Provided by Sons of the American Revolution, Colonel William Grayson Chapter
Two Hundred and forty-three years ago, Virginia country lawyer Patrick Henry gave a speech that set the stage for revolution and eventual independence (“Give me liberty, or give me death”). At the Second Virginia Convention on 23 March 1775, the Virginia delegates met to debate whether or not to raise a Militia and enter a posture of Defense. The convention narrowly adopted the Resolution proposed by Mr. Henry. One month later the first shots of the Revolution were fired at Lexington & Concord, and in July 1776, delegates signed the Declaration of Independence.
The Richmond Chapter of Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) sponsored the first annual commemoration of Mr. Henry’s speech at Historic St. John’s Church in Richmond. Three Compatriots (Michael Weyler, Barry Schwoerer, and Andrew Monahan) represented the Colonel William Grayson Chapter serving Prince William County. They teamed with three members of the Colonel William Grayson Chapter, Children of the American Revolution, sisters Arianna, Sophia, and Gracelynn Schwoerer. The sisters participated in the event wearing period dresses and bonnets. Their grandparents accompanied the girls. Their grandmother, Paula Schwoerer, wore a period dress and hat. She represented the Elizabeth McIntosh Hammill Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution. Their grandfather, Barry Schwoerer, wore clothing typical of a Revolutionary War Militia soldier.
The highlight of the commemoration was a reenactment of Mr. Henry’s famous speech by re-enactor Joseph Bromfield, with debate stimulated by Convention President Edmund Pendleton, portrayed by re-enactor Chris Dunn.
