AMONG COUSINS: THE BLAND FAMILY NEWSLETTER

Volume 1, Number 2

May-October 1983

CONTENTS

PRIVATE Brief tc  \l 1 "Brief "

Identification     Key Family Group         Pages/Attachment

PRIVATE Announcements               N/A                 2tc  \l 1 "Announcements               N/A                 2"

James River Blands          1-4C                3

Lewis Bland of Kentucky     No Key              3-4

Duplin County NC Family     25A6A               4-6

Nelson County KY Family     25A6C               7-13

Washington County KY Family 25C6A              13-18   

Randolph County NC Family   25A6C              18-20

Edgefield County SC Family  25A6B              20-21

Talton Bland                31                 21

Harrison Bland              33                 22

Garrard County KY Family    25B6A              22

Samuel Bland                6                  23-24

Allen Bland                 11                 25

Jacob Bland                 34                 25-26

Reuben Bland                5                  26

John Bland (1791-1878)      21                 26

King and Queen Cnty. Va.    10                 26-27

Martin County NC Blands      8                 27

Good and Welfare                               28

Names and Addresses of Subscribers

PRIVATE Photostc  \l 2 "Photos"

Richard Bland  (1710-1776)       1-4C         Attch. 1

James Thomas Bland (1810-1886)   25A6A               2

John Thomas Bland (1853-1928)    25A6A               2

William Bland (1821-1895) and

Catherine Brock (1828-  )        25A6A               3

Osborne Bland  (1853-1923)       25A6E               4

Moses Bland (1844-1907) and

Elizabeth Lankford (1850-1914)   25A6E               5

James Nathaniel and George Bland                     6

Jacob Andrew Bland (1829-1903)

And Elizabeth Peed               34                  6

Berry Elsey Bland (1856-1917)

And Martha G. Bland (1849-1935)  25B6A               7

Charles L. Bland (1940-   )      25B6A              _____________________________________________________________

Volume 1, Number 2                           May-October 1983

EDITOR’S COMMENTS

Dear Cousins,

     Welcome to the second number of “Among Cousins.” Subscriptions, which numbered about 40 for the first issue, now are about 100, which attest to the popularity and, hopefully the utility of the Newsletter. Those of you who have purchased a copy of A Vision of Unity and the Newsletter, will understand, after reading the new developments, why I call the Newsletter an organic part of the book.

     I have been aided in making the Newsletter more useful by the helpful suggestions of Marian Daniels, Albert Hunter and Robert Wheeler. Responsive to their requests, hereafter, pages will be 8X11 and type will be ¾ inches from the left margin both of which will enable subscribers to house the Newsletter in Standard binding. By next issue, I hope to have a formal masthead.

     Cousin Al Hunter reminds me that by and by there will be so many James, Johns, Williams, Marys and Moses to keep track of that it will take a computer to do it. Perhaps, but as yet I am not able to respond to such a demand. Al’s note, however, does highlight a major aspect of a Vision of Unity by which it is not “user friendly.” That is, it has no index, and I simply cannot find the time to do it. I would wager, however, that all my subscribers also lead busy lives. So I will make an offer: to the individual who volunteers to Index the Book , as well as these first two issues of “Among Cousins,” I will provide a free copy of a Vision of Unity when it is published again in October 1983. I will accept the first offer and will discuss details of format to the person who makes the offer.

Among Cousins                    May-October 1983                           Page 2

     A final format change is forced upon me as a matter of resources.  Beginning with this number, I will be unable to append documents unless they are truly ex­ceptional contributions.  The last number was 44 pages in length, including 16 pages of narrative and 28 of supporting documents.  Beginning with this issue, I will use a footnote system with notes at the end.  I will identify the contributer and when possible will attempt to facilitate requests for documents by interested individuals.  One exception to this is that I will continue to append photographs received, since I believe they add life to genealogy.  Keep them coming.

     Next Scheduled Printing of A Vision of Unity

     I will go to press again with the fourth scheduled printing of my book on October !, !983.  All orders should be placed by that time.

     The third printing included 27 hardcover and 4 softcover copies.  Since the first printing, there has been a general lack of interest in the softcover book and many subscribers have written that they had their original softcover copy hardbound.  The binder also has indicated that it is difficult for him to bind a small number of such books.  Accordingly, I am temporarily discontinuing the softcover version.  The hardcover copy will continue to sell at $64.95 for indi­vidual subscribers and at $54.95 for libraries.

     Price Increase for "Among Cousins"

     The next number of "Among Cousins" will be mailed out by November 30, !983, and all contributions should be mailed to me by November !. It appears that I made a critical error in estimating the volume of contributions to the Newsletter.  I never thought there would be as much information as has been the case, and I find it impossible to distribute the information at a rate of $5.00 per issue.  Accordingly, beginning with the !983-!984 issues, Volume 2, I must increase the annual rate to $!5 per year or $7.50 per single issue.  Back orders of Volume !, Numbers ! or 2, may still be ordered at $5.00 each.  I hope you will agree with me that the information received is worth the increased cost.

     Library Placement and Reviews

     The third printing of A Vision of Unity (VU) included placement in the North Carolina State Historical Library, The Filson Club of Louisville Kentucky, and the Brown-Pusey House Library, Hardin County Historical Society, Elizabethtown Kentucky.  In addition the book was registered with the International Standard Book Numbering Service, (ISBN 0-96!0804-0-X).  Earlier, the book was placed at the Church of Latter Day Saints Library, the Virginia State Library, the NSDAR library, and the Statesboro Georgia Regional Library.  It is also placed with the U.S. Library of Congress, which I have discovered, is a hydra-headed monster that moves to no amount of prodding.  I expect to receive a call number any year now and will pass it on when received.  Finally, I have supplied a courtesy to The Genealogical Helper, which in turn will review the book and place it in their library.

     These library placements should get the book before a wider audience of readers, who in turn may communicate with me and share their genealogical findings.  That should keep things humming and help us all.

     Among  Cousins                   ###-0###### |###                                 

                                                                  Page #

         THE JAMES RIVER BLAND FAMILY (VU, Chapters 4-5)

     Although information received from this branch of the family is still scarce, we have welcomed one new member into our midst.  She is Elizabeth LeSueur Scales DeShazo of Martinsville, Virginia.

     Mrs. Scales DeShazo is !3th generation, according to the following line of descent.

     Joseph Harvey Scales (1888-1952) of Henry County, Virginia, who married Grace Fitts (!884- ), of Mecklenburg County, N.C, in !910.

!!. Edgar Forrest Scales (1844=!914), of Henry County, Virginia, married May Ann Scales (!846-!894) of Rockingham County, N.C., in !865.

     James Madison Scales of Rockingham County, N.C. (!802-!86!), who married Elizabeth Pryor Lesueur (!807-!862) of the same county, in !825.

     9.  John Lesueur, (!782-!859), born Charlotte County, Virginia and died Rockingham County, N.C., married Nancy Timberlake (??) in !807.

     8.  John Timberlake ( -!83!), of Charlotte County, Virginia, married Elizabeth Pryor ( -183!) January !9, !782 at Amelia County, Virginia.

     7.  John Pryor (!735-!785) of Caroline and Amelia County, Virginia, married Ann Bland (!735- ).  Ann, briefly noted in (VU, p. !63), was the third child and second daughter of (6) Richard Bland (17!0-!776)*and Anne Pothyress (!712-1758), (VU, pp. !5!-!65).

     On the basis of th#s proven lineage, Mrs. Scales DeShazo was admitted to the NSDAR on June 24, !97L We are pleased to welcome her to this society of cousins.

     A Glimmering of Unity

     I received an interesting communication from Mrs. Alda Clayton Vitz who claims descent from Lewis Bland of Kentucky, who married Martha LeMasters on October !!, !820 in Shelby County, Ohio.  She is interested in hearing from anyone who can shed further light on Lewis Bland or a possible brother, John Bland, living in adjacent Logan and Champaign counties, also about !820.

     Mrs. Vitz wonders if her John Bland might be the grandson of Richard Bland (!7!0=!776, 6th Generation) and Anne Pothyress.  If so, his dates would be !798­!863 and he would be 8th generation.  This John married three times including (!) unknown; (2) Rachel Reed and (3) Elizabeth Cargill (see VU, p. !62).  Mrs.  Vitz' mystery John Bland was noted in the 1820 Census from Zane Township, Logan County, Ohio which had antecedent roots in Champaign County and the Virginia military district which extended from the Ohio River north to Logan County.  It was the northern point of a 6,000 acre land grant to Theodorick Bland (7th Generation, !740-!790, of VU, pp. !70-181, esp. !80).  Mrs. Vitz finds a John Bland in Champaign County, Illinois marrying Rebecca Johnston on June !4, !822.  Her Lewis Bland (!799- ), married in !820.  In the same county, Peter Bland (a James River name seldom used by the Northern Virginia family), married Elizabeth Reed on September !7, !846.  Rebecca Bland married Jose#h Lippincott August 3!, !825, in Cham#paign County.

*See the portrait of Richard Bland on photo pages.

     #mong Cousins                    May-October !983                           Page 4

     Lewis Bland (!799- ) and Martha Lemasters named their first son "Rolla." This would suggest some connection with the Washington County Kentucky Group (see subsequent discussion).  Mrs. Vitz hastens to say no solid connection is proven, but would welcome any further information about lewis Bland (!799- ) or John Bland.  **

                  THE NEW HANOVER-DUPLIN COUNTY

              NORTH CAROLINA BLANDS (VU. Chaoter 8)

     Duplin County N.C. Notes

     During their trip to North Carolina, Cousin Mildred Hunter found in the North Carolina Archives, for Duplin county, fragmented estate papers for Mary Bland, January and April term, 1794.  One in inventory was signed by "Sally Bland." Mildred thinks that this Mary Bland must be the widow of James Bland (9th generation, C!707-!774), discussed in VU,(pp. 275-282# The Sarah Bland who signed one of the inventories is a mystery, but may be a Bland by marriage.  2 Anyone who has thoughts about this should let me or the Hunters know about it.

     Other information provided by Al and Mildred Hunter includes a state Census for Black River District, New Hanover County, for !786.  It shows:

     James Bland with a household including himself, 3 white females of all ages and two white males under 2!. This matches closely the James Bland (!749-!799) of Chatham County discussed below.

     William Bland, Duplin County, with a household including himself, two white males under 2! (James !770-!8!8 and William !77!-!854), (VU pp. 293-297), and 3 white females all ages.

     Mary Bland (possibly widow of James Bland, ninth generation, s#e above), living with 4 white males under 21 and 4 white females of all ages.

     James Thomas Bland (!8!0-!886)

     In February, I received a letter from Robert R. Bland of Boston, Massachusetts.  Robert or "Bob" is the son of William Archibald Bland of Top Sail Island, North Carolina and ultimately descends from James Thomas Bland (18!0-!886, !3th genera­tion), through James Thomas' second marriage, to Margaret Hendry of Pender County, North Carolina (VU, pp. 3!6-3!7).  Subsequent to receipt of Bob Bland's letter, I received a letter from his uncle, John Thomas Bland III, of Arlington, Virginia.  From their letters it is possible to enlarge upon information about the only child of James Thomas Bland and Margaret Hendry (!8!0-!855), John Thomas Bland Sr. (1853­!928), who as indicated (VU, p. 3!7) supplied most of William Alderman Parkers information about the Blands of Duplin County, North Carolina for The Aldermans in America (!957).  James Thomas Bland was said to have married, thirdly, "the widow Douglas Hand." His son John Thomas Bland Sr. graduated from Wake Forest College in !876 and practiced law in Burgaw, North Carolina and served as North Carolina State Senator !885-!887.  He was the founder of the Burgaw Baptist Church and married Lorena Williams (1862-!935), by whom he had a large family, including John Thomas Blan# Jr., father of John Thomas Bland III and his brother William, mentioned above.  I welcome these gentlemen and their son and nephew Robert Bland to the circle of cousins.*

     *See photos of James Thomas Bland and John Thomas Bland on photo pages.

** See discussion, P. 25, Family of William Bland and Em#a Giberson.

     Among Cousins                    May-October 1983                            Page 5

     James Bland of Duplin and Chatham Counties, North Carolina (C!749-1799)

     Subscribers will note the discussion about one James Bland (!749- !!th Generation), possibly a son of William Bland (C!726-!775), who was living in Chatham County, North Carolina in !790, (VU, pp. 320-342, esp. pp. 322-323).  I expounded a theory, based on communications with Cousin Al Hunter of State College, Pennsylvania, that James was the progenitor of the rather large group of Blands that moved from Chatham, North Carolina to Greene County, Indiana about !820.  Cousin Al and his wife Mildred, in their seemingly boundless energy for research, during a trip to North Carolina on April 4-22, made a dramatic find.  The Chatham County, North Carolina Court Minutes !794#!800, show a series of entries which show first, in !794, James Bland being appointed road overseer, followed by a !796 entry in which he is replaced by Upsher Robinson, who has Jacob Bland (C!##9­!839), named as one of his hands.  This links James and Jacob Bland closely together, though in itself it does not show an age differential between the two.  That is suggested, ho#ever, by a close reading of the-new information and VU (pp.  320-324), by an order dated February !800, that binds "Thomas Bland, an orphan of James Bland decd,...unto Simon Bright, he being now !! years old, to learn the trade of blacksmith." Bravo, Al and Mildred!  Consider that in VU (p.  325) I noted an 18!5 Chatham County Poll Tax listing Henry, Thomas, Francis and Joseph.  In that I erred, for as Al Hunter points out, the poll tax showed William rather than Joseph.  Further, these four brothers showed up in Highland Township, Greene County, Indiana in the !830 Census (VU, pp. 325, of Map XIII, pp. 342B-C), along with Jacob, named above.  In addition to (VU, pp. 320-342) note also the discus­sion in "Among Cousins !-!, pp. 4-6, concerning principally the extended family of .William Bland and Elizabeth McBain.  From Cousins Al and Mildred:  .William Bland 5 and Elizabeth McBain were married January 2, 1813, with Thomas Bland as bondsman.

     These findings should be matched to other findings ("Among Cousins" !-!, page 7) which showed a series of marriages by Bland men and women, between !8!9­!82! in Orange County, Indiana, a county that lay southeast of Greene County.  It is established that Henry and Francis Bland were among the five brothers men­tioned above; William, Jacob, Henry, Francis and Thomas.  #hat is less certain is whether the Bland women identified in the Orange County information were their sisters.  They were Mary Bland, who married Samuel Daughtery on November 5, 1819; Isabell Bland, who married Felix Armstrong on March 29, !820; Fanny Bland who married Henry Leatherman on March 29, !820 and Rachel Bland, who married Elisha Baldwin on March !3, !82!. The !790 census of Chatham County, North Carolina showed James' household consisting of himself, five minor males and two females; however, this is only a snapshot in time because the best information about James is that he was "only" 50 when he died in !799 and presumably his wife would have continued having children after !790.  Since women were generally in high demand out on che frontier it is not inconceivable that the four Bland females, Mary, Isabell, Fanny and Rachel were siblings o: the brothers,.William, Thomas, Francis, Henry and Jacob.  It would have been logical for these brothers and sisters to travel in a group and the pattern suggests migration from North Carolina to Indiana, possibly through Kentucky, Orange County first and Greene County by the #arly !820's.  The evidence seems overwhelmingly to point to such a migration.

     A final discovery of Al and Mildred Hunter in Chatham County was a marriage by John Bland to Sally Scott on July !3, !803.  The identity of this John Bland is uncertain.  I think there are three possibilities:  (!) he may be an older son of James Bland, discussed above, who died before his brothers moved to Indiana;

     Among Cousins                    May-October !983                           Page 6

(2) he may be John Bland (!!th Generation, 1760-!827), younger brother to James, (VU pp. 284-293, passim), or (3) John's son (12th Generation, VU p. 292, par. 1).

     This is indeed valuable information and I must stress that it is the product solely of the hard work and fortitude of Cousins Al and Mildred Hunter.

     The Family of William Bland and Catherine Brock

     Cousin Bertha Dunn of Delia, Kansas has provided me with a fine photo of William Bland (182!-C!895) and Catherine Brock (!828- ), (VU, pp. 336-339).  The photo is included in the photo pages.  C.ousin Bertha also sent the following corrections to my book:

(!) P. 338, Par. 2, should read "The fourth child of William Bland..." (2) P. 338, Par. 3, Abner Edgar Bland died in !948.

(3) P. 340, Par. 2, I indicated that Otto Bland was living in Rice County, Kansas in !900, married to Maggie       . Cousin Bertha says the Rice County Otto (Among Cousins !-!, p. 5) was not the son of William T. Bland.  Rather, William T. Bland's son was the Otto C. Bland who lived in Beloit, Mitchell County, Kansas.  Also, William T. Bland's wife Amelia, contrary to (VU, p. 340) was living alone in Beloit because she and William T. were separated or divorced.

(4) Among Cousins, (#-1) page 4, discusses James thomas Bland (1844-!918) and Roxie Ackley (!849-!903).  Bertha has attempted to clear up some of the confusion by stating that both James Thomas and Roxie are buried at the South Lawn Cemetery in Seymour, Iowa.  According to Roxie's obituary, in Bertha's possession, they had seven children.

(5) Finally, Bertha indicates the possibility of another daughter, Sarah, of William Bland and Catherine Brock, proved by the 1870 Census of Corydon, Wayne County, Iowa which shows Sarah Bland, age 7, living with William and Catherine.

     In January, I received a letter from Lloyd N. Cooley of Atchison, Kansas who descends from this branch through Eve Ellen Bland and her husband Harvey Cooley, (VU, p. 339).  I mislaid one of Cousin Lloyd's letter, but he did indi­cate that Enoch Bland, one of the younger sons of William Bland and Elizabeth McBain, thus a brother of William Bland and Catherine Brock, removed to Pattons­burg, Missouri presumably after !880, when he was listed in the Kansas Census as a resident of Lulu, Mitchell County.  Enoch's family is detailed in "Among Cousins" !-!, page 5, last paragraph.  Mr. Cooley indicates Enoch's sons were J.W., James, John, Edward and Henry.  Enoch's brother relationship is proved in the military papers of James O.D. Bland (Among Cousins, Attachment 8), which indicates that Enoch was a brother of James O.D., and that he served in Company A, 115th Indiana, during the Civil War.  I do not think I noted anywhere else that William Bland, husband of Catherine Brock and brother to James O.D. and Enoch Bland, also served in the Civil War, 23rd Iowa, and was wounded in action during the Mexican-American #ar in the !840's.  Their brother Joseph Bland also served in the Civil War with the 23rd Iowa and was killed in action at the Battle of Big Black River, Mississippi. 7

     Among Cousins                    May-October !983                            Page 7

               THE NELSON COUNTY KENTUCKY BLANDS (VU, Cha#ter 10) The Many Fathers of John Bland (C!725#!795)

     If success has many fathers and failure is forever an orphan, John Bland, who moved his family from Northern Virginia to Nelson County, Kentucky and died there in !795, must have been truly successful.  There has been a fairly honest, and I think, open debate about his parentage, revolving around unresolved evi­dentiary issues, about whether his father was William Bland (C!686-!744) or William's younger brother John Bland (C!688-!762).  Now apparently, there is a third prospective father, Richard Bland, the revolutionary patriot (6th generation, !7!0-!776) and a Bland descendant through the James River Family (VU, pp. !5!-!65).  I say new because the idea is new to me, although it has had currency among some researchers for some.  Let us quickly reduce the suitors for the privilege of parenting "Popular John" as we ought to call him, back to two.

     First, John Bland of Nelson County, Kentucky is inextricably linked by over­whelming evidence to the North Virginia Blands.  This is detailed extensively in VU, Chapter !0.

     Second, Richard Bland, the Revolutionary Patriot, is the most extensively researched Bland among the annals of the DAR.  He had a son John, perhaps John Randolph Bland, who was born in Prince George County, Virginia on October !9, !739 and died in his infancy, VU, p. !6!, N!, and !63, par. 4).

     Simply, John Bland (!725=!795) is strongly linked to the Northern Virginia family.  Any link to the James River group traces further back in time (VU, Chap­ter VI).  when anything to the contrary appears, let the reader beware.

     There has, happily, been some movement in identifying the parentage of John Bland (the issue is discussed in VU, pp. 420-425).  Cousin Marian Daniels of San Benito, Texas sent me copies of Prince William County Virginia Bond Book for !753­####' which includes (page 3) the"#ol.lowing entry:  "John Bland dec.; John Bland Adm.; .William Carr. Nov. 7, !763.  Ihose who have followed the debate over this issue will note, (VU, p. 42!) that one#argument#raised in favor of William Bland as John's father is that John (!725=!795) was not named as an administrator or participant in settlement of his father's estate.  The above information threatens that assumption.  Before reaching a conclusion, however, I believe it would be valuable to examine the actual document summarized in the bond book, as well as Prince William County Deed Book T, March 27, 1776, pp. 48,235, relating to a transmission of !00 acres from John (!725=!795) to his son Osborne.  These I plan

.  to order before the next number of the Newsletter is published.

     Military Service for John Bland (!725-!795)

     Note was made in VU, (pp. 4|9#420) of militia service performed by John Bland (9th generation), in Prince William County, Virginia in !756# 1766.  During the past year, I have seen several notices that John Bland also served in the Revolutionary War, where he was awarded a land grant in Kentucky.  Just fishing, who knows about this?

     Among Cousins                    May-October 1983                           Page 8

     Thoughts on the Maiden Name of Lettice, wife of Osborne Bland Sr.

     In a series of letters to me, Marian daniels has called attention to several clues to the maiden name of Lettice, wife of Osborne Bland Sr. (!Oth generation).  For example, there is the Prince William.County Order Book !766-!769, entry calling for Osborne to provide security for himself, for Isaac Davis and John Bland to en­join "said Osborne to keep the peace with Mary Hamrick." Also, Marian has communi­cated with a woman named Louise Bill of Fitzwilliam, New hampshire who claims des­cent from William King and Lettice Bland, born about !745, who lived in Stafford County, Virginia as late as !784 but went to Cox's Creek, Nelson County, Kentucky about !785.  I have seen this information in the old Virginia genealogical jour­nals, but have not stopped to think whether this is the same Lettice who married Osborne.  Further evidence:  there was a Lettice Bland who was involved with the Chapawamsic Baptist Church in Prince William, Virginia March 3, !767, where in 1766 John Bland and Margaret Osborne, and his brother or cousin, Thomas Bland (C!7!9-1788) also were involved.  Another insight, though speculative, is that Lettice was the minor daughter mentioned in the will of James Bland (9th genera­tion, C!707-!774), which was made in !766.* That would make her a cousin of Osborne's.  What would seem to be conclusive is that the Lettice Bland who was associated with the Baptist Church in 1767 was the woman who married Osborne Bland (!Oth generation), suggesting that their marriage dates should be changed from C!769 (VU, p. 433) to sometime before March 3, !767.  Her maiden name might have been Hamrick.  Anyone with further information about this would find an eager correspondent in Marian Daniels.

     The Descendants of Osborne Bland Jr. and Patsy Donahoo

     Patsy Donahoo's Religion

     Cousin Richard Smith of DeKalb, Illinois, citing#ebb, The Centenary of Catholicity in Kentucky, !884, indicates that the Osborne's and Donahoos in the Lebanon, Kentucky area came from St.. Marys County, Maryland.  The overlap between Catholics and their geographic prox9mity to Nelson and .Washington County, Kentucky Blands will be discussed presently.

     Oscar Bland (!877-1947), in his autobiography, made the following observation about Hiram Bland:  "He and his clan were vicious, drunken, fighting men.  His brother-in-law had objected to the cruel treatment that Hiram gave his sister, to whom Hiram was married.  Hiram climbed over the fence where his brother-in-law was tending his tobacco, took out a tobacco knife and said, 'I have come to kill you.' And he killed this fine man..." (Courtesy Al Hunter).

     Well, that reminds me of the intoxicated man who said "the drunker I set here the longer I get." The Hiram Bland story is potentially as rich for folk legend as the Kinchloe Massacre.  Lest we take this noble politician at his word, let it be noted that Hiram was out for some kind of revenge.  Hiram stabbed William Walker, husband to Hiram's sister Lettice.  What started the brawl is uncertain.  But remem­ber that Lettice later testified that Walker had taken a stick to Hiram, suggesting self-defense.  The jury found him guilty and hanged him amid great fanfare.  There, that ought to confuse everyone and enrich the story just a bit.

     *Merritt Page to Charly Bland, December !5, !982, "Her parents were James and Mary

     Bland.  James' will was probatedin New Hanover County, North Carolina in !774."

     Among Cousins                    May=October !983                            Page 9

     But Also Jesse

     Jesse Bland (12th generation) was the sixth child of Osborne Bland Jr. and Patsy Donahoo, (#U, pp. 447-448).  Extended i#formation has been provided about Jesse and his brother William by Cousin Laverne Bland, Sandoval, Illinois, whose family information is quite interesting.  His great grandfathers, Osborne Bland (!3th generation) and Moses Bland (!3th generation), were children of brothers Jesse and William Bland.

     Jesse was born in 182!, probably in Kentucky, lived much of his adult life in Greene County, Indiana and died in Shelby County, Illinois, November 28, !88!. He married Polly Lawrence January 24, !84! in Greene County.  During their marriage, Jesse and Polly had twelve children, including:  (!) James Westley, born in !84!  who married twice, second to Nancy Todd on October 2, !875; (2) Hiram Bland, born in !843, who married Sarah       ; (3) Warren Bland, born June !846, who married Martha Watson, February 8, !887; (4) Eliza Bland, born !848; (5) Mary A. Bland, born 1852; (6) osborne Bland, discussed further below; (7-!2) Elizabeth, born !855; Milly, 1858; Jesse, 186!; Sarah, !864; Priscilla, 1866; and Almidia, 187!.

     Osborne Bland (!3th generation) was born April 3, !853 and died April 3, !923.  A photograph of Osborne is included in the photo pages.  Osborne married Sarah L.  Matthews on October !2, !873, and by her had a family of eleven children, (!4th generation):  (1) James Westley Bland, (August 10, !874 - ); (2) Esther Elizabeth, (November 3, !875 to January !5, !966), who married a cousin David Bland (July !1, 1875 to November 15, !957), David was a grandson of William Bland and Martha Fisher (Cooksey?) to be discussed presently.  David and Esther were married November 30, !895 and had a family of seven children (!5th generation), including William (December !5, !896); Tony F. (January 8, !898); Zola May (May 2, !90#); Clarence Alonzo (September 4, !902); James Arthur (February !!, !904); Chester Osborne (May 24, !906); and George Earl (June 30, !906).  The third and fourth children of Osborne Bland and Sarah Matthews were Mary Louisa (February !2, !878) and William Madison (September !0, !880); the fifth child was Druscilla, discussed below; the sixth through eleventh children were, Polly Lucetta (October 28, !885); Bessie Ann (February !2, !887); Maggie Florence (January 7, !890); Hiram Bazzle (July 9, !892); Sarah; and David 0sborne (June 4, !895).

     Druscilla Bland, (December 9, !882 to 1920) married her cousin John William Bland (October !8, !873 to February !3, !959) on November 2, !905.  They had a family of six children (!5th generation) which included Vernon Virgil Bland (19!5­!948), who married Esther Haney on February 28, #942 and they were the parents of my correspondent, Laverne Bland.  Following the death of Vernon Virgil Bland, his widow married his brother, Cleatis Jam#es Bland (!909# ) on December 20, !949.

     And William

     William Bland (C!80!- ) was the second child of Osborne Bland and Patsy Donahoo, and Laverne Bland has 'upplied further information to the discussion about him (VU, pp. 444-445).    married Martha Fisher (possibly Cooksey) probably about !835, and they had a family of seven children (!3th generation), including:  (!) Mary (!836= ); (2) James (!838- ) of whom some ideas will be discussed below; (3) Lucy (!839# ); (4) Austin (September 10, !843-March 29m !924).  He was a Civil War Veteran and he married Mary Langford (April !5, !848 to December !, !9!6) on March !4, !865, presumably in Greene County.  Austin and Mary had a family of six children, (!4th generation) including:  (!) Mary Elizabeth

     Among Cousins                    May-October !983                                 

                                                                  Page !0

(February 18, !866); Rhoda (July 6, !869); Vinnah (April 9, 1870-March !0, 1954); Eli (February 6, !872-February 9, !872);.William Riley (September !7, !873-Decem­ber 25, !912) and james #estley (January !9, !877- ).

     The sixth and seventh children of William Bland and Martha Fisher were Elizabeth (!847) and Eli (!849).  Their fifth child was Moses Bland, born in !844 and died April 20, !907.  Laverne Bland has provided a photo of Moses and his wife Elizabeth Langford, (February !6, 1850-July !8, !9!4) whom he married on July 28, !866, in­cluded on the photo pages.  Moses and Elizabeth had a family of twelve children (!4th generation) as follows:  (!) Lucinda (September 29, !867); (2) Anna (July 25, !869); (3) Polly (August 1!, !87!); (4) John.William, discussed above, who married his cousin Druscilla Bland; (5) David,discussed above, who married his cousin Esther Elizabeth Bland; (6) Alice (September !4, !877); (7) Eliza (March !, !880); (8) Julie (November 20, !88!); (9) Harvey (May !5, !885); (!0) Westley (January !5, !888); (!!) Albert (September !4, !890); (12) Della (February #2, 1895).

     A supplementary angle to the family of William Bland, has been added by three new subscribers, Janey Sanwder of #atts, Oklahoma, Helen Bland Daniels of Moulton, Iowa, and Maxine Davis of Annaheim, California, all of whom descend from James Bland of Greene County,Iowa who was born October !7, !838 and died after !887.  The key document is a certificate of the Iowa State Board of Health, related to James' second marriage, to Elizabeth Kirby Forsythe (born !853- ) in Davis County, Iowa.  The document identifies James as having been born in Greene County, Indiana, the son of #illia#OBland and Martha Cooksey.  James is identified as 49 years of age in the document.

     This raises the question, was William Bland (1801- ) married to Martha Fisher, Martha Cooksey, or were the two Martha's actually just one?  According to information provided me, Martha Cooksey was born in Kentucky on October 7, !817.  Several possibilities exist.  One is that William married Martha in Kentucky, be­fore moving to Indiana.  One must recall the so far prevalent theory that Osborne Jr. and Patsy Donahoo did not move from Kentucky until the late 1820's at the earliest (VU, p. 442).  It would not have been unusual for.William to have stayed in Kentucky until the early 1830's.  Mrs. Davis has found census records of a William Bland and Martha in Cumberland County, Kentucky, !830, where a family of Cooksey's was located.* This could create a second possibility that William and Martha knew each other in Kentucky, migrated to Indiana, met and married.  A third possibility is that William married Martha Fisher about !835, as noted in VU, (VU, p. 444), that she was the mother of his first child, born in !836, and died.  Afterward,.William might have married Martha Cooksey, C1837, and had James in !838, in which case she would be the mother of James' children born !838-!849.  Information on the subject would be greatly appreciated.

     If there is a father-son relation between .William and James, the latter would be !3th generation.  James married first, Emily Perry, who was born December 9, 1843 and died October !0, !880, in Davis County, Iowa, Fabious Township, on March 20, !863, and they had a family of six children (!4th generation) including:  (!).William B.  Bland (1864-!938) who married Margaret         and by her had two (!5th generation) children:  Elix James, born May !899 and Ella; (2) Ruth, born !866, married Edward Morrow; (3) James 0. Bland, born !869; (4) Edward Eli Bland, born January 25, !873 in Davis County, Iowa and died in Hardtner, Kansas April !5, !95!. He married Ida Stites (!870-!949) on August !5, !893; (5) Mark Bland born March 4, 1877 and died November 25, !94!; and (6) Albert Bland, born 1879 and died November 23, 1885.

     *At least some Blands, descended from Prudence Bland and Fleming Smith, were in Cum-

     berland, Kentucky at the same time.

     Among Cousins                    May=October !983                            Page 1!

     Secondly, James Bland married Elizabeth Kirby Forsythe, (!853- ) on March 3, 1887 and by her had a single child, Jesse Burton Bland, born October !7, !888, who married anna Brinegar Marin on July 7, 1923.  They were the parents of my corres­pondent, Helen Bland Daniels of Moulton, Iowa and her sister Ella Louise.  James Bland and Eliza Kirby Forsythe were later divorced and had no other children.

     Prudence Bland and Fleming Smith

     My general rule of not developing maternal lines of descent is unfair to some very helpful contributors, whose excellent research does not receive full appre­ciation.  Thus, I hope the following elaboration upon the lines of Prudence Bland, (!750-!815), eldest daughter of John Bland and Margaret Osborne, will pay proper tribute to Cousin Merritt Page of Green City, Missouri, who has done tireless and extensive research upon the line, has helped me and others in many ways, and has made a very positive contribution to our knowledge of the Bland family's history.  Merri## is the foremost researcher of this line, though what I write is also based on mingled information from Marian Daniels and Cousin .Wilda (Mrs. Max) Page of Fritch, Texas.

     A leaf from a Smith Family bible indicated that "Prudence Smith departed this life on the 29th day of November in the year of our lord #815 and in the 65th year of her age."* She married Fleming Smith, who was born in Fairfax County, Virginia December 5, !745 and died in Monroe (formerly Cumberland) County, Kentucky on August 22, !847.  His memories about !8th Century Virginia and the young American Republic must have been fascinating.  Fleming served intermittently with the Carolina Troops, Continental Line, for which service he received a land grant in Kentucky (Cumberland) and went there with his family to claim it about !803.  Fleming married Prudence Bland about !768 and they had a family of seven children, including:  (!) Elizabeth, born about !770, died in Hopkins County, Kentucky by 1822.  She married Martin Castleberry of South Carolina and had by him a family of ten children; (2) Dorcas Smith, of whom more below; (3) John Smith, whose will was proved November 22, !852, married a Sally         ; (4) Malinda Smith, married          Williams in !81!; (5) Prudence Smith, married Robert Williams in !808 in Kentucky; (6) James Smith, born about !777, in Spartansburg,.South Carolina died inBourbon County, Kentucky, near Fort Scott in theCivil War, in February 1864; (7) Samuel Smith, who married Mary Baker.

     The principle child of concern by Fleming Smith and Prudence Bland is Dorcas Smith, born March 6, 1771 and died May !7, !865, who married John Page (March 26, 1777 to May 28, !8!9).  They were married on March 27, !796.  They had eight chil­dren including John Brockman page, (February !!, !80!#!880), who married Margaret H.  Bennett in !820.  John and Margaret Bennett Page had a son Arthur Bennett Page, (1833-190!) who married Elizabeth Wilburn (1833-!9!!).  Arthur and Elizabeth Wil­burn Page had a son Joseph Louis Page (!872#!935) who married Olive Edna Banner (!875=!9!5) parents of Cousin Merritt Page.

     Wilda (Mrs. Max) Page traces her husband's descent back to Dorcas Smith and John.Page as follows:  Their fourth child Fleming Smith Page, (!803-1857) married Dorcas Shipley Page, September 5, !822 in Kentucky.  Their child Samuel Shipley Page, (!824-!863) who died of small pox while serving in the Fifth Kentucky, Union Army, married Elizabeth Payne on October !3, !846.  They had eight children, in­cluding Daniel Webster page (Henry Clay would have turned over in his grave) (!858­!943), who married May Andrews February !2, !885 in Greene City, Sullivan County

     *This contradicts earlier information, (VU, p. 430) that Prudence's Dates came from

     her gravestone.

     Among Cousins                    May=October i983                            Page 12

Missouri.  This couple had eleven children, including their you,n##st, Max page (!905=!980) who married Alwilda May Newton on December !7, !927.

     The Family of John Bland and Elizabeth Shewmate

     Cousin Anne #. Hall of Roswell, New Mexico sent an important piece of infor­mation about John Bland, ( !Oth generation), son of John Bland and Margaret Osborne.  .While researching Nelson County records, Anne found John's will made July !6, !836 and probated December !2, !836.12 which contains substantial family information to update previous discussion (VU, pp. 457=458)#

     First, the book is in error (p. 457) indicating that John Bland who married Hannah Lewellen might have been John's son by a previous marriage.  There is nothing in the will to substantiate this assumption.  Further, there is little evidence in the will to warrant the assumption that Catherine Bland, who married Samuel Bland in Hardin County, was a daughter of the John Bland in question (VU, p. 458).  Having excised these two;persons, the children of John Bland, proven by their enumeration in his will of 1836 are:

          Sons:  James, Bryant, Isaac

Daughters: Margaret, Eleanor (Nelly in the Will), Lucinda, Eliza, Polly, Milly, Fanny, and Martha.

     If we assume by the timing of John's marriage to Elizabeth, that he was 2!  and she about !6 when they were married in 1792, it would stand to reason that John was about 65 when he died, and that elizabeth would have reached menopause about !820, at.age 44 or 45.  Thus, their !1 children were probably born over a quarter century between 1793 and !820.  It adds up fairly well.  At the time of John's will, all his sons were adult, but he had two daughters, Eliza and Martha, who were unmarried, and presumably minors.  We know the following about the other nine children.  Information about Eleanor, Lucinda, Polly (Mary), Milly and Fanny matches marriage information previously cited (VU, pp. 457-458).  Margaret Bland, evidently the eldest daughter, was married to William Hutchinson, identified in the will as "my son=in=law." A date for their marriage is unavailable.  Among the sons, quite by accident, I found information among the papers sent me by Helen Bland,Daniels that sheds light on sons Bryant and Isaac, both of whom removed to Scotland County, Missouri with their fmmilies in the latter part of the ]820's.

     Bryant Bland, (1800=!84#) named co=executor in his father's will and probably the eldest son.  he married Margaret Bridewell who, after Bryant's death, ran off to California with John Devilbliss (terrific name), where she died.  Information is available about two sons of Bryant and Margaret Bland (!2th generation).  John H. Bland was born in Nelson, Kentucky in !836, date of death uncertain.  He served in Company A, !Oth Mississippi Regiment from September !861 until June !865.  He was a Democrat who cast his first vote for Buchanan.  He married Mary L. Thompson (!3th generation) who married J.#. Johnson.  The second child of Bryant Bland and Margaret Bridewell was Joseph P. Bland (!2th generation), who married Lizzie Roberts.  They had one child, a son J. W., whereupon Lizzie died and Joseph went to California, where he married Lutie Jackson, and had by her four children, including Eugene M., Lena B., Jennie B., and Guy P.

     *In her letter about John Bland, Cousin Anne asked that I correct two errors in

"Among Cousins," !-!, page 9.  James Bland of Warren County, Kentucky should read Missouri, and Annie Elizabeth Payne should be Annie Eliza.

     Among C#usins                    May-October 1983                            Page !3

     Isaac Bland:  The date of his birth is uncertain, but since he was younger than Bryant, it must be assumed after !800.  He died in Scotland County, Missouri in !840.  Isaac married Nancy Floyd in Kentucky, and in |828 they migrated to Scotland County.  After Isaac's death, Nancy remarried to G.K. Biggs, and moved to Clark County, Missouri.  Isaac and Nancy had two sons and two daughters, among which, information is known about Josephus Bland (!2th generation), born July !3, !833 in Scotland, Missouri.  Between 1849-!852, he went to California to seek his fortune, with some success, for in !852 he returned home to buy more land, in addi­tion to 520 acres near Canton, Missouri, passed on by his father.  He married Mary C. Duncan early on February 22, !855 and by her had            of five children (!3th generation) including:  Nancy E., who married John              ##lliam I. Bland, Elizabeth J. Bland; Josephus H. Bland Jr. and Robert M. Bland.

     No such information is known about the third son of John Bland and Elizabeth Shewmate, James Bland (!Oth generation).  #hat is apparent, however - and this is the question that interests Mrs. Hall - is that he was born too late (after !800) to have been Mrs. Hall's James Bland (February 23, !793 to June 6, !849), who was born in Nelson County, Kentucky (VU, pp. 462-463).  In other words, James was treated equitably in the will of !836, but was not named executor, as Bryant was.  Absent other qualifications, that would probably make him younger than Bryant.  For that reason, Mrs. Hall's James Bland was likely the son of Samuel Bland (VU, pp. 455-456) for Samuel's son James witnessed a marriage to a sibling in 1818, (VU, p. 456) something that would have been logical if he was born in !793.  These ideas are admittedly tenuous but point to some possible conclusions.

     Mary Bland and Thomas Randolph

     As in the case of Prudence Bland and Thomas Fleming, discussed above, the family of Mary Bland and Thomas Randolph deserves more than the cursory treatment it received in VU, pp. 430-43!. Marian Daniels, a descendant of Mary and Thomas, provided me with a full list of their nine children, which I am happy to print here:  (!) "Katy" (Catherine?), date of birth undertain, died before !812; (2) Elijah, born January 27, !797 and died November 17, 1848.  Elijah married Rebecca Eliot on April 6, !8!8 by whom he had three children,* including Mary Randolph, (!8!9-!9!8), who married William James Braddy in !850.  .William and Mary were the ancestors of two of my correspondents, Pearl King of Denver, Colorado and Nellabeth Loomis Ingalsbe (her husband) of Phoeniz, Arizona.  (3) Prudence Randolph (!798­!859), who married William Cross.  Marian Daniels descends through this line.  (4) Isaac Randolph (!800-!834), who married Nancy Hughes in !833.  She must have been too much for 'im.  Cut his life short!  (5) John Randolph (!802- ); (6) Bradford Randolph, (C!805-!850/53), married Sylvia Bozeman; (7) Luc##da (!808- ); and Thomas Randolph (!8|4- ) who married Mary Pace in 1837.

              THE WASHINGTON COUNTY, KENTUCKY BLANDS

                          (VU, pp. 463-477)          

     The Catholicity of Blands in Kentucky

     The Blands of Kentucky are an endless source of fascination to me because of their numbers, diversity and seeming interconnectedness in geography and family, yet their essential apartness.  As in the larger family, there are a number of

     *After his marriage to Rebecca Eliot, Elijah married Elizabeth Conn, by whom he

     also had issue.

     #mong Cousins                    May-October !983                           Page !4

different strands that apparently are apart from the central groups, yet there are two major distinct groups, the .Washington and Nelson County Families, who appear to have arrived at Kentucky at about the same time, when Nelson County was emerging from Jefferson and.Washington from Nelson.  Having said this, aside from some in­termarriages, there is nothing yet known, specific and concrete that could tie the two families together.

     Although it is fairly clear that the Blands who descended from John Bland (9th generation, !725-!795) andMargaret Osborne were Protestant, it may be that they were sympathetic to Catholicism, e.g., Margaret Osborne may have been from a Catholic family (#ebb's  Catholicity in Kentucky, pp. 72-73), and there may have been a clear connection between the on and off residence of James Bland (!655-!708) in Maryland, particularly St. Marys County, the difficulties of his assumed father, Thomas Bland of Maryland (sixth generation, C!634-!700), and the migration of Nor­thern Virginians to Kentucky after the Revolutionary #ar.  Note for example, that the last known transaction in Maryland by that consumate fraud, Thomas Bland (!634-!700), was a land sale in 1699, the same year as the Test Oath act, which required office holders to swear fealty to Protestantism.  Thomas became a vestry member of St. Anne's church in !696, perhaps, given his character, an opportune act to try and salvage what already was a shaky position in Maryland.  By 1700 he was back in England, no longer claiming to be a lawyer, having, as it were, come clean as a way of closing out his life.  These years also coincide with a great deal of shuttling back and forth between Stafford, Virginia and St. Mary's, Maryland by James Bland (7th generation, C!655-!708) until in !70!, a year after Thomas' death, he bought 600 acres of land and settled in Stafford County, near the Maryland line, (VU, pp. !98-2!9, passim).  Could it have been that Thomas and James Bland were from Ireland?  Samuel Kendley Bland (VU, pp. 473-474) said the Blands were Scotch-Irish, though he said nothing about their Catholicity.  Infor­mation sent by Cousin Richard Smith of DeKalb, Illinois points to heavy Catholic settlement in Nelson-Washington County, along Pottinger's, Cartwright and Rolling Fork settlement, and men and women from both families married Catholics (Osborne Bland Jr. and Patsy Donahoo and Rachel Bland and Michael Fagan).  The truth re­mains obscure.  My hunch, is that Thomas and James Bland were involved in activi­ties with Catholics that ultimately branded them sympathisers.  Their migration to Kentucky at approximately the same time as large numbers of Catholics from Maryland may have been more than coincidental but much less than a badge of their own Catholicism.  Most Blands were Protestant in the 17th and 18th centuries.  15

     Refinements in Washington County Research

     New information received by me from Cousins Richard Smith# a new corres­pondent Juanita Faulkner Max of Anderson, Indiana and Mrs. J.W. (Lorena Flood) Bland of Hardinsburg, Kentucky, as well as copies of Curtis Bland's History and Genealogy of the Bland Family sent by Mrs. J.W. Bland, Max Kessinger and Al Hunter, have provided the possibility of adding some insights and refinements to the presentation of the .Washington County, Kentucky family (VU, pp. 463-477).

     The Husband of Rachel Bland:  No real light has been shed on this question, and the ultimate answer, if it comes up at all, will probably have to come from Virginia rather than Kentucky research.  My hunch is that Rachel was a widow who came to Kentucky with her family, in company with the John Bland-Margaret Osborne group, suggesting perhaps that her husband, I still think Rolly or Roland was his name, was killed in the Revolution.  Certainly, Rachel was a widow by !784.  Two new names popped up in the records sent by Juanita Max:  Jeremiah and David.  They

     *Richard Smith was the source of information for the Catholic link to the Bland Family.

     The speculations about Thomas and James Bland are my own.

     Among Cousins                  May-October |983                            Page #5

appeared on tithable lists between !787-1792, sometimes in company with men who were certainly Rachel's sons.  That suggests to me that they were her sons also, and either died or moved away soon after !792.  The names do not appear to be popular with the Nelson or Washington County families.  Richard Smith points out that there was a Jeremiah Bland in Madison County, Kentucky in !800, and that a Jeremiah Bland married Gussa Tincher in Clark County January 26, !820.  A David Bland (!Oth generation) was a grandson of James Bland (8th generation, C!687­!755) and was still in Virginia as late as !796.

     Prudence Bland and George Watt:  An interesting juxtaposition:  On January 6, 1808, George Watt wrote a letter, which was really his last will and testament, to his wife Prudence (Bland, daughter of Rachel), in which he mentions unspeci­fied children, except "Polly" who was left a mare and her colt.  Other children were to receive two thirds of the property, divided among them, if Prudence re­married.  Consider the closeness of the names #att/Wyatt.  James Bland of Nelson County, Kentucky (1793-!849), probably a grandson of John Bland and Margaret Osborne through Samuel and Mary Anne Bland, married Mary #yatt (Watt?).  I leave it at this:  a little girl born in !799 mentioned in her father's will in !808 could have been ready for marriage in !8!8.  It would make an interesting cousin marriage.

     Thomas Morton Bland and Anne Lawrence:  Mrs. Max's information has convinced Richard Smith that Thomas Morton Bland was a brother to the sons of Rachel Bland.  Critical to this conclusion is the following:  When my book was published, it suggested (VU, p. 467) that John Bland, one of Rachel Bland's sons, had married Mary Roley in !800.  That was in error.  The John Bland who married Mary Roley, on January !3, !823 was Rachel's grandson, through the marriage of Rolly/Roland Bland with Delsy Sheklesworth.  Now, courtesy Mrs. Max, from Washington County Deed Book C, August !8, 1807, there was a land transaction by "Thomas Bland and Anne his wife and John Bland and Nancy his wife of Washington County." John.  Bland, son of Rachel, married Nancy Edmonston on March !4, !796.  Thus a brother relationship between John and Thomas Morton, and by extension, with Rolly, Charles, Samuel and Thomas, is proven.  Thomas Morton Blands dates are still uncertain, but two entries from Washington County Deed Book J in !828, show him passing 2!5 acres of land to John Bland.

     John Bland and Nancy Edmonston:  In his will, January 8, !825 (John died in !8!9), John identified the following children:  Thomas Bland; Elizabeth, (Mrs. Max's ancester, see below); Patsy; Susan; Mary; Sally; and Blandford.  From Marion County (#ashington until !840) deed book 4, pp. 286-292, Mrs. Max lists a series of entries about John B. Bland, heir of John Bland and Nancy, thus assuming, with good reason, that John B. is a son of John Bland and Nancy Edmonston, not mentioned in John's will.  Then a dodo bird enters the nest!  John B. Bland is listed along with James T. Bland, Jane, Samuel and Elizabeth Bland, as heirs of Samuel Bland (Nelson County Deed Book 22, pp. 278-279, June 20, 1839).  Whereupon there is some difference of opinion.  Cousin Richard Smith writes that John B. Bland was Thomas Morton Bland's son John, who married Sally Kendly (VU, pp. 473-474) and writes:  "I have a reference here someplace, but it's currently lost." Perhaps, also, John B. Bland could be a nephew or younger brother of Samuel Lawrence Bland who figured as his heir in !839.  Samuel Lawrence Bland (!802-1839) was a son of Thomas Morton Bland who died April !, !839.

     According to Mrs. Max, the eldest daughter of John Bland and Nancy Edmon­ston, lived from !803-!864 and married Daniel Purdy.  Daniel Purdy was the child

     . Among Cousins                 May-October !983                           Page !6

of Henry Wilson Purdy and Martha Ann Smithy; their daughter, Iola Bell Purdy, married John Ellington Morgan Faulkner whose son Carroll Purdy Faulkner married Lela Madeline Brown.  They were the parents of Mrs. Juanita Faulkner Max.  The two letters written me were rich with information about the Blands of Nelson and .Washington County, which by hature I must be selecti## with, but the above covers the most salient points respecting the two families.

     Rolly Bland and Delsey Sheklesworth:  Information pertaining to this line is principally from Mrs. J.#. Bland who supplied me a detailed analysis of the line of descent for her husband.  Rolly's two marriages and children were briefly (VU, p. 467) described, and as it turns out accurately as well.* Dr. Curtis Bland's and Mrs. Bland's information assists in elaborating several lines:

     Rolly and Delsey's first child was John Bland, who was born about !799 and died in !872.  He married Mary Roley January 13, !823 (as noted above).  John and Mary had a family of four children including Henry Roland Bland, John Bland, Susan Bland (C!834- ) who married Thomas Ryan and Nancy Bland (C1838- ) who married .William Caldwell.  Of these children, Henry Roland Bland married Elizabeth Abell, and had by her, five children, including Martin John Bland, Joseph Alexander Bland, Susan Anna Bland who married Alfred Fowler, Lettia Bland, who married Robert Luckett, and Eliza.  Of these children, Martin John Bland married Matilda Thomas, and had by her ten children, including:  Henry Theodore; Lafayette; William Robert; Martin John Jr.; Benjamin; DeWitt Clinton; William Bryan; Anna Mary; Wilnetta and Mary Lilly.  These children of Martin John and Matilda Bland had.lives that spanned the !9th and 20th centuries.  Their eldest child, Henry Theodore, was born June 24, 1875 and married Mary Luella Spaulding on November !9, !895.  They had a family of eleven children.

     The second child of Rolly Bland and Delsey Sheklesworth was Allen Bland, who was born in !802 and was still living in 1886.  He married Hetty Hardin (1809-1865) on March 9, !824.  From Kentucky, Allen and Hetty moved to Knox/ Sullivan County, Indiana about !832.  They had a family of eleven.  Complete information is not available about all their children, but from Goodspeed's History of Knox County, Indiana (!886) there is the following:  Sydney G. Bland, fourth son, was born March 3!, !833 and was living in 1886.  He married Sarah Sproatt in Knox County, Indiana on November 3, !863 and by her had a family of seven children:  Edward P. Bland (August 3, !864- ); John A. Bland (!865-!878); Frances M. Bland (September 17, !867- ); Mary 0. Bland (September !!, !869- ); .William W. Bland (September 30, !87!- }; and Herbert U. Bland (October !2,

   1873-    ).  The seventh child of Allen Bland and Hetty Hardin was William H.

   Bland, born on Shaker Prairie, Knox County, Indiana on September 3, !842.  He

   was a poor farmer, and on October !7, !872, married Jennie Sullenger (1850-        ).

   Their children were Curtis Bland (July !6, !873-     ); Samuel Bland (August !7,

   !875-    ); Johnnie Bland (!878-!879) and Della P. Bland (September !7, !882).

   The youngest child of Allen bland and Hetty Hardin was Benjamin L. Bland, born

   August 5, !855.  Benjamin married Martha Ellen Calvert (!853-  ) January !6,

   !874 and had by her, three children:  Claude C. Bland (August !8, 1875); Win-

   field S. Bland, born June 25, !880 and Everett H. Bland, born April 5, !884.

   Two others died in infancy.  A fourth son of Allen Bland and Hetty Hardin was

   Francis Marion Bland, who on February 22, !865 married Sarah Collins and had by

   her, two children, Lucian, who married a Polk, and Inez, who married a Summers.

   Secondly, Francis Marion Bland married Lucinda Shepherd on October 27, !873 and

   by her had four children, Hetty Hardin who married a Giltner; Margery, who mar-

   ried Earl Oliphant; Osa, who married .Walter Grigsby; and Elmore, who married

   Helen Samoniel.  A final son of Allen Bland and Hetty Hardin may have been

     *With the exception that rolly married Delsey Sheklesworth in 1798 rather than

     !799.

     Among Cousins                  May-October !983                            Page !7

Allen S. Bland.  Curtis Bland's book has some confusion in that Knox County, Indiana marriage records show Allen S. Bland marrying Mary L. McCutcheon, April 4, This seems more logical, for the biographical data from Good­speeds treatment of Sydney Bland, indicates that in !886, Allen was a feeble old man, living alone, no mention of a wife, so the marriage between Allen and Mary may have been one of convenience and old age.  This seems to shed doubt on the.implication raised by Curtis Bland that Allen married Sarah Bland, a daughter of Minor Bland (!828-!879) from the Randolph County, North Carolina family, to be discussed below.

     The third child of Rolly Bland and Delsey Sheklesworth for whom descendants are noted is Samuel Bland (!806-1893), who married Rebecca Jarboe (not---Blandford, as indicated by Curtis Bland), on December 25, !829.  The marriage occurred in Breckenridge County, Kentucky and Samuel and Rebecca were counted in that county's census from 1830 on in time.  Samuel and Rebecca apparently had six children:  John (!83!- ) who married Molly McGill and had a son Richard who married Ada­lina Mattingly; Margaret, or Mary, (!830= ) who married John Kennedy on De­cember 28, 185!; Thomas (!835- died before !850); Susan Cassandra (November 17, !836- ); Samuel James Bland (November !8, !837-February 3, 1900), who married (!) Mary Coomes and had issue and (2) Frances Lewis, by whom he had three chil­dren, Nancy, Robert and Estel; and Prudence L. Bland (September 17, !839- ) who married #alter Jarboe.  Rebecca Jarboe died sometime between !839-184!, for Samuel remarried on June !8, !842 to Sarah Coomes and by her four children, Henry Ignatius, Mary (!845- ); .William (!846- ) and Dulc#na (!847- ).  Nothing more is known of William and Dulcina, but the following is known of Henry Ignatius, (August !3, !844 to March 9, !927).  On November !5, }87!, he married a cousin, Sarah Elizabeth Bland (November 26, #846-January 27, !939), who was the grandaughter of Rolly Bland and Sarah Thomas (whose only child Thomas Roland will be discussed presently).  They had nine children, including John William (!872-1960); Mary Laura, !874-!967); Alice Lee, (1876- ); Sarah E.  (!878- ); Samuel Thomas (1880-!968); Jessie A. (!882-!906); Walter Henry, (!884-!968), who married Martha Jackson.  Their tenth child, James Wilbur Bland, married Lorena Flood, my correspondent, on August 5, 1946; Merte (!887- ); and Goldie (!889- ).  The eldest daughter of Samuel Bland (1806-!893) and Sarah Coomes was Mary Bland, (above) who married Charles Oelze.  It is interes­ting to note that Sarah Coomes, second wife to Samuel Bland, was several years older than him, as consistently shown in the Breckenridge County census returns for !860-!880.  In !900, she is shown living with her eldest daughter Mary Oelze and is listed as born in !797, !02 years old.  Her tombstone said !800-!90!. Either way, she was a child of the !9th century.

     As noted (VU, p. 467), upon the death of Delsey Sheklesworth, Rolly Bland married Sarah Thomas on October 30, !824.  Interestingly, three days before the birth of his last child, by Sarah, he wasn't sure whether she was pregnant, and it doesn't sound as if he liked her very much, for he provided that if she mar­ried or died, "that all I have given her shall go to my child by her delivered and if my child should die of which my wife is supposed to be pregnant..." etc.  Supposed to be pregnant!  If Rolly couldn't tell whether his wife was pregnant three days before delivery, she must have been some whopper or his eyes were going bad. Maybe both. Anyway Sarah did her part by failing to deliver the child until three days after Rolly died, and the child's name was Thomas Roland Bland (June 28, !825-0ctober !0, !905).  Thomas Roland Bland married Sarah Robinson, who was born in !824 and died between !905-!9!0.  They were married November 7, !845 in Breckenridge County and lived there the rest of their lives.  Thomas Roland and Sarah had ten children, including:  (!) Mary Permelia Bland (!847-!945);

     . Among Cousins                 May-October !983                           Page !8

(2) Sarah Elizabeth, who married Henry Ignatius Bland, (above); (3) John H.  Bland (1853-!928) who married Florence Haycraft in February !883; (4) Susan Bland (!855- ), who married Ellis Tate February 19, 1884; (5) Martha E.  Bland (1857- ), who married James Sturgeon February !879; (6) Isabell Bland (!858-!953), who married William Weatherholt December 2, !878; (7) Walter Bland, (!859-1943), who married.Susan Hawkins October 11, 1888; (8) Samuel Bland (!86!- ) who married Minnie Blevin; (9) Anna Bland (1865- ), who married first, Alfred Tate and second,        Cole; (!0) Thomas Roland Bland Jr., (1868-!933), who married Olga Sagasser.

     In !900, Thomas Roland Bland Sr. and Sarah were living with Henry Ignatius and Sarah Elizabeth Bland in Breckenridge County.  Curtis Bland claimed that there was a twelfth child by Rolly Bland and Delsey Sheklesworth, named Julia or Juliana, w## visited him in his home when he was young.  Nothing more is known of her.

                 THE RANDOLPH COUNTY N.C. BLANDS

                        (VU, pp. 342-363)       

     A Note on Nancy Bland

     In the last number of this little rag (AC, !-!, page 7), Cousin Robert .Wheeler took me on an evidentiary spin by having me look more closely at the will of old Moses Bland (9th generation, C!718-!799) to see that Moses had a daughter named Nancy, not Mary as I had written.  Lo, Cousin Robert is at it again.  Citing Biographical and Genealogical History of Cass, Miama, Howard and Tipton Counties (Indiana:  !898), Bob lists a Nancy Bland, born July 15, !774 who died in Tipton County, Indiana in !855, married to John Needham, born April !, !769 who died in Jennings County, Indiana in !851.  Nancy is said to have been born in North Carolina, interesting on several counts.  She could be the daughter of either Moses (!7!8-!799) or of his son William (C!752- ), and almost cer­tainly, by her marriage to a Needham, would be a member of the Randolph County group.  Finally, the place and date of her birth pushes back in time knowle##e of the earliest date in which Moses and his clan resided in North Carolina.

     Moses Bland and Martha Needham

     The above indicated that John Needham, husband of Nancy Bland, died in Jennings County, Indiana, and in the last number, Cousin Robert clarified that Moses Bland (!815-!873, VU, pp. 361-364) was born in Jackson County, Indiana along with the family of James Bland (!773-1832) and Jane Johnston (!780-!866) creating a fair basis for assumption that Moses, having also married a Needham, was part of the Randolph County clan, (VU, pp. 352-36!).  Cousin Robert cites 1880 census info#mation for the family of George Hester Bland and his second wife Clara Melissa Powell (C!847-!897).  Additionally, he cites information about the extended family of Moses and Martha's third son John Wesley Bland (1846-1923), who married Elizabeth Jane Powell in Linn County, Oregon, and had a family of eight children:  (1) Frances Lily Bland (!867-!90!) who married first Dexter harris and second, Charles Blodgett; Maerida or Meredith (cf, Meredith Bland, VU, pp. 357-359) grandparents of Robert .Wheeler, born November !4, 1868 and died March !955, who married Laura Belle Connett April 22, !894; Wesley Bland (!871- ) who never married.  Saloma (Salome?) Bland, (1873­.!912) who married Homer Osburn in 1899; (5) Charles #. Bland (!876-!930s), who

     Among Cousins                  May-October !983                            Page i9

married Florence Brooks October 30, !9!2; Lucy Jane (!878-!882); Carrie Florence (188!- ) who married .William Calkins June 1!, !899; (8) Synthia May (1885- ) who married #alter Alvin November 25, !908.  All children of Jo##-Wesley Bland and Elizabeth Powell were born in Labanon, Oregon, Linn County.

     #e are grateful to Robert .Wheeler for this new information.  The Family of Moses Bland and Nancy Boaz

     I am now convinced that the dispute over the family of Moses Bland and Nancy Boaz "The Kessinger Line" (VU, pp. 349-50) and "The Mumford Line" (VU, pp. 350-352), resolved in favor of Cousin Max Kessinger# Moses and Nancy had a family of five children, including three sons and two daughters.  It is tempting to place Moses Bland (18!5-!873) as a son of this couple.  The Jackson County, Indiana census for !830 shows Moses and Nancy with five children, all accounted for in historical research.  Two points, however, are of interest:  (1) There is some confusion over whether Minor Bland, one of the sons, was born in !818 or !828 (Curtis Bland states the latter).  Marriage dates by one of Minor's children by his second marriage prompts me to believe the latter date (1828) is closer to the truth than the !818 date.  (2) If Minor were born in !828, it would be relatively simple for the Census taker to overlook a 2 year old toddler in !830, thus there would be room for Moses Bland (!8!5-!873).  But as Al Hunter would say, I don't know how we're going to prove that.

     William Bland and Mary Pennock:  William was the eldest son of Moses Bland and Nancy Boaz.  He was, according toM#ax Kessinger, born C!812 and died C!852, and married in Jennings County, Indiana on April 7 or 9, !83!, Mary Pennock (C!8!0-1877) who was born in New York.  Their children are delineated in (VU, p. 350).  Of particular interest to Cousin Max is the final burial site of Willian A. Bland, (!845-!883), who died of chronic diarrhea at Mulberry Station, Arkansas.  He was living at Blackburn,.Washington County, Arkansas when he died.

     Richard Anderson Bland and Eusebia Mason:  Richard, (!815-!904) was the second son of Moses Bland and Nancy Boaz (VU, p. 349).  He married Eusebia Mason (!8!6-1875/76) in January 1835, and by her had a family of nine children, of whom five died without issue.  Of the children who survived to marry, infor­mation is available about only.William H. Bland, (!840- ).  .William enlisted in Company I, Second Indiana Cavalry and served until October 4, !864, during which time he was taken prisoner by the Johnny Rebs.  William H. married Clara A. Wilson in Sullivan County, Indiana on August 24, !868.  She died in !869 and .William married Mary E. Hughes on March 25, !873.  By her he had four children including:  Harry E., Hudson A.,.Clarence E. and Nora Bell.

     Following the death of Eusebia Mason, Richard Anderson Bland married Mrs.  Millie Allen who died March 26, 189!. By then, Richard, 76 and having put two women in the ground, thought better of marrying again.

     Minor Bland and Lucy Morin:  Minor, mentioned briefly in my book (VU, p. 349) was according to Curtis Bland, born May 7, ;828 and died March 26, 1879.  He married Elizabeth Knotts and had no children by her.  Secondly, he married Lucy Morin and had seven children, three of whom died in infancy.  Of those who survived, a daughter Mariah, married Alfred .Williams; Sarah Bland was said by Curtis Bland to have married Allen Bland (see Washington County, Kentucky Family, above), but I doubt this, since Sarah's first child was born April 4,

     ==-"- .-.#-..#                   .#. -----=. ...-                           .-s- -.

!87!, the same date in which Allen Bland (1802- ) married Mary L. McCutcheon in Knoc County, Indiana.  That would have been fast work for any old man of 69, any time.  Eliza #"d Emizaer Bland, children of Minor, have no further infor-

mation about them20

                 THE EDGEFIELD COUNTY S.C. BL##DS

                        (VU, ##. 484-543)         

     The Family of Elisha Bland

     I have received from Cousin Nora Elder of Tampa, Florida, two letters which delineat# the family and descendants of Elisha Bland, seventh child and fourth son of Robert Bland ( !733- !787) and his wife Ann (VU, 498-50 passim). 21 According to Mrs. Elder, Elisha, born April 9, !775, Cameron Parish, Loudoun County, Virginia, died in Washington County, Georgia in !837.  Of course, when Elisha was a child, his parents migrated to Edgefield, South Carolina, and his father provided for him in his will.  By !794, however, Elisha had migrated to Washington County, Georgia and was on the muster roll of Washington Dragoons, state of Georgia.* Elisha then, lived in Washington County, Georgia for some 43 years, and was described by Cousin Nora as "a respectable citizen and pros­perous farmer."

     Elisha married Agnes about 1796.  Agnes was born in North Carolina about !770 and died in Washingtin County, Georgia on June !6, !862.  In their marriage, Elisha and Agnes had a family of three sons and two daughters (1!th generation).  They were:

(!) Simeon Bland born about !797-!798, possibly a twin brother of Micajah, (see below), died in Washington County October !5, 1864.  He married Elizabeth Hodges, (C!800-April 19, !853).

     The children of Simeon Bland and Elizabeth Hodges were, (!2th generation):  (!) Henry Bland; (2) Micajah H. Bland, who was born November 28, !826 and died during the Civil War, on June 20, !862.  He died at Richmond, Virginia and is buried at the Hollywood Cemetery there.  Micajah H. married December 23, !852 Sarah Louisa Prosser of Baldwin County, Georgia, who was born May 7, !837 and died October 19, !900, in Toombs County, Georgia.  Micajah H. and Sarah Prosser Bland had a family of five children (!3th generation) whose lives bridged the !9th and 20th centuries, including Augustus Prosser Bland (August 28, !853 to March 4, !930).  (3) John Otis/Otay Bland (October 30, !855 to June 5, !867); (4) Samuel Johnson Bland, (February 27, !858 to January 20, !930), who was married twice, first to Martha J. McSwain, by whom he had five children, and secondly to Isadora Esther Burke, born February 7, !878 and died December 30, 1948.  Samuel Johnson Bland and Isadora Burke had a family of three children, including Samuel John Bland Jr. (June 23, !904 to October 20, !975).**

     *Cousin Nora  indicates  that by  !806,  William Bland,  oossibly a cousin of Elisha,

was in Washington County, Georgia and that by 1820, he appeared on the census of Wilkinson County, adjacent to Washington County, as over 45.  Cousin Nora indicates her hunch that this William was a son of Edward Bland, brother of Robert (1733-!787 cf., VU, pp.  494-495), and that she plans to do more research.  This would be doubly beneficial for it might also narrow the ranges of parental possibilities for William Bland, my great great great grandfather (Cf VU, pp.  522ff).  I believe William to be a son of Wormeley Bland, but cannot conclusively prove it.

**Samuel Johnson 31and Jr. was the father of Nora Frances Bland, my correspondent,

     who married Wayne Thomas Elder of Knoxville, Tennessee on November 27,  !953.

     Among Cousins                  May-October !983                            Page 2!

     The remaining children of Micajah H. Bland (|2th generation) and Sarah Louisa Prosser, were:  Henry Micajah Bland (January 15, !860 to march !0, !928); and Margaret E. Bland, (March 7, !862 to November 20, !940).

     Now, let us return to the remaining children of Simeon Bland and Elizabeth Hodges who were (!2th generation):  (3) Mary H. Bland; (4) William Freeman Bland; (5) Jane Bland; (6) Reubin Bland, who died unmarried near Jackson, Mississippi on June !4, !863; (7) Elizabeth Bland; (8) Frederick Simeon Bland, he died near Jackson, Mississippi, May !4, 1863; (9) Sarah Ann Bland, who was born June !, !842 and died February 27, !928.

     The above delineates the available information about the extended family of Simeon Bland (C!797/!798-1864, !!th generation) son of Elisha Bland and Agnes , and Simeon's wife Elizabeth Hodges (!800-!853).  The remainder of Elisha and Agnes Bland's children were (!!th generation):

B.  ######:h Bland, born about !797-!798, possibly a twin of Simeon Bland, above died in#Washington County, Georgia on July 7, !866.

C.  Rachel Bland, born c. 1803 and died in Baldwin County, Georgia after !860.  She married Thomas Prosser.

D.  John #####' born in !805, and died after December 24, !885 in Telfair County, Georgia.  He married on March 30, !830 Emiline Daniels, who was born !815 in Georgia.

E.  Jane D. Bland# born in !8!2 and died in-Washington County, Georgia, a#2er 1860.  She married John Hodges who was born about 1798 in North Carolina.

     This information allows us to draw together info#mation about lines of descent for five of the sons of Robert Bland (9th generation) and his wife Anne, including John Bland (!758-!781); Presley Bland (!768-!839); .Wormeley (!77!­1800); Elisha (!775-!837); and Payton Bland (!780-!815).  I am most grateful to Mrs. Elder for this information and for her willingness to share it with sub-

| scribers to the newsletter.

     The Family of Talton Bland

     Joining Cousin Terese Bland Bueker* in pursuit of information about Talton Bland and his wife Mary Carter (AC, 1-!, p. 13) is a new correspondent, Mrs. J.M.

     (McXie Amanda Whitton) Martin.  Mrs. Martin also descends through Talton Bland,

as follows:  Talton Bland and Ma#y Carter, whose son Calvin Bland (!820-!89!) married Lucinda Morgan in Muscogee County, Georgia October 3, !845.  Their daughter Harriett Frances Bland (!849-!9!0) married Thomas .Wesley Moore Baggett in Chattahoochee County, Georgia on January 7, !869.  Thomas Wesley and Harriett Bland Baggett were the parents of Ida Lavinia Baggett (!870-1947) who moved to St. Augustine, Texas and married December 5, !883, James Benjamin Whitton.  Their son, William Newt .Whitton married Margaret Ethel Waley, on February 25, !928 and they were the parents #j McXie Amanda#Whitton, who married Dr. James Moody Martin on April !!, !952.  Thanks to Cousin McXie Martin for this new information.

  *Cousin Terese asked that I make the following correction: (AC, !-!, p. !3)

John L. Bland and Minnie Head were married in San Augustine, not Marshall, Texas.  They later moved to Marshall, where John died.

, Among Cousins                 May-October !983                           Page___.##

     The Family of Harrison Bland

     Information submitted by Cousins Nora Elder, Terese Bueker, McXie Martin and now, Marybelle Tutt of Longview, Texas# makes it increasingly certain that a prominent pattern of migration for the Edgefield County family was South and then West, as distinct from other families that spread from Virginia and North Caro#ina to Kentucky, Indiana and points further west.  The family line of Harrison Bland, submitted by Mrs. Tutt has unmistakeable traces of membership in the Edgefield County family.  Harrison Bland, (a family name similar to Presley, Ellzey, Wormeley, #yton, Talton and Turner) was born C1819 in Georgia.  In !860, he lived in Quitman County, Georgia and was married to Samanthy          (C!8!8- ) who was born in South Carolina.  #hey were married about 1840, and had the fol­lowing children:  (!) Harrison (184!- ); (2) Marian (C!842- ); (3) Margaret (C1843- ); (4).William (C!844- ); (5) Martha (C!846- ); (6) Nancy (!849- ); (7) John (C!850- ); (8) James presley (February 5, !851-!929) died in Upshur County, Texas.  He married January !9, !871, Mary Jane Belcher (!854).  James Presley and Mary Jane came to texas during the !870's.  They had eight children, including Abner Harrison Bland, who was born in Georgetown, Georgia April !8, !872.  He was the great grandfather of Marybelle Tutt's h##ba##d.  (9) Lucinda (C!852- ); Silvia (C!856- ); Thazwood (C!858- ).  Ihanks to Cousin Marybelle Tutt for the information about Harrison.  Anyone who knows how to connect Harrison to the further back families should contact Mrs. Tutt.  Likewise, Mrs. Bueker and Martin would like to communicate with anyone who knows the parents of Talton Bland.

THE FAMILY OF JAMES BLAND OF STAFFORD/PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY                       (VU, pp. 401-4!6)                     

     The Children of Benjamin Bland and Mary Rolf

     Aside from the yeomanly work of Jessamine Bland James on the lines descending from James Bland (8th generation, C!687-!755, VU, pp. 401-4!6), very little in­terest has been shown about this line.  Recently, Cousin Don Gurley of Walnut Creek, California, sent me information from the Martin Bible, Volume III, Kentucky Bible Records of the DAR, copied in !963 for the Maysville, Kentucky, Chapter of the DAR.  The Martin bible updates and should be more accurate than information supplied by Mrs. James' Bland Family Court and Bible Records.  The following is supplemental to my book (VU, pp. 406-407).  From James (C!68#.!755) to Benjamin, (C!724-!77!) to James ( -!802) we come to Benjamin Bland born in Fauquier County, Virginia in !786.  Benjamin died October 24, !824 in Columbia, Alabama.  He married Mary Rolf on November 24, !813, in Mason County, Kentucky, where they raised a family of five children.  The Martin Bible contained information about their eldest son, James (!2th generation, November 2, !8!3**:to:October#!!, !878).  James married Hannah Martin (October 2, 18!7 to July 25, !906).  Both James and Hannah died in Maysville, Mason County, Kentucky.  Among James (!8!3­!878) siblings were Caroline (April 27, !8!0- ) and Nathan R. Bland, (Decem­ber 26, !8!8-April 3, 1848).  He was unmarried, died in New Orleans and was buried in Maysville, Kentucky.  Unfortunately, further information about the children of James Bland and Hannah Martin was not in the Martin Bible, save for an entry about a child, Laura Ann, who lived from April 5-7, !839.  Thanks to Donald Gurley for providing this helpful information.

     *As well as, of course, information included in the last number (AC, !-!, pp.

     !0-!3) about Payton Bland, received from Mrs. Juanita Peveto Alexander.  **According to which, James was born three weeks before his parents marriage.

     . Among Cousins                   May-October 1983                          Page 23

                          Missing Links

     The Mecklenburg County, Virginia/Wilson Tennessee Family

     From Cousin Gail Riker of Winslow Arizona comes a few errata notes about the family of John William Petros Bland and Malinda Porterfield, (VU, Appendix ! and AC-!-!, p. !6).  Mary Elizabeth Bland was born !847, not !845.  ##mes Bland was born in !848.  Sarah Parilee Bland, born 1853, died in !936.

     A further possibility for the Mecklenburg, Virginia family comes from Thomas H. Jones of Edwardville, Illinois.  Cousin Tom's wife descends from a Joshua Bland, born in !826, "somewhere in Tennessee," who married Mary Ann Scott in Caldwell County, Kentucky in !847.  Joshua's son James S. Bland was born in Lyon County, Kentucky in 1848, and James had a son Jesse James Bland, who married Beulah Agnes Shelton, natives of Trigg County, Kentucky.  Their daughter, Opal Cornelia Bland married Mr. Jones in !948.  Tom has a hunch that Joshua Bland (C!826- ) was the son of George Bland and Margaret Ramsey (AC-!-!, p. !5).  This is unproven and Tom would like to hear from anyone who has further informa­tion.  While on the subject of George Bland, a picture of him with his son James Nathaniel Bland is i#cl##ed in the photo pages, courtesy of Doris Ellen Bland of Fairfield, Illinors.

     A new correspondent, Jewell Hegwood Dye of Garfield, Arkansas, who claims descent from the Mecklenburg County Family through John William Petross Bland and Malinda Porterfield, has written some anecdotal information that is interes­ting:  John William Petross and Malinda Porterfield Bland took their family to Benton County, Arkansas in 1856, where John homesteaded on hill property near the White river.  They lived out their lives there.  After Malinda died, John visited her daily at her grave which lay across a creek from his home.  One day, as he was crossing the creek he fell in and got a chill.  His neighbors found him and took him home where he soon died, May 20, 1903.

     John's son James returned to Wilson County, Tennessee where he "married and remarried." The other children married in Arkansas.  One son, Samuel Merritt Bland, who married Amanda Tucker, had eight children, Albert, Carroll, Jefferson, George and Alonzo,* Minnie, Ella and H#7tie.  Minnie Bland married H.H. Hegwood and they were the parents of Mrs. Dye.

     Cousin Gail Riker sent me a fulsome tribute to George Clark Bland of Larue, Arkansas, which I cannot at once condense and do justice to its beauty.  I will take the liberty of enclosing the essay in the issue of "Among Cousins" that goes to the Mecklenburg County Descendants, with thanks to Gail.  Cousin Gail also sent a manuscript census for Benton County Arkansas in !900.  The census returns show a wide diversity of Blands who had converged upon the county from such places as North and South Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, and Alabama.  Lack of space and the emotional well-being of my typist compells me not to reprint them entirely, but they are of interest for sufficient verification of the George Clark Bland and the Samuel Merritt Bland families (households 107 and !08), and their proximity to household 96, headed by Houston Riggans, age 31 and his wife Ella, age 3!, four children and a boarder, a !9 year old lad, Alonzo Bland.* This is of particular interest because of the proximity to a family headed by Moses Bland, (VU, pp. 350-352) clarified by a letter from

     *See discussio# # ##.#'about household composition of Blands in Benton County,

     Arkansas in !900.  Home of Houston Riggan.

     Among Cousins                   May-October !983                         Page 24

Cousin Charles Bolton of Corpus Christi, Texas dated April 30, 1982 (AC, #-!, Attachment !7).  Bolton noted a Moses Bland who married Nancy McKee, and I be­lieve it is the similarity of names that previously confused this couple with Moses Bland and Nancy Boaz (cf, p. !9).  Moses Bland Sr. sold 80 acres to Moses Bland Jr. near the Saline/Pulaski County, Arkansas Line.  According to informa­tion available, in addition to this single son, Moses and Nancy had three daugh­ters, including Nancy Bland, born about !820, who married Andrew Jackson Brazil in 1837, Charlotte Bland who married Leason Wells in !836, and Mary (Polly) Bland, who married Andrew McAllister on July !3, !837.

     Finally, Cousin Max Kessinger was kind enough to send me Alice Bland Hope's History of the Bland Family (1964) published in Sheridan, Arkansas, which deals principally with the Benton County, Arkansas Family.  Mrs. Hope is most effec­tive with her analysis of the family beginning with Huram Dow Bland, who lived from !8!1-1898.  Her book is the apparent source (AC, !-!, p. !4) as reported second hand from Wilda Page based on information from John Edward Bland of Ama­rillo, Texas.  Mrs. Hope admittedly concentrates her effort on the lines from Huram Dow Bland and leaves the issue of his parents and siblings somewhat vague.  I do not believe Huram Dow was the son of Osborne Bland Jr. and Mary Kensett and the grandson of Osborne Bland Sr. and Jane Cox whom I believe she confused with Osborne Bland and Patsy Donahoo and Osborne Bland Sr. and Lettice . But it is apparent that Huram Dow had a brother Jessie, #,ho accompanied Huram Dow on a trip from Kentucky to Arkansas to a place near present day Little Rock along the Arkansas River.  Mrs. Hope noted that Jessie Bland was a Baptist Minister and a founder of the Union Baptist Church in Saline County (later Spring Creek Baptist).  Similarly, Mrs. Mumford's information indicated that her Moses Bland, who would have been born about !800, was a minister also, of Spring Baptist Church, later the first Baptist Church of Benton, Arkansas and lived in Owen Township.  Finally, Charles Bolton mentioned a Jessie Bland living in Saline County in !840, Pulaski in !830, who was born 1770-!780.  With that age range, an older Jessie could logically have been the settler in Central Arkansas, father at least to Huram Dow Bland and his brother Jessie, possibly also to Moses.  This is largely speculation, but it satisfies me more than Mrs. Hope's solution for Huram Dow's parentage.  Such proximity and coincidence cannot be shrugged away, and there are further evidences that this family of Blands was at least intermingled geographically with the children of John William Petross Bland (!8!7-1903) and Malinda Porterfield.  By the later !9th century, there were at least three Bland families in Benton County, whatever their relationship.

     Huram Dow Bland was born in 18!! and died in !898.  He married Obediah Brazil in 1829 at Benton and they moved by !832 into what is now Dallas County.  Huram #OWand Obediah Bland had a family of eight children, including:

     (!) Jessie Bland who was #orn April 22. !833 and died March 8, !9!3.  He married four times, first to Mary Riggan of Dallas County.  They had one son, Huram Edward Bland, who later moved to Haskell, Texas.  When Mary Riggan died, Jessie married Sarah Rhodes, and they were parents of Louisa Evaline Bland, born October 28, !849, who died December 23, !895.  Louisa married Sam Moses Wood on March 29, !875.  (I am somewhat puzzled that Jessie could have taken a second wife and had a child by her in 1849, when he was only born in !833).  Sarah Rhodes died, and Jessie, finding the Rhodes women to his liking, married her sister Louisa Rhodes, and by her he had a daughter Laura and two sons, William Percy (!867-!952), who evidently did not marry, and Moses V. Bland (July 13, !869 to september 2, !949), who married Mary Ann McCombs on January 1!, !894.  They had a family of five children, among whom two died in infancy.  Louisa Rhodes also died, whereupon Jessie married fourthly Mary Williams and by her had Lucy.  Jessie was a military hero, enlisting in Company F, 26th Arkansas Regiment of Infantry.  He was wounded at the battle of Poison Springs, near Camden, Arkansas.

     Among Cousins                   May-October !983                          Page 25

     (2) Hiram Bland, whose dates are uncertain, married Mollie Crowder, and by her had four children, ##rtha, Alonzo, Dow and William.  Some children died while young.  (3) Calvin Bland married Jean Bland and removed to Fort Worth, Texas where they reared a family of two sons, John and James.  After Jean died, Calvin married Mollie Jeans and by her had a son, Oscar, and four daughters, Ollie, Lillie, Eula and Maude.  Similarly, Calvin's sister (4) Martha Bland, married James Catlin, and after their death, their sons moved away to Dallas, Texas.  (5) Mary Bland, married Thomas Riggan and had a family of 1! children.  (6) Evaline Bland married          Miller and died probably in first childbirth.  (7) Obediah Bland, nicknamed "Sis" died at age 30 and never married.  The

#oun8est child J#!#n Davidson Bland, was born Januar.# 13,. 1849 and died in

!90#. In !870, John married Mary Orr and had three children by her, two of whom died young.  The surviving child was Belle (!872- ) who married George Pannill.  Secondly, John Davidson married Louisa Jane Payne and by her had ten children:  (!) Thomas Alva Bland, Carthage, Arkansas; (2) Huram Dow Bland of Los Angeles, California; (3) Nannie B. Bland, who married Jim Harris; (4) Alice Bland, who married Dr. O.W. Hope of Sheridan, Arkansas (she is the author of the book); (5) Jewell W. Bland of Little Rock; (6) Amy Bland, who married Duke House; (7) John Edward Bland who married Antonia Wylie.  Their son was John Edward Bland of Amarillo, Texas.  (8) Jessie A. Bland who married Bessie Holmes; (9) Jewell Bland, who never married; and (!0) George Dewey Bland (1898-!930) who married Della Jones but died childless.

     This information adds substantially to what is known about the Arkansas Blands.  I am grateful to Max Kessinger, Charles Bolton, Gail Riker, Jewell Dye and Thomas Jones for their contributions.

     The Family of William Bland and Emma May Giberson

     This family information sheet was sent to me by Corrine Abbott Bland of 416 Ivy Road, Island Lake, Illinois 60042.  William Bland (March 5, !866 to April 20, 1920), was born in Sidney, Champaign Illinois (possibly related to the line submitted by Alda Clayton Vitz, P.  ), son of Allen Bland and Hannah Watkins.  William had two brothers, James and John and apparehtly no sisters.  Mrs. Abbott believes Allen Bland was married twice because there is a nine year age differential between John, James and William.  James married a woman named Eva Nettie Bland, but there was no close relation.  Their children were Marcus, Lewis, James, Melvin, Nellie and Emil.  John Bland married Mary        and they had children, Mary, Opal and Alla.  William Bland married Emma May Giberson (!873-!94!) in Macon County, Illinois in November !5, !892 or !893.  They had a family of !0 children born betw##n !894-!9!0, including corrine Mildred Bland who married Robert Steele Abbott.

     The Pennsylvania Blands

     Cousin Eleanore Hayes Smith of Tucson, Arizona forwarded a further install­ment of the diary of Jacob Andrew Bland (!829-!903) of Chariton, Iowa, running from January 2! to F##ruary 9, !866, I would be happy to send copies to any in­terested individual.

     Mrs. Smith also sent copies of a portrait of Jacob Andrew Bland and his wife Elizabeth J. Peed, which is included on the photo pages.  I am grateful for these two photos.  Even more special was Mrs. Smith's discovery that she could push her line one generation further back.  This was made possible by a letter furnished me by Cousin Lenore Bland Brown of Fort Worth, Texas who shared with me a letter sent her by one Alta Lumpkin on October 3, !982.  Mrs. Lumpkin

         .                                                        

wrote, "My great, great grandfather William Bland came to America from England when he was 25 years old, he was a sea captain and was lost at sea February 14, !804.  His wife, Mary Pose, was a native of New Jersey.  They had a son, my great grandfather, William Jr.  H#3#as born in Philadelphia, Pa.  May !, !802 and married Sarah Ann Laboyteaux.

     The Bland Family of Pulaski County, Kentucky

     A new Cousin, Leah McCarthy of Mobile, Alabama wrote to Marian Daniels in despair.  "My grandmother's father, Elijah Foster Miller, married Margaret Bland, daughter of Walker Bland, whose father is (was) Reuben Bland.  They seem to have come from nowhere and went nowhere..." This family has truly been a puzzle to me, for I can find no line that would logically link in time and place with Reuben Bland (VU, pp. 479-483).  A hunch, and only that, is that given the location of Pulaski County on the southwest border of Kentucky, the family is a spin-off from the yet undeveloped lines of the Mecklenburg Virginia/ Wilson Tennessee Family discussed above.  Anyone who could help Mrs. McCarthy should contact her.  Also, obviously, Cousin Pansy Wilburn from Modesto, Cali­fornia would like to hear from you.

     The Canadian Connection

     During the summer of !982 I made contact with Cousin Bruce F. Bland, a neighbor of Williamsville, New York, who, during an afternoon visit, showed me information about his family, which traced back to a George Bland (C1829-!889) of Canadian origins.  George's tombstone indicated he died July 25, 1889, aged 59 years, !0 months and 9 days.  According to Cousin Bruce, George had siblings John Bland (!826-!884), Ann Bland (C!83!-1920), Thomas ##alker Bland (C!835-188!) and Elizabeth Bland (no dates).  Their parents were John Bland (C!79!-!878) and Ann Walker Bland (C!789-!883).  I have never been able to follow up this infor­mation, but in Febru#ry3|983, I received correspondence from Myrna Myres of Sacramento, Californra, who descends from Ann Bland Dalton Pearson Coney (!798-!870), who evidently came to Canada from Leeds, Yorkshire England and thence to the Portsmouth Ohio, Scioto County area about !832.  This matches Bruce Bland's assessment that his George Bland and family came to Canada about 1832, from England.  Interestingly, Mrs. Myres owns some very valuable pottery which, according to family tradition, came from their "English Grandmother," of Leeds.  If that is so, there is a chance that these Blands may tie into the James River family by a rather circuitous route:  (VU, pp. 66-68) describes the younger son of John Bland "The Grocer" and Susan DeBlere, Richard Bland (4th generation, !624-1692), who was a prominent citizen of 17th century Leeds and known as the "Lord of Beeston Manor." Richard's only son, who survived to marry was Nathaniel Bland (1655- ) who in turn had only one child #'ho lived to adulthood:  Joseph Bland (1686-!788) who eventually moved to London.  Joseph married Mary Braithewaite on October !5, !724.  No follow-up has been done for any children by this marriage.  This is only one possibility.  Obviously, Bruce Bland and Myrna Myres would like to hear from anyone with more specific infor­mation.

     The Blands of King and Queen Virginia

     I discussed (VU, pp. 392-396) the possibility that these Blands were linked to William Bland of Prince William County (C!686-!744), but not until I received correspondence from Mrs. Milton E. (Carol Ann Smith) Adams, of Charleston, S.C.  did I ever make real contact with anyone who descended from the line.  Mrs. Adams

Among Cousins                   May-October !983                       --___---27

claims descent from Nancy Todd Bland (no dates) daughter of John Bland Jr. of King and Queen County Virginia and Mary Ann or Frances Drummond.  John Bland Jr., according to his will of August/September !846, had two other children, Frances, who married John Marshall Taylor, and roderick Bland, ##ho marri## several times and had many children.  No further information from Mrs. Adams.

The Blands of Martin County N.C.

     Cousin Al Hunter furnished census and records information about a family of Blands from Martin (perhaps Halifax) that traces back in time to at least the early !770's, making them one of the earliest families to settle in North Carolina.  So far, I have discovered no historian for this family, but given the county's proximity to Pitt County, I would like to make such contacts.  Citing Martin County Deed Books A-D as well as two will books, Al has provided traces of interrelated Blands from 1772-!804 in Martin County.  There appears to have been a Thomas Bland (Will made June 27, !772), married to Judith         , who had children Priscilla, Elizabeth and William.  A##illiam Bland is found in the records in 1787 and !804, the latter entry providing power of attorney to James Burnett (who shows up repeatedly in these transactions), to collect debts due to the estate of his father William Bland.  In !79!, the will of another Thomas Bland mentions a wife Sarah, and sons John, Thomas, daughters Mary, Fanny, Ann, Elizabeth and Caty, and a child of indeterminate sex, Cheartey.  Third, a John Bland appears on the records between !778-!7j3.  Census information for !790 shows the following Blands in Martin County:

Head             Over !6(M)   Under !6(M)   Females    Slaves  Total

William Bland       1             3            5        0       9

Thomas Bland                        1            3        0       5

John Bland                     0            3        0       4

Subsequent to this information, I received a letter from Myron Banks of Raleigh, North Carolina, who traces his lineage back to Thomas Bland, whom he states was born about !774 and died between !840-!850 in M#rtin or Beaufort County.  Thomas married twice, first to an unknown lady, (unknown to us anyway, Thomas probably knew her well), and secondly to Hannah Keel of Edgecombe County.  By his first wife, Thomas had two sons born !794-!800 and Thomas, born 1806, one daughter born 1794-!800 and two daughters born 1804-!8!0.  The Thomas Bland, born in 1806, died about !850.  He married twice, first to an unknown woman, by whom he had two children, Nancy (C1825- ) who married a man named Dowdy and Elizabeth.  About 1840-184!, Thomas remarried to Catherine , by whom he had these children:  Mary (!842- ); Sabrina (!843- ); Hannah (C1845- ).  Some of these children were living in the home of one Morgan Simpson in !860.  Simpson was m#arried to a woman3#amed Catherine, suggesting that Catherine Bland married him after Thomas died.

Among Cousins               May-October 19 83                   Page 28    

The C#od and Welfare of our Cousins

     I am always anxious to kn#; hcw all of you are and hope you will write occasionally, just to let me kncw. I wish that I could have phoned each or you to chat, prior to going to press, but that was impossible. Rather, I phoned or made contact with each of what I call the Founders, a small circle of men and women wh##rere working with me in the lonely days of 1980_1981, before ne#s of my book became generally kno#n. I report the follo#ing:

     ##s. Roland (Jessamine Bland) Jamesof Tucson Arizona had an

     extre#ely  unrortunate  accident  last  F##ruary  in which she broke her

hip. She is n## recuperating at the home of a friend. Jessamine w#it#s "I realize I'm no longer a young woman . . . I'11 be 84 on July# 5." As a fello# Cancer, I kn#w she'11 bounce back in no time at all.  Mrs. Eleanore Hayes Smith was kind enough to trace Mrs. James to her friend's home, for which I am grateful.

     Nel Ford is no longer listed in the Columbus Miss. phone book.  If anyone kno#s anything about her, I would appreciate kno#ing.

     Urilla Bland, of Weston #est Virginia, and her two brothers Robert and Theodorick are doing reaso#ably well. They have had bad colds lately but nothing more. Urilla apologizes for her failure to write many people and expresses her frustration because she can barely# see to write. Urilla just celebrated her 85th birthday.

     Leslie Dawson of Plainfield New Jersey just turned 80, and reports that he is in good health. Mr. D#rson is the retired attorney who did such painstaking and valuable research on Thomas Bland of Maryland.

     William Graham Bland of Jacksonville Florida is fine and deeply grateful for his good health.

     I have frequent contact with #;o others who have been extrem#ly active in research and constantly helpful, Al Hunter of State College Pa. and ##rian Daniels of San Benito Texas. Both, to my best kno#ledge, are in good health. Marian has already promised me to live to 100. She still chases Jackrabbits in her backyard, but confesses to me that ever ncw and then a younger and faster one will get away from her.

     I'm sure all of you will join me in wishing the very b est to these founding cousins who are, in the truest sense, our friends in need.