Col. Robert Bolling was born December 26, 1646 at Tower Street, All Hallows, Barking Parish, London, England. He was the son of Edward Bolling and wife Marie Carie. Both of his parents died in 1648. The following year, Robert sailed to Virginia. He became a noted merchant and planter, and was elected Burgess for his county.

Col. Bolling married (1) Jane Rolfe in c.1675. She was the daughter of Thomas Rolfe and Jane Poythress, and the granddaughter of John Rolfe and Pocahantas. She was born October 10, 1650 at Varina Plantation, Henrico, Virginia. They had one son, John Bolling. Jane died in 1676 at Kippax, Charles City Co., Virginia.

Col. Bolling married (2) Anne Stith in 1681. She was the daughter of John Drury Stith and wife Jane Gregory. They had nine children.

The descendants of Robert Bolling and Jane Rolfe are commonly called "red Bollings," in reference to Jane's descent from Pocohantas. The descendants of Robert Bolling and Anne Stith are called "white Bollings," in reference to Anne being a white woman. There are many people who claim ancestry through Robert Bolling and on to Pocohantas. These people are called "blue Bollings.

As a merchant and planter, Robert Bolling acquired a large estate. He rose to the rank of colonel in militia. He served in the House of Burgesses in 1702, representing Charles City County. Robert Bolling died July 17, 1709. After his death, he was buried at his plantation, Kippax, where his tomb still stands. In 1858 his remains were removed to the Bolling Mausoleum at Blandford Cemetery, Petersburg, Virginia, by his great-grandson.

Child of Robert Bolling and wife Jane Rolfe:

• 1. John Bolling

Children of Robert Bolling and wife Anne Stith:

• Jane Bolling (b. 1682), died young.
• Robert Bolling Jr. (1682–1749), married Anne Mary Cocke.
• Stith Bolling (1686–1727), married Elizabeth Hartwell.
• Edward Bolling (1687–1720), married Ms. Slaughter.
• Anne Bolling (1690–1750), married Robert Wynne.
• Drury Bolling (1695–1726), married Elizabeth Meriwether.
• Thomas Bolling (1697–1734).
• Agnes Bolling (1700–1762), married Richard Kennon.
• Mary "Molly" Bolling (b. 1702), married Andrew Baker. This child is disputed by many researchers.

Links to additional material:

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Bolling
• http://www.halexandria.org/home.htm
• Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography, Volume IV: under the editorial supervision of Lyon Gardiner Tyler; publ.1915, available as a free Google ebook.
• http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=12815946

Many thanks to all the Geni members who contributed to this profile, and who left notes on the overview tab. I have consolidated your work to write this brief sketch of Robert Bolling. Maria Edmonds-Zediker, Volunteer Curator, 1/7/2012.