Septimia Randolph Meikleham

Martha "Patsy" Randolph (née Jefferson) was born on September 27, 1772, at Monticello, the estate of her father, Thomas Jefferson, near Charlottesville, Virginia. She was the eldest child of Thomas Jefferson and Martha Wayles Skelton Jefferson. Her parents had six children during their marriage, but only Martha and her sister Mary "Polly" survived into adulthood.

Her early childhood was marked by the deaths of several siblings; only Martha and Polly outlived infancy. Her mother died on September 6, 1782, when Randolph was nearly 10 years old. Following her mother's death, she experienced the family's movements between Monticello, Williamsburg, and Richmond, as her father was involved in political office and governance.

In 1782 and again in 1783, Randolph traveled to Philadelphia with her father when he represented Virginia at the Congress of the Confederation. There, she received a private education in French, dance, drawing, and music, under the guidance of private tutors, reflecting her father's belief in educating his daughters privately. His focus was on developing her into a refined and morally upright lady.

In October 1784, at age 12, Randolph and her father moved to Paris, where her father served as the U.S. Minister to France. She attended the Pentemont Abbey, an esteemed convent school, from 1784 to 1788, where she learned arithmetic, geography, world history, Latin, music, and drawing. Her education was influenced by French Enlightenment ideals, and she engaged with influential European women, such as Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, and Germaine de Staël.

During her time in France, Randolph developed the ability to speak four languages and participated in social activities, including balls and concerts. She observed political events such as the March on Versailles and gained insights into women's roles in political change. Her younger sisters, Mary and Lucy Elizabeth, joined her at the convent school in 1787, but Lucy died of whooping cough in October 1784, shortly after arriving.

Her father returned to America in 1790, and Randolph remained in France until 1790, when the family decided to return. She expressed interest in converting to Catholicism and contemplating religious orders, but her father withdrew her from the convent school amidst these considerations.

On February 23, 1790, at age 17, Randolph married Thomas Mann Randolph Jr., a planter and politician, at Monticello. He was her third cousin, descending from Pocahontas, and was the son of Thomas Mann Randolph Sr., a friend of Thomas Jefferson. The marriage linked her to a family with a controversial history, including allegations of scandal involving her in-laws.

Following her marriage, Randolph and her husband first lived at Varina, their estate in Henrico County, and later at Edge Hill. They had twelve children, eleven of whom survived to adulthood, including Ann Cary Randolph, Thomas Jefferson Randolph, and Cornelia Jefferson Randolph. She managed the households at Varina, Edge Hill, and Monticello, and oversaw the care of her children, as well as the operation of plantations.

Her father deeded eight slaves to her as a wedding gift, including Molly Hemings. Her sister-in-law Critta Hemings assisted Randolph in caring for her children during her early years of marriage. Throughout her life, Randolph maintained regular correspondence with Thomas Jefferson, especially when they were apart.

In 1819, her husband was elected governor of Virginia, serving until 1822, which made her the official First Lady of Virginia during his term. She was involved in overseeing the management of Monticello and estate affairs, especially after Jefferson's retirement and death in 1826. After Jefferson's death and due to financial difficulties, the Randolphs sold Varina and lost Edge Hill to foreclosure in 1825. Randolph inherited Monticello and Jefferson’s debts, leading to the sale of many enslaved individuals to cover creditors.

Martha "Patsy" Randolph died on October 10, 1836.