Meet the Ancestor: John Randall

John Randall (1750-1826)

John Randall was a man of many talents, serving over his long life as architect, Continental Army soldier and officer, mayor of Annapolis, 3-term mayor of Annapolis, and finally as Collector of the Port of Annapolis. As a young man, he learned the principles of architecture under William Buckland, working with him on the Hammond-Harwood House, the Chase-Lloyd House, and the old Senate chamber of the Annapolis State House. During the American Revolution, he served in the 4th Regiment of the Maryland Old Line, rising to the rank of Colonel as Quartermaster of the Regiment. After the war, he was appointed as Collector of the Port of Annapolis by President George Washington, with duties that included planning the defenses for entry to the port on either side of the Severn, Forts Severn and Madison. In recognition of his services as Annapolis mayor, alderman, and councilman, Randall St. in the town was named for him. Randall married Deborah Knapp in 1783, with whom they had fourteen children. In 1803, they purchased the Bordley House, which remained in the Randall family for 125 years, thus becoming known as the Bordley-Randall House.