Harper's Encyclopedia of United States History
Benson Lossing, Ed.

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Bland, Theodoric, 1742-1790

Military officer; born in Prince George county, Va., in 1742; was, by his maternal side, fourth in descent from Pocahontas (q. v.), his mother being Jane Rolfe. John Randolph was his nephew. He received the degree of M. D. at Edinburgh, returned home in 1764, and practised medicine. Bland led volunteers in opposing Governor Dunmore, and published some bitter letters against that officer over the signature of “Cassius.” He became captain of the 1st Troop of Virginia cavalry, and joined the main Continental army as lieutenant-colonel in 1777. Brave, vigilant, and judicious, he was intrusted with the command of Burgoyne's captive troops at Albemarle Barracks in Virginia; and was member of the Continental Congress in 1780-83. In the legislature and in the convention of his State he opposed the adoption of the national Constitution; but represented Virginia in the first Congress held under it, dying while it was in session. Colonel Bland was a poet as well as a soldier and patriot. The Bland papers, containing many valuable memorials of the Revolution, were edited and published by Charles Campbell in 1840-43. He died in New York City. June 1, 1790.