Eleanor's Family Tree:Information about Theodorick Bland
Theodorick Bland (b. January 16, 1628/29, d. April 23, 1671)
Notes for Theodorick Bland:
Theodorick Bland was born either Jan. 16, 1629 or Sept. 16 of the same year.He was a merchant at St. Lucar, Spain in 1646, at the Canary Islands in 1647-48, and came to Virginia in 1654 as the representative of his father, who had large interests in the colony.He settled at Berkeley Hundred, Charles City county, and in 1659-60 he represented Henrico in the house of burgesses, of which he was the speaker.By instructions from England, dated Sept. 2, 1662, the act passed by the assembly, imposing two shillings per hogshead on all tobacco from Virginia, was confirmed and "Theodorick Bland, Esq." was appointed collector of the same.
A few years later Bland was appointed a member of the king's council, and was present June 21, 1965, July 10, 1666, and March and April, 1670.
On April 17, 1665, T. B. bought "Westover," Charles City county, an estate of 1,200 acres, for [pounds] 170 sterling.His grandson, Richard Bland of "Jordan's," who says that his grandfather was "both in fortune and understanding, inferior to no person of his time in the country, " also says that he built and gave to the county and parish the church at Westover, "with ten acres of land, a courthouse and prison."This may have been so, but is more likely that he only gave the land.[Colonial Councillors of State, p. 129].
In Virginia Vital Records, p. 9, "Early Records of Charles City County Commission, ______21, 1665,oners or Justices of the Peace: August 3, 1664 - Theodorick Bland, Esq."
p. 15 - Old Tombstones in Charles City County, Westover [Arms*These arms represent Bland impaling Bennett:on a bend three pheons for Bland; three demi-lions for Bennett.This Richard Bennett mentioned in the inscription was Richard Bennett, Governor of Virginia under the Commonwealth.In a letter in 1666 Thomas Ludwell informed the Earl of Arlington that his arms were similar to the Earl's.See Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, July, 1895, for an account of the Bennett family.]
Bland was buried in the chancel of Westover church.The church has since disappeared, but the tomb remains with his arms and the following epitaph:
" S.M. Prudentis and Eruditi Theodorici Bland** Armig qui objit Aprilis 23 AD 1671 AEtatis 41 Cujus vidna Moestissima AnnaFilia Richard Bennett Armig:hoc Marmor Posuit."[Colonial Councillors of State, p. 129].
**Theodorick Bland bought Westover from Sir John Pawlett in 1666. He left it to his son Theodorick Bland, who took into joint occupancy his brother Richard, and together they sold the estate to William Byrd in 1688.For Bland Family see Familae Gentium Minorum, and Richmond Critic, July 9, 1888, etc.
In Historic Virginia Homes and Churches, p. 85, says that Theodorick Bland is buried at the site of old Westover Church.The new Westover Church (Episcopal) was built about 1740.
More About Theodorick Bland:
Burial: Unknown, (in chancel) Old Westover Church, Charles City County.
More About Theodorick Bland and Anna Bennett:
Marriage: 1660, Virginia.
Children of Theodorick Bland and Anna Bennett are:
- Theodorick Bland, Jr., d. date unknown.
- +Richard Bland, b. August 11, 1665, Berkeley, Charles City Co., Virginia, d. April 06, 1720, "Westover", Virginia.
- John Bland, b. February 08, 1670/71, d. date unknown.