William Randolph

William Randolph
Portrait by John Wollaston (c.1755)
26th Speaker of the Virginia House of Burgesses
In office
1698–1698
Preceded byRobert Carter
Succeeded byRobert Carter
Personal details
Born1650
Moreton Morrell, Warwickshire, England
Died21 April 1711 (aged 60-61)
Virginia, British America
Resting placeTurkey Island, Virginia
Spouse
Mary Isham
(m. 1676)
Children10, including William, Isham, Thomas, Richard, John and Edward
Residence(s)Henrico County, Virginia
OccupationPlanter, merchant, politician

William Randolph I (bapt. 7 November 1650 – 21 April 1711) was an English-born planter, merchant and politician in colonial Virginia who played an important role in the development of the colony. Born in Moreton Morrell, Warwickshire, Randolph moved to the colony of Virginia sometime between 1669 and 1673, and married Mary Isham (ca. 1659 – 29 December 1735) a few years later.[1][2] His descendants include many prominent individuals including Thomas Jefferson, John Marshall, Paschal Beverly Randolph, Robert E. Lee,[3] Peyton Randolph, Edmund Randolph, John Randolph of Roanoke, George W. Randolph, and Edmund Ruffin.[citation needed] Due to his and Mary's many progeny and marital alliances, they have been referred to as "the Adam and Eve of Virginia".[4]

  1. ^ Sankey, Margaret D. "Randolph, William". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/23125. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
  2. ^ Emory G. Evans, A "Topping People": The Rise and Decline of Virginia's Old Political Elite, 1680–1790 (2009), pp. 18–19
  3. ^ Dillon, John Forrest, ed. (1903). "Introduction". John Marshall; life, character and judicial services as portrayed in the centenary and memorial addresses and proceedings throughout the United States on Marshall day, 1901, and in the classic orations of Binney, Story, Phelps, Waite and Rawle. Vol. I. Chicago: Callaghan & Company. pp. liv–lv. ISBN 9780722291474.
  4. ^ Jean Houston (11 October 1996). A Mythic Life: Learning to Live our Greater Story. HarperCollins. p. 15. ISBN 978-0-06-250282-7.