June 29, 1776: The Day Patrick Henry Was Chosen to Be Governor of Virginia

This day in history: a special version.

My typical approach to "this day in history" follows a template. I drop an intro then dive into a list of events that took place throughout American history. I'm not doing that today.

As I started researching content in the Virginia Gazettes housed online with the Rockefeller Library, I saw a little button leading me to a "this day" option for the Gazettes. And I clicked it.

What I found was so cool: the announcement of Patrick Henry being chosen as the first non-Royal Governor of Virginia, the largest colony. And the first colony to vote for independency.

To make the piece even better, it includes Henry's response and commitment to being chosen. He was about to move into a new chapter, one as a resident of the Governor's Palace (residence).

Since I've been caught up reading Mark Couvillon's book titled Patrick Henry's Virginia, I jumped right down the rabbit hole, abandoning my planned research.

RELATED: Click here for a link to the John D. Rockefeller Library of Colonial Williamsburg (CW) and here for my recent post inspired by a trip to Patrick Henry's Scotchtown.

Necessary disclaimer: As a blogger, I use affiliate links sometimes! I may receive commission from purchases I share; it does not change your price but sometimes you might get a discount.

Governor's Palace- CW (reconstructed)

My asks.

As you read the piece, please consider:

• Using the comment box below to share your thoughts on the sentiments of Henry at this pivotal moment in American history.
• Subscribing to this blog using the form on the page and connecting with me by email! You can share your thoughts with me directly using email!
• Following my new Facebook page (click here) and commenting on posts about Patrick Henry, this blog post, or any other of interest to you.

Questions for you, the readers and history lovers:

• Are there any names in this piece that stand out to you? People who you want to learn more about?
• Have you seen other documents (primary sources) sharing Patrick Henry's start to the governorship? Any relating to other "first" non-Royal governors of one of the 13 colonies? Of a new state?

Gazette set up on the press- CW print shop

Here it is: direct from the Virginia Gazette, the summer Independence was declared.

Author's note: I broke the one giant paragraph into multiple paragraphs for an easier read but have changed no words.

WILLIAMSBURG, Saturday, June 29, 1776.

This day PATRICK HENRY, Esq; was chosen Governor of this country, and a committee appointed to acquaint him therewith; to which he returned the following answer to the Convention.

To the Honourable the PRESIDENT and HOUSE of CONVENTION.

GENTLEMEN, The vote of this day, appointing me Governor of this Commonwealth, has been notified to me in the most polite and obliging manner, by George Mason, Henry Lee, Dudley Digges, John Blair, and Bartholomew Dandrige, Esquires. A sense of the high and unmerited honour conferred upon me by the Convention fills my heart with gratitude, which I trust my whole life will manifest. I take this earliest opportunity to express my thanks, which I wish to convey to you, Gentlemen, in the strongest terms of acknowledgment.

When I reflect that the tyranny of the British King and Parliament hath kindled a formidable war, now raging throughout this wide extended continent, and in the operations of which this Commonwealth must bear so great a part; and that, from the events of this war, the lasting happiness, or misery, of a great proportion of the human species will finally result; that, in order to preserve this Commonwealth from anarchy, and its attendant ruin, and to give vigour to our councils, and effect to all our measures, government hath been necessarily assumed, and new-modelled; that it is exposed to numberless hazards and perils in its infantine state; that it can never attain to maturity, or ripen into firmness, unless it is guarded by affectionate assiduity, and managed by great abilities; I lament my want of talents; I feel my mind filled with anxiety and uneasiness to find myself so unequal to the duties of that important station to which I am called by favour of my fellow citizens, at this truly critical conjuncture.

The errors of my conduct shall be atoned for, so far as I am able, by unwearied endeavours to secure the freedom and happiness of our common country. I shall enter upon the duties of my office whenever you, Gentlemen, shall be pleased to direct; relying upon the known wisdom and virtue of your Honourable House to supply my defects, and to give permanency and success to that system of government which you have formed, and which is so wisely calculated to secure equal liberty, and advance human happiness. I have the honour to be, Gentlemen, your most obeident, And very humble servant, Williamsburg, P. HENRY, Jun. June 29, 1776

Virginia Gazette (Dixon & Hunter) July 6, 1776

Richard Schumann, actor historian portraying Patrick Henry, CW

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There is a huge practical disclaimer to the content on this blog, which is my way of sharing my excitement and basically journaling online.

1) I am not a historian nor an expert. I will let you know I’m relaying the information as I understand and interpret it. The employees of Colonial Williamsburg base their presentations, work, and responses on historical documents and mainly primary sources.

2) I will update for accuracy as history is constant learning. If you have a question about accuracy, please ask me! I will get the answer from the best source I can find.

3) Photo credit to me, Daphne Reznik, for all photos in this post, unless otherwise credited! All photos are personal photos taken in public access locations or with specific permission.