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Papers of the Randolph Family of Edgehill

 Collection
Identifier: MSS 1397

Scope and Content

The collection primarily contains correspondence of the Randolph family and Nicholas family. Several land title records are also present.

Dates

  • Creation: 1732 - 1860

Creator

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research use.

Use Restrictions

Materials in this collection, which were created in 1732-1860, are in the public domain. Permission to publish or reproduce is not required.

Historical Note

The Randolph familiy of Virginia began with William Randolph, who emigrated from Warwickshire, England between 1669 and 1673. He was the great-grandfather of Thomas Jefferson.

Martha Jefferson Randolph (eldest daughter of Thomas Jefferson) married her third cousin, Thomas Mann Randolph in 1790. Together they had eleven children, whom Martha educated at home. Martha was known for her keen intellect and would often assist her father with his affairs. Thomas became a botanist and served as a Virginia delegate, senator, governor, and congressman.

Edgehill was Martha and Thomas' Virginia plantation, and later the chief residence of their eldest son, Thomas Jefferson Randolph. Martha and Thomas inherited the land from Thomas' father and built their first home there in 1799. A second, larger house was built in 1828. The family also operated a girls' school on the plantation, called "Edgehill School" from 1836 to 1896.

Source: Thomas Jefferson Encyclopedia. monticello.org. Accessed 13 January 2023.

Extent

5.4 Cubic Feet (11 Hollinger document boxes and one oversize box)

Language of Materials

English

Arrangement

The materials are arranged chronologically. Oversized items are listed at the end of the inventory.

Related Materials

The Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library also holds the Papers of the Randolph Family of Edgehill and Wilson Cary Nicholas (MS 5533).

Content Warning

This collection contains material which discusses enslavement and may contain racist language. The purpose of this note is to give users the opportunity to decide whether they need or want to view these materials, or at least, to mentally or emotionally prepare themselves to view the materials.

Funding

Funding for enhanced description and digitization of this collection was graciously provided by John C.R. Taylor, III.

Title
A Guide to the Papers of the Randolph Family of Edgehill
Subtitle
Randolph Family of Edgehill papers
Author
Katie Rojas
Date
January 2023
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Arabic

Revision Statements

  • 2023-01: Finding aid transcribed from inventory provided by UVA Library Digital Production Group to ArchivesSpace; reparative language updates made by Katie Rojas.

Repository Details

Part of the Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library Repository

Contact:
Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library
P.O. Box 400110
University of Virginia
Charlottesville Virginia 22904-4110 United States