Brookneal in Campbell County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Red Hill Scatter Garden

Photographed by David Lassman, August 18, 2018

1. Red Hill Scatter Garden Marker

Inscription. This beautiful and tranquil garden spot overlooking the unspoiled forested Staunton River valley is set aside as a special place reserved for those descended from Patrick Henry, who have chosen that their cremated remains would be scattered in proximity to the grave of their illustrious grandfather. This is a place that lends itself to reflection and remembrance in an area adjacent to the Henry Graveyard. Covered in periwinkle and shaded by cedars and other trees, sheltered from noise and activity, in an atmosphere of serenity and natural beauty, the garden in not enclosed. An artificial boundary would distract from the nature that surrounds this location.

The garden was dedicated on May 22, 2010 to those descended from Patrick Henry, who loved him not only as a statesman and champion of the cause of liberty, but also as a grandfather. The ashes belonging to descendent Wiley Howard Walker, Jr., were the first to be scattered in the garden. Dr. Donald Bahr, a close friend and executor of Howard's estate, scattered the ashes on the day of the dedication.

The bronze plaque secured on a stone in the middle of the Scatter

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Garden depicts the names of the descendants whose ashes have been scattered.

(Inset)
Close to the gates a spacious garden lies, From storms defended and inclement skies. Four acres were the allotted space of ground, Fenc'd with a green enclosure all around, Full thriving trees confess'e the fruitful mould, the red'ning apples ripen her to gold. Here the blue fig with luscious juice overflows, With deeper red the full pomegranate glows, The branch here bends beneath the weighty pear, And verdant olives flourish round the year. The balmy spirit of western gale, Eternal breathes on fruit untaught to fail: Each dropping pear a following pear supplies, On apples apples, figs on figs arise: The same mild season gives the blooms to blow, The buds to harden, and the fruit to grow.
Martha Catharine Henry, March 11th, 1798

Erected by Red Hill, Patrick Henry Memorial Foundation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Cemeteries & Burial Sites. A significant historical date for this entry is May 22, 2010.

Location. 37° 1.883′ N, 78° 53.8′ W. Marker is in Brookneal, Virginia, in Campbell County. It can be reached from

Red Hill Scatter Garden Marker with the Scatter Garden plaque in the background. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by David Lassman, August 18, 2018

2. Red Hill Scatter Garden Marker with the Scatter Garden plaque in the background.

Red Hill Road (County Route 677) one mile south of Staunton Hill Road (Route 619). Walk 500 feet south from the Visitor Center to Patrick Henry's house. Then 300 feet east to the cemetery. Finally, walk 200 feet south east to reach the marker. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1250 Red Hill Road, Brookneal VA 24528, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Piedmont

and in Central Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Red Hill Plantation (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Henry Family Cemetery (about 300 feet away); Slave Cabin (about 400 feet away); Harrison's Cabin (about 400 feet away); Kitchen (about 500 feet away);

Red Hill Scatter Garden plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by David Lassman, August 18, 2018

3. Red Hill Scatter Garden plaque

As of 08/18/2018, the ashes of Patrick Henry that were were spread in the Red Hill Scatter Garden are: Wiley Howard Waller, Jr 31 Oct 1927-23 Jan 2009 D. Jean Schaffer 1 Oct 1920-5 Oct 2012 Oliver A. Gade, Jr. 12 Oct 1928-2 Feb 2016

Henry's Law Office (about 500 feet away); The Nancy Case Kelly Memorial Herb Garden (about 500 feet away); Osage Orange Tree (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brookneal.

Also see . . . Red Hill Patrick Henry Memorial Foundation. (Submitted on January 16, 2019, by David Lassman of Waldorf, Maryland.)

Graves of Patrick Henry and his wife, Dorothea Dandridge Henry, which are located nearby. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by David Lassman, August 18, 2018

4. Graves of Patrick Henry and his wife, Dorothea Dandridge Henry, which are located nearby.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 17, 2019. It was originally submitted on January 15, 2019, by David Lassman of Waldorf, Maryland. This page has been viewed 370 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 15, 2019, by David Lassman of Waldorf, Maryland. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.