Notes
This needle holder is part of a sewing kit that belonged to Margaret Henry Gammon (1898–1985), a descendant of Patrick Henry through Henry’s son, John Henry (1796–1868).
The needles and sewing kit were given to the donor, Jane Gammon Shore (1942–living), along with a handwritten note from Margaret Henry Gammon stating that she was gifting her a sewing kit with a golden thimble. Margaret Henry Gammon writes that the thimble belonged to Margaret Anne Henry Miller (1827–1881).
Comparison with similar packets in other collections suggests a manufacturing date between 1915 and 1930. However, the actual production date of these needles cannot be determined with certainty, as they may have been made earlier or later.
This needle holder was gifted to the Patrick Henry Memorial Foundation on October 23, 2024, by Jane Gammon Shore, a descendant of Patrick Henry, through his youngest son, John Henry (1796–1868). She descends through John’s daughter, Margaret Ann Henry Miller (1827–1881), through Margaret’s daughter, Rose Cabell Miller Gammon (1868–1954), and finally to Rose’s son, Dr. William Miller Gammon (1900–1970). Jane Gammon Shore is the daughter of Dr. William Miller Gammon.