After taking a week off from exercising, today I finally got back into the swing of things with a stroll in one my favorite villages in all of Southside. But I'm getting ahead of myself.
On my drive there I decided to check off an entry on my bucket list. Red Hill, Patrick Henry's home in Charlotte County, VA, is less than an hour's drive away. It seemed like a good day for a visit.
When you enter the driveway you're met by this magnificent statue of Mr. Henry -- often called the leading Virginia statesman in defending the rights of the American colonists.
Henry was the first elected governor of Virginia. He was also famous for supporting the creation of a Bill of Rights. In 1794 he purchased Red Hill, a 700-acre estate, including its simple story-and-a-half house. I began my tour of the estate at the Visitor's Center, which contains a museum, a bookstore, and a theater.
I was warmly welcomed by Patrick Henry Jolly -- a fifth great-grandson of Patrick Henry.
He gave me an overview of the Henry family tree as well as of the Virginia governor's illustrious three decades of public service. Then it was movie time (sans the popcorn). Henry is best known for his immortal words, "Give me liberty, or give me death."
Finally, it was off to the museum, which contained several portraits of Patrick Henry. I found this one to be the most compelling.
The house itself is a simple affair. Off to the right is the kitchen.
The furnishings match the simplicity of the exterior of the building.
At times 14 people lived in the home. From the house it was only a short walk to the only original building on the site, Henry's private law office.
Just outside is an osage orange tree that is over 350 years old. The brochure I was reading said that it was already 100 years old when Patrick Henry moved to Red Hill.
Eventually my tour came to an end and I drove to the site of today's walk. Do you recognize it?
Maybe this will help.
Or this.
Yes, the village is Appomattox Court House. It was good to see so many visitors here on this beautiful fall-ish day. The centerpiece of the village is, of course, the (reconstructed) McLean House, where the surrender took place. This is what the room looks like in case you've never been here.
Yesterday I mentioned how much I like to read about American history. Mr. Jolly recommended this book as perhaps the best biography of his illustrious ancestor's life.
He was kind enough to inscribe it for me. Incidentally, Patrick Henry Jolly is not only a docent at Red Hill. He also played the role of Patrick Henry in the video I showed you. He was truly a delight to meet.
Today I was reminded of that precious thing we call liberty. I was also reminded that our Lord offers us a Declaration of Independence signed with his own blood. He has redeemed mankind out of the marketplace of sin. Salvation is ours when we receive and claim what has been purchased at the price of his life. Let's not keep our Declaration of Independence under glass like the American document. Let's make it a living reality and share it gladly with any and all who will listen.