William Randolph III

William Randolph (1712 or 1713–1745) was an American planter, politician and county clerk. He was the son of Thomas Randolph of Tuckahoe in Goochland County, Virginia. He built the elegant two-story residence for Tuckahoe. Randolph held the positions of Clerk and Justice in Goochland County and he represented the county as a member of the House of Burgesses. He was the first Clerk of Albemarle County.

He was a good friend of Peter Jefferson, whose wife Jane Randolph Jefferson was Randolph's first cousin. The Jeffersons raised Randolph's children after his wife's death in 1743 and his death in 1745.

Early life

William was born in 1712 Some thought Judith Churchill of Middlesex was Thomas' wife and William's mother. However, records show that his mother was Judith Fleming: 1) A marriage record shows that Thomas Randolph of Henrico (county for Tuckahoe at that time) married Judith Fleming on October 16, 1712. 2) She married Nicholas Davies in 1733, and she was the sister of John and Tarleton Fleming. 3) Two deeds showed that William Randolph's mother was Judith Fleming Davies. Thomas died in 1730.

A 1936 view from the schoolhouse of boxwood maze, which was destroyed in the 1970s by blight. A path lined by boxwood plants was created along the former maze's perimeter. Tuckahoe, located along the James River in Goochland County, Virginia, was near the properties of his uncle, Isham Randolph of Dungeness, and Peter and Jane Jefferson. He patented 2400 acres in what is now Albemarle County. The land was adjacent to a 2000-acre tract owned by Peter Jefferson.

Although Peter Jefferson had intended to establish a plantation off the Rivanna River, he instead moved his family to Tuckahoe in 1746 and raised William and Maria Judith's children there until 1752, During that time Jefferson managed the plantation, was executor of William Randolph’s estate, and was guardian of the children. It was considered unusual that he did not chose a Randolph family member to be guardian of his children or executor of his estate.