In speaking around the country, I am surprised to find that the least know of the Founding Fathers is Patrick Henry. Sure, people have heard of him, but know nothing about his life. Some people know he gave a speech once where he said those immortal words: “Give me Liberty or Give me Death!” Where and when and why no one seems to know. Some even think it was around the time of the Civil War.

Patrick Henry gave many speeches. Not the least of which was the first speech he gave as a newly elected member of the House of Burgesses, the civilian legislature approved by the Crown of England. It was that speech that Thomas Jefferson said lighted the light of liberty in his breast, never to be quenched. He was first a close friend of Thomas Jefferson, and during the Revolutionary War they became estranged enemies.

Henry served as governor of Virginia five times, the first was when he was sworn in on July 5, 1776, yes July 5, when he became the first Governor of the New State of Virginia, the day after the Declaration of Independence was approved in Philadelphia.

He served as Governor 5 times. He was a lawyer, who fought fiercely for the rights of the common citizens. He was the leader of the Virginia Convention to approve the United States Constitution. He fought against the approval of the Constitution on the grounds that it didn’t protect the citizens enough, which led James Madison to agree to return to Congress and present a series of Amendments which became the Bill of Rights, the first 10 Amendments to the Constitution.

He was married twice. His first wife bore him six children prior to her death when they lived at Scotchtown. He married again that year, and his second wife bore him 11 more children. Yes, Patrick Henry had 11 children.

He retired to a small plantation at Red Hill, Virginia, where he died on June 6, 1799, the same year as George Washington passed away. They had served together in the House of Burgesses as young men. Patrick Henry’s life was full of adventure and interesting events. But no one knows.