What Killed Richard Randolph?

A Recipe For Death, Perhaps

Jan 26, 2007 Mary Trotter Kion

Murder is, once again, suspected when Richard Randolph dies. His wife, Judith, is suspected but she accuses Nancy Randolph.

Accidential Death or Premeditated?

Richard Randolph was evidently in severe pain. It was gossiped that his wife, Judith, in her doctoring of her husband had changed a recipe that called for a half-grain of tartar emetic. This was to be mixed with calomel, jalap, and opium, as well as oil of aniseed. It was, however, suspected that Judith had altered this recipe from a half-grain of tartar emetic to ten-grains. Ten grains were enough to cause death. Judith then instructed her sister Nancy, Richard's one-time lover, to mix the medicine and give it to him to relieve his pain.

As the tale was told, Judith then placed the original recipe in Nancy's apron pocket. Richard took the medicine, vomited, and writhed in agony.

Judith Randolph did not send for the doctor at any time. As she told an English traveler who had stopped by, "it was not necessary." As there was a terrible thunderstorm raging outside, she felt that Doctor Smith might not be able to come. She, herself, "would nurse her husband through the night."

Judith Randolph Rejects Doctor's Medicine

The following day, however, the doctor did arrive at the plantation. But still Judith continued to nurse Richard herself, all through the night, with her own medicine rather than the doctor's, until her husband died early the next morning.

After Richard's death John Randolph of Roanoke inherited Bizarre. However, he was seldom there, leaving Nancy and Judith to live there with Judith's two sons, St. George who was a deaf-mute, and Tudor who became a consumptive.

Nancy's Life Made a Horror

With Richard out of the way, Judith ordered Nancy to either eat her meals in the kitchen or in her room. No longer was she welcome at the family table. Nancy was not allowed to be in Judith's sight but could not go to her own room at night until after Judith had retired.

Finally the situation worsened when Judith accused Nancy of having "sexual intercourse" with one of the male slaves and locked her in her room. When John Randolph arrived and saw the situation he ordered Nancy from the house.

What Killed Richard Randolph?: A Recipe For Death, Perhaps continues with Happy Days for Nancy Randolph: Will they be Short Lived?

Previous: The Death of Richard Randolph: Was it Murder by Wife or Lover?

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