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Randolf, Sir John

Male 1693 - 1737  (44 years)


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  • Name Randolf, John 
    Prefix Sir 
    Born 1693  Turkey Island, Henrico, Virginia, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Male 
    Died 15 Mar 1736/1737  Williamsburg, Greenbrier, Virginia, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Buried William and Mary Chapel Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Person ID I25016  USA
    Last Modified 4 Jun 2021 

    Father Randolph, William,   b. 7 Nov 1650, Morton Morrell, Warwickshire, England Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 11 Apr 1711, Turkey Island, Henrico County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 60 years) 
    Mother Isham, Mary,   b. 1659, Virginia, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 29 Dec 1735, Turkey Island, Henrico, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 76 years) 
    Married 13 Nov 1675  Henrico, Virginia, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Family ID F9015  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Father Randolph, William,   d. DECEASED 
    Mother Isham, Mary,   d. DECEASED 
    Family ID F9021  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Beverley, Susannah,   b. 1693, Turkey Island, Henrico, Virginia, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 15 Mar 1737, Williamsburg, James City, Virginia, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 44 years) 
    Married 1718 
    Children 
     1. Randolf, Beverley,   b. 1720, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location
     2. Randolf, Peyton,   b. Sep 1721, Williamsburgh, Richmond County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 22 Oct 1775, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 54 years)
     3. Randolf, John The Tory,   b. 1727, Williamsburg, James City, Virginia, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Jun 1784, London, London, England Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 57 years)
     4. Randolph, Mary Dowdall,   b. 1729, Gloucester County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 21 Jan 1768, Williamsburgh, Richmond County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 39 years)
     5. Randolph, Beverly,   b. 1706,   d. DECEASED
    Last Modified 5 Aug 2021 
    Family ID F9019  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Notes 
    • Lady Susannah Beverley Randolph

      women sewing
      Born ca. 1692
      Member of prestigious Virginia family
      Wife of only knight in the colony
      Managed large household
      Mother of accomplished offspring
      Died sometime after 1754
      Early years

      Susannah Beverley Randolph was born about 1692 and became a wife about 1718 - there are no records of the exact dates. If truly 26 at the time of her marriage, she was rather mature for a colonial bride - but certainly not alone in taking her vows at that age. Her eldest sister was the wife of her husband's eldest brother, which may suggest how they met. Whatever the uncertainties, there is no doubt that Sir John found her to be an excellent mate, or that she reared children of unusual ability.

      Truly a lady

      In almost two centuries of colonial Virginia history, there was only one woman who had a certifiable claim to the title of "Lady" - Susannah Beverley Randolph. Courtesy, of course, bestowed the honor of "lady" on every woman of "the better sort," and certainly most of "the middling class." But she was the wife of Sir John Randolph, the only Virginian knighted from the day Roanoke Island was settled in 1585 until independence was declared in 1776.

      Prestigious Virginia family

      To be a Randolph was to be a member of the most powerful clan in 18th-century Virginia. Sir John was the most accomplished lawyer in the colony, and a public servant of the first rank. But Susannah Beverley brought to her marriage a connection to a family nearly as distinguished. Her kinsmen had been high government officials and prominent planters. One had written a history of the colony in 1705 that was still in print 242 years later.

      It appears - again the records are silent - that she bore her first child, a son named Beverley, about 1720. Peyton, named for his maternal grandmother's family, was born in 1721. John, known to historians as "The Tory," but sincerely respected by his contemporaries, was born in 1727 or 1728. Her only daughter, Mary, followed, but the year of her birth is uncertain.

      Considerable domestic responsibilities

      Apart from her children, Susannah Randolph had charge of a domestic establishment that was among Williamsburg's largest and best. Moreover, there were three plantations, at least one of which had houses of some sort that may have required her management. Her husband's position required frequent and fine entertaining of clients and associates, an activity that also required her attention.

      Sir John's obituary in the Virginia Gazette stated: "As he received a noble Income, for Services in his Profession and Emploiments, so he, in some Measure, made a Return, by a most generous, open and elegant Table . . . But the Plenty, Conduct, and Hospitality, which appeared there, reflect an equal Praise on himself and his Lady."

      Young widow

      Widowed in 1737, she was entrusted with a share in the supervision of her husband's estate for the benefit of their children and for herself. When Sir John penned the portion of his will specifying his bequests, he began with "my dear and most beloved wife who for her faithfulness affection and prudence deserves to be remembered in the first place." She was given the use of his property in Williamsburg for her life, after which it became Peyton Randolph's.

      In the care of the estate, she had the assistance of her two brothers-in-law, but she seems to have been quite capable of acting for herself. In 1740, after the family's tobacco inspection and warehousing facilities on nearby College Creek expanded, she petitioned the General Assembly for an increase in the rents. Her petition was granted.

      Life in Williamsburg society

      After Sir John's death, Susannah Randolph still moved in Williamsburg's social circle and remained the object of the considerate attention of the friends she and her husband had shared. Among them was William Byrd II, who was a member of the colony's Council and General Court, the scion of another first family, and the master of Westover plantation on the James River.

      Byrd and his wife were old and particular friends, and his diaries record visits to the Widow Randolph many evenings when business carried him to the city. Sometimes she sent a carriage to meet him at the ferry. They played cards, drank tea, or merely visited. In the words of a Colonial Williamsburg historian, Byrd had "special ties of affectionate concern for her welfare, and pleasure in her company."

      By 1751, and perhaps earlier, Susannah had the company of son Peyton and his wife as well. In 1745, when he was entitled to his share in the income of his father's estate, he married Betty Harrison. Peyton may have lived with his mother all along, but by 1751 the house was referred to as if it were already his, suggesting that he was in residence and in charge.

      Burial site unknown

      The records of Bruton Parish Church show that Susannah Randolph had two slaves baptized in 1754. It is her last appearance in the historical record. Neither the date of her death nor the place of her burial is known.

      For further reading:

      Sir John Randolph
      Peyton Randolph
      John "The Tory" Randolph
      James River - "Old Muddy James and the Flow of History"
      Betty Harrison Randolph
      The Peyton Randolph House
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      SURNAME: Also shown as Randoloh