The Career of Patrick Henry
Patrick Henry had many failures in his life. At the age of 15, he ran a store for his father. Him and his brother were horrible managers, and the business had to shut down after two years. Later, Patrick Henry married his first wife, Sarah Shelton, and received some farm land as part of her dowry. He used this land to get into tobacco farming. that didn`t go well, either, and when his family house burned down in 1757, he returned to shop keeping. It didn`t go any better than before, however, and for the third time in seven years, he was jobless. Luckily, Patrick Henry did finally find a successful career in law, which he got his license for in 1760.
The case that first sparked Patrick Henry`s fame was the Parsons cause. In the Parson`s cause, Patrick Henry was defending his country from being sued by a British minister over the "Two Penny Act". Patrick Henry one the case, and became very popular for it. Later, in 1765, Patrick Henry was elected to the House of Burgesses. In this position, he argued against the Stamp Act, and gained more popularity. He also became the first elected governor of Virginia, and lasted for three straight terms, from 1776 to 1779. He was re-elected, however, in 1784. George Washington even offered him to become Secretary of State, but he declined.
The case that first sparked Patrick Henry`s fame was the Parsons cause. In the Parson`s cause, Patrick Henry was defending his country from being sued by a British minister over the "Two Penny Act". Patrick Henry one the case, and became very popular for it. Later, in 1765, Patrick Henry was elected to the House of Burgesses. In this position, he argued against the Stamp Act, and gained more popularity. He also became the first elected governor of Virginia, and lasted for three straight terms, from 1776 to 1779. He was re-elected, however, in 1784. George Washington even offered him to become Secretary of State, but he declined.
Further Detail
Sarah Shelton- Comes from a wealthy family, daughter of an innkeeper, and married Patrick Henry at age 18 in 1754.
Two Penny Act- During a drought in the mid-1750`s, Virginians felt they were paying the British Ministers too much. Instead of paying the large amounts of tobacco like usual, they created the Two Penny Act, and started paying two pence for every pound of the crop they would have given. The British King vetoed the act, but the Virginians ignored the veto.
Stamp Act- Put taxes on stamps.
Two Penny Act- During a drought in the mid-1750`s, Virginians felt they were paying the British Ministers too much. Instead of paying the large amounts of tobacco like usual, they created the Two Penny Act, and started paying two pence for every pound of the crop they would have given. The British King vetoed the act, but the Virginians ignored the veto.
Stamp Act- Put taxes on stamps.