Sarah Winston Henry to Lucy Winston Coles

Letter

Patrick Henry's Red Hill

Name/Title

Sarah Winston Henry to Lucy Winston Coles

Entry/Object ID

2025.9.1

Description

Ink on chain laid paper. Letter from Sarah Winston Henry to Lucy Winston Coles, written on April 4, 1780, from Hanover County, Virginia. Signed by Sarah Henry. A small provenance note (2025.9.2) is adhered to the bottom of the main letter. Signed by Dolley Madison and dated November 19, 1834. Both documents are adhered to a larger paper backing.

Letter Details

Letter Date

4/4/1780

Time Period

18th Century

Primary Language

English

Transcription

My very dear sister 4th April 1780 I wrote you by Temple Payne with a bundle for my dear Lucy which I hope you will lett [sic] her have safe. I had not time then to write you as I could wish to bid my dear Brother and Sister adieu, and still our Business encreases [sic] as we intent to leave Hanover Thursday in next week, if Mr. Meredith gots waggons [sic] to Carry the Rimainder [sic] of Furniture and our negro women and Children it is a very great and difficult undertaking to move such a family and household stuff – But I hope God will provide for us and also preserve his such weak and feeble creatures through all our dangers and may kind providence guide our feet and guard our way. May God Almightly the father, son & holy ghost bless my dear sister and brother Coles and yr children with every blessing for time and eternity is the prayer and ardent wish of your affectionate sister Sarah Henry

Language

English

Dimensions

Width

7-1/4 in

Length

9-1/2 in

Provenance

Notes

This letter was written by Sarah Winston Henry (1710–1784), mother of Patrick Henry, to her sister, Lucy Winston Coles (1703–1791). Sarah Henry begins the letter noting that she sent a package or bundle of letters to her daughter, Lucy Henry Wood (1743–1826), with William Temple Payne (1766–1794). William Payne was the recipient’s grandson by her daughter, Mary Coles (1743–1808), and a brother to Dolley Payne Madison (1768–1849). The letter continues with Sarah Henry describing her intent to leave Hanover County, Virginia. Following the death of her husband, John (ca. 1704–1773), in February 1773, Sarah Henry continued living at their Mount Brilliant plantation in Hanover County. However, the British brought the American Revolutionary War back to Virginia in May 1779 when Admiral George Collier landed troops at Hampton Roads. Fearing the vulnerability of Williamsburg, then-Governor Thomas Jefferson moved the capital farther inland to Richmond in 1780. Sarah Henry, also fearing British attacks, describes fleeing Mount Brilliant to the home of her daughter, Jane Henry Meredith (1737–1819), and son-in-law, Samuel Meredith Jr. (1732–1808), in this letter. Known as Winton plantation in Amherst County, Sarah would live out the rest of her days here before dying in November 1784 and being buried near the house in the family cemetery. This letter was later passed to Dolley Payne Madison, a granddaughter of Lucy Coles and the wife of President James Madison (1751–1836). In November 1834, Dolley Madison penned and signed a provenance note (2025.9.2) to accompany the letter. Lowell and Judy Kreeger donated this letter to the Patrick Henry Memorial Foundation on August 20, 2025.