The Randolphs

It is believed that the name Randolph began with a lady named Elizabeth.  Elizabeth was the first wife of Robert DePriest (1660-1708).  Her last name has not been proven at this time, but some DePriest descendants believe that it was indeed Randolph.  Robert has 10 known descendants named Randolph DePriest and many others with either Randolph, Randall or Randy used as first or middle names.

The first known Randolph DePriest (Randolph1) was born to William DePriest and Judith Elizabeth Austin in 1723 in Goochland County, Virginia, British America.  He died the next year in 1724, still in Goochland County.  There is very little known about this baby and he is affectionately called "Baby Randolph" by DePriest descendants.

The second known Randolph DePriest (Randolph2) was also born to William and Judith.  He was born in 1726 in Goochland County.  He could have been named after his brother for obvious sentimental reasons.  It is speculated that since colonists were required to register the names of their children with a payment due at the same time, the family may have "reused" the name.  This Randolph married Mary Mims in Northam Parrish located in Goochland County.  Mary was born about 1730, also in Goochland County.  Randolph and Mary had 9 children all born in Virginia.  Their children were John (1757-1836), Randolph (1755-1830), Sarah (1760-1802), Robert (1763-1839), Turpin (1765-?), Frances (1767-1832), Annis (1768-1775), Mary (1769-1832) and Jane (1771-?).  Randolph died the 29th of September 1800.  Mary died the 2nd of August 1814 still in Virginia.

The third known Randolph DePriest (Randolph3) was born in December 1755 in Goochland.  His parents were Randolph2 and Mary.  Randolph married Amy Mims in June 1775 in Bedford County, Virginia.  Amy was born in 1760 in Bedford County.  They had 14 children: Jane Walker (1778-1840), Mary (1779-1840), Elizabeth (1779-1845), Annis (1782-1845), Sarah "Sallie" (1783-1830), Naomi (1785-1850), Catherine (1787-1850), Randolph (1789-1873), James A (1793-1832), Amy (1795-1860), Jesse (1797-1873), Hugh (1801-1875) and John (1804-1870).  Mary and Elizabeth were twins.  Randolph served as a private in the Revolutionary War from the spring of 1779 until the war ended in 1783.  He was a private in Captain William Young's South Carolina Company.  He also served under Colonel Thomas Sumter, Colonel Nesbitt and a Major/Captain Lewis.  His company was detached from the main army and had many engagements with the Tories and the Indians.  Randolph spent most of his time spying against the enemy.  Randolph and Amy had moved to Hickman County, Tennessee by 1820.  They both died there, Randolph the 29th of September 1830 and Amy in August 1853.  

The fourth Randolph DePriest (Randolph4) was the son of William DePriest and Tabitha Toney.  (William is Randolph1 & 2's brother.)  He was born in 1758 in Goochland County.  About 1778 in Hickman County, he married Anna Barnett.  She was born in Georgia about 1758.  Randolph and Anna had 6 children.  They were named Mary (1786-?), Randolph (1788-?), Abigail (1793-1855), Martha (1801-1850), Isaac (1804-?) and Simpson Alexander (1810-1886).  Anna died in 1810 Goochland County.

The fifth Randolph DePriest (Randolph5) was the son of William DePriest and Alsie Ann Elliott.  He was born in 1765 in Virginia.

The sixth Randolph DePriest (Randolph6) was the son of Langdon DePriest and Ann Clark.  He was born between 1770-1780.  He was married to Hannah Holcomb.  He died before 1840 in Greenbrier, Virginia.

The seventh Randolph DePriest (Randolph7) was the son of Randolph4 and Anna Barnett.  He was born in Virginia in 1788.

The eighth Randolph DePriest (Randolph8) was the son of Randolph3 and Amy Mims.  He was born the 14th of March 1789.  Randolph was also known as Randel.  He married Mary Bynum in Elbert County, Georgia about 1809.  They had 14 children, William A (1813-?), Barsheba (1814-1867), Issac (1815-1931), Calvin (1817-1885), Betty (1819-1849), Hetty (1819-1819), Martha (1821-1904), John A (1823-1857), Drewry (1825-1845), Catherine S. (1827-?), Millington (1829-1874), Harrison (1831-1917), Mary (1834-?) and Pleasant Whitfield (1837-1914).  Betty and Hetty were twins.  Randolph was the first settler in Perry County, Tennessee.  He died after 1873 and Mary died in 1875.  Both are buried in DePriest Bend Cemetery.

The ninth Randolph DePriest (Randolph9) was the son of John B DePriest and Sarah B Turpin. Randolph was born in 1795 in Henrico County, Virginia.  He died the 27th of January 1879 in Campbell County.

The tenth Randolph DePriest (Randolph10) was born in 1803 in Rutherford County, North Carolina.  Randolph was the son of William DePriest and Ester Davies.  He was married to Rebecca Eliza Harmon in Rutherford County.  Rebecca was born the 11th of December 1816, also in Rutherford.  They had 4 children:  Zadoc (1834-?), Decatur L (1847-1870), Mary Jane (1849-1913) and Christopher Columbus (1856-1922).  Randolph died the 3rd of August 1875. Rebecca died the 15th of February 1900 in Rutherford County.

This information is documented to the best of my knowledge to date.  Any additions, corrections or sources would be greatly appreciated.  Special thanks to my aunt Beverly Witten Westberg and my cousin Cynthia DePriest Valentine for all their help.  Below is the Randolph Pedigree.   The Robert DePriests with the dates 1660*-1708* are the same person.  An "*" indicates an approximate date.