tract, containing about one hundred and seventy five acres also two hundred acres purchased by testator of john Christian called Rough Neck."
- "Son John Povall Winston my grist mill on Chickahominy Swamp with one acre of land adjoining thereto on said swamp to be laid off in the most convenient manner at the dam of said mill."
- "Son William Winston the land whereon the testator now lives in two different tracts which I heired by the death of my brother William Winston (the acre excepted above devised to my son John Povall Winston)."
His 57 slaves and the remainder of his estate were to be divided equally among his children as they became of age.
|
| Death |
6 Jun 1799 |
Campbell County, Virginia, USA [3, 4] |
| Age |
63 years |
| Person ID |
I288 |
Cochrane Genealogy |
| Last Modified |
25 Aug 2025 |
1736 - 1799 (63 years) Has 8 ancestors and 17 descendants in this family tree.
HENRY, Martha, b. Abt 1755 d. Aft 1799 (Age 45 years)
