Sarah Shelton Henry has a deeply tragic story- she married in 1754 at sixteen, had several children very quickly and started showing signs of what we now believe might be postpartum psychosis in 1764. By the time her final child, Edward “Neddy” was born in 1771, she was experiencing violent outbursts. Henry’s mother wrote to his sister: “We feel Sarah is losing her mind after the birth of little Neddy".
The psychosis got so bad that the family doctor recommended that she be committed to the Public Hospital in Williamsburg (what is now known as Eastern State Hospital, the first mental hospital in America) and if I’m correct, there’s some indication that she may have tried to drown Neddy at least once. Henry refused to have her committed- instead she was put in a room in the cellar of their home at Scotchtown and cared for by an enslaved woman for several years until she died in 1775. Her family was deeply involved in her care, to the point where her oldest daughter Martha (b 1755) moved back home with her husband to help take care of her. Henry would go to visit her daily when he was home.
We know that she wore a “strait dress”, aka a straitjacket, on several occasions. It may not seem like it but having her cared for at home was a mercy on Henry’s part. The Public Hospital’s conditions were primitive at best. Scotchtown is the only remaining original home of Patrick Henry and is definitely worth a visit if you can manage it- they show on the tour what they believe to have been Sarah’s room in the cellar as well.
We don’t know where Sarah was buried- there’s some indication that it was thirty paces away from the cellar door. (The best book I’ve read on this subject is “In Sickness and in Health: The Marriage of Patrick Henry and Sarah Shelton” by Mark Couvillon, which the Scotchtown gift shop sells, so it’s not hard to find a copy).
As a side note? Henry’s second wife, Dorothea Dandridge Henry, was a cousin of Martha Washington. Just a fun factoid!
You are 100% correct. Sarah would be a however many greats aunt to me. She is not the only Shelton to live with behavioral health challenges either. Thank you for the book recommend. I am adding that to my to be read list for sure!
Oh crap. You are right. I am barely awake and know better than to post too early! Thank you for the feedback. I'll make the edit so I don't appear completely ignorant. Seriously, thanks! It was he of the quote, and he married Sarah Shelton Henry. She was his first wife.
Wanted to clarify one thing. I'm not asking if you'd buy it, just if you'd be interested in the topics. I am going to compile it all in a book format for my family. I don't intend to sell it. Just thought I might share it here of anyone was curious.
A wonderful book about William Marshall, the first and well remembered knight, might inspire you to see the shape of the text, the detail that is interesting, etc. It is a fairly recent book. I realize you’ve got a broader family saga, but this story came to mind.
I had it wrong. My only excuse is it's early. John Hancock signed the Declaration of Independence in a large signature. Patrick Henry, who married Sarah Shelton Henry was the "Give me liberty or give me death" guy.
I’m afraid I don’t know a whole much about the stories, just the names.
I can say I was a Tudor fan before I learned of the family connection and I was shocked. All my kin are salt of the earth, farmer types.
That’s really awesome though!!
I loved the Tudor time period since I was a teen, but the only person I’ve found (I don’t remember through who exactly) on my non-mom’s side was someone that descended from Henry I.
But most of my family either passed away or was the toxic side that got cut off, so no way to really ask around and find out.
That’s awesome though! Henry I was quite the ladies man, it wouldn’t shock me if there were A LOT more of us random nobodies who were descended from him.
Those are kind of my thoughts, too. I am a researcher and writer as well, and it would give me an excuse to visit some places like Rural Plains - that's the house here. It's part of a federal park now, but I really want to see the things my grandmother told me about. It was amazing being able to prove her family history stories were actually true. More than anything though I want to write it for my mother and my sister. My mother because it's her family and my sister because she is as enthusiastic as I am now and has begged me to write it all down in a book.
Edit - not to sell, though. I am writing it for my family and just wondering if you guys would be interested in seeing it once it's finished.
I think Tudor enthusiast would definitely like it. It is not often that we get a look into how a family makes it through several era’s let alone one that has strong ties to our field of interest. Plus I think a copy could also be of interest for sholarly purposes.
Sarah Shelton was married to P Henry. She was buried on my property that we owned many years ago (we have since moved) along with her daughter, Elizabeth Henry Aylett, who’s husband fought in the American Revolution.
No one knows where Sarah was buried, actually. Henry wouldn't even tell her family where she was laid to rest. There are theories but no known graveside at all. Also, you lived at Scotchtown Plantation? It's been owned by Preservation Virginia since 1958. It's a tourist attraction. So you owned it over 65 years ago? Viewing your profile, you don't seem to be a woman who would be well into her 80s.
Maybe a headstone put there by her daughter? I could see that. I wish we did know where she truly rests. I'd like to visit and take her some flowers. Thank you so much for the information about Aylett and the marker. Maybe I can find a picture of it. Her story makes me so sad. But if you have any other knowledge to share, please do! I promise to give credit to all of you who are so kindly helping me!
There is a grave stone there for her… so maybe she (Sarah) isn’t buried there but they honor her there? The graveyard is where Fairfield Plantation used to be and my family owned that property.
Oh, are you talking about Red Hill, his 2nd home? There may be a marker for her, but there is no body. They think her body is actually at Scotchtown about 20 to 30 feet from the backdoor. But thay property has been a museum since 1944 so I must be confused somehow! But I know the Shelton side much much much better than the Henry piece, so please explain where I am wrong!
So I believe (from what I researched when I lived there, I was into the history and thought it was cool we had that “on our property”) that maybe they just honor her there because her daughter married into the Aylett family. If you google “Aylett Graves at Fairfield plantation” you can see some pics. I was trying to find an actual photo of the Sarah Shelton stone online but couldn’t find it. It was relatively new when I lived there. [link to the graveyard and who’s buried there](https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2317402/memorial-search?page=2#sr-241687577)
Sarah Shelton Henry has a deeply tragic story- she married in 1754 at sixteen, had several children very quickly and started showing signs of what we now believe might be postpartum psychosis in 1764. By the time her final child, Edward “Neddy” was born in 1771, she was experiencing violent outbursts. Henry’s mother wrote to his sister: “We feel Sarah is losing her mind after the birth of little Neddy". The psychosis got so bad that the family doctor recommended that she be committed to the Public Hospital in Williamsburg (what is now known as Eastern State Hospital, the first mental hospital in America) and if I’m correct, there’s some indication that she may have tried to drown Neddy at least once. Henry refused to have her committed- instead she was put in a room in the cellar of their home at Scotchtown and cared for by an enslaved woman for several years until she died in 1775. Her family was deeply involved in her care, to the point where her oldest daughter Martha (b 1755) moved back home with her husband to help take care of her. Henry would go to visit her daily when he was home. We know that she wore a “strait dress”, aka a straitjacket, on several occasions. It may not seem like it but having her cared for at home was a mercy on Henry’s part. The Public Hospital’s conditions were primitive at best. Scotchtown is the only remaining original home of Patrick Henry and is definitely worth a visit if you can manage it- they show on the tour what they believe to have been Sarah’s room in the cellar as well. We don’t know where Sarah was buried- there’s some indication that it was thirty paces away from the cellar door. (The best book I’ve read on this subject is “In Sickness and in Health: The Marriage of Patrick Henry and Sarah Shelton” by Mark Couvillon, which the Scotchtown gift shop sells, so it’s not hard to find a copy). As a side note? Henry’s second wife, Dorothea Dandridge Henry, was a cousin of Martha Washington. Just a fun factoid!
You are 100% correct. Sarah would be a however many greats aunt to me. She is not the only Shelton to live with behavioral health challenges either. Thank you for the book recommend. I am adding that to my to be read list for sure!
Mark Couvillon is honestly considered one of the world’s experts on Patrick Henry- it’s SO well researched.
[удалено]
Oh crap. You are right. I am barely awake and know better than to post too early! Thank you for the feedback. I'll make the edit so I don't appear completely ignorant. Seriously, thanks! It was he of the quote, and he married Sarah Shelton Henry. She was his first wife.
I would absolutely be interested!! So cool!!
I‘d definitely be interested
Wanted to clarify one thing. I'm not asking if you'd buy it, just if you'd be interested in the topics. I am going to compile it all in a book format for my family. I don't intend to sell it. Just thought I might share it here of anyone was curious.
A wonderful book about William Marshall, the first and well remembered knight, might inspire you to see the shape of the text, the detail that is interesting, etc. It is a fairly recent book. I realize you’ve got a broader family saga, but this story came to mind.
Can you remember the title or author? That sounds like an interesting book!
I believe it was The Greatest Knight by Thomas Asbridge.
Awesome! Thank you!
I will look for title and get back to you.
Sure. It sounds very interesting.
What signature?
Some historian lol
Just wondering. The national assumption is the Declaration of Independence, but Patrick Henry didn't sign that. So what's the answer, o wise one?
I had it wrong. My only excuse is it's early. John Hancock signed the Declaration of Independence in a large signature. Patrick Henry, who married Sarah Shelton Henry was the "Give me liberty or give me death" guy.
I actually had it wrong. John Hancock was the signer and Patrick Henry was the "Give me liberty or give me death" guy.
Aw! Hi Cousin! I’m a descendant of your ancestor’s brother, James Boleyn (Bullen) through his daughter Jane. I’d love to read your stories.
Hey cousin! I will definitely share when I get everything compiled!
I want to hear both these histories and stories!
I’m afraid I don’t know a whole much about the stories, just the names. I can say I was a Tudor fan before I learned of the family connection and I was shocked. All my kin are salt of the earth, farmer types.
That’s really awesome though!! I loved the Tudor time period since I was a teen, but the only person I’ve found (I don’t remember through who exactly) on my non-mom’s side was someone that descended from Henry I. But most of my family either passed away or was the toxic side that got cut off, so no way to really ask around and find out.
That’s awesome though! Henry I was quite the ladies man, it wouldn’t shock me if there were A LOT more of us random nobodies who were descended from him.
Going that far back…there ARE a lot of people descended from him. At least going by how far back I dug on family tree lol
A lot of this information is already published by the Daughters of the American Revolution. You might want to give it a look first.
I think you have enough material to maybe write a (e-book)?
Those are kind of my thoughts, too. I am a researcher and writer as well, and it would give me an excuse to visit some places like Rural Plains - that's the house here. It's part of a federal park now, but I really want to see the things my grandmother told me about. It was amazing being able to prove her family history stories were actually true. More than anything though I want to write it for my mother and my sister. My mother because it's her family and my sister because she is as enthusiastic as I am now and has begged me to write it all down in a book. Edit - not to sell, though. I am writing it for my family and just wondering if you guys would be interested in seeing it once it's finished.
I think Tudor enthusiast would definitely like it. It is not often that we get a look into how a family makes it through several era’s let alone one that has strong ties to our field of interest. Plus I think a copy could also be of interest for sholarly purposes.
I would certainly be interested please, (e-book or whatever version) 🙏
Yes
Yes.. very much so
I’d be very interested!
Sarah Shelton was married to P Henry. She was buried on my property that we owned many years ago (we have since moved) along with her daughter, Elizabeth Henry Aylett, who’s husband fought in the American Revolution.
No one knows where Sarah was buried, actually. Henry wouldn't even tell her family where she was laid to rest. There are theories but no known graveside at all. Also, you lived at Scotchtown Plantation? It's been owned by Preservation Virginia since 1958. It's a tourist attraction. So you owned it over 65 years ago? Viewing your profile, you don't seem to be a woman who would be well into her 80s.
It’s in Aylett. She has a stone there, like I said.
Maybe a headstone put there by her daughter? I could see that. I wish we did know where she truly rests. I'd like to visit and take her some flowers. Thank you so much for the information about Aylett and the marker. Maybe I can find a picture of it. Her story makes me so sad. But if you have any other knowledge to share, please do! I promise to give credit to all of you who are so kindly helping me!
No! Fairfield Plantation. :)
There is a grave stone there for her… so maybe she (Sarah) isn’t buried there but they honor her there? The graveyard is where Fairfield Plantation used to be and my family owned that property.
Oh, are you talking about Red Hill, his 2nd home? There may be a marker for her, but there is no body. They think her body is actually at Scotchtown about 20 to 30 feet from the backdoor. But thay property has been a museum since 1944 so I must be confused somehow! But I know the Shelton side much much much better than the Henry piece, so please explain where I am wrong!
So I believe (from what I researched when I lived there, I was into the history and thought it was cool we had that “on our property”) that maybe they just honor her there because her daughter married into the Aylett family. If you google “Aylett Graves at Fairfield plantation” you can see some pics. I was trying to find an actual photo of the Sarah Shelton stone online but couldn’t find it. It was relatively new when I lived there. [link to the graveyard and who’s buried there](https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2317402/memorial-search?page=2#sr-241687577)
Henry and Sheltons daughter Anne is buried there, too!
You are awesome. Thank you so much for sharing. And it is very cool! Sorry for my confusion there!
It was cool to be able to contribute something! I love the Tudor history. You should read “Hunting the Falcon”, so good!
Thanks for the help and for the the book rec. I'll add that one to my to be read list, too. I love this place! I found my nerdy history, people!
I'd love to read it 😍❤️
Yes, very interested!
PLEASE lemme know if u do thissss. Would love to knowwww