Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1836-07-25
DOMESTIC lNTELEItENC =.
from the Richmond Compiicr.

lowing brict abstract OF the proceedings before 'le
General Court, ON The Wills ot John Randolph.
We are happy To be able 10 furnish matter IN winch
the public generally feels deep an interest.
THE RANDOLPH WILL CASE.
SArrnp,y, ID July.
Tho trial Of this cause came on this day before
the General Court, consisting of JUDGES smith,
Scott, Lomax, Thompson, Parker, Duncan, Field,
Baker, Brown, Saunders, Fry aud th'
The parties were represented by the following
counsel For the plaintiffs, ma Meade and 9th
ers (rusecs for the slaves,) Messrs. Taylor, koo-
cr,son and W alter Jones for the defendant, Fred
lex ilobson, committee for 81. George Randolph,
person Of insane mind,) Mr.. John II. Cooke;
and for the defendants, Henry ST. George Tuck
or, Beverly Tucker, aud John II. Bryan and wife,
Mcssrs. Stanard and Johnson.
The counsel fer the plaintiffs presented for pro-
ba, will OF John Randolph, bearing date May
lih, lSl9-Ulle same that was communicated 10
the General Court during the trial of the probai
Of the will Of 1882, by DR.. John BIockcnbrongh)
which IS as follows:
:" In the name of God, amen. |, John Ran
doIph, Of Roanoke, III the county OF Charlotte do
ordain , writing written nih my own hand, thus
fourth dav Of May one thousand eight hundred
and nineteen, to be my last will and testament,
hereby rcvokng all others whatsoever.
" give 10 my slaves their freedom, 10 which
my conscience tells me they are Justly entitled, 1t
has long time been "A matter Of the deepest regret
To me- that the circumstances under which | IN
herilcd them, and the obstacles thrown in tie way
by the laws Of the land, have prevented my elnan-
ciparing them in my lifetime, which it is my full
intention to do in can accomplish it.
All the rest and residue OF my estate, (wlth
the exceptions hereafter madc) whether real or
personal, bcqueath to William Leigh Esquire,
/ 4 II,I.C A,, I ii. Il
liam Meade, of Frederick. and 10 Francis Scott
hey, Esq. Of Georgetown, District Of Columbia,
in trust for the following uses and purposes VIZ
lst. To provide more tracts OF land in any
Of the States Territories not exceeding in tic
whole four thousand acres, nor less than two thou
sand acrcs-to be partItioned and apporlioned
by them, in such manner as to them may seem
best among the said slaves. ID. To pay the OK
pcnsc of their removal and of furnishing them
with necessary cabins clothes and utensils Sd.
10 pay the expense, Not exceeding lour hundred
dollars per annum, of the education OF John Ran
dolph Clay, until he shall arrive at the age OF
twenty -,luec-lca,inc with him my injunction, to
scorn 10 eat ,ln bread Of idlcnrsS or dependence.
Ith. To pay to Theodorck Bland Dadlcy ten
thousand dollars.
9th. With the residue Of sad estate, To found a
School or College, to be called Roanoke College
give to Thcolorlck Bland Dudley, all my
books, plate, household and klchrn furniture, and
all my hquorS-aso nv guns and pistols, and the
choice OF SIX OF nv hor,cs, sr brood mares, and
my single ehar, with my best riding saddle and
,alisc |, is my will and desire that my eNceu-
tors eve bond or security for the trust rrposcd
in them. In witness whereof, have hcrcuno sci
my hand, and affixed my seal, the day and year
above written.
JOHN RANDOLPH, of Roanoke
" Copicir.--ll is my will and desire, that my
old servants, Essex and Ilctty his wife, be mad,
quite comfortable. II is my intention, that III,
rrvcrsionary claims on Mis-. Blodgct. and Mrs
Randolph's estate should pass by the devise t,
my executors, who may sell any portion, III,
whole OF my SAID estate, OF whatever nature i
may be, the specified dcvscs only excepted
J. Y. OF X. SEAL. '
Doctor Brockenbrough then examined 10
the plaintiffs. aud stated that the will of 1910 is il
the hand writing of John Randolph, decd VIII,
wrote il at Witness table, in the Bank OF Nngna
in a very short time, and delivered it to witness
then said he had something to add, and took
back. Alter making the addition, Mr.. II. again
gave II to HIM. 1t put INTO Witness drawer
and there remained, never read by the witness a
any time, until he found it and sent il to the clerl
OF this court in July last. Witness had beer undo
the impression that he had delivered ii back To- Nh
II. and ii was by accident he discovered il Il
be still IN his possess Did not remember nhcth
81 Mr. r. himself OF witness put it in the drawer
le>iator informed witness II was his will but TN
circumstance made liulc impression on the witness
MIR. X. asked witness 10 hand the will back, So
vera years after the writing. " nrss said yer
well, and Mr. Ran1o ph shortly after left town. tlu
, matter not layine been again mentioned. Wines
being questioned 10 the state of Mr.. RS min,
nj the Time OF writing the Will, SAID he could no
: exactly say. He had been a GOOD deal excite
about that period by the failure of the firm q
, Tompkins Murray, by whom he (Mr. r. lost
considerable sum Of money. Did not IcCullrc
:, that Mr.. II. was al all excited thai spring, unit
:, witness informed linn of the failure He at fir,
received the Information calmly but next day cN
: hihitcd much vcNalion, and abused the Banks f.
giving credit to individuals who did not deserve il
Being questioned BY the court, witness could no
r say whether Tompkins g. Murray failed before q
aitcrthc writing OF the will but it was in the sam
, year. incSS remarked other r\citcmcn
than that which arose from hc failure of +. 4 NJ
on that occasion. Questioned to Mr.. RS re
ligIons impressions at that pcriod-said he wa
enthusiastic o. that subject, but he spoke am
wrote ON other subjects like man Of SENSE, am
witness did not think his religious enthusiasm wen
to the length Of derangement--at any rate thcr
were many who went fully as Ear on that suhicc
who were not considered nsanr.-N itncss though
Mr. X. amber this strong religious bias from ISL
TO 1922. Thinks he did not proianc lanCuae
during that period, that he rcall, pious, am
that his conduct unusually mild and fOrbcar
me. Witness was further examined as to yarou
incidents OF Mr.. RS life, and certain extravaganza
OF conduct during his visits to Richmond, in tin
wears 1919 and 1926 and tho Intermediate wears -