Near Brookneal in Campbell County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Patrick Henry’s Grave
Photographed By J. J. Prats, March 30, 2013
1. Patrick Henry’s Grave Marker
Inscription.
Patrick Henry’s Grave. . Five miles southeast Is Red Hill the last home and burial place of Patrick Henry, governor of Virginia and the great orator of the American Revolution. Henry is especially famous for his “Liberty or Death” speech made in 1775 in Saint John’s Church in Richmond. Henry purchased Red Hill in 1794 and died there on 6 Jane 1799. To the east of the reconstructed house site are the graves of Patrick Henry and his second wife, Dorothea Dandridge. The main house was destroyed by fire in 1919 and later reconstructed above the original foundation. Henry’s law office survives and has been restored.
Five miles southeast Is Red Hill the last
home and burial place of Patrick Henry,
governor of Virginia and the great orator
of the American Revolution. Henry is
especially famous for his “Liberty or Death”
speech made in 1775 in Saint John’s Church
in Richmond. Henry purchased Red Hill in
1794 and died there on 6 Jane 1799. To
the east of the reconstructed house
site are the graves of Patrick Henry and his
second wife, Dorothea Dandridge.
The main house was destroyed by fire in
1919 and later reconstructed above the
original foundation. Henry’s law office
survives and has been restored.
Erected 2000 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number FR-25.)
Location. 37° 4.745′ N, 78° 53.942′ W. Marker is near Brookneal, Virginia, in Campbell County. Marker is at the intersection of Wickliffe Road (Virginia Route 40) and Mt. Calvary Road (County Route 600), on the right when traveling east on Wickliffe Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Brookneal VA 24528, United States of America. Touch for directions.
More about this marker. This marker replaced a late 1920s marker at this location with the same name and number which read “Five miles southeast is Red Hill, last home and resting place of Patrick Henry. He moved here in 1796 and died here, June 6, 1799.”
Regarding Patrick Henry’s Grave. Mt. Calvary Road will take you to Red Hill in Charlotte County. Follow the signs. It is open daily and worth the detour and admission price.
Also see . . . Wikipedia Entry for “Give Me Liberty, or Give Me Death!”. The speech he gave in the Virginia House of Burgesses on March 23, 1775 ended with “It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace — but there
Photographed By J. J. Prats, March 30, 2013
2. Patrick Henry’s Grave Marker
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! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!” (Submitted on April 13, 2013.)
Photographed By J. J. Prats, March 30, 2013
3. Red Hill
Photographed By J. J. Prats, March 30, 2013
4. Dorothea Dandridge's and Patrick Henry’s Graves
Left stone: To the memory of Dorothea Dandridge, wife of Patrick Henry, Born 1755, Died Feb. 14, 1831.
Right stone. To the memory of Patrick Henry. Born May 29, 1736, died June 6, 1799. His fame his best epitaph.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 3, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 13, 2013, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,183 times since then and 94 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 13, 2013, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.
