Unwise Passions: A True Story of a Remarkable Woman---and the First Great Scandal of Eighteenth-Century America

by Alan Pell Crawford

In the spring of 1793, eighteen-year-old Nancy Randolph, the fetching daughter of one of the greatest of the great Virginia tobacco planters, was accused, along with her brother-in-law, of killing her newborn son. Once one of the most sought-after young women in Virginia society, she was denounced as a ruined Jezebel, and the great orator Patrick Henry and future Supreme Court justice John Marshall were retained to defend her in a sensational trial. This gripping account of murder, infanticide, prostitution charges, moral decline, and heroism that played out in the intimate lives of the nation's Founding Fathers is as riveting and revealing as any current scandal -- in or out of Washington.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Biography, True Crime, American History, Womens, 18th Century

336 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Alan Pell Crawford is the author of "Unwise Passions: A True Story of a Remarkable Woman - and the First Great Scandal of Eighteenth Century America" and "Twilight at Monticello". His writings have appeared in "American History", "The Washington Post", and "The New York Times". He is a regualr book reviewer for "The Wall Street Journal". Crawford has had a residential fellowship at the International Center for Jefferson Studies at Monticello. A former resident of Washington, DC, he lives in Richmond, Virginia, with his wife Sally Curran, the editor of My VMFA, the quarterly magazine of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. They are the parents of two sons, Ned and Tim.

Reviews

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a life Nancy Randolph Morris lived. Beset by scandal in 1793 at the tender age of 18, Nancy was labeled a murderess, a prostitute and a gold digger. In her thirties, after living a life of privations, she married Grosvenor Morris and had a child at age 37. Her sister, Judith and her cousin John (aka Jack) Randolph, had it in for her for decades, but she managed to survive the scandal of her youth and thrive under the love of her wonderful husband.

Excellent non-fiction story detailing the turbulant Randolph family and the second generation of America's founding fathers. TMZ and Hollywood Insider's got nothing on these 18th century scandals! wowza....

[Katie Ritter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great nonfiction book but reads almost like a novel, so doubly enjoyable. The story of a rich, entitled daughter of one of the founding families of Colonial Virginia which has to be read to be believed. WHAT A JOURNEY SHE HAD! And she was smart, kind, apparently humble for the most part, uncomplaining, wicked strong when she needed to be. Really, really enjoyed learning of her life.

Would have given this 4.5 stars be of a little difficulty sometimes in following the story when it jumped around a couple of times, but honestly, wasn't worth dinging what what a very carefully researched, well presented true story of a woman caught in the worst of circumstances.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating! Well written, well researched & well documented! Read like fiction!

I made the fascinating connection that “the land in northern NY” that Gouverneur Morris owned was just north of where we lived in upstate NY - the Village of Gouverneur & Morristown is nearby.

I didn’t even know Gouverneur Morristown was a founding father.

[Alana Cash · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of Nancy Randolph is horrific, ultimately satisfying, and always fascinating. There remains a mystery around her scandal that apparently cannot be solved. What really happened?

The book is very well-researched, and I recommend reading this book not only because of the "scandal," but because it gives a wonderful account of the post-colonial years of the US. The major names from history are presented in quite a different light than the iconic portraits that we've come to know - Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, Clay, the Randolphs - and presents the politics of that time period in the same dysfunctional light as we experience now. There were no saints. There are so many names that an index would have helped to remember where these people first appeared in the book to refresh my memory of their relationship to Nancy. There is a family tree and that is helpful.

The writing is easy to read, and because the stories of all these people are so interesting, I didn't mind that the author sort of hopped around a bit.

I read the Simon & Schuster hardcover of the book and it was very odd to find so many quotes in the book without footnote numbers in the text, then at the end of the book find a list of numbered footnotes. What happened? I also noticed there were a couple of errors in the family tree (it appears that a couple of people were immortal as there is no date of death).

[Elyse · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a huge Downton Abbey fan but the Randolph family of Virginia wins hands down in the drama department. And THIS story isn't fiction. It is actual American history. The author uses correspondence and newspaper articles to fill out events. And what events they are! Some of the story will have to remain a mystery but the reader can speculate on what transpired using the pieces of information the author presents. The main character of this story is Nancy Randolph. She is a member of the leading aristocratic family in 18th century Virginia (Thomas Jefferson was a relation). At the age of 18, she is accused of delivering a baby out of wedlock and, with the help of the supposed father (her sister's husband), murders the child and disposes the body under a pile of shingles. But are these accusations true? A lot of people thought so. As Nancy picks up the pieces of her shattered life she shows great resolve and manages to survive and prosper.

[Christine · Rating 2 out of 5]

No the most engaging writing style and the author sort of wandered all over the place and seemed unable to focus on the main people involved in the history of the scandal. Still, this book did contain a lot of information about the Randall family, who were related to both the Jefferson and Washington families, allowing one to get an idea about society at that time amongst the upper classes, who were not founding fathers but rubbed shoulders with the same. Not sad I read it, but I won't re-read it and I'm glad I only paid $3 for it.

[Karen Hogan · Rating 4 out of 5]

They say truth is stranger than fiction. This holds true about this story about a plantation owners daughter who creates a scandal in post revolution America. Her brother in law, John Randolph of Roanoke, Virginia was a despicable snake. Enjoyed reading this book which also gave some insight into the lives of our famous forefathers, like Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson.

[Keily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing and quick read

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was nothing really amazing about this book, but nothing bad either. The title makes it sound like the book is going to be more scandalous than it is, so I was disappointed in that. There's just a lot about the case that is completely unknown. But, it was a fast read and the setting was interesting.

[Sarah Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nancy Randolph was born into one of the greatest tobacco farming families in Virginia. While she seemingly had a charmed childhood filled with every advantage and seemed poised to one day make a great marriage, her reputation was ruined in 1793 when she was accused of sleeping with her sister's husband and killing the baby that resulted from the affair. The great Patrick Henry was retained to defend her in the trail, but the damage to her public image was long-lasting. While she always adamantly denied the claims, it followed her for years. While she was ultimately able to rise above those determined to ruin her name and life and find a happy and secure home, it was to take many years of struggle and hardship first.

The summary of this book is a bit misleading, as a I assumed the scandal and the related trial would comprise the bulk of the work. However, this happens early on the book and instead is a full biography of Nancy Randolph, although this pivotal scandal did shape the whole of her life that followed. Yet unlike many historical biographies, this reads almost like a novel and is full of shocking revelations, gross accusations, and her family's trials which included houses burning down, a mute nephew, a disgruntled villain in the form of her sister's brother-in-law, and a rich old bachelor who swoops in to her rescue.

This was an interesting insight into the world of upper crust white society of Virginia during the late 1700s and early 1800s. While I wish more detail about Nancy as a person survives, Crawford has constructed a full biography of an interesting woman with vast connections. For instance, Nancy's brother Tom was married to Thomas Jefferson's daughter Patsy, which meant that Nancy was at times invited to stay at Monticello. Despite the vast connections and wealth of her family, Nancy's story shows just how low a woman could fall without a husband to defend her during her time period. Fortunately for Nancy, her story ultimately had a relatively happy ending and the life she led is just as interesting as fiction.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unwise Passions is a fascinating dive into the story of the Randophs, one of Virginia’s prominent families around the turn of the 19th century, and the scandal that tore them apart. Along the way, you learn about the decline of tobacco that had already decimated fortunes before the 1700s were over, the complicated views the privileged held about their slaves, and the nascent divide between the northern manufacturing states and the southern agricultural (and slavery-dependent) states that ultimately led to the Civil War. The key subjects of the story are Nancy Cary and her brother-in-law John Randolph, who became a well-known member of the U.S. House of Representatives. Both were relatives by marriage to Thomas Jefferson. And both were fascinating characters in their own right.

The story is full of spirited insults, accusations, and defenses. Minor insults within the House of Representatives lead to threats of duels (and sometimes actual duels) and canings, all of which glide by with few if any ramifications. There are many details that provide a vivid picture of the indignities of life suffered even among the most privileged at this time—the rough rooms at Monticello and the lack of finances to finish them, the brutal business of giving birth and surviving, and the physical and mental illnesses suffered with only gruesome and medically ineffective treatments to manage them. Of course, even these financially struggling American aristocrats still had their slaves, and their outright abuse is also part of the story (e.g., the harsh treatment of overseers, Jefferson selling a 5-year-old slave child; a beloved cook in the Randoph household being beaten for a minor problem in a dinner).

For anyone interested in the history of Virginia, the book offers a tantalizing picture of some of the places where this early history happened—Tuckahoe, Monticello, Roanoke, and Richmond, that can still be visited today. It is a well-researched and lively book that tells a remarkable and little-known story of the era.

[Kathleen Bianchi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The true story of Anne Cary (Nancy) Randolph. Born pre-Revolutionary times. Just eighteen accused of killing her baby impregnated by her brother-in-law. She was found innocent in a court of law but considered guilty for life by others. A whiff of scandal in those days and it followed you forever. Her other brother-in-law spurned by her spread horrendous lies about her for years afterward. One of the things I found amazing was how many Randolph's married their cousins "only a Randolph is good enough for a Randolph." After Nancy's mother died Her father remarried and the new wife ousted Nancy out. She went to her sister's were she was seen to be to be too familiar with Judith's husband. Even after the baby fiasco, she remained at her sister's. Eventually moved north and she took a job as a housekeeper with a man that she had known as a young girl. She married him had a wonderful marriage and had a son. He died and again due to a relative who had stolen money from them she was in poverty again. She worked her way out of poverty and that is why she was such a remarkable woman she persevered through so many adversaries and came ahead.

[Margaret Elder · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book primarily because I live close to where much of the action took place, and I'm very familiar with some of the historical characters in it. It almost seemed like two books in one, though, with the first half about "Nancy" Randolph, and the second half on John Randolph of Roanoke. Even though the two were tied together at the end, I did feel that there was disunity in the book. For example, even though Governeur Morris is an important character at the end, there is a chapter earlier in the book that just "came out of nowhere" about him. At that moment, he was not involved with the characters or their problems. The material on him should have been saved for later. While I frankly think the book could have just focused on "Nancy," the material about John ("Jack") Randolph of Roanoke was interesting to me as I live in the same county that he did in the waning years of his life. This is an interesting story, and it shows the lives of the early Virginia aristocracy in ways that are not flattering but are certainly fascinating.

[Ann Piccirillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s not often that you know a book is going to stay with you, but this one is one of them. It’s so engaging that I had to keep reminding myself that it’s a true story of a young, unmarried woman visiting friends with her sister and husband, accused of giving birth to a child that her brother-in-law immediately removed and had placed on a woodpile, slaves who saw it. Was the baby a still birth? Murder? Was there a baby at all? It’s the story of the Revolutionary generation and their involvement and attitudes towards women, class, the intermarriages among families in the south. It’s first-hand vivid accounts of the pitiful conditions of Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello and the redemption of a woman, discarded by her family who made her way to New York and married Gouvenour Morris. I couldn’t put this book down. It’s haunting.

[Brook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having lived in several of the pivotal locations of this book (Farmville, Charlotte Court House, Cumberland County, Chesterfield County and Northern Virginia) I was familiar with local lore surrounding the Randolphs and their infamous family tree (“The only one good enough for a Randolph was another Randolph”) as well as Patrick Henry, John Marshall and Thomas Jefferson. However, to learn so much about Nancy Randolph’s life and the scandal that forever changed it was a delightful education. This non-fiction book read like fiction and kept me interested to the very end. I highly recommend for anyone who enjoys a deep dive into historical events and especially anyone who has ever lived in Virginia.

[Beth Withers · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I was reading America's First Daughter by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie, I did research on the internet to enhance my reading. While doing that, I came across this book about an incident that is mentioned in the novel. Unwise Passions is a nonfiction book about Nancy Randolph, the sister-in-law of Jefferson's daughter Patsy. She was accused of a heinous crime (mentioned in the novel), but even after being found innocent, suffered greatly from the accusation. It was interesting to see that scandal isn't new to our history! Nancy's story is interesting, interwoven with names of people recognized from American history.

[Nightwitch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very readable history book with a fascinating story, well-told. My primary complaint would be that, like many books set this far in the past focusing on a single event/person, there isn't really enough information to give us a sense of Nancy as a person, so instead Crawford uses a lot of background filler; we find out a ton about people tangentially involved in the story, the politics of the time, etc., some of which is relevant and some of which kind of isn't. The beginning of the book is also clogged up with a lot of genealogy which feels kind of overwhelming.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

The only reason I gave this book 3 stars was because there were some fairly interesting facts provided about America in the 18th century. The author's writing style was also very good. Unfortunately, that was about it. The main purpose of the actual story was lacking... Perhaps the title was chosen simply to try and boost sales. I think Publishers Weekly said it best, "...merely an interesting tale for those who like their history light and with a whiff of scandal."

[Sandra Heinzman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this for my at-work book club. It's about a crime in VA that I never heard about before, and takes place mainly in the area where I live (Richmond)! It was so good, that I had to look up more stuff about it and find more pictures to look at. We had a really good discussion about it at work. I highly recommend it! It's non-fiction and really happened!

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

Uneven biography--interesting subject, but joltingly written. Author does not present the facts very well, or demonstrate proof for his suppositions. He depends on quotes without enough background to make his points plausible. It did make me aware of the family, friendship and political ties that I had not been aware of.

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disfunction and gossipy family members aren't a new thing, and the life of Nancy Randolph proves it. I had heard of the scandal when I read "America's Fiest Daughter", a novel based on the life of Thomas Jefferson's daughter, and I wanted to know more about Namcy. At a time when reputation was everything, how Nancy was able to keep her chin up impressed me.

[Carolyn R. · Rating 3 out of 5]

So much of this book was History, and less about the subject at hand. Many factors are at play in this book and there are questions and comparisons to the relevancy of today's time that our Book Club made. I would describe this book as a dry read, in that there is so much about family heritage, conditions of the tobacco market falling, and the parts of Virginia.

[LillyBooks · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a pretty run-of-the-mill nonfiction book that seemed unfocused to me. The primary scandal as mentioned on the back blurb is interesting, but then the book meanders too much into persons and events of minor consequence.

[Chanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had already read America’s First Daughter which laid out the facts of the Nancy Randolph scandal. It biased me against Crawford’s version of the story. I also found the book to be more a collection of data than an attempt to understand or explain Nancy.

[Maegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating, I love how Nancy despite everything died a rich and happy woman while those family and people she thought were friends died, ill, broke and miserable after spreading all those horrible rumor and accusations about her. Great story of perseverance.

[Kathy Massie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. I loved learning more about the Randolph family of Virginia. It was easy to read and a wonderful story. Nancy Randolph went through so much in her life but what a strong lady she was.

[Phil · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my chosen century to study but a good read and very informative of life in the days of the early United States of America.

if you toss some of the history aside, a once frivolous woman makes mistakes but redeems herself in the end against enormous odds. Who can't get behind that?

[Linda Childs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable to read about an early 19th century scandal instead of watching today's new broadcasts and still get a lot of American (Virginian) history.

[Sarah Grimes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly one of the most interesting biographies ever, truly enjoyed it.

[Rachel Cochran · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting history, not well written.