Harrison's Cabin

Harrison's Cabin. Patrick Henry's Red Hill. Likely built as a quarter for enslaved people in the 19th century, this cabin holds many stories. In 1961, it was restored using roughly 25 percent of its original logs. Other logs were reportedly acquired from a 19th-century blacksmith shop and barn. According to a biographer of Patrick Henry, this building originally sat "on the hillside, near the family mansion," but was relocated to its present site during restoration efforts., Harrison's Cabin is named for Harrison Henry, born enslaved around 1798 to his mother, Critty, who possibly served as the enslaved cook for the Henry family. Harrison's grandfather may have been a Native American known as "Indian Jim." Indian Jim lived in a three-room cave along the Staunton River on the Halifax County side once part of Patrick Henry's Seven Islands estate. As a boy, Harrison worked as an enslaved domestic servant but was later trained as a coachman., Patrick Henry's grandson, William Wirt Henry, gave this cabin and a small plot of land to Harrison Henry following emancipation in 1865. Harrison lived here with his wife, Milly, for over three decades until his death circa 1906 at about 108 years old. He is believed to be buried at the Quarter Place Cemetery at Red Hill., Today, the restored building is furnished as a freedmen's cabin during Harrison and Milly's residency., (captions) , Harrison and Milly Henry photographed on the steps of their home, circa, 1890. Photo by the Cook Studio. Red Hill Collection, Harrison's cabin undergoing restoration work, June 1964. Photo by the Stanhope Johnson. Red Hill Collection