Lexington - St. John's Church

Ms. Wood was interested in the story of Patrick Henry so we went to St. John's Church in Richmond.

• St. John's Epsicopal Church was built in 1741.
• March 1775, the Second Virginia Convention started in the church. 120 delegates attended the convention including Thomas Jefferson, George Washingon, Benjamin Harrison, Richard Henry Lee, and Patrick Henry. It was at this convention that Patrick Henry made his family speech that ended with the lines "Give me liberty or give me death!"
• Benedict Arnold quartered his British troops in the church during Richmond's occupation.
• Edgar Allen Poe's mother is buried in the cemetery as is the tutor of Thomas Jefferson. (George Wythe)

Facts about Patrick Henry we learned:

• One of the most influental supporters of the American Revolution.
• Attended local schools and was tutored by his father.
• Married Sarah Shelton and had six children.
• He went through several failded careers before becoming a laywer.
• His most famous case was dubbed the "Parson's Cause." The case was about whether the price of tobacco paid to clergy would be set by the colonial government or the King.
• He served as the first post-colonial Governor of Virginia (1776-79)
• Was governor of Virginia again from 1784-86.
• Married his second wife (Dorothea Dandridge) and had 11 children.
• Died at the age of 63.