Notes
This mourning ring was commissioned from an unknown jewelry maker in memory of Sarah Winston Henry (1710–1784), mother of Patrick Henry, who died in November 1784. Family members wore it during the period of mourning.
It was customary in the 18th century for persons to name in their will who was to inherit certain mourning jewelry, usually containing the mourned person's hair. Sarah Henry devised this ring to Patrick Henry in her will, saying: "I gift to my son Patrick Henry a mourning ring."
Patrick Henry passed this ring on to his sister, Jane Henry Meredith (1737–1819), who lived with her husband, Colonel Samuel Meredith Jr. (1732–1808), at Winton in Amherst County, Virginia. Jane Henry Meredith gave it to her son, Major Samuel Meredith III (1765–1825), who lived in Kentucky near what is now Lexington. Major Meredith named his Kentucky home Winton after his father's home in Virginia. The ring was passed down to the daughter of Major Meredith and his wife, Elizabeth, Letitia Preston Meredith Dallam (1789/90–1868). Her oldest daughter, Frances Paca Dallam (1815–1907), inherited it after marrying the eminent scientist and educator Dr. Robert Peter (1805–1894). Her son, Hugh Peter (1854–1938), inherited the ring and, in turn, passed it on to his daughter, Catherine Seaton Peter (1895/6–1964).
Catherine Peter married James Howard Evans (1895–1969) in 1917. Mr. Evans inherited the ring from his wife in 1964, as she died without issue.
James Howard Evans sold Winton on March 19, 1968. From March 26 to 28, 1968, he held a public auction selling his Patrick Henry mementos, including this mourning ring. Robert (1926–2012) and Dianne Poindexter (1938–2015) from Ye Olde Curiosity Shoppe in Cynthiana, Kentucky, purchased it at this sale along with several other items. The Patrick Henry Memorial Foundation purchased the mourning ring from the Poindexters on October 1, 1968.