Ashland in Hanover County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Henry at Hanover Courthouse

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, February 2, 2009

1. Henry at Hanover Courthouse Marker

Inscription. Six miles east still stands Hanover Courthouse, in which, December, 1763, Patrick Henry delivered his great speech in the “Parsons’ Cause,” when he denounced the British government for vetoing an act of the Virginia General Assembly.

Erected 1961 by Virginia State Library. (Marker Number E-15.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Patriots & Patriotism. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is December 11, 1763.

Location. 37° 45.66′ N, 77° 28.285′ W. Marker is in Ashland, Virginia, in Hanover County. It is on North Washington Highway (U.S. 1) 0.2 miles north of England Street (State Highway 54), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Ashland VA 23005, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Piedmont,

in Central Virginia,

and in the Richmond Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

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: Randolph-Macon College (within shouting distance of this marker); Ashland (within shouting distance of this marker); Precision Braking, Higher Speeds... (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Randolph-Macon College (approx. ¼ mile away); All Eyes on the Track - Engineers and Signals

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(approx. 0.3 miles away); Janney Coupler Improves Safety for Railroad Workers (approx. 0.3 miles away); School Transportation (approx. 0.4 miles away); Berkleytown Historic Ditrict (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ashland.

Also see . . . Wikipedia entry for “Parson’s Cause”. Excerpt:

Patrick Henry, then relatively unknown, rose to prominence by defending Hanover County against Reverend Maury’s claims. Henry argued in favor of the [Virginia legislature’s] Two Penny Act[, which had been vetoed by King George III]. ... Henry argued in substance “that a King, by disallowing Acts of this salutary nature, from being the father of his people, degenerated into a Tyrant and forfeits all right to his subjects’ obedience.”

The jury awarded Maury one penny in damages. The award essentially nullified the Crown veto, and no other clergy sued.

(Submitted on December 14, 2019.)

Washington Highway (Route 1) facing north image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, February 2, 2009

2. Washington Highway (Route 1) facing north

Hanover Courthouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, February 2, 2009

3. Hanover Courthouse

Patrick Henry arguing the "Parson's Cause" image. Click for full size.

Oil by George Cooke, image via Wikipedia Commons, circa 1834

4. Patrick Henry arguing the "Parson's Cause"

Credits. This page was last revised on December 17, 2019. It was originally submitted on February 4, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,644 times since then and 40 times this year. It was the Marker of the Week December 15, 2019. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 4, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 4. submitted on December 14, 2019, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.