My Quest To Find John Randolph’s Residence: Tazewell Hall Brought To Light

Introduction: a day in the life of a history blogger.

Today began with coffee and a visit to the stables. Why? Because coffee is a staple in this girl's life and horses provide some of my most peaceful moments. And peace brings clarity to the chaos in my head - so I grab it when I can!

And by 10:30am I'm 25 miles from home sitting at one of the nicest Panera's I've found, doing what I love to do: writing about history. This post is a bit different than past posts- while going back to my roots: a "journal style" blog- I'm literally walking you through my morning in 4 steps on the journey to John Randolph's home: Tazewell Hall (don't worry, I'll give you context).

Necessary disclaimer: As a blogger, I use affiliate links sometimes! I may receive commission from purchases I share; it does not change your price but sometimes you might get a discount.

My view at Panera, across from Christopher Newport University.

Step 1: Learn about Tazewell Hall at the wig shop.

If you've been following this blog, you know I live in Colonial Williamsburg (CW) and it offers up education every day of the week. As well as inspiration. Some of the conversations I have at CW lead to digging deeper and on an August day, I learned about Tazewell Hall while visiting the wig shop, one of my personal favorite trades to hang out at!

Chatting about the wigs owned by Peyton Randolph led to a discussion of who lived in town... and his brother John's home. (You can read more about Peyton by clicking here.)

I've learned about John Randolph, who served as Attorney General of Virginia, more and more over time. His family home stood where the Williamsburg Lodge currently stands. It was moved to Newport News as the reconstruction of CW was in process.

Why?

Good question. Could it be because John was a Loyalist? Or simply because the property where it stood was positioned for better use?

I hate to think either was the case but clearly, something made the foundation, in the mid-1900's, think moving this historic home, built in the 18th century, was a good idea.

Thus steps 2-4 below because I became intrigued.

Entrance to the Williamsburg Lodge, August 2024

Step 2: Go to the library.

In this case, the library that made the most sense was the John D. Rockefeller Library of CW (the Rock). Two reasons:

• view the Virginia Gazettes too difficult to read digitized (although I found the entries there first)
• use the Lektriever to find the file on Tazewell House

What I learned about John Randolph:

• John closed the house in 1775 and left his brother Peyton, along with John Blair, and James Cocke to handle the property.
• He never returned though in his announcement in the Gazette, (a common thing to advertise) he planned to be gone a few months.
• After his death in 1784, John's body was returned to Williamsburg so he could be buried with his brother Peyton and John Sr., his father, beneath the chapel the College of William and Mary. (I'll be looking for the burial sites as well, just haven't gotten there yet - so watch for an update!)

What I learned about Tazewell Hall:

• The original building was designed with Palladian influence, an inspiration to Thomas Jefferson.
• Around 1778, the Randolph House was sold to John Tazewell and became commonly known thereafter as Tazewell Hall.
• In 1910 a Peyton Randolph Nelson (I need to figure out the connection) purchased the home, which had been pivoted to face a different direction in 1908.
• Nelson sold the home to CW but with life rights.
• In the 1950's Lewis McMurran purchased Tazewell Hall and it was moved to Riverside Drive in Newport News, where according to Parke Rouse's Daily Press newspaper article in the Lektriever file, my main source of information thus far, McMurran made this his family home.

Citation of article: Daily Press, March 26, 1989.

Step 3: Take pictures.

I will be visiting William and Mary to see if I can see the grave markers for the Randolphs. I have multiple pictures of Peyton's home and the reconstructed Capitol Building the brothers spent so much time in... and I even took pictures of the Williamsburg Lodge property.

It's all about experiencing the vibe. So today, I got in the car to see if I can get a picture of Tazewell Hall although it's private property.

At worst, I wanted to just SEE it. Experience it.

However, I landed at a dead end road and number 1109 looked to be way down a driveway I didn't dare trespass onto (even though there was no sign and the address is public - at least in the newspaper file!).

Capitol Reconstruction, CW

Step 4: Make the best of the situation.

I'm a blogger. A little disappointment like the inability to see John Randolph's home, Tazewell Hall, doesn't mean I don't have anything to write.

So I stopped for an orange ginger tea and some wi-fi and started working on this post, which is being finalized a day later.

Hopefully it inspires you to dig deeper on:

• John Randolph
• the idea of Loyalists leaving the Colonies
• or even the family divisions that resulted in our break from England

I'll be digging deeper on all of these- and sharing on this blog. In fact, on the ride home from Panera, I listened to a podcast about The Tory's Wife on Ben Franklin's World. Click here if you want to listen as I highly recommend it!

In the meantime, I'd love to hear from you on any of these topics. Feel free to comment or subscribe to the blog and connect with me using email.

Peyton Randolph House, CW

Closing words from history.

Transcription of John Randolph's departure announcement in Purdie's Virginia Gazette August 25, 1775. Done to the best of my ability. Click here to see the digitized version, which I saw in person at the Rock. Note: "f" for some "s" and "z" text.

Williamsburg August 25 1775

I hereby give notice, that I have conveyed my eftate, both real and perfonal, to Peyton Randolph, John Blair, and James Cocke, efqr, who are authorifed to fell the fame. All perfons who have any demands againft me are defired to make them known to thofe gentlemen at the meeting of the merchants, in October next. I intend to leave the colony for a few months; and beeg the favour of thofe who have any bufinefs to tranfact with me, as attorney general, to apply to John Blair, efq; who has been kind to act for me during my abfence.

JOHN RANDOLPH



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There is a huge practical disclaimer to the content on this blog, which is my way of sharing my excitement and basically journaling online.

1) I am not a historian nor an expert. I will let you know I’m relaying the information as I understand and interpret it. The employees of Colonial Williamsburg base their presentations, work, and responses on historical documents and mainly primary sources.

2) I will update for accuracy as history is constant learning. If you have a question about accuracy, please ask me! I will get the answer from the best source I can find.

3) Photo credit to me, Daphne Reznik, for all photos in this post, unless otherwise credited! All photos are personal photos taken in public access locations or with specific permission.