Conditions Governing Use

Before reproducing or quoting from any materials, in whole or in part, permission must be obtained from the Special Collections Research Center, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open to all researchers. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.

Preferred Citation

Randolph Family papers, Special Collections Research Center, William & Mary Libraries.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Purchased with the Forsyth, Special Collections Research Center Acquisitions, Tonkin, Tyler, and Presson Funds.

Processing Information

The Randolph Family papers has received series level processing. The finding aid may be updated to reflect new aqusitions to the collection.

Content Description

The Randolph Family Papers contains correspondence and financial documents relating to Isham Randolph (1771-1844), first cousin of Thomas Jefferson, David Coupland Randolph (1804-1886), son of Isham Randolph, Isham Randolph Page (1834-1923), nephew of Isham Randolph and Judith Randolph Swann (Circa 1815-1870), sister of Isham Randolph. Materials document daily financial activities such as the hiring and buying of enslaved people, and Isham Randolph's role as an officer at the James River & Kanawha Company. Correspondence documents the family's relationship with enslaved people and their participation in the American Civil War (1861-1865). The letters also describe the Civil War in Richmond from the battlefield and the home front. Materials also describe the role of enslaved people in the post Civil War period and records the names and emancipation of those enslaved by the Randolphs.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged into four series: Series I. Isham Randolph papers, Series II. David Coupland Randolph papers, Series III. Gibson, Watkins, Francis Randolph Page and Judith Randolph Swann papers and Series IV. Isham Randolph Page papers.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• African Americans--Virginia--Richmond--History
• American Civil War, 1861-1865
• Randolph family
• Reconstruction
• Reconstruction (U.S. history, 1865-1877)
• Reconstruction (U.S. history, 1865-1877)--Virginia
• Richmond (Va.)--History--20th century
• Slavery