Benjamin Bolling Sr
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Benjamin Franklin Bolling Sr (1734 - 1832)

Reverend Benjamin Franklin Bolling Sr aka Bowlin, Bowlen, Bowline, Bowling, Bolen, Boling, Boland, Bolande
Born in Henrico County Courthouse, Henrico, Virginiamap
Son of [father unknown] and [mother unknown]
[sibling(s) unknown]
Husband of — married 20 Jun 1753 in Albermarle County, Virginiamap
Husband of — married after 1767 [location unknown]
Descendants descendants
Died at age 97 in Flat Gap Russell, Virginiamap
Profile last modified | Created 28 Mar 2011
This page has been accessed 18,533 times.

Contents

Biography

One of the "Blue" Bollings. Not a descendant of John Bolling and Elizabeth Blair. Read disputed heritage, below.

Recent DNA findings has concluded that Benjamin Bolling is not descended from John Bolling and Elizabeth Blair.

Benjamin Bolling born June 30, 1734 (some say Wilkes Co., North Carolina;[citation needed] others say Petersburg, Dinwiddie, Virginia[citation needed] ) has proven to be a mystery to the legions of descendants seeking to prove definitively the identity of his parents.

Most researchers agree that he was born in Henrico County, Virginia and moved to North Carolina while a young man. From North Carolina, he and his family moved to Wise Co., VA in 1794. He soon became dissatisfied and moved back to North Carolina.... [1]

One fact that most researchers agree on is that Benjamin on 20 Jun 1753 married Patsy/Pattie Phelps/Felts in Albermarle County, Virginia. Pasty/Pattie was born in 1737 in Albermarle County Virginia and died on 8 Mar 1767 in Rowan County, North Carolina due to complications arising from the birth of daughter, Elizabeth. Benjamin later married Charity Larrimore. [2]

Occupation: Minister

Died January 20, 1832 in Flat Gap, at the time Russell County, Virginia, USA (now in Wise County, Virginia.[3]

He is buried at the Benjamin Bolling Cemetery, Flat Gap, Wise County, Virginia, United States. [4] [5]

Disputed Heritage

The tombstone of Benjamin Bolling says that he is the son of John Fairfax Bolling and Elizabeth Blair [6] but this is wrong. That particular tombstone was a new tombstone erected many years after his death. (See discussions on discrepancies Ben Bolling)

The dispute whether Benjamin Bolling is a son of John Bolling and Elizabeth Blair Bolling Bland keeps going because there are old family trees floating without updates.

There is a source called the "Price List," published by Judge Zelma Wells Price, which includes Benjamin and the others I have listed here. The Price list is based upon "an old and faded sheet which had been in the hands of John Tapley Bowling, (and which) shows twenty children as having been born to John Bolling, and gives there names and birth dates."

Some VA genealogists refer to the additional twelve as the "mysterious Bollings" [7] where Benjamin and others are connected. The problem is that if these children are connected to what is already known about the children of John Bolling, Elizabeth Blair Bolling Bland would be the mother of 28 children!

There are two theories by the Boling society about his parentage. These are in a photo attached to this entry.

Removed father was Edward Bolling, but no source appears to support this, hence removed for now.

One descendant claims that their DNA shows Native American, and indicates this is proof that Benjamin was descended from Pocahontas.[8]

Children

By first marriage to Martha "Patsy" Phelps (b: 20 Jun 1737 in Albermarle, Virginia); married: 20 Jun 1753 in Albermarle, Virginia:[9]

  1. Benjamin Boling b: 25 Apr 1754 in Virginia
  2. John Bolling b: Abt 1755
  3. James Bolling b: 9 Jan 1756
  4. William "Blackwater Bill" Bolling b: 1757
  5. Jesse Bowling b: 22 May 1758 in Hillsboro , North Carolina
  6. Hancock Bolling b: 1759
  7. Robert Bolling b: 1760
  8. Justice Bolling b: Abt 1760
  9. Delaney Bolling b: 1764
  10. Hannah Bolling b: 28 Apr 1766 in North Carolina
  11. Elizabeth "Betsy" Bolling b: 8 Mar 1767 in North Carolina

By second marriage to Charity Larrimore (b: 17 Jan 1768 in Edisto River, South Carolina; Married: Abt 1768 in North Carolina :[10]

12 Charity Bolling b: 1772
13 Baxter Bolling b: 1776
14 Jeremiah Bolling b: 18 Dec 1782 in Lancaster District, South Carolina
15 Barnett Bolling b: 1784
16 Isaac Bolling b: 1788
17 Levi Bolling b: 1790
18 James Bolling

Research Notes

The following was in a previous version of this profile; anyone know its source?

30 Jun 1734 Benjamin BOLLING born at Petersburg, Henrico, VA; became a Baptist Minister [Parents unknown: Perry County History/ Rugged Trail To Appalachia: Two books, the History of Perry County authored, in part, by Luther=Johnson, published by the Hazard, KY. Chapter of the DAR and "Rugged KY, =1978, share a common mistake. The "History of Perry County" 1832) [Benjamin 1734-1832 First Settler In Area Born Wilkes county, N. C. Son Of Major John Bolling And Elizabeth Blair. Wed First to Patsy Phelps And Then To Charity Larrimore Bolling] [PROVEN: Benjamin is NOT the son of Major John Bolling and Elizabeth BLAIR – not in “Red” or “Blue” family lines. [According to one researcher, while single Benjamin lived on his father's estate in Albermarle Co., the part later became Amherst Co. Benjamin first married Mary Patsy Phelps. Around 1760 they moved to Rowan Co., NC, then later on to Randolph Co. NC. Patsy died in childbirth. Benjamin then married Charity Larrimore. They settled near Esserville, near Flat Gap, Va. around 1791. They later went to NC because of Indian trouble but returned in 1806 with Daniel Boone as their guide to the "wilderness area" of Va. in the Flat Gap area. Benjamin is buried in the Flat Gap Cemetery in Flat Gap, Va. (This makes for a nice story but according to history, in 1799 Boone led his extended family from KY to Femme Osage country in Missouri; appointed "syndic" of district by the Spanish governor. In 1803 he was seriously injured in a hunting accident and relocated with Rebecca to a cabin on the farm of his son Nathan; Louisiana Purchase. In 1806 he appeared before the Federal Land Commission, seeking confirmation of his Spanish land grant hi Missouri. He was 72 years old at this time. He was given the land in 1814 and spent the rest of his life in Missouri. It is possible that he led a party of settlers into Ky. in 1806, but not likely.] [Town of Petersburg is South of the (Fluvanna) James River, and Henrico Co was a huge land area, that became divided over & over until its present size. Powhatan Co, Fluvanna Co, Chesterfield Co were all carved from Henrico County after 1727. Goochland came in 1728 and was divided quickly into Cumberland Co, VA, which in 1777 was divided into Powhatan County. Later Petersburg became inside the new formed Dinwidde County.] [Birth Mother might be Elizabeth Lewis Bolling—ALTHOUGH DOUBTFUL]
29 Jun 1737 Martha PHELPS born at Albemarle, VA
1746 Charity LARRIMORE (Lattimore) born in Henrico, VA
20 Jun 1753 Benjamin BOLLING and Martha PHELPS married at Albemarle Co, Virginia [Benjamin and Patsy lived in Wilkes Co., N. C., then back to VA.. They had 9 children and then Benjamin and Charity had 10 children. (From Microfilm # 1502551 item 33 at the FH Library S.L. City Utah)] [[Family Data Collection Marriages, Edmund West] [Carrie Bradshaw (My Bradshaws And Allied Families says Benjamin and Pattie Felts Bolling left Henrico Co., VA.=in the late 1750's and went to Wilkes Co, N.C., while PRICE says=Benjamin went to Albemarle Co., VA, where he md. Pattie and later went =to Rowan Co. N.C., in 1760. Pioneers of Adair County, KY by Menifee =Reed Cheek, Nashville TN, 1957 has same list of children as Carrie.] [Of Whom I Came, Etc. by Zelma Wells Price has a lot of misinformation]
Abt 1753 Benjamin BOLLING and Martha PHELPS moved to Rowan Co, NC


Sources

  1. Janet Ariciu family Bush Benjamin Bolling page ID 125026 last updated 2016-12-23 20:47:15 UTC (Fri) contact Janet Ariciu Fuller-5853 13:38, 7 March 2017
  2. Bolen, Luther M. A Bolen Family History, 1993.
  3. Death date: 20 January 1832 Death place: Flat Gap, Russell, VA Marriage date: 20 June 1753 Marriage place: Albemarle Co
  4. "The Smith Family.Record" added: Apr 13, 2008
  5. Find A Grave: Memorial #25970836 : Parentage is questioned, in the above referenced source.
  6. Burial: Benjamin Bolling Cemetery, Flat Gap Wise County Virginia, USA
  7. http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=monkeys&id=I12914
  8. See: http://www.multiwords.de/genealogy/Ja10KeziahArroyah.html
  9. Source: #S121 Data: Text: Marriage date: 20 June 1753 Marriage place: Albemarle Co, VA
  10. Source: #S84 Page: Birth year: 1737; Birth city: Albemarle Co; Birth state: VA. Data: Text: Birth date: 1737 Birth place: Albemarle Co, VA Death date: 8 March 1767 Death place: Rowan Co, NC Marriage date: 20 June 1753 Marriage place: Albemarle Co, VA

See also:



Information found on Benjamin Bolling validating him as John and Elizabeth son.

NOTE: There is nothing in the following that validates Benjamin as son of John and Elizabeth.

According to Family member and author of The Bolling Descendants of John Rolfe and Pocahontas, Pg. 4-9 of his book is about Benjamin Bolling. He states that in the first federal census it was recorded Benjamin Bolling, son of John and Elizabeth, lived in Wilkes County, North Carolina in 1770. There is a whole story on him. He is said to have believed that to live in the mountains, walled in, would make him free from religious and political domination. Benjamin apparently chose to move away, he was friends with Daniel Boone and was fearful of indians. He later moved with his wife Charity, some of his first wifes family, Phelps later the family changed it to Philllips, and settled in Lee County, Virgina. He also traveled with Daniel Boone to Kentucky. After 1794 it is said that he thought it safer to move his family back to Southwest Virginia. They came across a gap in the mountains tat was suitable for farming. Benjamin settled on the north side while his son, Jeremiah settled on the south fork. He spent the rest of his days in Flat Gap, Virginia. He and his son built the first watermill in the area for grinding corn into meal. Benjamin died in 1833 and was the first to be buried into the Bolling cemetery at Flat Gap, Virginia.


Source: The Bolling Descendants of John Rolfe and Pocahontas By; Edward Watson Bolling copyright 1974 Adams Press Chicago Pg 3-9





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DNA Connections
It may be possible to confirm family relationships with Benjamin by comparing test results with other carriers of his Y-chromosome or his mother's mitochondrial DNA. However, there are no known yDNA or mtDNA test-takers in his direct paternal or maternal line. It is likely that these autosomal DNA test-takers will share some percentage of DNA with Benjamin:

Have you taken a DNA test? If so, login to add it. If not, see our friends at Ancestry DNA.



Comments: 47

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I have mapped out all of the direct descendants of these 4 ( Jane Fleming https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zKFY0zPxfAXbCAtGzBc4ieq06FZoZJEo/view?usp=sharing [Fleming-13848] Martha Fleming https://drive.google.com/file/d/12mkNLPC3trI1r_yQYez0-Igec2EyAw82/view?usp=sharing [Fleming-2110] Alexander Fleming https://drive.google.com/file/d/1z9yZbBO5-ekha_dr4BfHMn1K4pa23x82/view?usp=sharing [Fleming-10310] Margaret Fleming https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FTY1yWtQ10-SiukKpjmzXQ1jOaympJCh/view?usp=sharing [Fleming-14989]) are DNA matches to me and made profiles on WikiTree. Two of them are X-DNA Matches, Ancestry and others say they are children of Marry Bolling [Bolling-94] and John Fleming [Fleming-23]. Now that we have Mitochondrial DNA of Mary Bolling they can easily be checked also Alexander Fleming [Fleming-10310] has a Y Match and can be checked with the male line, can someone do that I was right about Thomas Fleming [Fleming-1419] you can go back and see my arguments for him

"soon DNA will prove Col. John Wigton Fleming is next and finally to Amonute Matoaka (Rebecca) "Pocahontas" [RolfePowhatan-3] will be able to be proven as our common ancestor because of our X-DNA Match or at least strengthen the Ancestry"

PS Also My DNA Trail suggest and mapped out that Benjamin Bolin Bowlin [Bolling-79] (see profile pick) is in fact son of Mary Bolling [Bolling-94] https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nm0MLCldfyyW8S5FdulUQ8Y5kempnmNA/view?usp=sharing

posted by Kevin Lajiness
https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Unknown-225681#

elizabeth 1731–1807 wikitree. I'm pretty well convinced they where Brother and Sister. No more who there parent where.

What do you think of adding that relationship?

posted by Joseph Putnam
Benjamin Franklin Bowling (aka Bolling) was my G-G-G-G Grandfather and I realize that he maintained he was related to Pocahontas as is stated on his tombstone. Whether this is true or not is likely debatable since I, myself, have had 3 DNA tests conducted and, guess what, none of them agree, other than geographically as to my origins, and even that is very general. I do know that it appears difficult to base anyone's race on a DNA test, alone. Physical characteristics and genealogical documentation of one's ancestry are "better indicators" of race than DNA" as I am approximately 1/4 N.A. (or more) which was not even indicated in my results, though it does show that I have several Asian relatives (Japanese and Chinese, along with others which could be misinterpreted, I guess, since N.A. were originally from Mongolia, thus should be similar to other Asian peoples in their DNA make-up since they were Asian, as well. For that matter, my Julian/Julien lineages takes me back to Chief Powhatan which, of course, makes me related to Princess Pocahontas so it is a "non-problem" for me, either way because I am proud of my N.A. heritage, regardless...
posted by CrookSpotter Neil
I have noticed elsewhere through DNA connection that this Benjamin Franklin is listed as a twin with his sister having the exact same birthdate. She is Dorothea Bolling 30 Jun 1734 - 20 Jan 1832, born in Henrico, VA and died in VA. (I realize this marks her as born in VA and he in NC, this is something I only just discovered and am investigating myself as well)

Has anyone else come across this information? With the disputed DNA is there a way to follow her female direct line to match the mother's line?

posted by Aimee (Schweitzberger) Taylor
edited by Aimee (Schweitzberger) Taylor
I'm descendant of Elizabeth Bolling's daughter Susannah Bolling Williams (my 5th Great Grandmother). I've kind of hit a wall on Elizabeth's parents (I put in Benjamin Bolling and Martha Phelps in Family Search but someone keeps deleting it, I'm assuming because of lack of sources). How do I prove that Benjamin and Martha are her parents, and what is the consensus on who Benjamin's parents are (Benjamin Sr. or Edward)? I was always told I was a descendent of Pocahontas but I guess not :(
posted by Clarissa Gearner
I have proof that Benjamin,Elizabeth and some of the other "blue" Bolling are siblings and Pocahontas descendant
posted by Joseph Putnam
Sorry, but neither documentation nor DNA support this claim.
posted by Kathie (Parks) Forbes
https://books.google.com/books/about/Pocahontas_to_Benjamin_Bolling.html?id=8SW5DQAAQBAJ

A DNA study Published in 2016 and again in 2020 says other wise.

posted by Joseph Putnam
The Bolling Y DNA study at FTDNA clearly shows the Benjamin’s descendants are in a different group than John Bolling’s descendants.
posted by Kathie (Parks) Forbes
Well there is shared dna between Benjamin his sister Elizabeth Wright who im a Descendant and the Bollings on top of that the Native DNA seems to line up to a common Native ancestor for some. Now im no expert but from what I've seen there is definitely some sort of connection
posted by Joseph Putnam
edited by Joseph Putnam
Autosomal DNA is not very reliable beyond five or six generations, and the odds of Native American DNA from a person who lived more than 400 years ago carrying though to someone alive today are most unlikely. At just 10 generations you have more than 1,000 grandparents. Pocahontas had only a son, so mitochondrial DNA doesn’t enter into the equation.
posted by Kathie (Parks) Forbes
That is just not true it can be accurate out to 7 generatio. Perhaps more.
posted by Joseph Putnam
Also then how do you explain me matching Benjamin Descendants. From 3 to 10cm

And share Native American DNA with them.

I think there is enough proof Benjamin and my Elizabeth where brother and sister. As stated by the above published DNA study.

posted by Joseph Putnam
Bolling-1110 and Bolling-79 appear to represent the same person because: based on wife, these are intended to be the same person, Bolling-1110 has no sources to support differences in data.
posted by Robin Lee
Since there is so much controversy about his origins, shouldn't this profile be project protected? US Southern Colonists would be happy to do so.
posted by Jillaine Smith
Benjamin Bolling and Elizabeth Blair are my 5th Great Grandparents. Many people have claimed that Benjamin is not a RED Bolling, but he is. His parents are Robert Bolling and Jane Rolfe. I believe i have read that Benjamin had up to 22 children. My DNA proves it. I have matches with several of the line. One in particular is the grandson of many in the Pamunkey Tribe. I match with him. My Gedmatch even shows American Indian. You cannot dispute DNA. Remember that Native American's are not keen to give DNA samples. Is it Money & Politics. They do not want others to show proof, it taps into their $$$. The above is very correct on the Powhatan Line http://www.multiwords.de/genealogy/Ja10KeziahArroyah.html They have even listed down my ancestry line, which is correct.
posted by Nancy Osborn
edited by Nancy Osborn
Hi cousin Nancy. I agree he was Lumbee Native American and is documented as Melungeon in several court records, it would not be in his paternal line, and it would be his autosomal tree or mothers line (mtDNA: mothers, mothers, mothers). Because his male haplogroup is European. Autosomal DNA matching to the Bolling family does also occur with myself and the true Bollings (in group one DNA study below). And I think many in the family tree married into the same lines as the actual descendants of Robert Bolling. BIG HOWEVER, please see the the Bolling Family Association DNA study at FTDNA, which I have had personal involvement with. I have several male Bolling cousins descendants that are my DNA matches at FTDNA and 23&Me and Ancestry, that have Y - LINE DNA tested at FTDNA. That tests only the fathers, fathers, fathers DNA line. GO TO: https://www.bolling.net/dna-results OUR Benj. is in group 3 as you can see from the results, NOT group 1. GROUP 1 is the Robert Bolling .... John Blair, the true descendants of Pocahontas. I believe he may have perpetuated the story at a time it was not popular to be Native to have it go easy on him being from a famous Native. Or his descendants that made that the case when erecting his tombstone and citing to various authors in the 1950's.
posted by Loretta Morrison
I learned a new term today - thanks :D
I'm not sure who coined the expression "blue Bolling," but my understanding is that it refers very specifically to the names of 12 people who "came out of the blue" (in the views of those Bolling researchers who rely on what they consider to be more traditional, orthodox and reliable sources) to be listed by Zelma Wells Price (in 1963) and others as among the children of John and Elizabeth Blair Bolling. These 12 are: Meotaka; William; Elizabeth; Jared; Martha; Dorothea; Benjamin; Jane; Rodney; Rolfe; Powhatan; and James. These "out of the blue" Bollings are sometimes also referred to as the "mysterious Bollings." ~ posted at genealogy.com by Fred Hof, September 30, 2001
posted by Liz (Noland) Shifflett
What's the source for the very specific birth date and location? I see it's also on his FaG profile, but as we know, FaG doesn't typically provide source citations. Thanks.
posted by Jillaine Smith
Bill, sorry if I wasn't clear. I'm seeking a better source than his findagrave profile.
posted by Jillaine Smith
Bolling-1110 and Bolling-79 are not ready to be merged because: On the surface these seem to be the same people, but this Benjamin is not the son of Edward; his tombstone says he is the son of John Bolling and Elizabeth Blair.
posted by Bill Huitt
Bill, this profile used to be attached to John and Elizabeth. Please read the disputed heritage mentioned below. The tombstone apparently is wrong as proven by DNA. It is possible this is the son of Edward; however, there needs to be a source provided before accepting the attachment. Perhaps it should be marked unmerged match, for now.
posted by Elizabeth Coltrane
Bolling-1110 and Bolling-79 appear to represent the same person because: Birthdate close, spouse same, child Jeremiah.
posted by Jeanne (Lunn) Aloia
Pleasre do not ADD parents. Parentage unknown. One of the "Blue" Bollings. Not a descendant of John Bolling and Elizabeth Blair. Read disputed heritage.
posted by Maggie N.
One of the "Blue" Bollings. Not a descendant of John Bolling and Elizabeth Blair. Read disputed heritage.
posted by Maggie N.
Bowlin-492 and Bolling-79 appear to represent the same person because: same birth and death dates, same name with alternate spellings, source for Bowlin-492 includes information on Bolling-79's wives.
posted by D. Botkin
Bolling-813 and Bolling-79 appear to represent the same person because: Clear duplicates - multiple identical facts.
posted by Edward Painter
Bolling-497 and Bolling-79 appear to represent the same person because: same dates and wife
posted by Robin Lee
Bolen-356 and Bolling-79 appear to represent the same person because: same parents, birth, and wife
posted by Robin Lee
This profile should not be treated as unsourced. Myself and other profile managers, have cited several sources.
posted by Wesley Doughman
Flat Gap, VA is now part of Wise County, VA.
posted by Wesley Doughman
Bolling-565 and Bolling-541 appear to represent the same person because: This is the same person. According to Benjamin Bolling's gravestone, he was married twice. With 'Patsy' Phelps, he sired James; with Charity Lattimore he sired Jeremiah.
posted by Barbara Sweeney
Bolling-541 and Bolling-79 appear to represent the same person because: Dates infer that this is the same person. There are 3 others as well, Bolling-387, Bolling-565, and Bolling-497.
posted by Barbara Sweeney

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