Bland, Theodorick, 1741-1790

<p>Theodorick Bland (March 21, 1741 – June 1, 1790), also known as Theodorick Bland, Jr., was an American slave owner, planter, physician, soldier, and politician from Prince George County, Virginia. He became a major figure in the formation of the new United States government, representing Virginia in both the Continental Congress and the United States House of Representatives (until his death in office), as well as serving multiple terms in the Virginia House of Delegates representing Prince George County, which he also represented in the Virginia Ratification Convention.</p>

<p>Bland was born in Prince George County in 1741 to a prominent planter family in colonial Virginia. His parents were Theodorick Bland of Cawsons and Frances Elizabeth (Bolling) Bland. His mother was the only child and heir of Captain Drury Bolling and Elizabeth Meriweather of "Kippax," which plantation the younger Theodorick subsequently inherited and operated.</p>

<p>His ancestors had settled in Virginia years earlier, became civic leaders (hence sometimes referred to as the First Families of Virginia) and prospered by operating plantations using enslaved labor. Like his father (who served in the initial Virginia Senate during the American Revolutionary War representing Prince George County and nearly Isle of Wight and Surry Counties, he was named after Theodorick Bland of Westover, who had served as Speaker of the House of Burgesses in 1660 and also represented Charles City County then new Henrico County) from 1661 until his death, probably in 1672. His grandfather, Richard Bland, had married Elizabeth Randolph, daughter of William Randolph of Turkey Island. His uncle, Richard Bland, his father's first cousin Peyton Randolph, and his second cousin Thomas Jefferson would precede him in being elected to state legislative posts as well as Congress.</p>

BLAND, Theodorick, (nephew of Richard Bland), a Delegate and a Representative from Virginia; born at Cawsons, on the Appomattox River, near Petersburg, Prince George County, Va., March 21, 1742; was sent to England to be educated; studied medicine in Edinburgh and was admitted to practice; returned to his home in 1759 and engaged in extensive practice; took an active part in the Revolutionary War; entered the Continental Army as captain of the First Troop of Virginia Cavalry; Member of the Continental Congress 1780-1783; appointed by Governor Henry as lieutenant of Prince George County Militia in 1785; member, State house of delegates, 1786-1788; member of the Virginia convention of 1788 on the adoption of the Federal Constitution and was one of the minority which opposed its ratification; elected as an Anti-Administration candidate to the First Congress and served from March 4, 1789, until his death in New York City June 1, 1790; interment in Trinity Churchyard; reinterred in the Congressional Cemetery, Washington, D.C., August 31, 1828.

<ul><b>RACES</b>
<li>02/02/1789 VA District 09 - Initial Election Won 90.13% (+82.97%)</li>
<li>01/07/1789 VA Presidential Elector Lost 8.47% (-42.18%)</li>
<li>06/01/1788 Virginia Ratifying Convention Won 50.00% (+0.00%)</li>
<li>12/31/1782 VA Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
<li>11/04/1782 US President of the Congress Lost 18.18% (-45.45%)</li>
<li>12/31/1781 VA Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
<li>12/31/1780 VA Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
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