Edward Bland (explorer)

Once in Virginia, Edward Bland began to acquire more land, including a 3,000 acre plantation on the south side of the James River known as Chippokes which he purchased from Thomas Hill of Jamestown.

[6] By 1652, when he was named his late father's administrator in Virginia, Edward Bland owned a substantial amount on both sides of the James River.

[5] During the summer of 1650 Bland accompanied Abraham Wood, Sackford Brewster, Elias Pennant, and an Appamattoc guide named Pyancha on an expedition of lands to the south of Virginia.

[4] The group is believed to have traveled as far as Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, an area that Bland dubbed "New Brittaine".

[5] Upon his return he published a pamphlet entitled The Discovery of New Brittaine and successfully petitioned the General Assembly to colonize the area.