The Journal of Negro History, Volume 7, 1922Various
History
The Journal of Negro History, Volume 7, 1922
Various
African Americans -- Periodicals
Mr. Fountain Randolph has in his possession an old copy of "Life
of Randolph of Roanoke" written by Hugh A. Garland, & Published
in New York in 1850 by D. Appleton & Co. and Published in Phila.
the same year by G. S. Appleton & Co. It is in two volumes. Mr.
Randolph had both Vols. but loaned Volume I to the Indianapolis
lawyer & has not been able to get it back.
The Randolph will is set forth in Vol. II from which I made the
following notes:
Will 1st written in 1819 & left with Dr. Brockenbrough saying:
"I give my slaves their freedom to which my conscience tells me
they are justly entitled. It has long been a matter of deepest
regret to me that the circumstances under which I inherited them
and the obstacles thrown in the way by the laws of the land have
prevented my emancipating them in my life time which it is my
full intention to do in case I can accomplish it. All the rest &
residue of my estate (with exceptions herein after made) whether
real or personal, I bequeath to Wm. Leigh, Esq., of Halifax, Atty
at Law, to the Rev. Wm. Meade of Frederic and Francis Scott Key
Esq., of Georgetown, D. C. in trust for the following uses and
purposes viz:
1st To provide one or more tracts of land in any of the States or
Territories not exceeding in the whole 4000 acres nor less than
2000 acres, to be partitioned & apportioned by them in such
manner as to them shall seem best, among the said slaves.
2nd To pay the expense of their removal & of furnishing them with
necessary cabins, clothes & utensils."
In 1821 another Will was written saying: 1st I give and bequeath
to all my slaves their freedom--heartily regretting that I have
ever been the owner of one.
2nd I give to my executor a sum not exceeding $8,000 or so much
thereof as may be necessary to transport & settle said slaves to
& in some other state or Territory of the United States, giving
to all above the age of 40 not less than ten acres of land each.
Then special annuities to his "old faithful servants Essex & his
wife, Hetty, same to woman servant Nancy to John (alias Jupiter)
to Queen and to Johnny his body servant." In 1826 a codicil was
written confirming previous wills. In 1828 a codicil to will in
possession of Wm. Leigh Esq., confirming it as his last will and
testament revoking any and all other wills or codicil at variance
that may be found.
In 1831 on starting home from London another codicil adding to
former provisions as follows:
Upwards of 2000 L were left in the hands of Baring Bros, & Co of
London & upwards of 1000 L in the hands of Gowan & Marx to be
used by Leigh as fund for executing the will regarding the
slaves.
Respectfully yours,
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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