Peregrine Bland

Peregrine Bland (c. 1596 - June 11, 1647cite book
last = Parramore
first = Thomas C
authorlink = Thomas C. Parramore
coauthors = Stewart, Peter C. and Bogger, Tommy L.
title = Norfolk: The First Four Centuries
publisher = University of Virginia Press
month = April | year = 2000
location =
pages = 35, 36
url =
doi =
id =
isbn = 0-8139-1988-6] ) was an early settler of the Virginia Colony and a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses.cite book
last = Stone
first = Kathryn Crossley
authorlink =
coauthors = Shields, Ruth Herndon
title = 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
publisher = Stone
year = 1976
location = Boulder, Colorado
pages =
url =
doi =
id =
isbn = ]

Bland was born in England and entered Emanuel College on February 26, 1613.The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Virginia Historical Society, page 220.] In about 1635 he was transported to Virginia. He was elected a Burgess to represent Charles River county for 1639 to 1640 term.

In the Spring of 1647 on June 10th, 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. 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. 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.

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."

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. ["Old Dominion in the 17th Century: A Documentary History of Virginia, 1606-1689", Warren M. Billings, UNC Press, 1975, pages 90 & 91.]

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

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