This is a story of revolutionary war patriot Patrick Henry’s first wife Sarah Shelton (1738-1775). This woman was confined to the cellar of her home by her husband Patrick Henry. Sarah Shelton Henry was thought to be insane and/or possessed by the devil. Today Sarah Shelton Henry would probably be diagnosed as suffering from postpartum depression and or puerperal psychosis. These are two types of illnesses that sometime affects women after the birth of a child. Sarah Shelton’s mental state of mind did began to decline after the birth of her last child. In fact, in a letter written to Patrick Henry’s sister from her mother stated “we feel Sarah is losing her mind after the birth of little Neddy. Most people of Virginia did not know what the Henry family had to endure day after day for three to four years. This dark secret could never be exposed. The dark secret of having your wife living her life in the cellar. These were very politically active years for Patrick Henry. He was trying to make a change for Virginia and also becoming the first governor.

Preservation Virginia says Sarah Shelton Henry lived the last few years of her life in the cellar of her home. Sarah Henry showed strong signs of severe postpartum depression and psychosis. Patrick Henry's private doctor not only found Sarah Henry living in the cellar but also found her wearing what we know today as a medical straitjacket. Mr. Henry's doctor wanted to send Sarah Henry to the new hospital in Williamsburg but Patrick Henry did not think that was the best place for his loving wife. Sarah Henry died in the cellar in 1775.

A surprising Revolutionary War tale of a family beset by a mother’s mental illness: “Often gripping…the portrayal of Patrick Henry is unusually complex.”—Publishers Weekly Patrick Henry, the famous statesman of the American Revolution, has a secret: He keeps his wife in the cellar. It’s the only alternative to an asylum, for, slowly losing her mind, Sarah Henry has become a serious danger to herself and her children. Narrated by the Henrys’ two daughters, Patsy and Anne, who must take on new responsibilities, this compassionate novel explores the possibility that Patrick Henry’s immortal cry of “Give me liberty or give me death” may have first been spoken by his wife as she pled for her freedom—and “delivers another intriguing spin on history” from the popular author of young adult fiction (Kirkus Reviews). Includes a reader's guide

Whether serving under a Democratic president or a Republican president, General Shelton was never afraid to speak out and tell it like it is. Shelton chronicles his incredible journey from a small farming community in North Carolina to the highest level of American military and political power at the Pentagon and White House. As one of the nation’s elite Special Forces soldiers, Shelton served twice in Vietnam, commanding a Green Beret unit and then an airborne infantry company. He was awarded a Bronze Star for valor and a Purple Heart for a wound suffered when a booby trap drove a poisoned stake through his leg. Shelton rose up the ranks and was assistant division commander of the 101st Airborne Division as they invaded Iraq in the Persian Gulf War, then led the 20,000 American troops tasked with restoring Haiti’s deposed President, Jean-Bertrand Aristide, to power. Promoted to 4-star General, he became Commander in Chief of U.S. Special Operations Command (including Delta Force, Navy SEALS and other top secret Special Mission Units).