Montpelier in Hanover County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Scotchtown
Scotchtown, about a mile north of here, was built ca. 1719 for Charles Chiswell, a land speculator and iron mine owner. Patrick Henry bought the property in 1771 and lived there until he sold it in 1776. During these years he represented Virginia at the First and Second Continental Congresses, delivered his "Liberty or Death' speech in Richmond in March 1775, and served for six months as commander in chief of the Virginia militia. He also helped write the Virginia Constitution and Declaration of Rights and was elected the first governor of the independent Commonwealth of Virginia. Henry's first wife, Sarah, died at Scotchtown in 1775.
Erected 2017 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number W-214.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Government & Politics • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1775.
Location. 37° 49.595′ N, 77° 35.861′ W. Marker is in Montpelier, Virginia, in Hanover County. It is at the intersection of West Patrick Henry Road (Route 54) and Scotchtown Road (Route 671), on the right when traveling west on West Patrick
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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 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: A different marker also named Scotchtown (approx. 1.4 miles away); Patrick Henry (approx. 1.4 miles away); Cedar Creek Quaker Meeting House (approx. 1.7 miles away); Fork Church (approx. 4.1 miles away); Church Quarter (approx. 4.2 miles away); The Cottage (approx. 4.3 miles away); Sycamore Tavern (approx. 4.9 miles away); Stuart's Riders Skirt Ashland (approx. 5.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Montpelier.
Other markers no longer nearby. Scotchtown (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Scotchtown (was approx. 1.4 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has replaced the linked marker.
Historic American Buildings Survey, circa 1933
3. Scotchtown, State Route 685 vicinity, Beaverdam, Hanover County, VA.
Library of Congress [HABS VA,43-BEVDA,1-7]
Credits. This page was last revised on March 30, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 9, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 224 times since then and 37 times this year. Last updated on March 28, 2026, by Kevin Vincent of Arlington, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 9, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on August 25, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.
