READING 4B Where Was Patrick Henry On the 29th of May? (4B12)

It was Spring on May 29th, 1973 in Hanover County, Virginia when Patrick Henry was born. He has two brothers and seven younger sisters. His father’s name was John Henry, he was a planter, a surveyor, an officer in the Virginia militia, a justice, and Patrick’s teacher. They have a large family and money was a problem.
Patrick Henry took his days for granted and as for the future, he had no plans. In 1752, he started working and courted Sarah Shelton. He married her when she was sixteen and he was eighteen. On May 29, 1765, they had 4 children. During that time he was studying law by himself and got his license to practice law. He represented the Virginian people who can’t afford to pay tobacco to the group of preachers called parsons and won the case. Year 1773 was the critical year for the country. Patrick and Sarah had 6 children but after giving birth, Sarah lost her mind and died in 1775. After Sarah’s death Patrick delivered his most famous speech at St. John’s Church in Richmond, Virginia. In 1776, there was war between the American and the England. Virginians battled for liberty or death and defeated England and Patrick was elected as governor. On May 29th 1777, Patrick was 41 years old when he married Dorothea, a 21 year old woman, they had 11 children. Patrick served as a governor five times but remembered best as an orator. He spoke against the Constitution of the United States and added individual rights, the freedom of speech, and choosing religion. He made three to eight speeches a day. In 1788, they decided to approve the Constitution. On May 29, 1796, he was 60 years old and retired in public life. But his private world was cheerful and more comfortable.


Teacher Erlinda