Meikleham-Randolph-Trist-Coolidge Family Papers 1799-1887

Access and use

Location of collection:
University of Virginia, Special Collections Dept.
Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library
University of Virginia
P.O. Box 400110
160 McCormick Rd
Charlottesville, Virginia 22904-4110
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Brenda Gunn
Phone: (434) 924-1037
Phone: (434) 243-1776
Fax: (434) 924-4968
Restrictions:

Collection is open to research.

Terms of access:

See the University of Virginia Library’s use policy.

Preferred citation:

A Guide to the Meikleham-Randolph-Trist-Coolidge Family Papers, Accession 7007, Special Collections Department, University of Virginia Library

Summary

Creator:
Robert W. Graves
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

A Guide to the Meikleham-Randolph-Trist-Coolidge Family Papers, Accession 7007, Special Collections Department, University of Virginia Library

Background

Scope and content:

This collection of ca. 100 items, 1799-1887 and n.d., consists chiefly of correspondence among the extended members of the Randolph family, descendants of Thomas Jefferson. The majority of the correspondence is between the granddaughter of Thomas Jefferson, Septimia Anna Cary (Randolph) Meikleham(1814-1887) and her siblings, Virginia Jefferson (Randolph) Trist(1801-1882), Cornelia Jefferson Randolph(1799-1871), Ellen Wayles (Randolph) Coolidge(1796-1876), and Meriwether Lewis Randolph(1810-1837). Correspondents also include Septimia's nieces and nephews, Martha Jefferson (Trist) Burke(1826-1915), Ellen R. (Coolidge) Dwight(1826-1894), Isaetta Carter (Randolph) Hubard(1835-1888), and Lewis Carter Randolph(1838-1887); her son, William Moreland Meikleham(1839-1889); and her grandsons, Thomas Mann Randolph Meikleham(1869-1954) and Henry Parish Meikleham(1872-1937).

Letters from Septimia Randolphin Pensacola, Florida, December 27, n.y. and January 26, 1838, tell about her adventurous trip to the area, her social life, and how various groups of people--"native Creoles," "whites," "quadroons," and "negroes"--were segregated in a theater. After leaving Pensacola, Septimia went to Havana, Cubato be with her sister, (Randolph) Tristand her family. While there, she met and married David Scott Meikleham(1804-1849). Letters from Havana, February 16, 1838, November 3, 1839, and June 15, 1840, discuss life there, including living outside of the city walls. Later, on October 22, [1843], Septimia writes from Glasgow, Scotlandabout its people and land, and describes her visits to Edin Castle, Holyrood Palace, and the Highlands.

During June and July of 1882, correspondence between Septimia (Randolph) Meiklehamand family members was concerned with congressional bills to aid Thomas Jefferson's heirs, particularly his granddaughter, Septimia, and the possible removal of Thomas Jefferson's remains from Monticelloto Washington, D. C.A letter, August 4, n.y., from Virginia (Randolph) Tristdiscusses the new owner of Monticello, Jefferson Michael [sic] Levy, and the work he is having done on the estate.

A good source for information on the descendants of Thomas Jeffersonis Collected Papers of the Monticello Association, edited by George Green Shackelford, (The Monticello Association, Charlottesville, Virginia, 1984). Biographies and genealogical charts are included.

Acquisition information:
The Library purchased this collection (# 7007 ) from Robert W. Graves of Delray Beach, Florida on March 15, 1963.
Processing information:

Funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities

Physical location:
Physical description:
52 items