[Maj] Henry Patton2 was baptised on 6 March 1748 at the Tinkling Spring Meeting House, Augusta Co. (11) He lived about a mile from the head of Thorn Spring (764) and when Botetourt Co. was formed in 1770 he was named constable of the Back Creek precinct. He pursued a career in the militia in Montgomery Co. Va. (formed 1776). During Lord Dunmore's War (summer-fall 1774) he was an ensign under William Edmonson and was paid for 47 days service as a leader of a detachment of soldiers. [Among men in his detachment is found Thomas Patton]. In 1777 he swore allegiance to the State as member of Capt Jos. Cloyd's Co along with David Patton. He was recommended as a second lieutenant in Capt. Cloyd's Company in 1778; this seems to be the year Fort Donnelly on the Greenbrier was attacked. (91) From April to July Cloyd's company were active against the Indians in Monroe, Giles, and Greenbrier Counties. (RW pension file W 3657, F. Charlton). Henry must have shown promise as he was promoted to Captain in 1779. The next year Tory sentiment arose in the Walker Creek area; this presented a real risk to the patriotic cause due to the great strategic importance of the nearby Lead Mines. There were only a very few sources for lead in the colonies, and of course there was an embargo on all war materiel imposed by England.
Col. William Preston was resolved to stamp out Toryism. He said, "The Insolence of the Tories and the Disturbances given by them to the well effected Inhabitants of this and the Neighboring Counties demands every Exertion in our Power to suppress them by every legal means that God and Government... have put in our hands." (65) He gave Capt. James Byrn orders to proceed with 50 selected men on horseback on the Great Road past Peak Creek under pretext of garrisoning the Lead Mines, but then to cut off at the fork and then to "without losing time proceed immediately to Walker's Creek where a great many of those disaffected People reside which you are to disarm with all imaginable Secrecy and Dispatch ..." It was essential to have along a trusted local man who knew the territory well, and we can be sure that Henry Patton helped in this dangerous task; afterward one man grumbled "If Captain Patton came that way in the same manner again he would be very apt to get a bullet in him." (163) Henry also served his country by being in command at defense of the Lead Mines (91). He was made a major in 1787, and a lieutenant colonel in 1790. In 1779 Henry Patton was recommended as justice of the peace, and in 1782 took the oath as justice of the peace in Chancery and Oyer and Terminer. In 1782 he was taxed on one slave, 14 horses and 24 cattle. In 1787 he, David and James Patton are shown on the Montgomery Co. tax list. He was appointed Sheriff of Montgomery Co in 1793; in that year [his sons] Samuel and Isaac Patton were appointed deputy sheriffs.
Henry Patton married Martha Randolf ca 1768. In 1802 they made a gift of lands on Thorn Spring to Isaac Patton, their son. Henry (now "Sr") was still living in Montgomery Co 1810 (census) and 1816 (Wythe deed 6: 447). Henry and his wife were living in Tazewell Co Va [formed in 1800] in 1824; on 24 March 1824 they sold a tract of 166 acres on the Sinking Spring in Montgomery Co to Sebastian Wygal (DB H:551). They also deeded away land on Thorn Spring. (H: 626). They died shortly after this, intestate. Known and probable children are given below.
