Dorothea Dandridge Henry

Dorothea Spotswood Henry (née Dandridge; September 25, 1757 – February 14, 1831) was the wife of Patrick Henry. Upon their marriage while he was in office, she served as the first and sixth First Lady of Virginia during Henry's terms as governor, from 1777 to 1779 and 1784 to 1786. Early life and education Born in 1748, Dorothea was the daughter of daughter of Nathaniel West Dandridge and Dorothea Spotswood. She was a cousin of Martha Dandridge Washington, wife of George Washington. Dorothea had a prominent family background. Her maternal grandfather served as Lieutenant Governor and Acting Governor of the Colony of Virginia, Alexander Spottiswood. Her paternal grandfather was a British Navy Commander, Captain William Dandridge. Her paternal great-grandmother, Lady Unity West, was a great-granddaughter of Thomas West, 3rd Baron De La Warr, for whom Delaware Bay, the Delaware River, and the State of Delaware were named. First lady of Virginia