Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1876-11-29
"REMINISCENCES or JNo RAN.
DOLPH.

DOLPH,
This station OF the Richmond 4 Dan
villc Railroad brings to mind the name
of John Randolph, of Roanoake, the
once famous contemporary and foe of
Clay and John Quincy Adams, the
fiery defender OF State rights and the
idol of his constituents of the Char
lotte District Ile was man of many
idiosyncrasies, and it is in accordance
with his own desire that his grave on
the beautiful hill overlooking the val
ley Of the Staunton River is unmark-
cd by headstone or monument. From
Capt. Barnes, Of Wylliesburg, pleas.
ant Virginia gentleman of the old
school, | learned several anecdotes of
Mr. Randolph, with whom he was well
acquainted and Mr.. Randolph's old
residence and his burial.place are free
to be visited by any one.
Randolph's old Roanoakc plantation
"a part only Of his 10000 acres in
Charlotte county-is now owned by
Judge Boulding, member of the Su.
preme Bench Of the State The resi-
dencc is situated in an extensive oak
grove, with an exposure of the south
and west, fronting and overlooking the
valley. In 1910, when Randolph first
came there to live, he called it "a saw
age solItude;" but he hardly ever
wearied of his beautiful oaks. lie al
lowed the underbrush TO grow at will,
and never trimmed the trees. During
his absence once the overseer cut away
from tree before his house limb
which brushed against window. On
his return he asked the reason, and,
being informed, replied pWhy didn't
you move the house, sir2" That, in
deed, would not have been so difficult
q task, for his cottage was strongly at
variance with his spirit Of family pride.
The old English barons OF feudal times
were his ideals His home, however,
was low cottage house, which has
disappeared, though his summer resi-
dcnce near by is still standing. Many
OF hls vagarles are 10 DC ATTRIBUTED 10
ms indlan oiood, derived IRON the his
torlc Pocahontas, OF which ho was
very proud. Mr. Randolph had many
fne horses, which he was glad TO ex-
hibit whenever occasion offered. He
drove in a coach-and.four where It was
possible when upon his numerous jour
neys.
His slaves were always well.treat.
ed ono of them especially. his body
servant, Johnny, being carefully pro.
vided for. No grain was ever sold
from off Mr.. Randolph's land. He al.
WAYS said that his blacks should raise
what was needed on the plantation.
but no more. Finally, in bis will. he
made provision for freeing them all.
three hundred in number. He had
been unalterably opposed TO the Mis-.
souri, Compromise, by which the do
main of slavery was restricted he had
upheld the divine right of slavery
through evil report and good report,
and yet in bis will occur these words
81 give and bequeath to all my slaves
their freedom, heartily regrctting that
! have ever been the owner of one"
Further than this, be provided for the
purchase Of 1900 acres Of land, to be
given to these freed slaves Those
who remember Mr., Randolph say that
he never shaved. He had an extreme
ly thin, but very sweet and clear voice.
He was affable in conversation, and
something Of wit. Once, when in
England, he made an engagement TO
dine with certain noblcman, but SUBJ
scquently receiving an invitation for
the same time from Miss Edgewortb,
the author, he accepted the latter, and
afterward apologized TO the nobleman
by saying, "Thc woman tempted me
and ] did eat"
The celebrated duel between Ran
dolph and Henry CLAY grew ont OF
the Presidential election Of 1924 In
that election Mr.. CLAY finding that bo
had no chance. but held the balance
of power. elected John Quincy Adams
by whom he was made Secretary of |
State. In public debate Nh. Randolph |
smoke of this as "a combination. nm.
heard of til then. of the Puritan with
the black leg In the resulting duel