The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-11-04
RANDOLPH OF ROANOKE.
How the Virginia Statesman Selected
the Afix to His Name.

Correspondence Richmond (Va) Times.
Living within a few hours ride of the
former home of the celebrated John Ran
dolph, of Roanoke, have often passed and
viewed the place where tradition says his
sepulchre is. with his head to the east, the
reverse of the custom then and now pre-
vailing. Among the old people of Char
lotte county who knew him The question
has often been asked why Mr.. Randolph,
with his dwelling eminepce over
looking the Staunton river, with Its broad
stretch of magnificent lowlands, should
have named hi residence Roanoke and
affixed it after his signature
There is a large creek, with headwaters
near the Prince Edward county line, flow
ing from north 10 south through the coun-
ty of Charlotte, called Roanoke. On both
sides of this stream. near its mouth where
il empties into the Staunton, Mr.. Randolph
owned a large body of land. His home
place, not far distant from the creek. he
called Roanoke following a colonial
custom of the old landed proprietors of
Virginia III having distinctive names for
their mansions. On the James, York and
other rivers of eastern Virginia the Gus
tom prevails to this day Mr. Randolph
owned no land south of the Staunton river.
but he was master of the adjacent lands
on both sides of Roanoke creek for long
distance.
Old people who knew NJ. Randolph have
told me that the affix .'of Roanoke" was
taken from the name OF the creek He said
il was an Indian name. and he prided him.
self on his Indian blood, being descended in
the seventh generation from Pacahontas-
The first mention / can find Of Roanoke
was i'm 1885, when Sir Richard Greenvil left
Jos men on the Island of Roanoke. But in
the history and biography OF the INDIANS or
North America by Drake no mention is
made of any tribe of Indians named Roam
oke. although IA different tribes and ma
tions of Indians are named In the pubiica-
ton Of Dr. Drake Roanoke island is in the
extreme eastern part OF North Carolina.
near Albermarle and Pimlico sounds. and
attached TO Dare county About twenty
two miles below RandoiphS landed estate,
in Charlotte the Dan and Stanton rivers
unite and form the Roanoke river in Meek
ienburg, and it then flows into Albermarle
Station. on the Richmond & Danyille
Railroad, was called Roanoke. as il is sit
uated about 100 yards from the creek and
two miles from the Randolph residence.
Howe. i'm his History of Virginia. pub
lished in 1886. says: THE name OF Roa-
noke is derived from small crek running
through the plantation of Randolph"
Some say Roanoke means red water.
but / can find no authority for any sig
MITIGATION of The name. but IL is 10 doubt OF
Indian origin. Their names OF streams
were always descriptive and euphonious.
In talking with old people years ago
about Randolph. and especially with those
who knew him personally. L have been
often impressed with the various and con-
Trajectory views entertained about him.
Some looked upon him with fear. many
with adnira ton, and others with derision.
But all agreed that he was wonderful
man and 81 unsurpassed mental bril-
liancv Every one would say that when
Randolph travelled il was in a coach dTawn
bv four horses and accompanied by postil
ions
NV father was high sheriff of Charlotte
county for number OF years land that of
fee then collected the State and county
reyenues) during Randolph's life. had a
high regard for HIN and always supported
him. except when Randolph opposed Preei-
dent Jackson He said Mr.. Randolph was
a courteous and hospitable man at his
house. and when h. visited him 70 eo3loct