John W. Randall

[Martha Jane Thomas-Randall. Wife of John W. Randall. This photo hung in the front bedroom of the home of Robert Thomas and Mamie W. Randall.] Son of William (Billy) Randall and Emily Akins, John W. Randall was born on June 23, 1855, in Franklin Co., Georgia.1)

In 1875, at approx. age 20, John W. Randal married Martha Jane Thomas (born May 1, 1857), approx. age 17, in Franklin, Co., Georgia.2) Martha Jane Thomas was the daughter of William M. Thomas (July 15, 1796 - Aug. 9, 1892)3) and Nancy E. Mitchell Thomas (Jan. 1, 1814 - Mar. 5, 1901).4)

John and Martha Jane had the following children:

  1. Justus (Justin) Randall (1875 - 1875) Son who died at age 6 months.5)6)
  2. Effie Randall (1876 - 1877) Daughter who died at age 1 year and 4 months.7)8)
  3. Nancy E. Randall (March 1877 - )
  4. Belga Randall (1877 - 1879) Daughter who died at 2 years of age.9)10)
  5. William Ernest Randall (Jan. 19, 1880 - March 14, 1959)11)12)
  6. George Wiley Randall (Jan. 5, 1883 - May, 1965 in South Carolina)13)
  7. Robert Thomas Randall (June 22, 1888 - July, 1969)14)
  8. Beatrice R. Randall-Turner (Sept. 12, 1890 - March 17, 1958)15)
  9. Napoleon C. Randall (April 22, 1893 - Nov. 1, 1973)16)
  10. Eula (LeuLeu) Randall-Elliott (1898 - 1986).17) Daughter who married Rumus B. Elliott (1891 - 1973).18)
  11. Infant Randall19)


[1900 U.S. Census. William (Billy) Randall's family begins at line 3.]

1900 United States Federal Census


State: Georgia
County: Franklin
Township or Other Division of County: Gumlog 213 Dist.
Date: June 15, 1900

Name Relationship Gender Date of Birth Age Birthplace Occupation
John W. Randall Head M June 1856 43 Georgia Farmer
Martha J. Randall Wife F May 1857 43 Georgia
Nancy E. Randall Daughter F Mar. 1877 22 Georgia Farm Laborer
William Randall Son M June 1880 19 Georgia Farm Laborer
George W. Randall Son M Jan. 1883 17 Georgia Farm Laborer
Thomas R. Randall Son M June 1890 9 Georgia
Beatrice Randall Daughter F Sept. 1892 7 Georgia
Napoleon Randall Son M Apr. 1894 6 Georgia
Leuleu Randall Daughter F 1898 1 Georgia
Nancy Thomas Mother-in-law F Sept. 1813 87 Georgia


Note 1: According to the tombstone of Robert Thomas Randall (appearing in the census as Thomas R. Randall), he was actually born in 1888… not 1890 (as the 1900 U.S. Census indicates).
Note 2: Napoleon Randall's tombstone, his birth year was actually 1893, not 1894.
Note 3: Although incorrectly identified as his “mother”, from the Census we see that John W. Randall's Mother-in-law (Nancy E. Mitchell Thomas) was living with them in 1900… the year before her death. We also learn that Nancy Thomas could not read or write.


Source: “United States Census, 1900,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M3NG-VMG : accessed 11 May 2015), John W Randall, Militia Districts 213, 215 Gumlog, Big Smith, Franklin, Georgia, United States; citing sheet 12A, family 212, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 1,240,197.

[ Some children of John W. Randall & Martha Jane Thomas-Randall (Circa 1950). Front Left to Right: Beatrice Randall Barrett and Eula Randall Elliott. Back Left to Right: Ernest Randall, Wiley Randall, Napoleon Cleveland Randall and Robert Thomas Randall. Missing children are: Fannie Lenora Randall, Nancy Elmina Randall, and Myra Randall]

John W. Randall died on Sept. 24, 1906 (at age 51). He was buried at “Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Cemetery” in Martin (Franklin County) Georgia.20)

[Tombstone inscribed: J. W. Randall, Born June 23, 1855. Died Sept. 24, 1906.]

[1910 U.S. Census. John W. Randall's family begins on line 29 with his widow, Martha Jane Randall.]

1910 United States Federal Census



State: Georgia
County: Franklin
Township or other Division of County: Wilborn District
Date: April 22, 1910

Name Relation Gender Age Birthplace Birthplace of Father Birthplace of Mother Occupation
Martha J. Randall Head F 52 Georgia Georgia South Carolina Farmer
Robert T. Randall Son M 21 Georgia Georgia Georgia Farm Laborer
Beatrice R. Randall Daughter F 18 Georgia Georgia Georgia None
Napoleon Randall Son M 16 Georgia Georgia Georgia Farm Laborer
Eula Randall Daughter F 12 Georgia Georgia Georgia None

Note 1: It is not consistent as to whether the youngest daughter was named “Eula” (from 1910 Census) or “Leuleu” (from 1900 Census).


Source: “United States Census, 1910,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9RJZ-QLT?cc=1727033&wc=QZZQ-P6B%3A133641201%2C134510601%2C139339101%2C1589089381 : 5 April 2016), Georgia > Franklin > Wilborn > image 7 of 22; citing NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).

Martha Jane Thomas-Randall died on October 21, 1912 (at age 55). She was buried at “Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Cemetery” in Martin (Franklin County), Georgia.21)

[Tombstone inscribed: Martha Jane Randall. May 1, 1857 - Oct. 21, 1912. Asleep in Jesus.]