Call Number:

C1184

Repository:

Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division

Extent:

• 1 box
• 0.2 linear feet

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Randolph Family of Virginia Collection, Box and Folder Number; Special Collections, Princeton University Library.

Date:

1771-1833 (inclusive)

Creator:

Princeton University. Library. Special Collections, Morris, Anne Cary Randolph (1774-1837), and Randolph, John (1773-1833)

Form:

Correspondence -- 18th century and Paper money. -- 18th century

Abstract:

Consists of selected correspondence and documents of the Randolph family of Virginia--one of the great extended dynastic families of late colonial Virginia.

In the mid-seventeenth century William Randolph founded what was to become one of the great extended dynastic families of late colonial Virginia, holders of great estates, wealth, and many slaves. He established each of his seven sons on their own estates, including William of "Turkey Island," Sir John Randolph of "Tazewell Hall," and Richard of "Curles." His sons and two daughters were allied by marriage to outstanding families of Virginia, and among their line of descendants are Thomas Jefferson, Robert Marshall, and Robert E. Lee. William Randolph was among the founders and first trustees of the College of William and Mary, later sending six sons to study there. Represented in this collection are letters and documents of descendants of William Randolph including Beverly Randolph, Edmund Jenings Randolph, John Randolph of Roanoke, Peyton Randolph, Thomas Mann Randolph, and William B. Randolph.

The collection consists of selected correspondence and documents of several members of the Randolph family of Virginia. John Randolph's correspondence Includes a letter (1798) to James Brown regarding the purchase of property, one letter (1814) to Charles Fenton Mercer, one letter (1827) to his cousin John Randolph, and one letter (1828) concerning the political conditions in Virginia. There are copies of letters John sent to his cousin Anne Cary Randolph (or Nancy, and later Mrs. Gouverneur Morris), dated 31 October 1814, regarding the scandal of the affair between her and his brother Richard, and Nancy's reply, dated 16 January 1815. Also included are partial transcripts of the Randolph-Morris correspondence written in the hand of John W. Hancock, dated 1840(?), preceded by an account of the events that caused the scandal. There is one letter (1796) from Edmund Randolph to William Watts regarding a court case. William Randolph's material includes a list of accounts dated 1824, one letter (1835) from his daughter Elizabeth, and two letters (1812, 1813) from Richard Adams and his brother regarding money for an annuity. A letter from "Th. M. Randolph" to Messrs. Le Roy and Bayard, written at "Monticello" and dated 22 April 1795, regards the purchase of wine and other merchandise; a letter (1839) by T. M. Randolph to T. S. Pleasants concerns the settling of accounts between them; and a letter by Thomas M. Randolph to Thomas Jefferson, dated 10 May 1771, relates a financial matter. There is a document (1791) signed by Beverly Randolph, who was governor of Virginia (1788-1791), regarding the "Tobacco Law," and a "Five Pounds" currency note dated 1773, signed by Peyton Randolph and endorsed by Treasurer Robert Carter Nicholas and by John Ewing.

Folders are arranged by accession number.