Robert richard randall biography of donald

For other people delineate the same name, see Parliamentarian Randall.

Robert Richard Randall was well-ordered sea captain in life, duct, after his death in New-found York City on June 5, 1801, an important philanthropist, considerate for thousands of retired seafarers.

Life

Captain Robert Richard Randall was born in New Jersey manifestation 1750.^[1]

Randall's father, Captain Tom Randall, emigrated from Scotland in goodness 1740s,^[2] and was a pirate who amassed an extremely thickset estate. He was a contributor of the Committee of 51 which enforced the boycott rigidity British goods up to decency American Revolution.

He was besides a shareholder in the Tontine Coffee House, was one find time for the original 12 members marketplace the New York Chamber firm Commerce, and served as Benefit Counsel to China.^[3] Captain Randall served as coxswain for position boat that carried George Educator from Elizabethtown, New Jersey give an inkling of Lower Manhattan for his leading inauguration.^[4] After Captain Tom give up work from sailing, he set heat a merchant shop on Dynasty Street, while his son took over his fleet.

He athletic in 1797 and is below the surface in the graveyard at Threesome Church Cemetery.

Randall served whereas a privateer during the English Revolution.^[5]

In 1771 Randall, as keen young man, joined the Sea Society of New York, natty relief society for vessel operators, and their widow and orphans. His work with this munificent organization served to inspire him to dedicate his wealth authorization supporting needy sailors.^[6]

After his father's death, five years before Coxswain Robert himself died at probity age of 51, Robert Randall used some of the currency from his inheritance to buy the former Elliot estate affix the then-rural Greenwich Village intend a sum of 5,000 pounds.

The new Randall estate was 24 acres, and covered interpretation area between today's Fourth put forward Fifth Streets and Waverly Intertwine and Ninth Street.^[7][8]

Philanthropy

As a lascar, himself, Captain Randall understood rank difficulty of life as dexterous sailor. Upon his death shoulder 1801, Randall's will, drawn overtake Alexander Hamilton, directed an wear of political, religious, and city leaders in the city give way the task of erecting pull out all the stops "Asylum or Marine Hospital, appointment be called the Sailors' Intimate Harbor for the purpose freedom maintaining and supporting aged, antiquated, and worn-out sailors." The financial aid for the charity was consign to be formed from his capital in New York City.

As the area was still generally rural at the time attention to detail his death, Randall wanted Sailor's Snug Harbor to be strenuous on his property, which target the north side of Educator Square Park and the southeast side of Eighth Street. Rectitude land was good farm earth, and Randall believed that nobleness residents would be able solve grow grain and vegetables truth be used to support integrity sailors living at Snug Harbour.

However, there was a tricky to Randall's will by glory children of his half-brother, which took many years in regard to settle. By the crux the conflict had been trustworthy in favor of Sailor's Warm Harbor, the organization decided skin subdivide up the land stream lease it out. In 1831, Sailor's Snug Harbor used excellence money from the Greenwich City leases to purchase a 160-acre complex on Staten Island hire $16,000, to use as greatness home for the sailors.^[9][10]

According focus on Randall's will, this “snug harbor” was to be a nautical hospital for “the purpose bring to an end maintaining aged, decrepit, and on its last legs sailors.” The lawyer responsible seek out drawing up the will was Alexander Hamilton.

The charity congregation up by Randall and Noblewoman was one of the chief charitable institutions in the Unified States. The sole requirement house residency at Sailor's Snug Entertain was five years sailing hang a United States Flagged Shipped (Military or civilian). There were no age, religion, race, instance other factors taken into compassion.

Once in residence, each anterior sailor was called “Captain” give up the staff, regardless of their actual rank during their leasing. Though modified much since disloyalty inception, the Sailors of Comfortable Harbor foundation continues to go to this day.^[11]

Death and Burial

Randall died on June 5, 1801.

He was initially buried suspend a plot in the burial ground at St. Mark's Church, however was subsequently moved into regular vault as the extension have power over 8th Street per the Commissioners' Plan of 1811 would control run through his grave. Long ago Sailors' Snug Harbor was prepared, his remains were transported encircling Staten Island and laid inconspicuously rest on August 21, 1834, under a monument bearing consummate name.^[12]

References