Peyton Randolph
First President of the Continental Congress
United Colonies of America
September 5, 1774 to October 22, 1774
and May 20 to May 24, 1775 By: Stanley L. Klos
10.
In case any merchant, trader, or other person, shall import any goods or
merchandize, after the first day of December, and before the first day of
February next, the same ought forthwith, at the election of the owner, to be
either re-shipped or delivered up to the committee of the country or town,
wherein they shall be imported, to be stored at the risque of the importer,
until the non-importation agreement shall cease, or be sold under the direction
of the committee aforesaid; and in the last-mentioned case, the owner or owners
of such goods shall be reimbursed out of the sales, the first cost and charges,
the profit, if any, to be applied towards relieving and employing such poor
inhabitants of the town of Boston, as are immediate sufferers by the Boston
port-bill; and a particular account of all goods so returned, stored, or sold,
to be inserted in the public papers; and if any goods or merchandizes shall be
imported after the said first day of February, the same ought forthwith to be
sent back again, without breaking any of the packages thereof.
11.
That a committee be chosen in every county, city, and town, by those who are
qualified to vote for representatives in the legislature, whose business it
shall be attentively to observe the conduct of all persons touching this
association; and when it shall be made to appear, to the satisfaction of a
majority of any such committee, that any person within the limits of their
appointment has violated this association, that such majority do forthwith cause
the truth of the case to be published in the gazette; to the end, that all such
foes to the rights of British-America may be publicly known, and universally
contemned as the enemies of American liberty; and thenceforth we respectively
will break off all dealings with him or her.
12.
That the committee of correspondence, in the respective colonies, do frequently
inspect the entries of their customhouses, and inform each other, from time to
time, of the true state thereof, and of every other material circumstance that
may occur relative to this association.
13.
That all manufactures of this country be sold at reasonable prices, so- that no
undue advantage be taken of a future scarcity of goods.
14.
And we do further agree and resolve that we will have no trade, commerce,
dealings or intercourse whatsoever, with any colony or province, in
North-America, which shall not accede to, or which shall hereafter violate this
association, but will hold them as unworthy of the rights of freemen, and as
inimical to the liberties of their country.
And we do solemnly bind ourselves and our constituents, under
the ties aforesaid, to adhere to this association, until such parts of the
several acts of parliament passed since the close of the last war, as impose or
continue duties on tea, wine, molasses, syrups paneles, coffee, sugar, pimento,
indigo, foreign paper, glass, and painters' colours, imported into America, and
extend the powers of the admiralty courts beyond their ancient limits, deprive
the American subject of trial by jury, authorize the judge's certificate to
indemnify the prosecutor from damages, that he might otherwise be liable to from
a trial by his peers, require oppressive security from a claimant of ships or
goods seized, before he shall be allowed to defend his property, are
repealed.-And until that part of the act of the 12 G. 3. ch. 24, entitled "An
act for the better securing his majesty's dock-yards magazines, ships,
ammunition, and stores," by which any persons charged with committing any of the
offenses therein described, in America, may be tried in any shire or county
within the realm, is repealed-and until the four acts, passed the last session
of parliament, viz. that for stopping the port and blocking up the harbour of
Boston-that for altering the charter and government of the Massachusetts-Bay-and
that which is entitled "An act for the better administration of justice,
&c."-and that "for extending the limits of Quebec, &c." are repealed. And we recommend it to the provincial conventions,
and to the committees in the respective colonies, to establish such farther
regulations as they may think proper, for carrying into execution this
association.
The
foregoing association being determined upon by the Congress, was ordered to be
subscribed by the several members thereof; and thereupon, we have hereunto set
our respective names accordingly.
IN CONGRESS, PHILADELPHIA,
October 20, 1774.
Signed, PEYTON RANDOLPH,
President.
The Journals of the
Continental Congress Chronology under the Peyton Randolph presidency reports:
1774 - September 5
Congress convenes at Carpenters' Hall- elects Peyton Randolph president, Charles
Thomson secretary. September 17 Endorses Suffolk Resolves from Massachusetts.
September 27 Adopts non-importation agreement, to begin December 1. September 28
Orders Joseph Galloway's plan of union to lie on the table. September 30
Resolves to halt exports to Great Britain, Ireland, and the West Indies
effective September 10, 1775.
1774 - October 1
Resolves to prepare an address to the king. October 14 Adopts declaration of
grievances and rights. October 18 Approves the Association. October 21 Approves
an address to the people of Great Britain and one to the inhabitants of the
colonies. October 22 Agrees to reconvene on May 10, 1775, "unless the redress of
grievances, which we have desired, be obtained before that time." Elects Henry
Middleton president. October 26 Approves an address to the king and a letter to
Quebec. Congress dissolves itself.*
*(Citation for
this edited Chronology in Congress as well as the other Presidential Chapters
are taken directly from: Smith, Paul H., et al., eds. LETTERS OF DELEGATES TO
CONGRESS, 1774-1789. 25 volumes, Washington, D.C.: Library of Congress,
1976-2000).
A more detailed
synopsis of these proceedings was published by Peter Force in 1848 as the
American Archives:
September 5, 1774,
Meeting of the Delegates chosen and appointed by the several
Colonies and
Provinces, in North America, to hold a Congress at Philadelphia,
Members present
from the several Colonies,
Peyton Randolph
elected President,
Credentials read
and approved,
For New-Hampshire,
Massachusetts,
Rhode-Island,
Connecticut,
New-York,
New-Jersey,
Pennsylvania,
Delaware,
Maryland,
Virginia,
South Carolina,
September 6, 1774,
Richard Henry Lee, from Virginia, attended, Rules of Order adopted,
Reverend Mr. Duché requested to open the Congress
with Prayers, Thomas Johnson, Jun., from Maryland attended,
September 7, 1774,
Committee appointed to state the Rights of the Colonies, the instances in which
they are violated, and the means most proper to obtain a restoration of them,
Committee appointed to examine and report the several Statutes which affect the
Trade and Manufactures of the Colonies, President authorized to adjourn, from
day to day, when there is no business,
September 12, 1774, Matthew
Tilghman, a Delegate from Maryland, attended,
September 14, 1774, William
Hooper and Joseph Hewes, from North Carolina, attended, Henry Wisner, from
Orange County, in New-York, attended, George Ross, from Pennsylvania, and John
Alsop, from New-York, attended,Delegates from Massachusetts presented the
Proceedings of the Joint Committees of the Towns in the County of Middlesex, at
Concord, on the 30th and 31st of August,
September 17, 1774,
Richard Caswell from North Carolina, attended, Resolutions of the County of
Suffolk, Massachusetts, on the 6th inst., laid, before the Congress, Resolution
of the Congress, approving of the Suffolk County Resolutions, Contributions from
all the Colonies for supplying the Sufferers in Boston, should be continued,
Report of the Committee appointed to examine the Statutes, brought in and laid
on the table,
September 19, 1774,
Referred to the Committee appointed to state the Rights of the Colonies,
September 22, 1774,
Merchants and others in the several Colonies requested not to send to Great
Britain any orders for Goods, Report of Committee on the Rights of the
Colonies, brought in and read, Copy of the Report made out for each Colony,
September 24, 1774,
The Report considered, Congress will now consider only such Rights as have
been infringed since 1763, postponing the consideration of the General Rights of
America to a future day, Committee appointed to state the Rights, brought in a
Report of the Infringements and Violations of American Rights, Consideration of
the Report deferred, Congress, in the meanwhile, to deliberate on the Means to
be pursued for a restoration of our Rights,
September 26, 1774,
John Herring, from Orange County, New-York, attended, Consideration of the Means
for restoring Rights, resumed,
September 27, 1774,
Further considered, Importation of all Goods, Wares, and Merchandise,
whatsoever, from Great Britain, or Ireland, prohibited after first of December
next, None exported from Great Britain, or Ireland, after that day, shall be
used or purchased in the Colonies,
September 28, 1774,
Resolution offered by Mr. Galloway, declaring the Colonies hold in. abhorrence
the idea of being considered Independent Communities, Mr. Galloway's Plan for
a proposed union between Great Britain and the Colonies, Means of restoring the
Rights, considered,
September 29, 1774, Galloway
Plan Further considered,
September 30, 1774,
Galloway Plan Further considered, Exportation of all Merchandise whatsoever,
from the Colonies to Great Britain, Ireland, and the West Indies, prohibited
after the 1st of September, 1775, unless American Grievances are redressed
before that time, Committee to prepare a Plan to carry into effect the
Non-Importation, Non-Consumption, and Non-Exportation resolved on,
October 1, 1774,
Simon Boerum, from King's County, New-York, attended, Means of restoring the
Rights, further considered, Committee to prepare an Address to the King,
requesting a Redress of Grievances,
October 3, 1774,
Instructions to the Committee on the Address, Matters proper to be contained
in the Address considered,
October 4, 1774,
Address to the King Further considered,
October 5, 1774,
Address to the King Further considered, Instruction to the Committee on the
Address, Address from William Goddard received,
October 6, 1774, Means
for restoration of American Rights further considered, Letter from the Boston
Committee of Correspondence laid before Congress, Letter to be considered
tomorrow, Consideration of means for restoration of Rights, resumed,
Instruction to
Committee appointed to prepare the form of an Association,
October 7, 1774,
Letter from Boston Committee considered, Committee to prepare a Letter to
General Gage,
October 8, 1774,
Letter from Boston further considered, Opposition of the Inhabitants of
Massachusetts to late Acts of Parliament approved by Congress, If the Acts are
attempted to be enforced by Arms, all America ought to support them in their
opposition,
October 10, 1774,
Letter from Boston further considered, Removal of the People from Boston, so
important in its consequences as to require the utmost deliberation, If
absolutely necessary, they should be recompensed by all America, People of
Massachusetts advised to submit to a suspension of the administration of
justice, where it cannot be procured under the Charter, Any Person who shall act
under any authority derived from the Act of Parliament, altering the Government
of Massachusetts, to be held in detestation, as a wicked tool of the despotism,
which is preparing to destroy the Rights of America,
October 11, 1774,
Letter from the Congress to General Gage, People of Boston advised to conduct
themselves peaceably towards General Gage and the Troops,Committee to prepare a
Memorial to the People of British America; and an Address to the People of Great
Britain,
October 12, 1774,
Plan for carrying into effect the Non-Importation, Non-Consumption, and
Non-Exportation Agreement, reported by the Committee, Consideration of the
Rights and Grievances of the Colonies resumed,
October 13, 1774,
Further considered,
October 14, 1774,
Further considered, Resolutions declaring the Rights and Grievances of the
Colonies, Letter from several Gentlemen, in Georgia, read,
October 15, 1774, Plan of
Association further considered,
October 17, 1774, John
Dickinson, from Pennsylvania, attended, Plan of Association further
considered,
October 18, 1774,
Plan further considered, amended, and ordered to be transcribed, to be signed by
the Members, Address to the People of Great Britain reported,
October 19, 1774,
The Address considered, amended, and recommitted, Memorial to the Inhabitants
of the Colonies reported,
October 20, 1774, The
Association read and signed, Facsimile of the Signatures to the Association,
Opposite Memorial to the Inhabitants of the Colonies further considered,
October 21, 1774,
Address to the People of Great Britain, Memorial to the Inhabitants of the
Colonies, Committee to prepare an Address to the People of Quebeck, and Letters
to the Colonies of St. John's. Nova-Scotia, Georgia, and East and West Florida,
Committee to revise
the Minutes of Congress, Address to the King considered, recommitted, and Mr.
Dickinson added to the Committee, The seizing a Person, in America, to transport
him beyond the Sea, for Trial, declared to be against the Law, and ought to meet
with resistance and reprisal,
October 22, 1774, Peyton
Randolph unable to attend the Congress, Henry Middleton chosen President,
Address from Christopher Tully received, Journal ordered to be printed, A
Congress to be held on the 10th of May next, unless redress of Grievances should
be sooner obtained, recommended, Letter from Congress to the Colonies of St.
John's, &c.,
October 24, 1774,
Address to the People of Quebeck reported, considered, and recommitted,
Address to the King reported,
October 25, 1774, Address
considered, approved, and ordered to be engrossed,
To be sent to the
Colony Agents, to be presented to his Majesty; and the Agents requested to call
in the aid of such Noblemen and Gentlemen as are firm friends to American
Liberty, Committee to prepare a Letter to the Agents, Thanks of Congress to the
patriotick Advocates of Civil and Religious Liberty who have espoused the cause
of America, both in and out of Parliament,
October 26, 1774, Letter
to the Colony Agents, Address to the Inhabitants of the Province of Quebeck,
Address to the King, List of the Colony Agents, List of the Delegates who
attended the Congress,
Returning to
Virginia, Randolph remained active in colonial politics. On 20 January, 1775, he
issued a call to the counties and corporations of Virginia, requesting them to
elect delegates to a convention to be held at Richmond, 21 March, the call being
signed " Peyton Randolph, moderator." He was elected to that convention
on 4th of February.
Peyton Randolph was in the
chair on March 23rd, in this Second Virginia Convention in Richmond. The major
issue at hand was the formation of a statewide militia to protect the citizens
of Virginia from a future British occupation. It was during these debates that
Patrick Henry rose and made his "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death"
Speech. The
measure was passed and Governor Dunmore reacted in manner that would ensure
Virginia's solidification to the Boston call for Colonial Independence.
On the night of April 20th,
1775, the gunpowder was secretly removed from the public magazine at
Williamsburg by order of Lord Dunmore, governor of Virginia. Randolph convinced
the enraged citizens not to storm the governor's residence. Randolph
assured 700 armed men assembled at Fredericksburg, who offered their services,
that the wrong would be redressed if their militia did not compel Dunmore to
inflexibility. Through Speaker Randolph’s negotiations with Lord Dunmore,
assisted by the approach of Henry's men, £300 was paid for the powder, and the
hostilities were halted. Randolph resumed his duties as speaker of the
burgesses.
In May 1775, Peyton
Randolph returned to the Congress at Philadelphia and was re-elected President
on the 10th and Delegates began their business after prayer:
Resolved, That the
thanks of the Congress be given to the Reverend Mr. Duché for performing Divine
Service, agreeable to the desire of the Congress, and for his excellent Prayer,
so well adapted to the present occasion.
On a most important
matter typically overlooked by historians the following resolution was passed on
May 11th:
Resolved, That
the Doors be kept shut during the time of business, and that the Members
consider themselves under the strongest obligations of honour to keep the
Proceedings secret, until the majority shall direct them to be made publick.
This would lead to
the November 9th, 1775 Oath of Allegiance and Secrecy signed by all
the members including Delegate George Washington. This veil of secrecy, more
then anything else, is responsible for the loss of detailed accounts of the
formation of the United States from 1774-1788.
On May 15th
Congress authorized Secretary Charles Thomson to hire a Clerk. Timothy Matlack
would go on to memorialize many resolutions Congressional passed by engrossing
them in his own hand for the Delegates to sign. His most famous engrossed
resolution would be the Declaration of Independence which he prepared for the
Delegates to sign on August 2, 1776.
Agreed, that the
Secretary be allowed to employ Timothy Matlack as a Clerk, he having first taken
an oath or affirmation to keep secret the transactions of the Congress that may
be entrusted to him, or may come to his knowledge.
On May 18th
Congress adopted rule of Conduct and acted boldly on the news of Ethan Allen and
Benedict Arnold taking Fort Ticonderoga.
The President laid before the
Congress some important intelligence he received last night, by express, from
New-York, relative to the surprising and taking of Ticonderoga by a detachment
from Massachusetts-Bay and Connecticut, which was read.
Upon motion, Agreed, That Mr.
Brown, who brought the express, be called in to give an account of the
disposition of the Canadians, the taking of Ticonderoga, and the importance of
that Post; whereupon, he was called in, and having given the necessary
information, he withdrew. The Congress taking the matter into consideration came
to the following Resolution:
Resolved, Whereas, there is
indubitable evidence that a design is formed by the British Ministry of making a
cruel invasion from the Province of Quebeck upon these Colonies, for the purpose
of destroying our lives and liberties, and some steps have actually been taken
to carry the said design into execution; and whereas, several inhabitants of the
Northern Colonies, residing in the vicinity of Ticonderoga, and immediately
exposed to incursions, impelled by a just regard for the defence and
preservation of themselves and their Countrymen from such imminent dangers and
calamities, have taken possession of that post, in which was lodged a quantity
of Cannon and Military Stores that would certainly have been used in the
intended invasion of these Colonies; this Congress earnestly recommend it to the
Committees of the Cities and Counties of New-York and Albany, immediately to
cause the said Cannon and Stores to be removed from Ticonderoga to the south end
of Lake George; and, if necessary, to apply to the Colonies of New-Hampshire,
Massachusetts-Bay, and Connecticut, for such an additional body of forces as
will be sufficient to establish a strong post at that place, and effectually to
secure the said Cannon and Stores, or so many of them as it may be judged proper
to keep there; and that an exact inventory be taken of all such Cannon and
Stores, in order that they may be safely returned, when the restoration of the
former harmony between Great Britain and these Colonies, so ardently wished for
by the latter, shall render it prudent and consistent with the overruling law of
self-preservation.
Peyton was required
once again to abandon his office of President May 23rd because Lord
Dunmore of Virginia had called a session of the Assembly, in which Randolph was
the Speaker. On June 25, 1775 Thomas Jefferson presented his credentials as a
replacement for Peyton Randolph. John Hancock succeeded Randolph as President of
the Continental Congress.
The Journals
Chronology record:
1775 - May 10th
Second Continental Congress convenes at Pennsylvania State House reelects
President Peyton Randolph and Secretary Charles Thomson. May 17 Resolves to ban
exports to British colonies failing to join the Association. May 18 Receives
news of the capture of Ticonderoga and Crown Point. May 24th The Congress met
according to adjournment, but Peyton Randolph, President, being under a
necessity of returning home and having set out this Morning early, the chair was
vacant. Upon motion, John Hancock was unanimously chosen President.
While the American
Archives report:
May 10, 1775, The Congress
convened in the State-House, at Philadelphia, List of the Delegates from the
several Colonies, Peyton Randolph chosen President, and Charles Thomson
Secretary, Rev. Mr. Duché requested to open Congress with prayers to-morrow
morning,
May 11, 1775,
Congress opened with prayers by the Rev. Mr. Duché, Credentials of the Delegates
read and approved, Doors to be kept shut during the time of business, and
Members under the strongest obligations of honour to keep the proceedings
secret,
Letter from the
Agents, William Bollan, Benj. Franklin and Arthur Lee, dated London, February 5,
1775, laid before Congress and read, Papers accompanying the Letter of the
Agents, submitted to Congress this day, (Note,) Letters and Papers from the
Massachusetts Congress, submitted by Mr. Hancock, Letter from the Provincial
Congress of Massachusetts to the American Continental Congress, dated May 3,
Resolves of the Massachusetts Congress, passed May 3, for borrowing One Hundred
Thousand Pounds, enclosed in the preceding Letter, Depositions and Address
ordered to be published, State of America to be considered on Monday next in
Committee of the Whole, Letter from Massachusetts referred to that Committee,
May 12, 1775,
Met and adjourned
May 13, 1775,
Lyman Hall admitted as a Delegate from the Parish of St. John’s, Georgia, Mr.
Hall’s Credentials—Address of the Inhabitants of St. John’s Parish to Congress;
their Letter of February 2, to the Committee of Correspondence in Charlestown,
South Carolina;—answer of the Committee, dated February 9; and choice of the
Delegate,
May 15, 1775, Order of the
Day read, and, after some debate, postponed, Application from New-York for
advice, how to conduct themselves with regard to the Troops expected there,
Delegate from St. John’s, in Georgia, to have the same privileges as the other
Delegates, except voting when a question is taken by Colonies, Credentials of
Delegates from Rhode-Island, Advice to the Inhabitants of New-York to act on the
defensive, if the Troops, expected from England, arrive, Committee appointed to
consider what Posts should be occupied in New-York, State of America to be
further considered to-morrow,
May 16, 1775,
Memorial from Robert and John Murray, Congress in Committee of the Whole, on the
state of America,
May 17, 1775, Exportation
to Quebeck, Nova-Scotia, St. John’s, Newfoundland, Georgia, (except the Parish
of St. John’s,) and to East and West Florida, prohibited,
May 18, 1775,
Rules of last Congress adopted, Intelligence received of the surprising and
taking of Ticonderoga, Mr. Brown called in to give an account of the disposition
of the Canadians, the taking of Ticonderoga, and the importance of that Post,
Congress approve the taking of Ticonderoga, and direct the removal of the Cannon
and Stores to the south end of Lake George, to be there taken care of, and
returned when the restoration of harmony between Great Britain and the Colonies
shall render it prudent to do so,
May 19, 1775,
List of the Delegates to the Congress in Philadelphia this day, (Note,) Report
from the Committee on establishing Posts in New-York, read and referred to the
Committee of the Whole on the state of America, State of America further
considered in Committee of the Whole,
May 20, 1775,
State of America further considered in Committee of the Whole,
May 22, 1775,
State of America further considered in Committee of the Whole,
May 23, 1775, State of America further considered
in Committee of the Whole,
May 24, 1775,
John Hancock chosen President, Mr. Randolph being necessarily absent, State of
America further considered in Committee of the Whole,
Peyton Randolph
returned to Williamsburg as hero to his fellow Virginians. The Commander of the
British forces in America, General Thomas Gage, had issued warrants for the
execution of Peyton Randolph and key Congressional leaders. Williamsburg had
sent a detachment to protect the President and upon his return offered him an
armed guard in a proclamation that concluded: "May heaven grant you long to
live The Father Of Your Country, and the friend to freedom and humanity!"
George Washington would later echo the "Father of Our County" mantra,
from time to time, referring to his mentor, Peyton Randolph.
Peyton Randolph returned
to the Continental Congress after serving as Speaker of the Virginia Assembly in
October 1775. He was placed on a Committee "to take into consideration the
state of the trade of America, and report their
opinion". On
October 23rd, however, Peyton Randolph suddenly died. The Journals of the
Continental Congress reported:
“Information being
given to Congress that yesterday the Honorable Peyton Randolph suddenly departed
this life, Resolved, That this Congress will attend his funeral as mourners,
with a crape round their left arm, ∥ according to the association & par;
That the Congress continue in Mourning for the space of one month. That a
Committee of three be appointed to the superintend the funeral.
The members chosen,
Mr. Henry Middleton, Mr. Stephen Hopkins, and Mr. Samuel Chase. That the
Committee waits on the Reverend Mr. Jacob Duché, and requests him to prepare a
proper discourse to be delivered at the funeral.
On Tuesday
afternoon his remains were removed from Mr. Benjamin Randolph's, to Christ
Church, where an excellent sermon on the mournful occasion was preached by the
Rev. Mr. Duché, after which, the corpse was carried to the burial ground and
deposited in a vault till it can be conveyed to Virginia.”
The Funeral was
conducted in the following order:
“The Three
Battalions, Artillery; Companies And Rifle-Men Of This City; The Clergy; The
Body With Pall Supported By Six Magistrates; Hon. John Hancock, Esq; The Members
Of Assembly; Committee Of Safety; Mayor And Corporation Committee Of City And
Liberties; Vestry Of Christ And St. Peter's Churches and Citizens.”
From the
Pennsylvania Packet, Oct. 30, 1775.
"On the day his
Remains were interred there was a greater collection of People that I had ever
seen. The three Battalions were under Arms. Their Standards and Colors were
furled with black Gauze: their Drums muffled, and covered with Gauze. The Bells
at Christ Church were muffled. There, Mr. Duché preached a most excellent
sermon:--thence the Corpse was carried to the Burying-yard, the way being lined
on each side by the Battalions, leaning on their arms reversed."
John Adams wrote
the following account of his death to James Warren on October 24, 1775:
"Dear Sir, I have
only Time to acquaint you that Yesterday, that eminent American, and most worthy
Man The Honorable Peyton Randolph Esq. our first venerable President, departed
this Life in an Apoplectic Fit. He was seized at Table having but a few Moments.
before set down with a good deal of Company to dinner. He died in the Evening,
without ever recovering his senses after the first Stroke.
As this Gentleman
Sustained very deservedly One of the first American Characters, as he was the
first President of the united Colonies, and as he was universally esteemed for
his great Virtues and shining Abilities, the Congress have determined to shew
his Memory and Remains all possible Demonstrations of Respect.( 1) The whole
Body is t o attend the Funeral, in as much Mourning as our Laws will admit. The
Funeral is to be tomorrow. I am the more pleased with this Respect on Account of
an Impropriety, which you know was unfelt..
This venerable
Sage, I assure you, since he has stood upon the same Floor with the rest of Us
has rose in the Esteem of all. He was attentive, judicious and his Knowledge,
Eloquence, and classical Correctness shewed Us the able and experienced
Statesman and Senator, whereas his former station had in a great Measure
concealed these and shewed Us chiefly the upright and impartial Moderator of
Debate. You would have wondered more at the Want of [Sensi] bility which you
remarked if you have [been] here and seen, the Difference.
Mr Randolph was as firm, stable and consistent a Patriot as any here-the Loss
must be very great to Virginia in Particular and the Continent in general."
His death is
alluded to with sorrow in one of Washington's dispatches to Congress. His body
was conveyed from Philadelphia in the following year by his nephew, Edmund
Randolph, and buried in Wren Chapel at the College of William &
Mary in
Williamsburg, Virginia.
Author's Note: Williamsburg, Virginia one can visit the home of Peyton Randolph. The deep red
House is one of the oldest, most historic, and without doubt most beautiful of
Colonial Williamsburg's original 18th-century homes. The west wing of the
impressive house has stood at the corner of Nicholson and North England Streets
since about 1715. Among the historic figures that took shelter in the house
were General Rochambeau and the Marquis de Lafayette.
According to
Colonial Williamsburg:
“Sir John Randolph,
the only colonial born in Virginia to be knighted, died in 1737. He left the
house to his wife, Susannah Beverley Randolph, until their second son, Peyton,
reached the age of 24. Their first son, Beverley, inherited property in
Gloucester County; their third son, John, inherited acreage on the city's
southern edge; and their daughter, Mary, received a dowry of £1,000. Susannah
Beverley Randolph remained in the home until her death sometime after 1754.
Peyton Randolph, Speaker of Virginia's House of Burgesses in the years leading
to the Revolution, brought his wife, Betty Harrison Randolph, to the home by
1751. It became a hub of political activity, and its owner Peyton Randolph was
elected the presiding officer of the First Continental Congress at Philadelphia
in 1774. An inventory taken at Peyton Randolph's death in 1775 indicates how the
house was furnished and equipped.”
Widow Betty
Randolph opened her home to French general Rochambeau, when he arrived in
Williamsburg with General George Washington to prepare for the siege of Yorktown
in 1781. The house served as the French headquarters until they moved to the
field winning the deciding battle of the Revolutionary War.
Forgotten Founders Historic Documents and Coins of Freedom - By Stanley
L. Klos
Keynote Address on the 2003
Re-Internment of Samuel and Martha Huntington
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