Thomas Mann Randolph Sr.

Thomas Mann Randolph Sr. (1741 – November 13, 1793) was a Virginia politician and planter. He was born in 1741 to William Randolph III and Maria Judith Page, the daughter of Mann Page of Rosewell plantation. Randolph’s family was part of the First Families of Virginia, and his grandfather was Thomas Randolph of Tuckahoe. His parents married in 1736; his mother died in 1744, and his father died in 1745. Following his father's death, Randolph was cared for by Peter Jefferson and his wife Jane Jefferson, along with Randolph's two siblings, until he reached maturity.

Randolph was tutored during childhood at Tuckahoe plantation, where he developed a close relationship with Thomas Jefferson, his second cousin. Jefferson and Randolph were educated in English language and grammar at Tuckahoe.

In 1761, Randolph married Anne Cary (1745–1789), the daughter of Archibald Cary and Mary Randolph Cary of Ampthill. Randolph was approximately 20 years old at the time of his marriage, and Anne was about 16. The couple resided at Tuckahoe, which Randolph expanded upon by constructing a new mansion between 1760 and 1769. The house was designed with an H-shaped layout, featuring two wings and a central saloon, intended to accommodate a large family and social events.

Thomas Mann Randolph Sr. and Anne Cary had thirteen children, including:

- Mary Randolph (1762–1828), who married David Mead Randolph in 1780 and authored "The Virginia House-Wife".

- Henry Cary Randolph (1764–1765), who died in infancy.

- Elizabeth Randolph (born 1765), married Robert Pleasants.

- Thomas Mann Randolph Jr. (1768–1828), a military officer and politician, who married Martha Jefferson in 1790.

- William Randolph (1770–1848), married Lucy Bolling.

- Ann Cary "Nancy" Randolph (1774–1837), who was notably involved in a legal case relating to an alleged pregnancy and subsequent trial.

- Jane Cary Randolph (1776–1832), married Thomas Eston Randolph.

- Dr. John Randolph (1779–1834).

- Virginia Randolph Cary (1786–1852), author of "Letters on Female Character".

A few months after his first wife’s death in 1789, Randolph married Gabriella Harvie in 1790. She was 17 years old at the time, while Randolph was over 50. They had children together, including:

- Mary Jane Randolph, who died in infancy.

- Thomas Mann Randolph, born before Randolph's death in 1793, sharing the same name as his half-brother from his first marriage, which caused family discord.

Randolph’s career included service during the American Revolutionary War, during which he acquired the nickname "Colonel Randolph." He served in the Virginia House of Burgesses, participated in the Revolutionary conventions of 1775 and 1776, and served in the Virginia state senate in 1776. He was also a member of the Virginia House of Delegates from 1784 to 1788 and held the position of County Lieutenant of Goochland County.

In 1777, Randolph purchased the Salisbury house in Chesterfield County, Virginia. Located about 14 miles from Richmond and across the river from Tuckahoe, Salisbury became a family hunting lodge. Notably, Patrick Henry resided there during his second gubernatorial term from 1784 to 1786.

Thomas Mann Randolph Sr. died on November 13, 1793. His son from the second marriage inherited Tuckahoe. After Randolph's death, Gabriella Harvie married Dr. John Brockenbrough of Richmond by 1798.