William Randolph

William Randolph - Land Owner, Timeline and Life

Violet FieldHome › BritishWilliam RandolphNovember 7, 1650231 views

0 based on 0 rates
William Randolph Biography Stories 

William Randolph's Personal Details

William Randolph was an English colonist and land owner, who played an important role in the history of British colony of Virginia

InformationDetail
BirthdayNovember 7, 1650
Died onApril 11, 1711
NationalityBritish
FamousMiscellaneous, Colonist, Land Owner
SpousesMary Isham
ChildrensEdward Randolph of Bremo, Elizabeth Randolph, Henry Randolph, Isham Randolph of Dungeness, Mary Randolph, Richard Randolph of Curles Neck, Sir John Randolph of Tazewell Hall, Thomas Randolph of Tuckahoe, William Randolph II of Wilton
Birth PlaceMoreton Morrell, Warwickshire, England
ReligionAnglican
GenderMale
FatherRichard Randolph
MotherElizabeth Ryland
Sun SignScorpio
Born inMoreton Morrell, Warwickshire, England
Famous asColonist and Land Owner
Died at Age60

William Randolph's photo

Who is William Randolph?

William Randolph was a British colonist and a land owner during the late 17th and early 18th century British colony of Virginia. He was born and brought up in England and Ireland but immigrated to Virginia during his early years to make a living for himself, on the persuasion of his uncle. As soon as Randolph landed in Virginia, he took over the most lucrative market of the then British colony—that is, slave trading and tobacco plantation. He started as an ‘undertaker’ and a clerk at the Henrico county court but soon he imported 72 servants and 69 slaves into Virginia and collected land patents that were worth 20,000 acres, by the end of his life. He was also known for his exceptional political career, which started with representation of Henrico County in all the assembly of the House of Burgesses and then as the Speaker of the House of Burgesses, which ultimately led to his selection as the Clerk of the House. He was married to Mary Isham, who later on became the heiress to her father’s large estate. They had nine children together, all of them distinguished by the estates left to them.

Childhood & Early Life

William Randolph was born on November 7, 1650 in Warwickshire, England, to Richard Randolph and Elizabeth Ryland. His father was from a small village east of Northampton and worked as a servant to Edward la Zouche and George Goring.

Apart from the fact that he was the second out of the seven Randolph children, not much is known about Randolph’s childhood. In the late 1650s, his family moved to Dublin, which means that he spent his formative years in Ireland.

Career

Randolph’s uncle, Henry Randolph immigrated to Virginia and on one of his travels back to Britain in 1669, it is supposed that he convinced Randolph to move with him to Chesapeake, Virginia.

He arrived in Virginia in 1672 and started his career in the colony as an ‘undertaker’ building houses, but there is not any solid evidences for it, it is all based on set of historical observations.

He was the clerk of Henrico County Court in 1673 and remained at the position for almost 10 years. He served at a position of Justice of the peace, along with that he also served as sheriff and coroner.

By 1674, Randolph had accumulated enough money for the trade in of 12 people into Virginia, which is how he earned his first land patent. He is known to have imported 72 servants and 69 slaves within next two decades.

In 1676, Nathaniel Bacon—a Virginia colonist, revolted against the government and as a result his land was confiscated. This area was Curles, near Turkey Island. Governor Berkeley allowed Randolph to make an assessment of the property and buy it.

From 1684 to 1698, Randolph represented Henrico County in all the assembly of the House of Burgesses and right after that he was selected as the Speaker of the House of Burgesses and later the Clerk of the House.

Randolph was at the peak of his political career by 1700s - he became a merchant and co-owned many ships that transported tobacco to England. He received land grants of 10,000 acres near Richmond and 3,256 acres at Westham.

Major Works

Randolph owned a number of slaves and had an estimated land patents worth 20,000 acres, on which he paid property taxes on 1,655 acres in Surry County and 19,465 acres in Henrico County.

Personal Life & Legacy

In 1675, he married Mary Isham, whose father Henry Isham was from an affluent family in Northamptonshire and married a wealthy widow in Virginia. Mary’s brother died three years later and made her the heiress to her father’s large estate.

Trivia

He was William Byrd’s friend and acted as the political advisor to his sons during their political career.

His mansion on the Turkey Island plantation high ground was called ‘Bird’s Cage’. It overlooked the island and the river.

When Randolph fell ill in 1702, his son William Randolph took over his position of the Clerk of the House of Burgesses.

Randolphs and his close relatives formed the major political group in the colonial government during the 18th century.

It is said that at least nine of his children survived to adulthood, but exact number of children born is still not known. These were named— William Randolph II of Wilton, Thomas Randolph of Tuckahoe, Isham Randolph of Dungeness, Rishard Randolph of Curles Neck, Henry Randolph, Sir John Randolph of Tazewell Hall, Edward Randolph of Bremo, Mary Randolph and Elizabeth Randolph.

All of his children were distinguished by the estates left to them.

// Famous Miscellaneous

Jason Simpson

Jason Simpson

Jason Simpson is the son of former NFL running back, broadcaster and actor O. J. Simpson. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family, life, and little known facts about him.

Melissa Brim

Melissa Brim

Melissa Brim is the ex-girlfriend of former professional boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. Check out this biography to know about her birthday, childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about her.

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer is a Christian author and speaker. This biography provides detailed information about her childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline

William Randolph biography timelines

  • // 7th Nov 1650
    William Randolph was born on November 7, 1650 in Warwickshire, England, to Richard Randolph and Elizabeth Ryland. His father was from a small village east of Northampton and worked as a servant to Edward la Zouche and George Goring.
  • // 1669
    Randolph’s uncle, Henry Randolph immigrated to Virginia and on one of his travels back to Britain in 1669, it is supposed that he convinced Randolph to move with him to Chesapeake, Virginia.
  • // 1672
    He arrived in Virginia in 1672 and started his career in the colony as an ‘undertaker’ building houses, but there is not any solid evidences for it, it is all based on set of historical observations.
  • // 1673
    He was the clerk of Henrico County Court in 1673 and remained at the position for almost 10 years. He served at a position of Justice of the peace, along with that he also served as sheriff and coroner.
  • // 1674
    By 1674, Randolph had accumulated enough money for the trade in of 12 people into Virginia, which is how he earned his first land patent. He is known to have imported 72 servants and 69 slaves within next two decades.
  • // 1675
    In 1675, he married Mary Isham, whose father Henry Isham was from an affluent family in Northamptonshire and married a wealthy widow in Virginia. Mary’s brother died three years later and made her the heiress to her father’s large estate.
  • // 1676
    In 1676, Nathaniel Bacon—a Virginia colonist, revolted against the government and as a result his land was confiscated. This area was Curles, near Turkey Island. Governor Berkeley allowed Randolph to make an assessment of the property and buy it.
  • // 1684 To 1698
    From 1684 to 1698, Randolph represented Henrico County in all the assembly of the House of Burgesses and right after that he was selected as the Speaker of the House of Burgesses and later the Clerk of the House.
  • // 1702
    When Randolph fell ill in 1702, his son William Randolph took over his position of the Clerk of the House of Burgesses.

// Famous British peoples

Wentworth Miller

Wentworth Miller

Wentworth Miller is an American actor and screenwriter who achieved recognition for his role in the TV series ‘Prison Break’.

Sophie Reade

Sophie Reade

Sophie Victoria Reade is a British model and reality show star. Let’s take a look at her family and personal life, including her age, birthday, boyfriends, and some interesting facts.

Josh Temple

Josh Temple

Check out all that you wanted to know about Josh Temple (Slogoman), the famous British YouTube Personality; his birthday, his family and personal life, his girlfriends, fun trivia facts and more.

Yammy Xox

Yammy Xox

Check out all that you wanted to know about Yammy Xox, the famous British YouTube Personality; her birthday, her family and personal life, her boyfriends, fun trivia facts and more.

Grian

Grian

Grian is an English YouTube gamer and social media influencer. Check out this biography to know about his birthday, childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about him.

Benjamin Atkinson

Benjamin Atkinson

Benjamin Atkinson is the son of the world-renowned British actor and comedian, Rowan Atkinson. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family, personal life, including his age, birthday, etc.

William Randolph's FAQ

  • What is William Randolph birthday?

    William Randolph was born at 1650-11-07

  • When was William Randolph died?

    William Randolph was died at 1711-04-11

  • Where was William Randolph died?

    William Randolph was died in Virginia

  • Which age was William Randolph died?

    William Randolph was died at age 60

  • Where is William Randolph's birth place?

    William Randolph was born in Moreton Morrell, Warwickshire, England

  • What is William Randolph nationalities?

    William Randolph's nationalities is British

  • Who is William Randolph spouses?

    William Randolph's spouses is Mary Isham

  • Who is William Randolph childrens?

    William Randolph's childrens is Edward Randolph of Bremo, Elizabeth Randolph, Henry Randolph, Isham Randolph of Dungeness, Mary Randolph, Richard Randolph of Curles Neck, Sir John Randolph of Tazewell Hall, Thomas Randolph of Tuckahoe, William Randolph II of Wilton

  • What is William Randolph's religion?

    William Randolph's religion is Anglican

  • Who is William Randolph's father?

    William Randolph's father is Richard Randolph

  • Who is William Randolph's mother?

    William Randolph's mother is Elizabeth Ryland

  • What is William Randolph's sun sign?

    William Randolph is Scorpio

  • How famous is William Randolph?

    William Randolph is famouse as Colonist and Land Owner