Peregrine Bland

Peregrine Bland (c. 1596 – June 11, 1647[1]) was an early settler of the Virginia Colony and a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses.[2] He was also the founder of the Peregrine Bland Society of Emmanuel College, Cambridge, infamous for attending the lowest class of restaurant in the highest class of attire.

Biography

Bland was born in England and entered Emmanuel College on February 26, 1613.[2][3][4] In about 1635 he was transported to Virginia. He was elected a Burgess to represent Charles River county for 1639 to 1640 term.[2][4]

In 1642 Bland was granted 1000 acres of land in the Deltaville area of Virginia. Bland Point is named after him.[5]

Death

In the Spring of 1647 on June 10, Bland along with Francis Yeardley, the son of the former governor of Virginia George Yeardley, Dr. Edward Hall and current burgess Richard Eyers spent the night at the widow Sarah Gookin's estate.[1] Francis Yeardley described the incident that took place the next morning at breakfast. He stated that they, "fedd hartily," and recorded that they, "healthfully and cheerfully," passed the morning. During the conversation Burgess Richard Eyers and Bland realized that they were related.[1] They drank alcoholic beverages freely and after breakfast Yeardley, Dr. Hall, Bland and Eyers decided to set out for Eyers' plantation by foot. Although Yeardley suggested to wait until the heat of the day had subsided Bland decided not to heed the warning and set briskly for the plantation.[1]

Eyers quickly realized that he did not know how to get there and asked Edward Windham for directions. Windham led them as far as Little Creek. A bit beyond there they saw Bland sleeping in the shade of Mrs. Gookin's "barne fort." Bland asked Eyers to wait with him for he needed to rest and suggested that the others continue. Eyers joined Bland on the ground and both napped feet to feet. Only about a half-hour later when Eyers awoke he found Bland dead having suffocated in his own vomit. Bland died as one of the participants of this incident said while, "purging at the mouth bloody froth."[1]

The coroner's inquest was held the next day on June 12, 1647 in Lower Norfolk Co., Virginia. His death was attributed to natural causes.[6]

Bland's will was proved on January 19, 1650.[2] He is known to have had one daughter Hope Bland who is said to have married a William Beaumont.[2]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Parramore, Thomas C; Stewart, Peter C.; Bogger, Tommy L. (April 2000). Norfolk: The First Four Centuries. University of Virginia Press. pp. 35, 36. ISBN 0-8139-1988-6.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Stone, Kathryn Crossley; Shields, Ruth Herndon (1976). A supplement to A study of the Barbee families of Chatham, Orange and Wake counties in North Carolina compiled by Ruth Herndon Shields, Belle Lewter West, Kathryn Crossley Stone. Boulder, Colorado: Stone.
  3. ↑ "Bland, Peregrine (BLNT613P)". A Cambridge Alumni Database. University of Cambridge.
  4. 1 2 The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Virginia Historical Society, page 220.
  5. ↑ [Deltaville, Larry S. Chowning, page 11, 2014.]
  6. ↑ Old Dominion in the 17th Century: A Documentary History of Virginia, 1606-1689, Warren M. Billings, UNC Press, 1975, pages 90 & 91.
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