Accused of Murder
Anne Cary Randolph, who was called Nancy, at age seventeen, on April 29, 1793, in Virginia, was jailed without bail for "feloniously murdering a child." The child, a newborn infant, was believed to be the child of Nancy Randolph and her brother-in-law, her sister Judith's husband as well as the two sisters' second cousin, Richard Randolph.
By Virginia law, at that time, this situation also constituted a charge of incest in that Nancy and Richard were in-laws together, as well as a case of adultery. But that possibly damning doomsday began long before April of 1793.
The Randolph Family
The Randolph Family of Virginia seemed to have had a knack for marrying other members of their extended family. Richard Randolph, who became involved with Nancy Randolph although he was married to Nancy's sister, was, with his brother, Theodorick, the elder brother of the famed John Randolph of Roanoke. Also included in this family tree were, of course, Nancy and her sister Judith who had two brothers. They were "Possum" John and Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr. Thomas was married to Martha Jefferson, called Patsy, who was the daughter of Thomas Jefferson. The three Randolph boys and the sisters Nancy and Judith were second cousins.
The younger of the three Randolph brothers, John, in adult life always signed his name as "John Randolph of Roanoke" to let it be assured that it was himself rather than his cousin who was called "Possum" John Randolph.
The Young Nancy Randolph
It is said of Nancy Randolph that she was "full of delight of living, hot-blooded, careless, haphazard." Her portrait shows a lovely, fair-haired woman perhaps gracefully approaching middle age. There is a half-smile upon her lips and a twinkle in her eyes that give the impression of a shared secret.
At one time or another all three Randolph boys were in love with Nancy. John, of Roanoke, she turned down because of his impotence or, at least, this was what John believed to be the reason for the rejection.
Nancy became engaged to Theodorick, however within eight months he died. Although Nancy's sister Judith had wed the third Randolph brother, Richard, Nancy and Richard became lovers.
Nancy Randolph: Sex, Incest, Infidelity, and Murder in Old Virginia continues with A Colonial Love Affaire: An Unwed Pregnancy.
