Jane Randolph Jefferson

Jane Randolph Jefferson was a member of the prominent Randolph family of Virginia and the mother of Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States. She was born in Virginia in 1720 to Isham Randolph and Jane Rogers Randolph, and her family was known for their connections to other influential families, including the Fleming family and the Carter family. Her uncle, Sir John Randolph, was a prominent planter and lawyer who served as the King's Attorney for Virginia. Jane Randolph Jefferson's family also had ties to the Byrd family, including William Byrd II, a wealthy planter and author.

● Early Life and Family

Jane Randolph Jefferson grew up in a family of planters and merchants who were part of the Virginia gentry. Her father, Isham Randolph, was a planter and trader who owned several plantations in Virginia, including Dungeness and Tuckahoe. Her mother, Jane Rogers Randolph, was a member of the Rogers family of England and Ireland. Jane Randolph Jefferson's siblings included Thomas Randolph, William Randolph, and Mary Randolph, who married into the Nicholas family and the Lewis family. The Randolph family was connected to other prominent families in Virginia, including the Washington family, the Lee family, and the Madison family.

● Marriage and Children

In 1739, Jane Randolph Jefferson married Peter Jefferson, a planter and surveyor who owned several plantations in Virginia, including Shadwell. The couple had several children, including Thomas Jefferson, Mary Jefferson Eppes, and Elizabeth Jefferson. Thomas Jefferson would go on to become the third President of the United States, serving from 1801 to 1809, and playing a key role in the American Revolution and the Louisiana Purchase. Mary Jefferson Eppes married John Wayles Eppes, a planter and lawyer who served in the Virginia House of Delegates. The Jefferson family was connected to other prominent families in Virginia, including the Monroe family, the Tyler family, and the Roosevelt family.

● Social Life and Interests

Jane Randolph Jefferson was part of the Virginia gentry and participated in the social life of the plantation elite. She was known for her music and literary interests, and her family was connected to other prominent families who shared these interests, including the Fairfax family and the Custis family. The Jefferson family was also connected to the College of William & Mary, where Thomas Jefferson studied law and philosophy. Jane Randolph Jefferson's social circle included prominent women such as Martha Washington, Dolley Madison, and Abigail Adams, who were all part of the American aristocracy. The Randolph family was also connected to the Church of England, and Jane Randolph Jefferson's family attended St. Peter's Church in New Kent County, Virginia.

● Later Life and Legacy

Jane Randolph Jefferson died in 1776 at the age of 56, and was buried at Monticello, the plantation owned by her son Thomas Jefferson. Her legacy is tied to that of her son, who went on to become one of the most influential figures in American history. The Jefferson family continued to play a prominent role in Virginia and American politics, with Thomas Jefferson serving as Governor of Virginia and President of the United States. The Randolph family also continued to be influential in Virginia, with Thomas Randolph serving as a planter and lawyer in Virginia. Jane Randolph Jefferson's life and legacy are remembered at Monticello, which is now a National Historic Landmark and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Jefferson family is also remembered at the University of Virginia, which was founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1819. Category:American women