Patrick Henry to Mary Dandridge Campbell

Letter

Patrick Henry's Red Hill

Name/Title

Patrick Henry to Mary Dandridge Campbell

Entry/Object ID

87.38

Description

Iron gall ink on laid paper. Letter from Patrick Henry to his wife's aunt, Mary Dandridge Campbell, informing her of the death of her husband in Jamaica and providing legal advice for settling her estate affairs. Letter is in Henry's hand, except for the words "Patrick Henry" written upside down on the bottom, reverse of the letter.

Collection

Patrick & Dorothea Henry Collection

Transcription

Dear Madam Richmd. Nov. 17th. 1783 By Accident I got a News Paper which gave an account of the death of Mr. John Campbell. Thinking of __by concerns you, I was about to send it to you from home but concluded I would h___ it 'til I came down. I have given it to your Son who will shew it to you. I advise you to empower some person to go to Jamaica & to know whether Mr. Campbell is really dead. If he is so, you ought to demand your Dower. If not, you had better direct a Suit for such part of his Estate, as will be a full Equivalent for what your Fortune amounted to, which you have lost for so many Years, & Intend upon it—You many easily get an account of what your Fortune was, or what he recd, by applying to the the persons who were acquainted with it—Pray my dear madam execute the Freedom I take in your Affairs. It is owing to the Desire I have to hear you are made happy—Your amiable Niece, my Dolly was well, when I left home with her four fine children, three girls & a Boy; the last 3 months old. Pray let us hear from you, & believe me Dear Madam Ob. Affte. Serv. P. Henry

Language

English

Dimensions

Width

6-1/4 in

Length

8 in

Provenance

Notes

In late 1783, Patrick Henry read a newspaper announcement of the death of John Campbell (1717-1783) in Jamaica. This man was the husband of Dorothea Henry's aunt, Mary Dandridge Campbell (1725-1795). Henry sent this letter to her from Richmond via Mary Campbell's son. Written on November 17, 1783, Henry drew upon his two decades of law experience to advise Mrs. Campbell on how to settle her husband's estate and receive her share. He also included a brief update on her "amiable niece" - his wife, "Dolly" - and their first four children (Dorothea, Sarah, Martha Catharina, and Patrick, Jr.). The Patrick Henry Descendants Branch purchased the letter and donated it to PHMF on October 9, 1987.