“Yes, sir,” I replied. “Since my two older brothers went away to college, my father has often spoken to me about what you have described. When we lived in Williamsburg, Mr. Patrick Henry was often at our home.

“Two years ago, I went with Father to the gallery of the House of Burgesses on the day Mr. Patrick Henry, Mr. Richard Henry Lee, and Mr. Thomas Jefferson all spoke in favor of forming a Committee of Correspondence in Virginia.

“And last October, just a few days after the Continental Congress adjourned in Philadelphia, Mr. Henry visited us in Winchester on his way back to Williamsburg. If I remember correctly, you were among the group of men who joined the discussion the following morning.”

“That is correct. You have good recall, Nathanael,” Rev. Thruston said. “Do you know why we were meeting at your house?”

“After you left, Father said all seven of Virginia’s representatives to the Congress were sent to different regions of the colony to explain what was accomplished in Philadelphia.”

“And did he say what was achieved in Philadelphia?”

Once again, I was uncertain how to reply to Rev. Thruston’s probing. Often after meetings at our home—or others elsewhere I was allowed to attend—Father would admonish me not to talk about who was there and what was said because, “There are Loyalists everywhere and not all of them make their sympathies known.”

When I hesitated to respond, Rev. Thruston said, “I respect your loyalty and discretion, young man. You have maturity beyond your years. You are wise to keep your father’s counsel to yourself. Let me tell you my assessment—and it’s the same as Patrick Henry’s.

“The Continental Congress didn’t do as much as many of us hoped. But they did agree to a total boycott of all British goods—which went into effect on December 1st last year in every colony except New York. The Congress also informed Parliament that if the ‘Intolerable Acts’ are not rescinded by September this year, the American colonies will ban all exports to Britain. And finally, the Congress unanimously agreed to meet again next month in Philadelphia.”

Before I could ask any more questions, we rounded the bend in the road and could see a crowd of about 250 men—and perhaps four-score womenfolk—gathered in small groups talking among themselves on the meadow in front of the Shenandoah Store. There must have been 100 horses tethered to hitching posts and several dozen wagons and several fine carriages being tended by servants and slaves who were carrying water buckets to all the animals.

As Rev. Thruston and I dismounted, one of Mr. Allason’s Negro servants came up, took the reins of our horses, and said to the pastor, “Captain Morgan wants to see you inside as soon as you arrive, if you please, sir.”