On 28 May 2021, the Colonel James Wood II (CJWII) participated in the 285th Anniversary Celebration of Patrick Henry’s Birthday

​Pictured is CJWII Chapter l. to r. Bill Schwetke, Mike Weyler, Dale Corey, Ken Bonner, Marc Robinson, Charles Jameson, Thomas "Chip" Daniel.  Photos courtesy of Thomas "Chip" Daniel. 

​On 28 May 2021, the Colonel James Wood II (CJWII) participated in the 285th Anniversary Celebration of Patrick Henry’s Birthday at his plantation, Red Hill, in Brookneal, Virginia.  Patrick Henry was born in Hanover County on 29 May 1736 to John Henry and Sarah Winston Syme. .  In 1765 he won a seat in the House of Burgesses from Louisa County where he authored Henry’s Stamp Act Resolves, attacking Parliament’s claim to tax the colonies.  After the Boston Massacre of 1770, he joined other Virginians in 1773 to establish an intercolonial committee of correspondence, Henry attended the first session of the Continental Congress in Philadelphia.  During this session, he asserted, “The distinctions between Virginians, Pennsylvanians, New Yorkers and New Englanders, are no more.  I am not a Virginian, but an American.”  After the first session, Henry returned to Virginia and organized a volunteer militia company from Hanover County. It was then he made the speech that ended with “Give me liberty or give me death!”.   Virginia’s royal governor responded by sending British marines to seize powder and guns stored in the Public Magazine in Williamsburg.  As a result, Patrick Henry led his Hanover militia company to Williamsburg to demand payment to the colony for the cost of the powder and arms..  In 1776, he was elected as Virginia’s first governor, serving until 1779 and then again from 1784 – 1786.  He again served in the Virginia Legislature.  In 1790, he retired to practice law.  In 1799, he was again elected to the State legislature, however on 6 Jun, he died before the legislature convened.  Although a modest individual who lived in a small house, at his death, he was one of Virginia’s largest landowners.   In 1794, he purchased Red Hill Plantation, which became Patrick Henry’s final residence and place of burial.  The birthday commemoration was attended by Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution, President Jeff Thomas. and members of the Colonel Fielding Lewis, Colonel George Waller, Colonel James Wood II, Culpeper Minutemen, Dan River, Fairfax Resolves, George Mason, George Washington, Norfolk, Patrick Henry, Richmond and Williamsburg Chapters of the SAR.  Also, present were members of three DAR Chapters and the Virginia Children of the American Revolution.  Ken Bonner led the Virginia State Color Guard in presentation of colors and a musket salute.  Present for the Colonel James Wood II Chapter were President Marc Robinson, Thomas “Chip” Daniel and Dale Corey with dual members Bill Schwetke, Ken Bonner, Charles Jameson and Mike Weyler.