Famous Visitors to Richmond, Virginia

George Washington

George Washington

First President of the United States

Born in 1732 into a Virginia planter family, he learned the morals, manners, and body of knowledge requisite for an 18th century Virginia gentleman.

On March 23, 1775, Washington, Jefferson, George Wythe, Patrick Henry and other members of the Second Virginia Convention, gathered at St. John's Church, Richmond; the torch of Liberty was kindled by the inspired words of Patrick Henry, "Give me liberty . . . or give me death!"

St. John's Church

In 1865, 139 years ago, this picture image was made showing the Henrico Parish Church, now called St. John's Church, on Indian Hill, now called Church Hill in Richmond, Virginia.

The people of Virginia and the colonies felt oppressed by government attitude and actions. Governor Dunmore retaliated by disbanding the colonist group called the Virginia house of burgesses. In protest the members met at the Raleigh Tavern, in Williamsburg, Virginia, and later, those members opposing the government's oppression of citizens rights and freedoms met in convention at St. John's Church in Richmond.

At that special place, Washington, Jefferson, Wythe, Henry, and other men of conviction came together to discuss a plan of action, to speak of war, and eventually form a new government and a new country, America.

St. John's Church

Patrick Henry

Patrick Henry

Patrick Henry, was elected the first governor of Virginia in 1776 and again in 1777, 1778, 1784 and 1785 and in 1786 and 1796 was re-elected but declined.

Thomas Jefferson described Henry's eloquence in the Virginia house of burgesses as "surpassing anything I have ever heard."

George Mason said of Henry : "He is by far the most powerful speaker I ever heard. Every word he says not only engages but commands the attention, and your passions are no longer your own when he addresses them."

The power of his eloquence was felt equally by the learned and the unlearned. No man who ever heard him speak on any important occasion could fail to admit his uncommon power over the minds of his hearers.

In May 1775, Patrick Henry organized and marched a group of Hanover County, Virginia, citizen militia from Richmond to Williamsburg, Virginia, and confronted the British Governor, Lord Dunmore.

Patrick Henry exhibited a bravery and patriotism seldom seen today. "Give me Liberty or give me death." St. John's Church, Richmond, 1775.

"Give me liberty or give me death"

St. John's Church, Richmond, Virginia - It is believed Patrick Henry's March 23, 1775, seat was in the northeast position of the church building. This interior photographic image is almost 100 years old showing some of the original pews.

Before dawn on April 19, 1775, Captain John Parker gave final instructions to his Lexington militiamen. "If they mean to have a war," he allegedly said, "let it begin here." And so it did. The battles that day in Lexington and Concord, the siege of Boston, and the June 17 battle on Breed's Hill and Bunker Hill in Charlestown launched America's war for independence, with the shot that was heard around the world beginning the contest, as Henry said, "for Liberty or Death" of the people and the new country - America.

Interior of St. John's Church

William Wirt

William Wirt

A Virginia lawyer of uncommon ability, William Wirt compiled Patrick Henry's famous speech, "Give me Liberty or give me Death," from notes and memories of those that heard the speech in 1775.

He participated in many of the most important Supreme Court cases of his day. As United States attorney general from 1817 to 1829, he transformed this cabinet position into one of considerable influence.

Wirt had recently completed a term in the Virginia House of Delegates when he sat for this portrait by self-taught Massachusetts artist Cephas Thompson. Wirt is portrayed in what appears to be a draped Roman toga, possibly a reference to Wirt's skilled oratory as a member of the prosecution during Aaron Burr's trial for treason in Richmond in 1804.

Thomas Jefferson of Virginia

A well respected, gentleman, scholar and a student and later friend of George Wythe.

He left his footprints behind in the sands of time.

Author of the Declaration of American Independence

Statute of Virginia for religious freedom

Father of the University of Virginia

Governor of Virginia, 1779 - 1781.

Minister to France,1785

Secretary of State, 1790

President of the United States 1801 - 1809.

Acquired the Louisiana Territory in 1803

Thomas Jefferson