The Reason: Patrick Henry recommended I get a book.

Sort of! A few months ago, Richard Schumann, who has portrayed Patrick Henry here in Colonial Williamsburg for almost three decades, told me if I really want to experience Henry, I need Mark Couvillon’s book titled Patrick Henry’s Virginia.

Expect a book review in the future but the quick summary: Mr. Couvillon is an historian who is a Henry expert. This book covers Henry’s life through his many homes and other sites in Virginia relevant to him.

When I visited Patrick Henry's Scotchtown (read about it here), the museum store was OUT of it! And no, it wasn’t something I could get on Amazon. On a whim, I called yesterday, and they had it back in stock! So my little adventure west from Williamsburg began.

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.

Update: August 2021, the book is available on Amazon (click here) and I've written a book review for y'all!

Scotchtown view from outside Museum store

Result 1: I got the book and it’s opening doors to more history.

Post-it flags and subtle black pen are already being used.

Don’t freak out, but yes, I’m making a few tiny, tiny marks in the book. With a fine-pointed black pen. I have to or I’ll forget some fantastic bits that lead to greater things. I really couldn’t wait to dig in.

Current plan is to read the whole thing then back track as I have ideas to research deeper, opportunities to visit the sites, or simply get inspired to write on a topic.

One thing is for sure: I’m going to be contacting the Rockefeller Library to check out Patrick Henry’s hand-written resolves! Having this book as back-up will really tie all of my Henry experiences together.

When I bought the book, the Scotchtown employee was excited.

I love it when other people get as excited as me about history. As I laid it on the counter and told him it was a recommendation from Mr. Schumann, the young man at the register literally lit up (starstruck- and I cannot wait to tell Richard!). He let me know that he got to give Mr. Schumann a tour of Scotchtown and it was “the closest he’d ever come” to being at Scotchtown with Patrick with Patrick Henry.

My copy of Couvillon's book

Result 2: Ideas from Route 30 and the Martha Washington Memorial Highway.

When I’m driving, especially the country roads so to speak, I get so many ideas!

Some people clear their minds, but with all the history Virginia offers – literally everywhere – my brain gets a little cluttered.

I called my friend Jenni and she said it well – that there’s history "every 20 feet." Yes, there pretty much is! Not literally marked-- but close!

The Virginia historical marker program is stellar, not just one of the oldest, established in the 1920's. As many states as I’ve visited, I’m going to say it's 2^nd to none.

RELATED: Click here to open a new tab and read about the program on Encyclopedia Virginia!

And it's not just historical road markers, but the homes and buildings, abandoned or not. It's the farms, the actual names of the roads, museums and local businesses… it all assembles into one giant opportunity to learn.

I paused to get photos when I could but mostly I had to jot everything down into my little history notebook when I was able to pull over. Most of the drive was 45-55 miles per hour and yes, other drivers were on the roads- which were usually 2 lanes- if marked at all!

St. John's church

Specific ideas/topics from Route 30 and the rest of the trip west:

• Carter Braxton - I've already given him a mention in this post where his wife Elizabeth is featured (click here to open a new tab and read it!)
• Churches of the 18^th century and their ties to community
• 17^th and 18^th century architecture and modifications
• Mattaponi, a branch of the Pamunkey – their “relics” museum I saw a I sign for warrants a visit! It led me to search further online and find this link to a Pamunkey museum in the area- also on my list
• Lafayette’s encampment – and others I saw historical markers for along the way- so many military routes and encampments

Architecture of St. John's Church

Specific ideas from New Kent Highway – especially the Martha Washington Memorial Highway portion.

• Road markers- I need to corral this into ways to share history
• Highways and roads – including names
• Chestnut Grove – Martha Dandridge Custis Washington’s birthplace- the house is now gone
• New Kent Courthouse, where Martha's father John Dandridge was clerk
• Studley- Patrick Henry’s birthplace; this house is now gone; I was able to read about it in the book, as well as learn about the other homes of his childhood but here's a snippet online
• Other buildings that are gone but played a role in history

St. John's Church marker

Result 3: Sites visited, and photos taken.

Slash Church.

Knowing the history of Slash Church being where Patrick Henry’s uncle was rector, I drove there. Henry was named after this uncle and both the church, and the man were an integral part of his story.

Slash Church, Hanover County, 2024

Hanover Courthouse.

Mr. Schumann often recounts Patrick Henry’s becoming a lawyer when he’s on stage in CW. In fact, it’s a vital part of the story of Henry. Working at Hanover Tavern, owned by his first father-in-law, he had a view of the courthouse across the street and both lawyers and judges frequented the tavern.

Wandering the grounds of the Courthouse brought the story to life as I looked across to Hanover Tavern. Bonus: there was a 19^th century “old stone jail” nearby – what a cool building!

More to explore and dig into.

Hanover Courthouse, angle view of front entrance

This 5-hour adventure to Hanover County will have an impact on what shows up on the blog.

And I’m looking forward to it!

If you’ve read Couvillon’s book or have thoughts on anything mentioned above, comment below or subscribe to the blog using the form on this page and let’s connect by email!

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Closing it out with words from history.

On my favorite place to find letters, the National Archives, I'm seeing quite a few from Patrick Henry introducing (recommending!) men to George Washington.

My understanding is the two held each other in high esteem and I love seeing all the people Henry sends to Washington. So for today, an excerpt of such an introduction. This one introducing a man who, like Henry, hails from Hanover County.

For the full letter with notes and citations, click here.

To George Washington from Patrick Henry, 14 October 1785

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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.