China from John Lee Carroll winds up with descendant of Patrick Henry

Historical context: This article was on a web site called "Richmond Then and Now" and does not give the date of the article's publication. The oldest Thompson girl, Margaret, married Paul Jones Carrington, and this may be how some of the Carroll china wound up with the Henry/Carrington family.


Richmond Times-Dispatch Circa 1935
Antique Secretary Was Desk of Patrick Henry

Antique Secretary Was Desk of Patrick Henry
By Jay-Bee

Antique Virginian furniture, as such, "just ain't" quoths our Franklin Street dealer-collector, "for the reason that Virginia was an agricultural settlement and not given to the handicrafts," but---,Few indeed are the persons, however much they may be sticklers for authenticity, who would deprive a cherished possession of Patrick Henry of the right to assume the title of "Virginia antique." Such historic lineage carries with it the same sort of poetic license which countenances the bestowing of the "colonel" and "captain" flourishes so dear to our Southern salutatorians.
All of which is merely by way of introduction to an old, old "secretary" or combination writing desk, bookcase and drawers which is housed under a Richmond roof, the possession of descendants of the great orator and patriot.
(I have omitted details of the furniture)
Alexander Spotswood Henry, son of Patrick Henry, inherited the secretary from his father, and it remained in the Lynchburg home of the former for several decades. Later it passed to Alexander's daughter, Sarah Winston Henry, who became the bride of Dr. George Cabell Carrington of Halifax Courthouse, Va.
Now it is the prized possession of Mrs. Richard Bruce Carrington of 1008 West Forth-third Street, Forest Hill, widow of the great-grandson of Patrick Henry.
Old China From the Baltimore Carroll's
Mrs. Carrington uses the bookcase of the old secretary to display to advantage some rare old china plates which came into her possession from the estate of former Governor John Carroll of Maryland. The old plate was made in England and carries the old English "C" of he Carroll name prominently in the center of the pieces. . . .
Other relics of the famous Henry and Carroll menages which have come down through the years to Mrs. Carrington include some valuable old portieres which she is still using in her Forest Hill home, and some rare and ancient chinaware depicting Martha Washington and Mount Vernon in delicate colors.