Rash's Surname Index
Notes for Elizabeth BLAIR
Elizabeth Blair - b. January 20, 1708/09 in Williamsburg, VA. She died April 28, 1775 at Cobb's Home Place, Chesterfield (formerly Henrico)Co., VA. Married August 1, 1728 in Henrico Co., VA to Maj. (shown as a Colonel in John Blair's Diary, although I think he was a Major, but his last rank can be verified through military records hopefully) John Bolling. Some sources show marriage date as 24 August 1728 but I believe that John's Diary date of August 1, 1728 is probably more accurate. I can't remember exact date that Henrico changed to Chesterfield but I think it was 1734. Anyway, it's either Henrico or Chesterfield, depending on what point in time the event occurs. Her husband Maj. (shown as a Colonel in John Blair's Diary) John Bolling was born January 20, 1699/00 at Cobbs, Henrico Co., VA. He died September 6, 1757, Cobbs, Chesterfield Co., VA. After John's death she married Col. Richard Bland bet. 1760 and 1762. No issue by the second marriage. Maj. Bolling's (Elizabeth's first husband) grandfather, Col. Robert Bolling was married to Jane Rofle. Jane Rolfe's grandparents were John Rolfe and Meotoaka (also spelled Mataoka, and commonly referred to in history as Pocohontas). Meotoaka's father was Chief Powhatan Winsonocock. I won't go into all this, as it is readily available information on the internet. I am not going to list the children of Elizabeth Blair and Maj. John Bolling. There seems to be a controversy about their children. I don't really want to get involved in it. Some people believe that only the children referred to in John Bolling's will and the codicil thereto are their children. Other's have strong evidence that there were other children. It appears that the birth of twins occurred several times. I have seen as many as 21 children listed for this couple. I don't think the controversy will be resolved until DNA testing occurs between an appropriate descendent recognized by all and appropriate individuals from each claimed child's line. I certainly would not find it unusual for there to have been a large family, as this was very common in earlier days, particulary with the mortality rate for all people in those days. However, I would note that in my many year's of research for my own lines, I have often noted that children are not always included in Wills. For instance, I have one G3 Grandfather, who is clearly recognized by all branches of the family to be of descent of the gentleman who wrote the Will. He did not name this child in the Will. This child was one of the older children and was well established on his own by the time the father died. I am not sure what the law was at the time the Will was written, but in most states these days you must make some mention of each child. However, that doesn't mean it was so then, and it is quite possible, that it was agreed that no protest would be made if the estate was left to the wife and younger children. Anyway, based on that thought, I'll wait until the DNA testing is done, and meantime, I'll have my own opinion with regard to who is descended from Elizabeth Blair and Maj. John Bolling. Source for the Blair/Bolling information is William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Magazine, Vol. 7, No. 3, January 1899, pp. 133-153 and other information collected over time, including other genealogical information. BY: Barbara J. Matthews
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