Thomas Mann Randolph Jr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Thomas Mann Randolph Jr.
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| 21st Governor of Virginia | |
| In office December 1, 1819 – December 1, 1822 |
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| Preceded by | James Patton Preston |
| Succeeded by | James Pleasants |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 21st district |
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| In office March 4, 1803 – March 3, 1807 |
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| Preceded by | District created |
| Succeeded by | Wilson Cary Nicholas |
| Member of Virginia House of Delegates | |
| In office 1819–1820 1823–1825 |
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| Member of the Virginia Senate | |
| In office 1793–1794 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | October 1, 1768 Tuckahoe Plantation, Colony of Virginia, British America |
| Died | June 20, 1828 (aged 59) Monticello, Virginia, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic-Republican |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 12, including Thomas and Ellen, Cornelia, George |
| Parents | Thomas Mann Randolph Sr. Anne Cary |
| Alma mater | College of William & Mary University of Edinburgh |
| Profession | Planter, soldier and politician |
| Signature |  |
Thomas Mann Randolph Jr. (born October 1, 1768 – died June 20, 1828) was an American farmer, soldier, and politician from Virginia. He served in the Virginia General Assembly, which is Virginia's state legislature. He was also a representative in the United States Congress. Later, he became the 21st governor of Virginia, serving from 1819 to 1822.
He married Martha Jefferson, who was the oldest daughter of Thomas Jefferson. Thomas Jefferson was the third President of the United States. Thomas and Martha Randolph had twelve children together.
Contents
Who Was Thomas Mann Randolph Jr.?
His Early Life and Education
Thomas Mann Randolph Jr. was born on October 1, 1768. His birthplace was Tuckahoe in the Colony of Virginia. He was the first son of Thomas Mann Randolph Sr. and Anne Cary Randolph. His older sister, Mary Randolph, wrote a famous cookbook called The Virginia House-Wife.
The Randolph family was one of the First Families of Virginia. Thomas Mann Randolph Jr. was also a descendant of Pocahontas through his mother's side.
He was taught at home by his mother and private teachers. This was common for children in wealthy farming families. He later attended the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. From 1785 to 1788, he studied at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. Even though he did not graduate, he loved to learn. He continued to study on his own and became a respected expert in plants (a botanist).
Marriage and Family Life
On February 23, 1790, Thomas Mann Randolph Jr. married Martha Jefferson. She was the daughter of Thomas Jefferson, who later became president. The Jefferson and Randolph families were related. Thomas Jefferson was a second cousin to Randolph.
Thomas and Martha Randolph often stayed at Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's home. Randolph helped manage the farm when Thomas Jefferson was away. Randolph was a captain in the Virginia militia and a local justice of peace. He and his father-in-law shared many interests.
The Randolphs had twelve children:
- Anne Cary Randolph (1791–1826)
- Thomas Jefferson Randolph (1792–1875)
- Ellen Wayles Randolph (1794–1795), who died young.
- Ellen Wayles Randolph (1796–1876), named after her deceased sister.
- Cornelia Jefferson Randolph (1799–1871). She started a school and translated a book about gardening.
- Virginia Jefferson Randolph (1801–1881)
- Mary Jefferson Randolph (1803–1876). She helped manage her brother's home.
- James Madison Randolph (1806–1834), born in the White House.
- Benjamin Franklin Randolph (1808–1871)
- Meriwether Lewis Randolph (1810–1837)
- Septimia Anne Randolph (1814–1887)
- George Wythe Randolph (1818–1867), who became Secretary of War for the Confederate States of America for a short time.
The Randolphs lived in different places in Virginia. They lived at Belmont and then Edge Hill. After her father retired, Martha and their younger children lived at Monticello. This included the time when Randolph was governor.
Challenges and Later Years
After the War of 1812, Randolph faced some difficult times. He had financial problems and his crops were not doing well. His relationship with his wife and children also became strained. He sold his Varina plantation in 1825. His Edge Hill plantation was also sold in 1825 to pay off debts. His oldest son, Thomas Jefferson Randolph, bought Edge Hill.
Because he no longer owned land, Randolph could not vote or hold office. This made him very upset. He lived apart from his family for several years. Martha and the younger children stayed at Monticello. After Thomas Jefferson died, Martha moved to Boston for a while.
Randolph and his wife became friends again shortly before he died. He was cared for at Monticello. He passed away on June 20, 1828, and is buried at the Monticello cemetery.
Political and Military Career
Serving in Government
Randolph served in the Virginia State Senate in 1793 and 1794. He was elected to the United States Congress as a Republican. He served from March 4, 1803, to March 3, 1807. While in Congress, he had a disagreement with his cousin, John Randolph of Roanoke.
During the War of 1812, he was a colonel in the army. He served under General James Wilkinson in New York in 1813. Back in Virginia, he helped lead the state militia. His job was to stop British forces from entering Richmond, Virginia in 1814.
He was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 1819, 1820, and again from 1823 to 1825. He was then elected and served as Governor of Virginia from 1819 to 1822. He was the first son-in-law of a Virginia Governor to become governor himself. As governor, he supported new ideas. He wanted to build canals, improve education, and give more political power to ordinary people. He also suggested a plan to slowly free enslaved people in Virginia, but this idea was not approved. His political career in Virginia ended in 1825.
Slavery and Plantations
Like many wealthy landowners in Virginia at the time, Thomas Mann Randolph Jr. owned enslaved people. These enslaved workers moved with the Randolph family as they changed homes. They went from Varina to Belmont, and then to Edge Hill. When the Randolphs moved to Monticello, they brought enslaved people with them.
The Randolphs tried to keep enslaved families together. However, when Edge Hill was sold, the enslaved people who lived there were also sold. This was a very difficult time for the families.
Randolph helped manage the work at Monticello when Thomas Jefferson was away. They talked about how the plantations were run. For example, Jefferson had a nail-making workshop at Monticello. Boys worked there, and it was tough work. Randolph helped make sure the workshop was productive.
