William Randolph

William Randolph I (bapt. 7 November 1650 – 21 April 1711) was an English-born planter, merchant and politician in colonial Virginia who played an important role in the development of the colony. Born in Moreton Morrell, Warwickshire, Randolph moved to the Colony of Virginia sometime between 1669 and 1673, and married Mary Isham ( – 29 December 1735) a few years later. His descendants include many prominent individuals including Peyton Randolph, Thomas Jefferson, John Marshall, Edmund Randolph, John Randolph of Roanoke, Edmund Ruffin, Paschal Beverly Randolph, George W. Randolph and Robert E. Lee. Due to his and Mary's many progeny and marital alliances, they have been referred to as "the Adam and Eve of Virginia".

Early years Randolph was baptized in Moreton Morrell in Warwickshire, England on 7 November 1650. He was the son of Richard Randolph (21 February 1621 – 2 May 1678) William was the fourth of seven Randolph children. In 1657, the last of their children was born in Moreton Morrell. The same year, Elizabeth's father was buried there. The family subsequently moved to Dublin.

William's uncle, Henry Randolph (1623–1673), traveled to England and Ireland from Virginia in 1669 and sponsored William to emigrate to colonial Virginia. William arrived with only an axe and without money, in an area replete with others whose families had also supported the king during the Civil War. His family had long been members of the court.

Randolph was a friend of William Byrd, and he served as an advisor to Byrd's sons during their political careers.

Turkey Island Plantation

Randolph acquired property by purchase, headright, marital interest, and land grant. His early acquisitions were in the neighborhood of Turkey Island, located in the James River about 20 miles (32 km) southeast of present-day Richmond. Randolph began living at the Turkey Hill estate, which included the island and surrounding area, and Dungeness Plantations, which were later founded by two of William Randolph's sons.

Marriage and children

Randolph married Mary Isham (Bermuda Hundred, Henrico County, –Turkey Island, Henrico County, 29 December 1735), in Henrico County around 1676. Her father was Henry Isham of Northamptonshire.

William Randolph had twelve children who survived into adulthood: William Randolph II (born 1 November 1681), married Elizabeth Beverley (the daughter of Peter Beverley, a Speaker of the House of Burgesses and Treasurer of Virginia) around 1705 and had five children who lived to adulthood. He was the grandfather of Beverley Randolph, the eighth governor of Virginia, Henry Randolph (born between 1681 and 1686) Her son, William Stith, was the third president of the College of William & Mary; Mary was the great-grandmother of Congressman William Johnston Dawson. Elizabeth Randolph (born before April 1685) including Mary Bland (who married Henry Lee I and was the mother of Henry Lee II, the grandmother of Henry "Light-Horse Harry" Lee III, and the great-grandmother of Robert E. Lee), and the statesman and Founding Father Richard Bland (who was the great-great-grandfather of Roger Atkinson Pryor). Ann Randolph (who was the mother of James Pleasants Jr., the 22nd Governor of Virginia), Thomas Randolph of Tuckahoe (born 1689) (Thomas' wife was Judith Fleming.) The theory by historian William Edward Railey that Thomas married Judith Churchill of Middlesex is now known to be incorrect. A series of records show that Thomas' wife was actually Judith Fleming: 1) A marriage record shows that Thomas Randolph of Henrico County married Judith Fleming on 16 October 1712. 2) She married Nicholas Davies in 1733, which was witnessed by the bride's brothers, John and Tarleton Fleming. 3) Two deeds show that William Randolph III's mother was Judith Fleming Davies. Early generations of Randolphs married into several other gentry families, including Beverley, Bland, Bolling, Dilliard, Fleming, Byrd, Fitzhugh, Carter, Cary, Harrison and Page. later affiliations included members of the Lewis, Meriwether and Skipwith families.

Death William Randolph died on 21 April 1711 at his Turkey Island plantation. Mary and two of their sons, Thomas and William, were executors of the estate that spelled out the manner in which his numerous land holdings were distributed to his sons. Profits from the Pigeon Swamp plantation were to pay off his debt of £3,259 to Micajah Perry III's law firm before title was to be transferred in accordance with the will.

Legacy In their wealth and social status, the Randolphs were much like other families of the Chesapeake elite; if anything set them apart it was their participation in the political life of the colony, which is clearly traceable to William Randolph's example. The Randolphs and their close relatives formed the predominant political faction in the Virginia colonial government during the 18th century, with many members of the family being elected to the House of Burgesses or appointed to the more exclusive Council.

Most of the Randolphs, like the rest of the Virginia gentry, strongly supported the Revolution. However, John Randolph (son of Sir John), in opposition to both his brother Peyton and son Edmund, remained loyal to Great Britain and left Virginia. Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, and 18-year-old John Marshall was at Valley Forge for the trying winter of 1777–1778.