My g-g-g-g-grandfather, Richard Bland, 1680-1737, may have been from Orton or nearby. My earliest information on Richard is in a special census in Barbados in 1715, when Robert Lowther of Maulds Meaburn was Governor of Barbados. Richard's first son was named Lancelot Bland, 1723-1777, a name that appears only in Orton Parish in Carlisle's History of the Ancient Family of Bland. I am speculating that my Richard Bland, a blacksmith in 1737 when he made his will, may have traveled to Barbados as a servant of Robert Lowther, and that his first born son was named for one of the two Lancelot Blands of Orton identified in Carlisle's History. One of the Lancelots could have been his grandfather, or alternatively, the other could have been his great-grandfather. Richard Bland received a land grant in South Carolina in 1735 and died there in 1737. Information on his descendants is good, but there is no information yet on his ancestors. Does anyone have information related to my hypothesis that my Richard Bland is descended from one of the Lancelot Blands from Orton or nearby? Thanks, Ray Bland The Woodlands, Texas, USA

Hi Ray, Small world. There is a Bland spotter on this list with relatives in Orton, who lives just down IH-10 from you. ;-) One of my very best internet friends in Australia researches those Blands, if anybody knows, Kate will! She is on the List too. My cousins were from neighboring Crosby Ravensworth, and George Williamson Reveley lived in Orton, back in the early 1800s. I've visited both places, and have a few photos of Orton, and also Reagill, the home of John Salkeld Bland who wrote The Vale of Lyvennet. Kate and I met when she transcribed the Vale for me. Every time I run across a Bland I send him to her. I've also got photos of the Bland graves at the parish church. Happy to share all the photos I have. BLAND. (N. urn on pedestal). Erected in m. John Bland, yeoman, of Reagill, who d. Nov. 30 1837 aged 74 y. also Elizabeth his wife who d. Jan. 22 1835 aged 68 y. also Jane wife of William Bland of Wyebourne, their son who d. Sep. 8, 1862, aged 62 y. BLAND. (N. coffin shaped tomb with painter's pallet and brushes). + Here rests the body of John Salkeld Bland, son of William Bland of Wyebourne, Yeoman, and Elizabeth his wife, who d. l. Jan. 4. 1867 in his 28 y. BLAND. (N. flat tomb, cross flory, pallets, brushes, hammer, compass). Here rests the body of Thomas Bland of Reagill, Yeoman, who d. l. Sep. 18, 1865 in his 68 y. BLAND. (N. coffin-shaped tomb with cross). + S. m. William Bland of Blandsgarth, Reagill, b. Feby. 27 1800, d.Nov 25 1882. Lancelot is an unusual name. There is a discussion of the name Lancelot in the area at http://www.edenlinks.co.uk/HISTORY/PATH1.HTM "......Sir Lancelot Threlkeld of Melmerby, Cumberland. Melmerby is to the north east of Penrith, but Sir Lancelot also had a hall at Threlkeld to the east of Keswick and perhaps more significantly he owned Crosby Hall in Crosby Ravensworth parish near Appleby and is in fact buried in Crosby Ravensworth church." Adios, Sarah in San Antonio sarahreveley@grandecom.net ----- Original Message ----- From: Ray Bland To: ENG-WESTMORLAND@rootsweb.com Sent: Monday, December 29, 2008 10:50 AM Subject: [ENG-WESTMORLAND] Richard Bland 1680-1737 My g-g-g-g-grandfather, Richard Bland, 1680-1737, may have been from Orton or nearby. My earliest information on Richard is in a special census in Barbados in 1715, when Robert Lowther of Maulds Meaburn was Governor of Barbados. Richard's first son was named Lancelot Bland, 1723-1777, a name that appears only in Orton Parish in Carlisle's History of the Ancient Family of Bland. I am speculating that my Richard Bland, a blacksmith in 1737 when he made his will, may have traveled to Barbados as a servant of Robert Lowther, and that his first born son was named for one of the two Lancelot Blands of Orton identified in Carlisle's History. One of the Lancelots could have been his grandfather, or alternatively, the other could have been his great-grandfather. Richard Bland received a land grant in South Carolina in 1735 and died there in 1737. Information on his descendants is good, but there is no information yet on his ancestors. Does anyone have information related to my hypothesis that my Richard Bland is descended from one of the Lancelot Blands from Orton or nearby? Thanks, Ray Bland The Woodlands, Texas, USA