INFORMATION TO USERS This manuscript has been reproduced from the microfilm master. UMI films the text directly from the original or copy submitted. Thus, some thesis and dissertation copies are in typewriter face, while others may be from any type of computer printer. The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. Broken or indistinct print, colored or poor quality illustrations and photographs, print bleedthrough, substandard margins, and improper alignment can adversely affect reproduction. In the unlikely event that the author did not send UMI a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if unauthorized copyright material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. Oversize materials (e.g., maps, drawings, charts) are reproduced by sectioning the original, beginning at the upper left-hand comer and continuing from left to right in equal sections with small overlaps. Each original is also photographed in one exposure and is included in reduced form at the back of the book. Photographs included in the original manuscript have been reproduced xerographically in this copy. Higher quality 6” x 9” black and white photographic prints are available for any photographs or illustrations appearing in this copy for an additional charge. Contact UMI directly to order. UMI A Beil & Howell Information Company 300 North Zeeb Road, Arm Arbor MI 48106-1346 USA 313/761-4700 800/521-0600 THE RANDOLPH SLAVE SAGA: COMMUNITIES IN COLLISION DISSERTATION Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of the Ohio State University By Ross Frederick Bagby, M.A. (University of Chicago), M.A. (Ohio State University) ***** The Ohio State University 1998 Dissertation Committee: Appr^ed by Dr. Randolph Roth, Adviser J I Dr. Michael Benedict ____ 1 L Dr. Stephanie Shaw A dviser n Department of History UMI Number: 9900794 Copyright 199 8 by Bagby, Ross Frederick All rights reserved. UMI Microform 9900794 Copyright 1998, by UMI Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. UMI 300 North Zeeb Road Ann Arbor, MI 48103 Copyright by- Ross Frederick Bagby /99& ABSTRACT In 1846 Virginia courts freed 383 slaves of Roanoke plantation by ruling which will of John Randolph of Roanoke's was valid. Sent to found a free black colony in Mercer County. Ohio, these "Randolph Slaves" were refused entry by a mob of Mercer County whites. The freed people instead dispersed throughout western Ohio. In the 1880’s, the Randolph Slaves and their descendants explored legal action, culminating in the 1903 lawsuit MOTON VS. RESSENS. This demanded Mercer County farmers surrender properties on which the Randolphs would have settled. Behind the drama of these lawsuits, migrations, and mob threats is a saga of communities forming and interacting. How those 383 blacks came to be the slaves of Randolph of Roanoke begins with economic pressures creating Virginia piedmont tobacco plantations such as Roanoke. Family quarrels and tragedies left the slaves property of the possibly insane John Randolph, whose inspirations included his older brother Richard founding the Virginia free black community of Israel Hill. Examining Roanoke's plantation records with methodologies from genealogy to statistical analysis enables reconstruction of how Randolph's slaves lived ; how master, slaves, and overseers interacted : and who constituted the 383 people manumitted. Mercer County, Ohio, seemed ideal for the Randolph Slaves because of an existing black community assisted by abolitionist Augustus Wattles. However, Mercer County had not only racial tensions but conflicts within the white community over religion, ethnicity, and politics. Vigilante practices had already produced a mob against a local dam. After repulsing the Randolph Slave resettlement, antiblack leaders attempted expelling all local blacks, failing when Augustus Wattles petitioned Ohio's governor. Mercer County continued to have a history marred by violence and mobs throughout the 19th century. The Randolph Slaves dispersed throughout more hospitable counties, remaining distinct within local black populations. They did not forget the thwarted plan. Lawsuits in the 1900's again confronted Mercer County farmers with Randolph Slaves. In judging their claims, courts weighed the original legal disputes over Randolph's wills, plus what 11 defined a Randolph Slave". Though the Randolphs lost, they demonstrated a persistent community. Ill ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I wish to express my gratitude to Prof. Frank F. Mathias of the University of Dayton, whose professional courtesy freed me to begin researching this topic. Joyce Alig of the Mercer County Historical Society not only helped me with information but loaned me her copy of the Brief of the Defendant in Error in the 1907-1917 lawsuits. Of my fellow librarians. Minor Weisiger of the Virginia State Library and Margaret Cook of the College of William and Mary's Earl Gregg Swem Library distinguished themselves to me not only for their aid with the archival materials but for their continued services regarding minor matters in the mailed photocopies. The Herculean achievement of Mercer County Courthouse secretary Jill E. Snyder in photocopying for my use the over 1,000 page typescript of MOTON v. KESSENS amidst the other demands on her time here at last receives its just due. My parents made this entire enterprise possible through their financial support and willingness to chaffeur me. Dr. Merton Dillon patiently listened to me as this work evolved from seminar paper to Master's thesis, and often saved me from despair. Dr. Randolph Roth first acted as second reader to that thesis , then took on the more daunting role of principal advisor as master's thesis evolved into doctoral dissertation. OSU faculty members economist Dr. Richard Steckel and medical historian Dr. John C. Burnham provided crucial help when consulted in their specialties. Randolph Slave descendant Janet C. Martin shared much valuable information with me. 1 V VITA August 12, 1958 ................................................. Born - Columbus, Ohio 1980 ...................................................... B.A., Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio 1985 ...................................................... M.A., Graduate Library School, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 1988 ...................................................... M.A. in History, Ohio State University, Columbus Ohio PUBLICATIONS A Study of Consistency Between Directorv Entries Compiled From Returned Ouestionnaires and the Implications for Reference Practice. Unpublished M.A. thesis. The University of Chicago, 1985. The Randolph Slave Resettlement: A Virginia Manumission and An Ohio Mob in Historical Context. Unpublished MA thesis, OSU, 1988. FIELDS OF STUDY Major Field ; History American Historv. 1787-1860 VI TABLE OF CONTENTS Pa&e A bstract ..................................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgments ................................................................................................ iv V ita.............................................................................................................................. V List of Figures ........................................................................................................ viii Chapters: 1. Prologue : Beyond Irony ....................................................................... I 2. Paths to the Piedmont ............................................................................ 10 3. Bizarre T im es.............................................................................................. 26 4. "Plain Jack" And His "Famous Man John" ...................................... 50 5. Plantation And People ............................................................................ 65 6. Trials And Tribulations .......................................................................... 88 7. Numbers And Exodus ............................................................................. 104 8. The Promised Land .................................................................................. 142 9. D iaspora ......................................................................................................... 180 10. Unity Through Opposition ..................................................................... 216 11. Judges............................................................................................................. 246 12. Epilogue : Common Prayer .................................................................... 265 V 1 Appendices: A. 9 March 1801 List of Roanoke Negroes by Major Scott for John R andolph ....................................................................................................... 268 B. November 1810 : Slaves Alloted to John Randolph After Lawsuit with Judith Randolph ........................................................... 271 C Christmas 1810 List by John Randolph ......................................... 276 D. Undated Slave List by John Randolph ............................................... 280 E Undated List of Negroes ......................................................................... 283 F. Undated Slave Supply List .................................................................... 285 G John Randolph - Nancy Morris