Margaret Bland (abt. 1654 - abt. 1707)

Born about 1654 in England

Descendants

Died about 1707 at about age 53 in Stafford County, Virginia [uncertain]

BIOGRAPHY

She would later marry her apparent(?) cousin Theodorick Bland ("the surveyor"). Her early first child, a daughter, seems to have been illegitimate. The daughter married a Mann then a Ballard. The Ballard's would pass down the Bland name as a given name to Ballard males, as we will see. I spent much money in England trying to identify her parents but without success. Margaret Bland as a thirteen and fourteen year-old girl lived in England during the time of "The Great Plague" (London 1665) and "The Great Fire" (London 1666). The burning of London adversely effected the entire English economy. In 1670 Margaret Bland, age about 16, emigrated across the Atlantic to Maryland, likely accompanied by associates. The record says she was "Transported" meaning someone paid her way across the sea. She was not listed as a servant in any capacity. There is evidence, as we shall see, that her daughter received some formal education, uncommon for girls at that time.

By 1674 Ursulah Bland, a cousin or more likely a sister, as we shall see, was transported to Maryland. Margaret's daughter, whom she named Mary, was born in Maryland about 1675. The book, "A History Of The Ancient Family Of Bland", pub. 1826, p. 300 & 302, by Carlisle, reads "Theodorick...by Margaret his wife the relict (widow) of Man". This would tell us that Margaret's first or early husband was a Mr. Man or Mann. However, a diligent search in Maryland records shows no such marriage. Though some of the Prerogative Court Records of MD seem to be missing from 1690-1691. Was Mary the base daughter of a Mann ? Or, did family informats in 1826 confuse the mother with the daughter some 150 years after the fact? The daughter Mary's first husband James Mann did as a fact die in 1705 making her the widow Mann.

Bacon's Rebellion ended in VA. in 1676. Margaret, her daughter Mary, and Ursula seem to have moved to Stafford Co. VA. sometime after this date. Coincidentally, young Mary's future husband James Man first appears in Stafford Co. VA. In 1690. He was earlier in Calvert Co. MD. in 1685. James Man/Mann was the well-off tax collector of Stafford Co. His first wife, who pre-deceased him, was a daughter of Henry Thompson who left a will in Stafford Co. VA. in 1691 mentioning James Man and his son Henry Man. I think Margaret was determined to marry off her daughter to a man of substance. James Mann had indeed married the much younger Mary by Mar. 20, 1694 when they were living on the land of John Waugh the county clerk.

James Mann left a will in the Overwharton Parish of Stafford Co. VA. in 1705 naming two daughters MARGARET and URSULAH MANN, obviously named after Mary's mother Margaret Bland and aunt Ursulah Bland who earlier appeared in the MD immigration records. The will reads in part, "..my loving wife Mary my sole Executrix..". Mary soon after married Thomas Ballard. On Mann's estate appraisal she signed her name "Mary Ballard". James Man and Theodorick Bland knew each other, serving jury duty together in Stafford Co. VA. in 1692.

Theodorick Bland, Jr. "The Surveyor" was born Feb. 1663 at Westover Plantation in Charles City Co. VA. He was the maternal grandson of Virginia Governor Richard Bennett. In 1680 at only age about 17 he was surveyor for Charles City Co. In 1688 he and his younger brother Richard Bland sold 1,200 ac. of Westover to William Byrd which probably included the Manor house. Though there is evidence the brothers did not sell the entire of Westover as we will see. After the sell Theodorick Bland, Jr. became a renter on the Aylett Plantation in Charles City Co. For reasons unknown he moved to Stafford Co. VA. by 1691 where he served as surveyor and helped lay out the new courthouse. In 1693 he surveyed the area which would later become Alexandria, VA. In 1698 he married Margaret apparently in Stafford Co. VA. It might seem curious why he did not marry until age 35. One would think him being from a prominent and wealthy family plus being the grandson of the VA. Governor that women of his social class would be lined up to marry him when he was 21. This was not the case. Instead, he married his apparent cousin, a reported widow, who was about 10 years his senior. We can only speculate as to why he was such a "late bloomer". Did he have health problems? Was he physically unattractive? We will never know.

Theodorick Bland and wife Margaret lived on Potomack Creek in Stafford Co. VA. where James Mann also lived who married Margaret's inferred daughter Mary. Theodorick and Margaret would likely have lived in a very nice two-story frame house near Potomack Creek. This creek empties into the great Potomac River nearby. Margaret would have two risky late-life pregnancies. Son John Bland was born Dec. 8, 1697/98 and son Theodorick born c1699 who died as a child shortly after his father's death.

In 1699 Theodorick Bland surveyed the site which would become Virginia's new Capitol called Williamsburg. This would be his last major survey project. For reasons unknown he went to his old home at Westover in Charles City Co. VA. where he died Nov. 1700, perhaps unexpectedly. Wife Margaret might have been with him though this is not certain.

"Theodorick...was born at Westover...where he died in November 1700, and was there interred...and (son) Theodorick, who died at an early age soon after his father and lies buried with him" (Carlisle).

He was only 37 years old at the time of his passing and was almost certainly buried near his father, the first Theodorick, at the old Westover cemetery by the river. So, in 1700 Margaret buried her husband and youngest son at Westover. Though deed records have been lost Theodorick may have still owned some land at Westover which might explain him visiting there.

Widow Margaret may (?) have died in 1707 as by c1708 her daughter Mary and son-in-law Thomas Ballard left Stafford Co. VA. and apparently moved to Essex Co. VA., as inferred by Richmond Co. VA. Order Book 4 & Essex Co. VA. Order Book 3. I found no evidence that Margaret moved with them. She was likely buried in what is now an unmarked grave in the Overwharton Parish Church cemetery, also known as Stafford Church but today is called Aquia Episcopal Church in Stafford, VA. William Deyo, historian of the Patawomeck Indian Tribe, mentions Aquia Church "..has a large ancient cemetery". According to Richmond Co. VA. Order Book 4, Apr. 1706, "Thomas Ballard & Mary his wife, Exrx., of James Man, late of Stafford County, deced., vs. Danl. McCarty". The Overwharton Parish records prior to 1723 have been lost.

It may seem sad at first that poor Margaret became merely a footnote in Bland history. But a closer examination shows her rise from obscurity to intermarriage with one of the elite planter families of old Virginia which is notable.

SOURCES

• "The Early Settlers Of Maryland", by Skordas.
• "Settlers Of Maryland 1679-1783", vol. I, by Coldham.
• Stafford Co. VA. Will Book Z, p. 284-285.
• "Familiae Minorum Gentium", vol. II, by Hunter, London, Eng. 1895.
• "A History Of The Ancient Family Of Bland", p. 300 & 302, by Carlisle, London, Eng. 1826.
• "Adventurers Of Purse And Person Virginia 1607-1624", vol. I, p. 330, by Dorman.
• "Men Of Mark In Stafford County, Virginia", p. 2, 21, 108, by Eby.
• "Virgina County Court Records...of Stafford County, Virginia 1664-1668 1689-1690", by Sparacio.
• "Virginia County Court Records...of Stafford County, Virginia 1692-1693", by Sparacio.
• "Virginia County Court Records...of Stafford County, Virginia 1699-1709", by Sparacio.
• Deed & Will Abstracts Stafford County, Virginia 1686-1709", by Sparacio.
• "Deed & Will Abstracts of Stafford County, Virginia 1689-1693", by Sparacio.
• "Charles City County, Virginia Court Orders 1687-1695", by Weisiger.
• "Order Book Abstracts Richmond County, VA. 1699-1706", by Sparacio.