Scope and Content Note
The papers of William B. Randolph (1793-1874) span the years 1696-1884, with the bulk of the material originating between 1795 and 1855. The collection includes Randolph's correspondence as well as that of his father, Peter S. Randolph; his mother, Elizabeth Randolph; his guardian, Richard Adams; and other relatives and friends. The papers contain four series: Correspondence , Legal File , Financial Papers , and Miscellany .
The Randolph Papers document the activities of the owner of Chatsworth, a large plantation in Virginia before the Civil War. A file of financial papers details the economic aspects of owning and managing this plantation and its large number of slaves. Much of the correspondence also refers to farming and plantation matters as well as to buying and selling slaves.
Other topics in the Correspondence series include the election of Thomas Jefferson as president in 1800, financial affairs affecting James Monroe, 1803-1805, British military activities near Richmond, and the burning of Washington, D.C., during the War of 1812. There is an unflattering appraisal of the American militia as well as comments on the formation, activities, and aspirations of the American Colonization Society, land sales in Kentucky, the inauguration of Andrew Jackson as president in 1829, and the Tredegar Iron Works of Richmond. Mention is also made of an actual or feared slave uprising near Richmond, 1830-1831. There is a description of the operation of a wheat reaper, 1842, and mention of military activities in western Virginia during the Civil War.
The Legal File contains papers relating to a contested election for the Virginia House of Delegates, 1835, and a contract between William B. Randolph and P. S. Jones whereby Randolph became high sheriff of Henrico County while Jones performed the duties and received all the emoluments of the office.