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Meet the People
: The Randolphs
: Eve - one of Peyton Randolph's slaves
- Date of birth unknown
- Belonged to Peyton Randolph household
- Date of death unknown
Highly-valued slave
Eve was one of 27 slaves who belonged to the Peyton Randolph household in 1775, the year of Peyton Randolph's death. Valued at 100 pounds, Eve was the highest-valued female slave and one of the most valuable of all the slaves, suggesting that she was of prime age and highly skilled. In his will, Randolph bequeathed "Eve and her children" to his wife, Betty Randolph.
Ran away from household
One month after Peyton Randolph's death, Lord Dunmore issued a proclamation that offered "freedom to any slaves who desert rebellious masters and who serve in the king's forces." Eve evidently responded to the call, as Randolph's probate inventory of January 5, 1776, listed eight slaves from the estate, including Eve, as "gone to the enemy."
Evidence suggests Eve returned, either by force or choice, to the widow Betty Randolph, because in her will of October 1780, Betty Randolph gave "Eve and her son George" to Randolph's niece. A July 1782 codicil to her will stated that "Eve's bad behavior laid me under the necessity of selling her."
For further reading:
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Historic Triangle