[5] On June 10, 1647, Bland, along with Francis Yeardley, the son of former Virginia governor George Yeardley, Dr. Edward Hall, and current Burgess Richard Eyers, spent the night at the widow Sarah Gookin's estate.
He stated that they "fedd hartily," and recorded that they "healthfully and cheerfully" passed the morning.
Although Yeardley suggested waiting until the heat of the day had subsided, Bland decided not to heed the warning and set briskly for the plantation.
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 County, Virginia.