Little Known First Ladies: Martha Randolph Quiz

Answer: False

Martha Jefferson was born in 1772, a few years before American independence. She was the first of the Jeffersons' six children and one of two to live for more than two years. She was born at Monticello, her father's estate and was primarily homeschooled. After her father was elected Governor of Virginia in 1780, Martha and her family were forced to flee Richmond when the British invaded. They spent the time in Poplar Forest, the Jefferson family plantation.

The first First Lady to be born in the independent United States was Emily Donelson, niece of Andrew Jackson. The first wife of a president to be born in the independent states was Hannah Van Buren. The first wife of a president to serve as First Lady and be born after American Independence was Letitia Tyler.

Answer: Patsy

Thomas Jefferson called his daughter Patsy to differentiate her from her mother and her maternal grandmother both of whom were also called Martha. Even as an adult, Thomas called her Patsy and eventually that was the name she best became known by. Polly was the nickname of her sister Mary.

Answer: The death of her mother, Martha

Martha Jefferson died in 1782, and Thomas was heartbroken by her death. Martha was only ten years old at the time and Thomas was left a widow with three girls, one of whom was baby who died soon after. Martha, in her memoirs and other writings, noted that she had to serve as her father's companion because he was so upset, he could not do anything for himself.

She also served as his confidant when he would express his feelings about his wife and how much he missed her.

Answer: Sally Hemings

Sally Hemings was a slave of Thomas Jefferson's who is infamously known for fathering children with the future president. Sally was the same age as Martha but was technically her aunt. Martha's maternal grandfather had several children with Sally's mother, also a slave, including Sally. Thus Martha Jefferson Sr. and Sally Hemings were half sisters.

Thomas Jefferson served as both Minister to France and Secretary of State prior to becoming president. He spent a lot of time in France and Martha was educated there as well. Sally Hemings was brought to serve Martha as began attending balls and social events. Martha was educated in France, specifically by Catholics. She once considered converting to Catholicism, but Thomas pulled her out of school as a result of her desire.

Answer: Slaves

Thomas gave his daughter Martha eight slaves as a wedding present. Among them were Molly Hemings, Sally's sister. Thomas Randolph was a wealthy planter who later served various government posts in Virginia, including governor. The couple had thirteen children of which eleven (an unusually large amount for the time) lived into adulthood.

Their marriage was somewhat happy but as time went on, Thomas developed an alcohol problem and the two split shortly before he died.

Answer: Dolley Madison

Since Martha spent most of her time with her husband, Dolley Madison performed most of the First Lady's doings. Dolley was the wife of future president James Madison who at the time was Secretary of State, the highest position in Jefferson's Cabinet who had a wife. Dolley proved to be a very popular hostess and frequently hosted events for Presidents Jefferson, Madison and Monroe.

Thomas Jefferson was also known to throw social events and host them himself, something very unusual for men, never mind the president, at the time.

Answer: Covering up her father's affair with Sally Hemings

During Jefferson's presidency, rumors of his affair with Sally Hemings were gaining traction and Martha was the one who worked hard to put an end to the rumors. Whenever she visited the White House, Martha was in charge of the slaves. Martha was personally opposed to slavery because it often involved separating families, but she owned slaves and sold them later in life when her financial situation worsened.

Martha encouraged her father and her family to attend church services, something they rarely did. They went together as a sign of unity as the rumors indicating that Jefferson's affair was tearing the family apart.

Answer: Give birth

Martha gave birth to a son, James Madison Randolph, in 1806. She was the first woman to give birth in the White House (then called the President's House) and James was the first baby born there. James was Martha's eighth child. He died in 1834, two years before his mother died.

Answer: Boston

Martha's husband Thomas died a penniless alcoholic and her father had also accrued many debts before he died. Martha was forced to sell Monticello and most of her property in Virginia. She moved in with her daughter Ellen in Boston for a time. Since Martha had many children, she frequently visited them even though they lived all over the country. Martha had very little money in her last years and manly got by by renting out the few slaves she did not sell and from generous donation from state legislatures.

Answer: Monticello

Martha is interred at the cemetery at Monticello near her father and mother. Although Martha had to sell Monticello after her parents were buried there, the estate fell into the hands of Jefferson Monroe Levy who was a huge fan of Thomas Jefferson. He sold the property in 1923 to the Thomas Jefferson Foundation and Monticello became a historic landmark officially in 1960.