Edward Bland (explorer)
| Edward Bland | |
|---|---|
| Born | England |
| Died | Surry County, Virginia |
| Occupation | Explorer |
| Notable work | The Discovery of New Brittaine |
| Spouse(s) | Jane Bland |
| Children | One son |
| Parent(s) |
John Bland Susan Bland |
| Relatives |
Theodorick Bland of Westover (brother) John Bland (brother) |
Edward Bland (died ca. 1653) was an English explorer and merchant.[1]
Bland was born in England to John and Susan Bland and was one of several children.[2] He was baptized on February 5, 1614 in the Saint Stephen Coleman Street parish. Around 1634 Bland married his cousin Jane Gregor and the two had one child together, Edward.[2][3] He traveled to Virginia in 1647, where he joined his brother John in managing his family's land. Once there he began to acquire land and by 1652 owned a substantial amount of land.[3]
During the summer of 1650 Bland accompanied Abraham Woode, Sackford Brewster, Elias Pennant, and an Appamattoc guide named Pyancha on an expedition of lands to the south of Virginia.[4] The group hoped to travel up the Roanoke River and surpass the terrain explored by Ralph Lane, but were unsuccessful.[5] Bland kept a record of the journey, which marked the first time that the Occaneechi tribe was mentioned in the English historical record.[6] He also kept notes of the land, vegetation, and other landmarks.[2] The group is believed to have traveled as far as Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, an area that Bland dubbed "New Brittaine".[3] Upon his return he published a pamphlet entitled The Discovery of New Brittaine and successfully petitioned the General Assembly to colonize the area.[7]
Bland died around 1653, likely in his home. Shortly after his brother Theodorick Bland traveled to Virginia to assume control of the family's interests.[3]
References
- ↑ Clement, Maud Carter (1929-01-01). The History of Pittsylvania County, Virginia. Genealogical Publishing Com. p. 3. ISBN 9780806379890.
- 1 2 3 Boykin, James H. "Bland, Edward". NCpedia. Retrieved 2016-03-09.
- 1 2 3 4 Briceland, Alan Vance. "Edward Bland (bap. 1614–1652)". Encyclopedia Virginia. Retrieved 9 March 2016.
- ↑ Aaron, Larry G. (2009-04-01). Pittsylvania County, Virginia: A Brief History. The History Press. pp. 24–26. ISBN 9781625843135.
- ↑ Thwaites, Reuben Gold (1903-01-01). On the Storied Ohio: An Historical Pilgrimage of a Thousand Miles in a Skiff, from Redstone to Cairo. A.C. McClurg & Company. p. 297.
- ↑ Tucker, Spencer; Arnold, James R.; Wiener, Roberta (2011-09-30). The Encyclopedia of North American Indian Wars, 1607–1890: A Political, Social, and Military History. ABC-CLIO. p. 576. ISBN 9781851096978.
- ↑ Briceland, Alan V. (1979-01-01). "The Search for Edward Bland's New Britain". The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography 87 (2): 131–157.