Hello all, All this talk of Patrick Henry and fiddling made me think of an interesting newspaper excerpt that is often cited as the first documentation of a fiddle contest in colonial America. For a specific, recent citation, try Chris Goertzen, "Balancing local and national approaches at American fiddle contests" in American Music, Fall, 1996. He, in turn, cites the Virginia Gazette of November 26, 1736. Here is the quote: "We hear from Hanover County, that on Tuesday next, (being St. Andrews Day), some merry-dispos'd Gentlemen of the said County, design to celebrate that Festival, by setting up divers Prizes to be contended for in the following Manner, (to wit) A neat Hunting Saddle, with a fine broadcloth Housing, fring'd and flowr'd &c. to be run for (the Quarter,) by any Number of Horses and Mares: A fine Cremona Fiddle to be plaid for, by any Number of Country Fiddlers, (Mr. Langford's Scholars excepted:) With divers other considerable Prizes, for Dancing, Singing, Foot-ballplay, Jumping, Wrestling, &c. particularly a fine pair of Silk Stockings to be given to the Handsomest Maid upon the Green, to be judg'd of by the Company. At Page's Warehouse, Commonly call'd Crutchfield in the said County of Hanover, where all Persons will find good Entertainment." Goertzen finds the connection to St. Andrew's Day suggestive of perhaps a Scottish fiddle contest tradition. At any rate, it looks like P. Henry had some local fiddle players to emulate. Gregg Gregg D. Kimball Director of Publications and Educational Services Library of Virginia 804/692-3722 [log in to unmask] Support the Library of Virginia -----Original Message----- From: Katharine Harbury Sent: Wednesday, September 15, 2004 10:18 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: VA-HIST Digest - 7 Sep 2004 to 10 Sep 2004 (#2004-114) Thank you for your kind comments. You might like to look up the report I wrote about Hanover Tavern since it does have a section concerning Patrick Henry and his music, etc. As I recall, I think it was a fiddle. A copy of the report is located in the library of the Department of Historic Resources in case you want more information. Kathy -----Original Message----- From: Anne Pemberton [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Wednesday, September 15, 2004 9:46 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: VA-HIST Digest - 7 Sep 2004 to 10 Sep 2004 (#2004-114) I love the stir of comments on Patrick Henry that have been shared since I said hubby said he was boring, but the best yet is Kathy's post indicating he played the fiddle. I think that is going to make its way into the story, tho I'm not sure that playing a fiddle in a church yard is appropriate. Does anyone who where in Richmond Patrick Henry could meet the student to work on the speech before walking to St. John's Church and delivering the speech. Someone mentioned a Veranda and lemonade, but where would that be? Was there a boarding house near St. John's where Patrick Henry may have stayed, or did he stay in the home of friends? Would the friends have a veranda on their house, a front stoop where they could drink tea or hot chocolate, or a small garden in front or back? What did Patrick Henry prefer to drink in the morning, coffee or tea? What type of sweet rolls were available? Thanks to all who have written the list or privately, with information and suggestions to make this story more exciting and engaging for students. Anne Anne Pemberton [log in to unmask] http://www.erols.com/stevepem http://www.educationalsynthesis.org ----- Original Message ----- From: "Katharine Harbury" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Wednesday, September 15, 2004 8:58 AM Subject: Re: VA-HIST Digest - 7 Sep 2004 to 10 Sep 2004 (#2004-114) Patrick Henry was not boring- he enjoyed playing his fiddle and mixing with the crowds while he worked at Hanover Tavern, for example. His famous "Parson's Cause" speech electrified his audience and made them realize that there was much more to the man than they realized. His personality also comes out alive at Scotchtown, his home in Hanover County, with stories given about him by the staff there when I last visited the place. Kathy -----Original Message----- From: John Shroeder [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Tuesday, September 14, 2004 7:05 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: VA-HIST Digest - 7 Sep 2004 to 10 Sep 2004 (#2004-114) In a message dated 9/10/2004 11:59:08 PM Eastern Daylight Time, [log in to unmask] writes: I'd welcome any suggestions of some action that could be added especially before working on the speech. Hubby suggested that other than his speech, Patrick Henry was a pretty boring guy. Anyone disagree? Anne He defended persecuted Caroline County Baptists in the courts in Alexandria and I have noted that a number of them, including my ancestor, John Acuff, located on Leatherwood Creek adjacent to his Franklin County property. It seems logical that they may have followed him there tho' I have no evidence of that. John To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html