We’ve had so much fun discovering fascinating incidents in the life of Dolley Madison, I went on longer than I had originally intended.

Just a few more items of interest. Molly Payne, Dolley’s mother, had a cousin named Patrick Henry. Patrick was a valiant Founding Father in his own right. Patrick had purchased a two story house which he, and the land title, referred to as Scotchtown. Probably because many of the immigrant workers on the nearby tin mines were from Scotland.

This home is where the Henry’s lived when Sallie Henry, Patrick’s first wife, became ill and eventually died. She died about 5 weeks before Patrick gave his immortal speech “Give Me Liberty.” Patrick had to ride horse-back from Scotchtown to Richmond, Virginia, a distance of about 28 miles, (just over a half hour by car—but Patrick went on his horse!) to attend the meeting where this speech was given.

Patrick Henry became the 1st Governor of the new STATE of Virginia on July 5, 1776. Yes, that’s the 5th of July! So he moved his family to Williamsburg and took up residence at the Governor’s Palace.

Sometime during the Revolutionary War, Henry rented the home at Scotchtown to his cousin, Molly Payne, while he kept hiding from the Redcoats. Those British soldiers looked for Patrick Henry, an arch rebel, at his Scotchtown location, just 4 or 5 months before the war ended at Yorktown. He wasn’t there. The Payne’s were in residence.

Dolley was 13 when the British band of soldiers wanted to search the premises. She saw the horses ride right into the house. Dolley’s mother stood strongly in defense of her family and they were left alone. Dolley learned firsthand what some courage and backbone can mean to a woman.