Description:

Patrick Henry
n.p., n.d.
Patrick Henry Superb Bold Free Frank to Signer of the Fincastle Resolutions, Early British Resistance "Liberty and Death"
Free Frank Signed

A fantastic free frank signed by Patrick Henry. One outer address leaf, measuring 9.25" x 7.25", n.p., n.d. Franked "P. Henry" and addressed to "Mr. James McGavock or in his Absence To the Keeper of the public Lead in Montgomery." Expected flattened folds. Toning and staining throughout, mainly at the folds. There are some tears, paper loss, and staining from the wax seal. Large, bold signature.

Patrick Henry was one of the most eloquent mouthpieces of the American Revolution. Indeed, his declaration "Give me Liberty or give me Death!", delivered while at the Second Virginia Convention in 1775, is one of the most famous quotes in American history. The lawyer used his rhetorical flare to advance the cause of revolutionary politics throughout the 1760s-1770s.

Jame McGavock (1728-1812) was an Irish immigrant who came to America in 1750 and settled in Virginia. In 1771, he relocated to Montgomery County (now Wythe County) and purchased land at Fort Chiswell. McGavock ran a combination frontier restaurant and motel as well as a supplies store, blacksmith shop, livery stable and a courthouse jail. Once the American Revolution began, McGavock became involved in the war effort as "keeper of the lead"; lead from nearby mines was kept in Fort Chiswell along with other supplies like gunpowder and salt. In this capacity, McGavock was elected to sign the Fincastle Resolutions.

On January 20, 1775, fifteen Virginia frontiersman endorsed the Fincastle Resolutions in response to and in support of the Continental Congress to boycott British goods in protest of the Intolerable Acts. The Fincastle Resolutions were the first to verbalize the views of Virginia's most western counties where "even in (these) remote regions the hand of unlimited and unconstitutional power hath pursued us, to strip us of that liberty and property which God, nature, and the rights of humanity have vested us." Together, these fifteen men penned a resolution in defense of their "inestimable privileges" as rightful British subjects, which they "resolutely determined never to surrender…to any power upon earth, but at the expense of (their) lives." Signifying early resistance to British rule, the Resolutions predate Patrick Henry's "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death" speech by two months. The document would become one of the most important in the lead up to the revolution as the first instance of "liberty and death."

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 9.25" x 7.25"
  • Medium: Free Frank Signed

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July 16, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

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