Background
Thomas Jefferson Randolph was the eldest son of Thomas Mann Randolph and Martha (Jefferson) Randolph. He was born on September 12, 1792 at "Monticello" and became the favorite grandson of Thomas Jefferson.
Thomas Jefferson Randolph was the eldest son of Thomas Mann Randolph and Martha (Jefferson) Randolph. He was born on September 12, 1792 at "Monticello" and became the favorite grandson of Thomas Jefferson.
His early education was acquired locally, but at the age of fifteen he was sent to Philadelphia to pursue studies in botany, natural history, and anatomy.
Jefferson took a keen interest in his plans and advised him to cultivate, above all things, good humor and good manners, and to abstain from arguments. There can be no question but that he followed this advice and added careful industry to his list of virtues. So good a disciple did he become that in 1814 Jefferson, whose financial affairs were somewhat tangled, began turning over the management of his estate to his grandson. By 1816 young Randolph had assumed the whole financial burden and from that time forward carried it upon his shoulders. While most of his time was devoted to these private matters, he was developing other qualities, as is indicated by the fact that he made the welcoming address when Lafayette visited Charlottesville in 1824.
When Jefferson died in 1826, Randolph became the chief executor of his estate. He sold "Monticello" and the library to liquidate the indebtedness, but the assets were not equal to the liabilities, and he finally paid the balance with $40, 000 from his own funds. Meanwhile, after considering removal to Louisiana, he with his mother and sisters quitted "Monticello" and took up their abode at "Edgehill, " the old Randolph estate nearby.
On taking up his permanent residence at "Edgehill" in 1828, Randolph moved the old frame house which had been built by his father, and erected the present brick structure on the original site.
He was a good farmer and a careful manager, and we have his mother's testimony that they all lived comfortably and happily together.
In 1829 Randolph published his Memoir, Correspondence, and Miscellanies from the papers of Thomas Jefferson in four volumes, the first published collection of his grandfather's writings, and during the same year became a member of the Board of Visitors of the University of Virginia. In this capacity he served for thirty-one years, and for seven years was rector of the University. In 1831 he was elected to the House of Delegates and served in that body for several years.
He took a special interest in banking and finance, and in 1832 made a memorable speech in the Assembly favoring the gradual emancipation of slaves. This was published that year as a pamphlet. After several years, however, he dropped out of public life and held no further civil post except for membership in the Virginia constitutional convention of 1850-51 and the general convention of 1861. From the days of Andrew Jackson he was a Democrat in politics.
During the Civil War he held a colonel's commission in the Confederate army, but was too old to take the field. In 1872 he was chairman of the National Democratic Convention. He died at "Edgehill" in 1875 and lies buried at "Monticello. " Most of his time had been devoted to the affairs of his family, of his community, and of the University of Virginia.
He served as a magistrate, a member of the Albemarle Agricultural Society, before which he delivered An Essay (1842), and was president of the Farmers' Bank of Charlottesville. More successful in a financial way than either his famous grandfather or brilliant and erratic father, he apparently lacked their keen interest in matters of the intellect.
An aversion to music would seem to mark him as having had that deficiency of imagination so common among practical men.
In 1815 Randolph married Jane Hollins Nicholas, daughter of Wilson Cary Nicholas. They had thirteen children.