Give Me Liberty—and a Tour of Scotchtown: Discovering Patrick Henry’s Virginia Home

Patrick Henry’s Scotchtown Plantation is in the rolling countryside of Hanover County, Virginia, not too far from Richmond. It is the only original standing home of Patrick Henry and is a striking example of colonial design—simple, spacious, and remarkably well preserved.

But it’s also much more than just a home; it’s also a living connection to one of the most powerful voices of the American Revolution. 

A Brief History of Scotchtown 

Founding Father Patrick Henry called this house his home from 1771 through 1777 during some of the most significant moments of his life. Henry is best known for his famous “Give me liberty or give me death!” speech at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Richmond. It was within the walls of Scotchtown that he refined the fiery rhetoric that helped ignite a revolution.

It was also here that he suffered a tragedy. Sarah, his wife of more than 20 years and mother of 6 of his children, passed away here in 1775 after an extended bout with mental illness. 

He also lived at Scotchtown when he was elected Governor of Virginia. After which, he would sell Scotchtown and move into the Governor’s Palace in the then Capital of Virginia, Williamsburg. 

The property would change hands several times before being sold to Preservation Virginia in 1958, which still owns the property and has restored it to its appearance during Patrick Henry’s life. They offer guided tours that dive into Henry’s legacy, the history of the home, and the complexities of the Revolutionary period.

Visiting Patrick Henry’s Scotchtown

My wife and I visited Scotchtown early on a very hot and muggy summer morning. We pulled into the empty parking lot about 45 minutes before our scheduled tour. We wanted to explore the grounds before the tour. 

Walking the Grounds

The grounds were nothing short of beautiful. It was very peaceful; there were songbirds everywhere, but we could hardly hear them because of the loud drone of tens of thousands of cicadas. 

We took our time, doing a cell phone tour and reading several interpretive signs as we made our way around the property. 

The tour takes you to several outbuildings, the kitchen, the well, and a small garden. It was a chance to take in views much like the ones Patrick Henry would have seen in his day.

Touring the Home

About ten minutes before our tour, we made our way back to the small visitor center to check in. Our tour was the first scheduled for the day. We were excited that it would be a small group, as only one other couple was joining. 

After checking in, our tour guide escorted us outside and provided a brief overview of the home, its history, and the plantation. He explained what to expect in the home, including original architecture, period furnishings, and interpretive exhibits that bring the man behind the words to life.

Central Passage

Walking into the large home, we entered the central passage. This is a hallway that connects the rooms and the two front doors. In colonial times, many homes had two front doors, as it was considered rude for guests to enter from the rear. 

The rough wooden floorboards and wood paneling in the central passage are original.

Formal Bedroom

From the second passage, we entered Patrick and Sarah Henry’s bedroom. The room is furnished with some period pieces, including a dresser and bed. On the dresser was something I found particularly interesting. There was an original wig, like the ones the founding fathers wore; although it did not belong to Patrick Henry, it was similar to what he would have worn. 

This was also where Sarah Henry would have overseen plantation operations while her husband was often away on travel. This would be short-lived, though.   

After the birth of their sixth child, Edward, who was born in 1771 at Scotchtown, Sarah became increasingly unwell. She is known to have suffered from a mental illness; the exact sickness will likely never be known, as treating mental illness in the 1770s was very different from today’s standards. 

Sarah, at times, would have to be restrained to keep from hurting herself or others. It was even suggested that she be committed to the Eastern State Hospital in Williamsburg, which opened in 1773, specifically for the mentally ill.

Patrick Henry, who spent considerable time in Williamsburg, was likely familiar with the conditions there and refused to send Sarah. 

Instead, he had a small living quarters for her made in a section of the home’s basement that received sunlight. He assigned a slave to serve as her nurse and also provided direct care. He and their children spent time with her. Their eldest daughter, Martha “Patsy” Henry, supervised her mother’s care.

Family Dining Room

Next to Henry’s bedroom, we entered the family dining room. The room is furnished with a small dining table and desk. There is a fireplace along the wall. This is where the family would have private meals together. The room was also used for educating their children.  

Guest Room

After the dining room, we walked into a room that would have been used as a guest bedroom. The sparsely furnished room had two beds and a fireplace. 

It is believed that Dolley Madison, the wife of President James Madison, visited and stayed at Scotchtown during her youth. Some have argued that she actually lived at Scotstown for a period. That is not known with certainty, but historians generally believe that she spent some time in the home. 

While she was there, she would have stayed in a room similar to the guest room.

Formal Dining Room

We then entered the formal dining room. This room would have been fancier than the family dining room. It was where the Henrys would have dined with guests. 

Entering the room, you get the sense it is more formal. The fireplace is edged with marble, and the dinnerware on the dining table is more prestigious. This room was designed to reflect the family’s elevated social status.

Formal Parlor

Across the entry hall from the formal dining room, we entered the parlor. This is where guests and the family would come after dinner to play games and relax.

This was the most furnished room we visited. There was a table with games on it, a corner table, a larger desk, and an interesting map table—something I had never seen before.

Museum Room

After leaving the parlor, we walked back through the entry hall into the museum room. It is filled with exhibits about Scotchtown and Patrick Henry. 

The tour lasted over two hours and was packed with a wealth of information. There are many things to do in the greater Richmond area, but if you are visiting, make sure to pencil in a visit to Scotchtown.  It’s so much more than just a house; it’s a story—one of courage, conviction, and the relentless pursuit of liberty.