Somers Isles,
A name given to the Bermudas, in compliment to
Sir George Somers, one of the commissioners for
Virginia, who was wrecked there in 1609.
These islands received their present name in honor of
Juan Bermudez, a Spaniard, who was wrecked upon one of them in 1522.
In 1614 the islands were settled under a charter given by King James and called
Somers Isles.
In 1640 a regular government was established there.
Sir George Somers was sent there in 1610 by
Lord Delaware for provisions; but, by tempests, the ship was driven northward and finally returned to
Virginia.
Thence he sailed again, and, after boisterous weather and great fatigue, reached the Bermudas, where he died in 1611.
On the spot where he died the town of
St. George was built.
His heart and entrails were buried in
Bermuda and his body was sent to
England.
In 1620 the governor of
Bermuda caused a large marble slab to
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be laid over the portion of his remains buried there, upon which was cut an epitaph, written by the governor himself, beginning:
In the year 1611
Sir George Somers went to heaven;
and concluding:
At last, his soul and body having to part,
He here bequeathed his entrails and his
heart.