Peyton Randolph
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First Lady: Betty Harrison
Party: Vice President : Cabinet: Born : 1721, Tazewell Hall, Williamsburg, Virginia Died: 22 October, 1775 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Buried : Christ's Church in Philadelphia Parents: John and Lady Susannah Randolph Married : Betty Harrison Children : 0 In Office : 1774 and also again in 1775 Education: He graduated at William and Mary, and studied law at the Inner Temple, London. Occupation: Other Political Offices : He was chairman of the committee of correspondence between the colonies in May, 1773 He was appointed king's attorney for Virginia in 1748, Sir William Gooch being governor. He was also chosen representative of Williamsburg in the House of Burgesses in the same year. Note: Peyton Randolph was occupied with a revision of the laws, being chairman of a committee for that purpose. He also gave attention to the affairs of William and Mary College, of which he was appointed a visitor in 1758. Peyton Randolph was one of the few intimate friends of Washington. When he was appointed speaker in 1766, Randolph resigned his office as king's attorney.Peyton also presided over the Virginia convention of 1 August, 1774, and was first of the seven deputies appointed by it to the proposed congress at Philadelphia. He presided over Virginia assemblies in the years up to the Revolution, and was among the first of the to oppose the Stamp Act, chaired the first meeting of the delegates of 13 colonies at Philadelphia in 1774. His cousin was Thomas Jefferson. In 1747 he became a vestryman of Bruton Parish Church. Peyton Randolph led the community to Bruton Parish Church on June 1st to pray for Boston, and soon he was organizing a Williamsburg drive to send provisions and cash for its relief. On August 18, 1774, before he left Williamsburg, Peyton Randolph wrote his will, leaving his property to the use of his wife for life. They had no children. The property was to be auctioned after her death and the proceeds divided among Randolph's heirs. Peyton Randolph led the Virginia delegation to the Second Continental Congress in May 1775, and he again took the chair. General Thomas Gage, commander of British forces in America, had been issued blank warrants for the execution of rebel leaders and a list of names with which to fill them. Peyton Randolph's name was on the list. He returned to Williamsburg under guard, and the town bells pealed to announce his safe arrival. The militia escorted him to his house and pledged to guarantee his safety. |
