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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 [250] 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.

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