Susannah (Beverly) Randolph (abt. 1692 - aft. 1754)

Born about 1692 in Henrico County, Colony of Virginia

Ancestors

Wife of John Randolph of Kent — married 5 Mar 1737 in Henrico County, Colony of Virginia

Descendants

Died after 1754 after about age 62 in Williamsburg, Colony of Virginia

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Susannah (Beverly) Randolph resided in the Southern Colonies in North America before 1776. Join: US Southern Colonies Project Discuss: southern_colonies

Biography

Early years

Susannah Beverley Randolph was born about 1692 and became a wife about 1718 – there are no records of the exact dates. If truly 26 at the time of her marriage, she was rather mature for a colonial bride – but certainly not alone in taking her vows at that age. Her eldest sister was the wife of her husband's eldest brother, which may suggest how they met. Whatever the uncertainties, there is no doubt that Sir John found her to be an excellent mate, or that she reared children of unusual ability..

Truly a lady

In almost two centuries of colonial Virginia history, there was only one woman who had a certifiable claim to the title of “Lady” – Susannah Beverley Randolph. Courtesy, of course, bestowed the honor of "lady" on every woman of "the better sort," and certainly most of "the middling class." But she was the wife of Sir John Randolph, the only Virginian knighted from the day Roanoke Island was settled in 1585 until independence was declared in 1776..

Prestigious Virginia family

To be a Randolph was to be a member of the most powerful clan in 18th-century Virginia. Sir John was the most accomplished lawyer in the colony, and a public servant of the first rank. But Susannah Beverley brought to her marriage a connection to a family nearly as distinguished. Her kinsmen had been high government officials and prominent planters. One had written a history of the colony in 1705 that was still in print 242 years later..

It appears – again the records are silent – that she bore her first child, a son named Beverley, about 1720. Peyton, named for his maternal grandmother's family, was born in 1721. John, known to historians as "The Tory," but sincerely respected by his contemporaries, was born in 1727 or 1728. Her only daughter, Mary, followed, but the year of her birth is uncertain..

Considerable domestic responsibilities

Apart from her children, Susannah Randolph had charge of a domestic establishment that was among Williamsburg's largest and best. Moreover, there were three plantations, at least one of which had houses of some sort that may have required her management. Her husband's position required frequent and fine entertaining of clients and associates, an activity that also required her attention..

Sir John's obituary in the Virginia Gazette stated: "As he received a noble Income, for Services in his Profession and Employments, so he, in some Measure, made a Return, by a most generous, open and elegant Table . . . But the Plenty, Conduct, and Hospitality, which appeared there, reflect an equal Praise on himself and his Lady.".

Young widow

Widowed in 1737, she was entrusted with a share in the supervision of her husband's estate for the benefit of their children and for herself. When Sir John penned the portion of his will specifying his bequests, he began with "my dear and most beloved wife who for her faithfulness affection and prudence deserves to be remembered in the first place." She was given the use of his property in Williamsburg for her life, after which it became Peyton Randolph's..

In the care of the estate, she had the assistance of her two brothers-in-law, but she seems to have been quite capable of acting for herself. In 1740, after the family's tobacco inspection and warehousing facilities on nearby College Creek expanded, she petitioned the General Assembly for an increase in the rents. Her petition was granted..

Life in Williamsburg society

After Sir John’s death, Susannah Randolph still moved in Williamsburg's social circle and remained the object of the considerate attention of the friends she and her husband had shared. Among them was William Byrd II, who was a member of the colony's Council and General Court, the scion of another first family, and the master of Westover plantation on the James River.

Byrd and his wife were old and particular friends, and his diaries record visits to the Widow Randolph many evenings when business carried him to the city. Sometimes she sent a carriage to meet him at the ferry. They played cards, drank tea, or merely visited. In the words of a Colonial Williamsburg historian, Byrd had "special ties of affectionate concern for her welfare, and pleasure in her company."

By 1751, and perhaps earlier, Susannah had the company of son Peyton and his wife as well. In 1745, when he was entitled to his share in the income of his father's estate, he married Betty Harrison. Peyton may have lived with his mother all along, but by 1751 the house was referred to as if it were already his, suggesting that he was in residence and in charge..

Burial site unknown

The records of Bruton Parish Church show that Susannah Randolph had two slaves baptized in 1754. It is her last appearance in the historical record. Neither the date of her death nor the place of her burial is known..

Lady Susannah Beverley Randolph

Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.

Susanna married Sir John Randolph of Tazewell Hall, son of Colonel William Randolph and Mary Royall Isham, in 1718 in Virginia.

Their children were:.

1. + 31 M i. John "the Loyalist" Randolph was born in 1727 in Williamsburg, Virginia died on 31 Jan 1784 in Brampton, England, and was buried in Chapel of the Wren Building, College of William & Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia. John married Ariana Vanderheyden Frisby Bordley Jenings (b. 26 Jul 1730, d. Feb 1808)..
2. 32 M ii. Hon. Peyton Randolph was born in 1722 in Williamsburg, Virginia and was buried in Chapel of the Wren Building, College of William & Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia. • Colonial Virginia: President of Continental Congress.. Peyton married Elizabeth Harrison. Elizabeth was born in "Berkeley", Charles City, Virginia..
3. 33 M iii. Beverley Randolph was born about 1719 in Virginia. Beverley married Sarah Wormeley. Sarah was born in Virginia..
4. 34 F iv. Mary Randolph was born in 1729 in Williamsburg, Virginia and died on 10 Jan 1768 in Brandon, Middlesex County, Virginia. Mary married Philip Grymes, on 8 Dec 1742 in Williamsburg, James City. Philip was born on 11 Mar 1721 in Brandon, Middlesex County, Virginia and died on 2 Feb 1762 in Brandon, Middlesex County, Virginia.

Research Notes

A profile for a Susannah (Peyton) Dade was apparently meant to be intended as this Susannah (Beverly) Randolph and was merged. However, her birth/death information was distinctly different:

Birth: about 1690, Gloucester, Gloucester County, Virginia

Death: 15 Mar 1737 (certain), Virginia^[1]

Sources

1. ↑ Source for Susannah (Peyton) Dade profile:
   • The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, "Pedigree Resource File," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/2:2:3MCW-H9K : accessed 2015-08-19), entry for Susanna /Beverley/.

• https://www.history.org/Almanack/people/bios/biorasbr.cfm

• E. Jay Stith, Brøderbund Software, Inc., World Family Tree Vol. 1, Ed. 1, (Release date: November 29, 1995), "CD-ROM," Tree #5156, Date of Import: Jan 16, 1999. (1995), "Electronic," Date of Import: Feb 2, 1999.

Acknowledgments

• Thank you to Theresa Ellenwood for creating WikiTree profile Beverley-48 through the import of LucindaElizaBatesAncestors.ged on Mar 5, 2013.
• Thank you to Lynda Hull for creating Beverly-74 on 28 Oct 13.
• Profile Adopted/Edited by Leslie Ridley-388 1 Mar 2014