John Bolling facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Bolling
|
|
---|---|
![]() Portrait of Bolling, c. 1715
|
|
Born | |
Died | April 20, 1729 Henrico County, Colony of Virginia, British America
|
(aged 53)
Resting place | Chesterfield County, Virginia, U.S. |
Spouse(s) |
Mary Kennon
(m. 1697; died 1727) |
Children | 6: John Bolling Jr. (1700–1757), Jane Bolling (1703–1766), Elizabeth Bolling (b. 1709), Mary Bolling (1711–1744), Martha Bolling (1713–1737), and Anne Bolling |
Parents |
|
Relatives | Thomas Rolfe (maternal grandfather) Pocahontas (maternal great-grandmother) |
Major John Bolling (born January 27, 1676 – died April 20, 1729) was an important person in the early Virginia Colony. He was a farmer and a politician. John Bolling was also the great-grandchild of the famous Native American woman Pocahontas and her husband, John Rolfe.
Contents
John Bolling's Early Life
John Bolling was the son of Colonel Robert Bolling and Jane Bolling. His mother, Jane, was the daughter of Thomas Rolfe, which made John Bolling the great-grandchild of Pocahontas and John Rolfe.
John Bolling was born at a place called Kippax Plantation. This plantation was in Charles City County, which is now part of the City of Hopewell. He later lived at his family's plantation named "Cobbs." This home was located near Point of Rocks on the Appomattox River.
John Bolling's Family Life
On December 29, 1697, John Bolling married Mary Kennon. Mary was the daughter of Richard Kennon and Elizabeth Worsham. John and Mary had six children together. Their names are listed in John Bolling's will:
- John Bolling Jr. (1700–1757)
- Jane Bolling (1703–1766)
- Elizabeth Bolling (born 1709)
- Mary Bolling (1711–1744)
- Martha Bolling (1713–1737)
- Anne Bolling (1718–1800)
John Bolling Jr.'s Family
John Bolling Jr. married Elizabeth Lewis in 1720. Later, he married Elizabeth Blair in 1728. Elizabeth Blair was the niece of James Blair, who was the first president of William & Mary College. John Bolling Jr. and Elizabeth Blair had at least nine children. One of their children, John Bolling III, married Mary Jefferson. Mary Jefferson was the sister of United States President Thomas Jefferson.
A great-great-granddaughter of John Bolling Jr. was Edith Bolling. She later became the First Lady when her husband, Woodrow Wilson, became president.
Other Children's Families
- Jane Bolling married Colonel Richard Randolph in 1724. They had seven children.
- Elizabeth Bolling married William Gay from Scotland. They had three children.
- Mary Bolling married John Fleming. They had eight children.
- Martha Bolling married Thomas Eldridge in 1729. They had four children.
- Anne Bolling married James Murray. They had six children.
John Bolling's Career and Public Service
In 1722, John Bolling opened a tobacco warehouse. This warehouse was in an area that is now known as the 'Pocahontas' neighborhood in Petersburg. People said that Major Bolling made a lot of money from trading with both his fellow colonists and Native American people.
Major Bolling was also involved in politics. He served as a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses. The House of Burgesses was an important group of elected representatives in the Virginia Colony. He served in this role from 1710 until he passed away in 1729.