Thomas Mann Randolph

Background

Thomas Mann Randolph was the son of Thomas Mann and Anne (Cary) Randolph of "Tuckahoe" in Goochland County, Virginia. His great-grandfather, Thomas, was the son of William Randolph of "Turkey Island, " founder of the noted clan.

Education

He was educated first at the College of William and Mary, and then at the University of Edinburgh, where he resided from 1785 to 1788.

Career

During the summer of 1788 he visited in Paris his kinsman, Thomas Jefferson, the American minister to France. The ties between the two families were close, for they owned adjoining estates in Albemarle County, and Jefferson's father had acted as guardian for Randolph's father at "Tuckahoe. " Young Randolph married Jefferson's daughter Martha, who was his third cousin.

He built a home on the Albemarle estate and called it "Edgehill". Here he maintained a residence for a time, but Jefferson did not like to be separated from his daughter and it was not long before the Randolphs became permanent residents of "Monticello. "

Randolph once said that he considered theology a "department of the imagination". He was versed in the classics, botany, agriculture, and in military science. Some of Jefferson's scientific friends looked upon Randolph with great respect, particularly as a botanist, and he claimed to have been the originator of the practice of transverse, rather than horizontal, ploughing on hillsides.

He also took an interest in politics and was a member of the Virginia Senate in 1793-94. From 1803 until 1807 he represented the state in Congress. In 1806 he nearly involved himself in a duel with John Randolph of "Roanoke, " over a supposed insult in the House.

When the War of 1812 came on, he was commander of the 16t light corps of Virginia militia, but in 1813 was made colonel of the 20th United States Infantry and took part in the Canadian campaign of that year. Resigning at the end of this service, he sought appointment as brigadier-general of Virginia militia with the hope that the defense of Norfolk would fall to his lot. He wrote to Senator Joseph Cabell that his wife had secured for him appointment as collector of internal revenue for his district and that the income was necessary in order to save his estate, but that he would give up the post if he could get the military command.

It turned out that he got neither place and that his estate became much involved, owing partly to the loss of large shipments of flour on account of the blockade. In 1819 he was elected to the House of Delegates and was chosen governor of the state in the same year.

Serving until 1822, he took a keen interest in educational and other progressive measures. In 1823 he was sent back to the legislature and served until 1825. By this time his financial affairs were hopelessly involved and some of his property had to be sold. Out of this situation there developed some bitterness between him and his family, particularly in the case of his son Thomas Jefferson Randolph, who had been handling Jefferson's financial affairs since 1814. It appears that the elder Randolph began to live apart from his family at this time, and they, in turn, quitted "Monticello" shortly after the death of Jefferson in 1826.

In 1828 they returned for a brief time, and Randolph rejoined them under his express stipulation that he have no relations with them. He desired only the north pavilion and the right to do his own cooking on a charcoal fire.

He died during the year but was reconciled to his family before the end. He was buried near Jefferson at "Monticello. "

Achievements

• He served as a member of both houses of the Virginia General Assembly, a Representative in the U. S. Congress, and as the 21st Governor of Virginia, from 1819–1822.

Works

More photos

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  • Stuart's cavalry in the Gettysburg campaign

    (This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. T...)

Personality

A man of brilliant intellectual parts, a daring horseman and a brave soldier, recklessly generous and extremely proud, Thomas Mann Randolph had no mind for practical affairs, and he was possessed of a rash temper which made him many enemies. Except for these characteristics, he would doubtless have risen to great position. As it was, he died amid the ashes of his life from exposure on a cold night ride after having given his cloak to a suffering wayfarer.

Connections

On Feburary 23, 1790, at "Monticello, " he married Martha Jefferson, the oldest daughter of Thomas Jefferson, third President of the United States. They had eleven children who survived childhood.

Father:

Thomas Mann Randolph

Mother:

Anne (Cary) Randolph

Spouse:

Martha Jefferson

Daughter:

Meriwether Lewis Randolph

Daughter:

Virginia Jefferson Randolph

Daughter:

Ellen Wayles Randolph

Daughter:

Septimia Anne Randolph

Daughter:

Mary Jefferson Randolph

Daughter:

Cornelia Jefferson Randolph

Daughter:

Anne Cary Randolph

Son:

James Madison Randolph

Son:

George Wythe Randolph

Son:

Thomas Jefferson Randolph

Son:

Benjamin Franklin Randolph

References

• Martha Jefferson Randolph, Daughter of Monticello: Her Life and Times
• Thomas Mann Randolph: Jefferson's Son-in-Law (Southern Biography)