John Bland (? – ) was probably born in
Devon, England and became notable in Canadian history for his time spent in Newfoundland.
Bland was probably active in Newfoundland as early as 1780 in a mercantile capacity. He became a magistrate at
Bonavista, Newfoundland
Bonavista (2021 population: 3,190) is a town on the Bonavista Peninsula, Newfoundland in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Unlike many Newfoundland coastal settlements, Bonavista was built on an open plain, not in a steep cove, a ...
in 1790 and was active in commerce at that time. In 1801 he became a surrogate court judge which paid a regular salary. By that time he was well established in the community.
Bland is noteworthy for his advocacy on behalf of the
Beothuk people during a documented period from 1797 to 1807 where his letters to various governors at St. Johns identify a number of issues and proposed solutions.
References
*
1820s deaths
Newfoundland Colony judges
{{Canada-law-bio-stub