Eleanor's Family Tree:Information about Peter Randolph Bland
Peter Randolph Bland (d. date unknown)
Notes for Peter Randolph Bland:
Peter Randolph Bland came with his wife, Sarah,to Fayette County, Tennessee in 1824 and settled on a plantation near Belmont which he called Woodlawn.In 1834, four of Peters's five children died of diphtheria.Only Osceola Bland survived.
Peter Bland was a Presbyterian minister.He established the first Presbyterian Church in the area, Emmaeus, located in Haywood County. When a church was later established in Belmont, he became the pastor and remained so until his death.He was also the first pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Bolivar.
A tale is told that once when Mr. Bland was travelling through the country in his buggy he saw a young man trudging along with a heavy pack on his back.He stopped and offered him a ride.As they rode through the lonely stretches of Hatchie Bottom, the Rev. Peter looked his passenger sternly in the eye and said, "Young man, are you prepared to die?"Thinking he was about to be murdered, the peddlar leaped from the buggy and fled.On opening his pack to discover the man's identity, Peter found him to be a Mr. Lowenstein, future founder of Lowenstein's Department Store, so legend has it.
Peter Bland was not only an educated man but also a wealthy one. His land holdings were extensive; and, in 1860, the number of slaves at Woodlawn was 105 making him the largest slave owner in District 5.R. T. Brodnax became the owner of Woodlawn after the death of his mother.This farm is now owned by Neville Rives Seay, greatgrandson of both Mr. Brodnax and Mr. Rives.
Children of Peter Randolph Bland and Sarah are:
- Osceolo Bland, d. date unknown.