On August 27, 1650, a Virginia exploring party led by English merchant and explorer Sir Edward Bland set out from Fort Henry (current day Petersburg) to reach the Tuscarora and other Indian settlements including the Meherrin village of Maharineck. The exploring party also included Abraham Wood, Sackford Brewster, Elias Pennant, two white servants, and an Appromattox Indian guide. On the way they secured a Nottoway Indian guide named Oyeocker.
The exploring party stopped at the Meherrin village of Maharinecke (Emporia) where the great men and Inhabitants came, and performed divers ceremonies, and dances before them and a little before night the old King Maharinecke came and spoke with them.
Bland’s account of his visit, contained in his history of the expedition, is the first known written account of the Meherrin people.
A pamphlet published in London the following year told of the voyage to the Chowan, Meherrin, and Roanoke river area.
