"A real half Quaker, Patrick Henry-moderate and mild, and in religious matters a saint, but the very devil in politics-a son of Thunder. A very useful man, a notable American, very stern and steady in his country’s cause and at the same time such a fool that I verily believe it would puzzle a king to buy him off."

Patrick was born at Studley farm, in west Hanover County, Virginia on May 29^th, 1736. He was named after his uncle, Reverend Patrick Henry, an Anglican minister. Henry’s father, John, was an well-educated Scot. Patrick grew up on Studley, and learned to hunt track, and recognize bird calls from his Uncle Langloo Winston, his mother’s brother. Henry went to a tiny country school reluctantly until at the age of ten, when his father thought it best for him to teach Patrick. Henry learned Greek, Latin and his favorite, Math. He wasn’t taught too often, though, for the father was too busy, which was fine with Patrick, who’d much rather go out and hunt and fish than study. Even though, he was a bright, smart boy. He loved to listen to stories and discussions, and admired a good taker, which ran in the mother’s side of the family. In 1750 the Henrys moved to Mount Brilliant, a plantation that Patrick’s father owned. This was the perfect place for Patrick, for it had more wildernesses for Patrick to hunt, canoe, and fish in. And so he progressed as usual. He made many friends, and everyone liked him. They enjoyed his good humor and the careful way he listened to what others had to say. His father, though, thought it was about time for him to work.

At fifteen Patrick was sent to work in a country store to learn trade. A year later, Patrick was set us as storekeeper with his older brother, William. The store didn’t go very well, though, for people with money would buy further east and farmers grew what they needed. The store failed, but Patrick wasn’t worried, for he was not yet nineteen, and was getting married. His bride was sixteen-year-old Sarah Shelton, daughter of a nearby family of landowners. No one knows what she looked like, or what her personality is like. For dowry John Shelton gave his daughter and son-in-law six slaves and a 300-acre farm called Pine Slash. Patrick worked along side his black slaves in homespun plain clothes to get the chores done. The couple’s first child, Martha, was born at Pine Slash. They were expecting a second when a fire destroyed their home in 1757. Patrick had to sell all his slaves to raise money to open a new store. For the remaining time the couple lived at the parents home.

Then they paid their debt-if the crop sold well and if they got a decent price for it. Unfortunately, the lack of rain in 1759 destroyed all of the crop. Even successful planters faced ruin. No one had money to spend in stores. So with all this and taxes from the French and Indian war, Patrick had to close down his store.

He had failed at farming and storekeeping, but he still kept his spirits high. He attended Christmas parties, bringing his fiddle and flute to entertain, or his dancing skills for fun. He was the like of a party. Even though he didn’t show it, Henry was thinking about his choices. What was he good at? He could talk. Since ministry and teaching needed a college education, he turned to law.

On a clear April day in 1760, Patrick Henry arrived in Williamsburg, Virginia. He had come to get his license to practice law. He had studied for about seven months by reading, talking to his many family connections that were justices, and by listening to trials. He was tested by the royal lawyer, John Randolph, for several hours. He didn’t know much of the academic questions, but he could argue with great force. Randolph wasn’t impressed by his knowledge of law, but he was amazed at Henry’s brain. Randolph said, "You have never seen these books," as he pointed to a pile of law books, "and yet you are right and I am wrong. If your industry be only half equal to your genius, I predict you will do well." So, with a promise that he would study more, Patrick henry started his career as a lawyer.

He started in the small town cases, but soon gained popularity. He got 200 pounds for one fee, which a whole lot. He won all cases, and soon was lending to his father and his father-in-law. Henry also bought lots of land, but moved every couple of years because his family grew. The happy Henry couple had six children, three boys, three girls, and by the time the last one was born, Patrick was known throughout Virginia for a famous court case, the Parsons Cause. During the trial he declared in an impassioned speech that a king, by vetoing acts of a colonial legislature, "degenerates into a tyrant and forfeits all right to his subjects’ obedience." This declaration brought him the love of the colonists and a seat in the Virginia House of Burgesses just at the time of the passage of the Stamp Act in 1765. Henry was in the House of Burgesses for nine days when the concealed complaints about the Stamp Act started. At the meeting, it was Henry who brought up this issue, and Patrick who have five resolves for it. Four were being accepted by the other members, but the fifth, which declared that Virginians only pay taxes that had been voted in Virginia, caused a breakout of insults, threats, and arguments. For every remark Patrick had an equal one. Then, in the debate that followed, Patrick Henry exclaimed: "Caesar had his Brutus; Charles the First, his Cromwell; and George the Third…" Here he was interrupted by loud cries of "Treason! Treason!" from members of the House. Henry paused for just a moment and then coolly finished: "and George the Third may profit by their example. If this be treason, make the most of it!" This fiery speech secured the adoption of the resolutions. This was the beginning of the revolt against the Stamp Act.

For the next ten years, Patrick was as busy as ever, and Sarah was lonely. So the Henrys moved to Scotchtown, a sixteen room mansion. Patrick kept being elected to the House of Burgessess, but he rarely attended for he was so busy. Yet amid all the joy, Sarah slipped into insanity. Henry kept her in the basement with a black slave in a tight jacket. He talked to her and spoon-fed her, while sixteen-year-old daughter Patsy took care of the house. He spoke out against the mandatory church, and defended and freed many pastors in the following years. He also started a Committee of Correspondence, and was elected for the committee and for the first Continental Congress.

In the congress the men of the colonies discussed the way the colonies need to stand together, and how they need to prepare for war. At a second congress Patrick Henry gave his most famous speech that addressed everyone to get militia and to stand up for liberty. It was there where he cried these famous words that struck courage into all: Gentlemen may cry peace! Peace! But there is no peace! The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the North will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field. Is life so dear, or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almightly God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death.

Henry then led on to help establish the constitution of Virginia, and in 1776 he was elected governor of Virginia. He helped set up the George Rogers Clark expedition, and during his second term he married "Dolly" Dandridge on October 9, 1777. Dandridge was 20 years younger than Henry. In the years of ‘77-’78, Henry tried to get supplies to Valley Forge and George Washington’s starving men. After this, four years passed, where Thomas Jefferson governed, and in 1784, Henry was elected governor once again. After two terms he didn’t run again, for he was getting ill.

Before his death, in 1799, Patrick aided in the adoption of the Bill of Rights. He was also offered many prestigious jobs, such as head of the Supreme Court, but he turned them down. He did accept a seat as the Virginia representative in Congress, but never got to serve it. Patrick Henry died at his home in Red Hills on July the sixth, 1799.