Theodorick Bland was an American physician, soldier, and statesman. He represented Virginia in the Continental Congress from 1780 to 1783 and the State House of Delegates from 1786 to 1788.
Background
Theodorick Bland was born on March 21, 1742, in Prince George County, Virginia, United States, the son of Theodorick Bland of Cawsons on Appomattox River and Frances Bolling, only daughter and heir of Drury Bolling. Through his mother he was a descendant of Pocahontas.
Education
At the age of eleven Theodorick was sent to school in Wakefield, Yorkshire, England, where he remained until 1758. In 1759 he was in Liverpool, attending an infirmary as a student of physic. He entered the University of Edinburgh in 1761, and received the degree of M. D. in 1763.
Career
After graduating Bland spent sometime in London, and probably also in Leyden and Paris. He was back in Virginia in 1764, and began the practise of his profession in his native county. He continued in active practise until 1771, when he retired and became a planter, his health having suffered from the exposure incident to a country practise. In the conflict between England and the Colonies, he took a determined stand against the mother country. On June 24, 1775, he was one of a party of twenty-four gentlemen who removed the arms from the governor's palace in Williamsburg to the powder magazine. Toward the end of this year he wrote some bitter letters in the Virginia Gazette against Lord Dunmore under the signature of "Cassius. "
Bland was ambitious to help his country in the field, and on June 13, 1776, was appointed captain of the 16t Troop of Virginia Cavalry, and on March 31, 1779, was made colonel of the 16t Continental Dragoons. He was with the main army in New Jersey and Pennsylvania in 1777, and was present at the battle of Brandywine on September 11. On November 5, 1778, Washington ordered Bland to assume command of an escort to conduct the Convention troops (the Saratoga prisoners) from Connecticut to Albemarle County, Virginia. He was placed in command of the post at Charlottesville which guarded these prisoners, but in November 1779 he received permission to retire from this station.
In 1780, the General Assembly of Virginia elected Bland a delegate to Congress, a position which he filled with honor for three years. At the conclusion of his term, he returned to his plantation, Farmingdale or Kippax, in Prince George County, which had been plundered by the enemy. He was in the House of Delegates in the sessions of 1786-1787, 1787-1788, and 1788. In the Assembly of 1786 he was an unsuccessful candidate for governor, against Edmund Randolph. He was elected a member of the first House of Representatives and served until his death.
Achievements
Personality
Bland was a all, handsome man. He was a man of most agreeable manners, and strict integrity of conduct. He was not "distinguished for extraordinary exhibitions of genius, but for plain, practical qualifications. "
Quotes from others about the person
"Col. Bland was noble, sensible, honorable, and amiable, but never intended for the department of military intelligence. " - Gen. Henry Lee
Connections
Bland was married to Martha Dangerfield, probably a sister of Col. William Dangerfield of Belvidera near Fredericksburg.