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Peyton Randolph Papers(1804–1813)

  • MS 1991.6
  • 13 items

Letters of Peyton Randolph (1778–1826) to his wife, Maria Ward Randolph (1784–1826), with some letters from Maria Randolph and others. Letters mostly personal in nature mention Peyton Randolph’s military and law pursuits and his cure at Warm Springs and White Sulphur Springs. Letters also discuss Maria Randolph’s “nervousness” and “depression.” Also discussed are PR’s father’s [Edmund Randolph] customizing of a coach and the social world at the Springs.

Inventory

Date Description
28 May 1804 Mary Meade to stepson Dr. James T. Meade, Petersburg, mentions music concert and social events.
[23 October 1806] Maria W. Randolph, Richmond, to husband Peyton Randolph, Hanover Court House, together with his reply—the first after their marriage.
19 July 1807 Peyton Randolph, Portsmouth, to Maria W. Randolph, Hermitage, Amelia, re military gathering in Norfolk and Stephen Decatur.
12 July 1807 Peyton Randolph, Smithfield, to Maria W. Randolph, Richmond, re his military duty.
3 May 1808 Peyton Randolph, Richmond, to Maria W. Randolph, Hermitage, Amelia Co., re his distress over their sick son and her nervousness.
1 November 1808 Peyton Randolph, Richmond, to Maria W. Randolph, Amelia Co., re her depression. “Unless you are happy, I must be miserable … I have determined to devote myself to the single pursuit of your welfare.”
25 July 1812 Peyton Randolph, Staunton, to Maria W. Randolph. Hates lazy people. Going to Warm Springs. Attempts to downplay the imaginary evils he percieves she thinks.
6 August 1812 Peyton Randolph, [White] Sulphur Springs, to Maria W. Randolph. Discusses letter writing and the social scene at the Springs. Mentions that Mrs. Campbell, daughter of Patrick Henry, is a “sable goddess,” who “commands the greater number of torpid subjects.”
4 September 1813 Peyton Randolph, Warm Springs, to Maria W. Randolph. Discusses social life at the Springs. Notes that Maria is an “inimitable model of her sex.”
n.d. Peyton Randolph, Richmond, to Maria W. Randolph, Amelia Co. Mentions a visit to a tavern, some gossip, and notes that his father (Edmund Randolph) is customizing his coach.
n.d. Peyton Randolph, [Richmond], to Maria W. Randolph, Amelia Co. Suggest Maria exercise and drink bitters. “… Rouse yourself up and lounge as little as possible.”
27 February n.d. [Maria W. Randolph] to [Betsy Archer] re news of Richmond.
n.d. Silhouette of woman.
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