One of the more tantalizing mysteries of Ryland research has been identifying "Archdeacon Ryland," reportedly the brother of Elizabeth Ryland, who married Richard Randolph -- and from whom the large Randolph family of Virginia descends.

The reference presumably derives from oral tradition in the Randolph family, dating from the earliest years in Virginia. If the Archdeacon were a well-known figure, as he seems to have been at one time, we should expect to be able to research him on the Internet, but thorough searching has failed to provide any information about him.

The Archbishop's biography appears in THREE HUNDRED YEARS OF FAMILY LIVING: Being a History of the Rilands of Sutton Coldfield, by the Rev. W. K. Riland Bedford (Birmingham, England: Cornish Brothers, 1889). We can supplement this information with material from the parish registers as cited in the International Genealogical Index (IGI) and additional entries transcribed earlier by Mrs. Susanna Proctor [Ryland] Flory in FRAGMENTS OF FAMILY HISTORY (London: Hodder Brothers, 1896).

The surname "Ryland" has been spelled in numerous creative ways over the years. The branch of the family associated with Bearley, Stratford, and Birmingham -- and subsequently America -- has generally favored the spelling Ryland. But the Sutton Coldfield line settled on the spelling Riland, which they use to this day.

The Archdeacon was John Riland, born August 8, 1619, in Quinton, Gloucestershire. ("Quinton" actually comprises two separate villages, Upper Quinton and Lower Quinton. They are served by a single parish church. Oddly enough, Upper Quinton is south of Lower Quinton and is the smaller of the two. The dual village is just outside of Stratford-upon-Avon and has been reassigned to Warwickshire since 1931.)

Riland enrolled at Magdalen Hall, Oxford -- "prep" school --in 1633 and matriculated at Magdalen College, Oxford, in 1641. He became rector at Exhail, near Alcester, in 1647, but he was turned out from his pulpit because of royalist sympathies during the Civil War. With the collapse of the Protectorate and the restoration of the monarchy, he found himself returned to favor. He was appointed rector at Buton, in Warwickshire, in 1660, and that same year became Archdeacon of Stafford. Concurrently, beginning Dec. 6, 1661, he served as Archdeacon of Coventry. He held those posts until his death in 1673.

John Riland was married to Cecelia Stanley of Westbromwich, Staffordshire. They had two children, Maria (d.s.p.) and John (1657-1720). John followed his father's footsteps at Oxford, married the sister of the rector of Sutton Coldfield northwest of Birmingham, and succeeded his brother-in-law. For generations thereafter, the pulpit at Sutton Coldfield was the "family business;" the Rev. Mr. Bedford was a direct descendant.

Archdeacon John Riland was the son of Richard Rilande (christened Nov. 9, 1587, at Quinton; died after 1634) and Elizabeth Harward. They were married Dec. 4, 1611, at Bidford-on-Avon, Warwickshire.

Their other children were: Mary, who died in infancy in 1614

Rose, christened April 3, 1621, in Quinton. She married Theophilus Albright Mar 12, 1650/51 in Quinton.

Meriall, christened March 30, 1623, at Quinton

Richard, who died in infancy in 1626

. . . and Elizabeth, christened Dec. 26, 1615, at Quinton. Elizabeth Riland married Richard Randolph Feb 4, 1643/44 at St. Margaret Pattens Church in London. It is from them that the Randolphs of Virginia descend. Their tree is comprehensively covered on many web pages. A good place to start is the cemetery at Turkey Island, Va. (link below)