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. 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.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Communications • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1775.

Location. 37° 4.745′ N, 78° 53.942′ W. Marker is near Brookneal, Virginia, in Campbell County. It is at the intersection of Wickliffe Road (Virginia Route 40) and

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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.

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 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 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Hat Creek Church (approx. one mile away); Red Hill (approx. 2.2 miles away); Birthplace of General Pick (approx. 3.1 miles away); Slave and African American Cemetery (approx. 3.1 miles away); Quarter Place Trailhead (approx. 3.1 miles away); a different marker also named Red Hill (approx. 3.2 miles away); a different marker also named Red Hill (approx.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, March 30, 2013

2. Patrick Henry’s Grave Marker

3.2 miles away); Henry Family Graveyard (approx. 3.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brookneal.

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 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

Photographed by J. J. Prats, March 30, 2013

3. Red Hill

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.)

Dorothea Dandridge's and Patrick Henry’s Graves image. Click for full size.

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 1,873 times since then and 80 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 13, 2013, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.