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Nancy Randolph and Richard Randolph stand trial for the murder of their newborn child. Patrick Henry and John Marshall defend them.
John Marshall Gives AdviceNot too much time passed before it was being told all over the South that Nancy Randolph and her brother-in-law, Richard Randolph, had birthed a child together, then murdered it. When the gossip reached home to Richard Randolph at Bizarre, his Virginia plantation, he consulted John Marshall for advice as what to do. Marshal was, through his grandmother, also one of the Randolph tribe. At this time, Marshall was still eight years away from being appointed to the Supreme Court. A Day in CourtAfter consulting with Marshall Richard made a public announcement denying any charges being placed against him concerning the situation involving his cousin and sister-in-law, Nancy Randolph. The notice advised that he would appear on April 1, 1793 before the Cumberland County Court to answer any charges placed against him. He also requested that any persons accusing him also make a personal appearance at that time. The case did go to court but to Richard's benefit, Old Esau, being a slave, could not testify against a white person. Also in Richard's favor was his lawyers: He had retained Patrick Henry, for the astounding sum of five hundred guineas, to try the case along with John Marshall. Various family members either testified against or for Richard and Nancy, as they saw fit. Patsy Jefferson Randolph TestifiesNow it was time for Thomas Jefferson's daughter Patsy Jefferson Randolph, wife of Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., who was, along with Richard Randolph, an elder brother of John Randolph of Roanoke, to take the stand. She testified that Judith Randolph had inquired as to whether she knew of a remedy for Nancy Randolph's "colic." She had told Judith that gum guaiacum was an "excellent remedy" for "that ailment." She also emphasized that it was dangerous if taken in too great a quantity by someone who was pregnant because it could cause an abortion. However, a few days later, she sent Nancy Randolph the remedy. Patrick Henry Defends Randolphs: Southern Grapevine Buzzes Murder! continues with Nancy Randolph Acquitted: Forced into Servitude by Relatives Previous: A Mysterious Night at Glenlyvar: Did Nancy Randolph Miscarry or Murder?. Recommended Reading:
The copyright of the article Patrick Henry Defends Randolphs in American History is owned by Mary Trotter Kion. Permission to republish Patrick Henry Defends Randolphs in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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