Leatherwood Plantation facts for kids
Leatherwood Plantation was a very large piece of land, about 10,000 acres (40 square kilometers), located in Henry County, Virginia. A famous American leader named Patrick Henry lived here from 1779 to 1784. The plantation was likely named after Leatherwood Creek, a small river that flowed through the property and into the Smith River (Virginia).
Life at Leatherwood Plantation
Patrick Henry bought Leatherwood Plantation with his first cousin, Ann Wilson Carr, and her husband, George Waller.
After serving his first term as Virginia's first elected governor in 1776, Patrick Henry moved to a brick house on the plantation. Here, he grew tobacco and worked as a lawyer. In 1780, Henry County was named in his honor! The people of Henry County then chose him to represent them in the Virginia House of Delegates, which is like a state parliament. Several of his children were born at Leatherwood while he lived there.
Patrick Henry's Family at Leatherwood
Patrick Henry's daughter, Martha, helped manage the plantation. Martha (also called Patsey) was born in 1755. She married John Fontaine in 1773. After her husband passed away in 1792, Martha, at 37 years old, continued to manage Leatherwood Plantation. She also took care of her husband's and her brother William's legal affairs. Martha and John were buried at Leatherwood.
His son, John, also lived at Leatherwood. John was born in 1757 and served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War. He passed away around 1791 at Leatherwood.
Several of Patrick Henry's daughters were born at Leatherwood. Sarah (Sallie) Butler was born on January 4, 1780. Her sister, Martha Catharine (Kitty), was born on November 3, 1781. His son, Patrick Henry, Jr., was also born at Leatherwood on August 15, 1783.
In 1778, Patrick Henry's son, John, was given 1,000 acres of Leatherwood Plantation to farm. Some people who worked on the plantation were also given to him.
Patrick Henry also saw Leatherwood Plantation as a safe place for his family. It was far from the fighting happening in eastern Virginia during the American Revolution. He believed his family would be safer from British forces in Henry County.
Colonel Patrick Henry Fontaine, a grandson of Patrick Henry, was born at Leatherwood. He was the son of John and Martha Henry Fontaine. The plantation was given to Henry's son-in-law and daughter when they got married.
Later, Leatherwood Plantation became the property of the Hairston family. In 1832, Robert Hairston arranged for six people who worked on the plantation to travel to Liberia and gain their freedom. Their names were not recorded.
Monuments to Leatherwood Plantation
There are several monuments that mark Leatherwood Plantation as Patrick Henry's home.
In 1922, the Daughters of the American Revolution placed a large ten-foot-tall granite marker on a grassy park near the site. The plaque on the marker says: "This boulder marks the landed estate of Patrick Henry where he lived from 1778 to 1784. Erected by the Patrick Henry Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution. 1922."
There is also a historical marker near the site of Leatherwood Plantation. It says: "Patrick Henry's Leatherwood Home Marker, U-40. Once located to the south was Leatherwood, the plantation of Patrick Henry, governor of Virginia and 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 initially purchased ten thousand acres of land lying on Leatherwood Creek, built a house, and lived there from 1779 to 1784. While residing there, Henry served in the Virginia General Assembly (1780-1784). He was elected governor of Virginia in November 1784 and moved to Chesterfield County that same year."
