Grandson of Gamaliel & Rebecca Lawrence Gerould
Bela Blake, the son of Deacon Ebenezer Blake, originally of Wrentham Massachusetts, was born November 21st, 1790. He showed an eagerness to learn from an early age, and studied hard in preparation for college. However he gave up the idea of college in 1811 and accepted the position of an accountant in Boston, where he stayed for 5 years all the while studying modern languages, becoming fluent in five.
In 1816 Bela sailed as a clerk of a merchant vessel bound for the west coast of Mexico and from there to Canton China. Arriving in San Blas, they conducted some trade, and then sailed for Mazatlan, which at the time was in the hands of rebels fighting the Mexican Government. In Mazatlan, locals visiting the ship in the guise of friendship, overpowered the officers and crew, taking them captive and seizing the vessel and cargo. The captives were thrown in prison, and soon after Mr. Blake and several of his shipmates were taken to Arispe, in the province of Sonora, a journey of twelve hundred miles, fraught with many hardships. Here they remained imprisoned for more than two years before being released. They arrived back at San Blas on December 14th, 1820, and immediately took passage on a friendly vessel to Manilla, which was destined to be his home for the rest of his life.
In December, 1821, he formed a partnership with Jose de Ortega, a Spanish gentleman, manufacturing sugar, and transacting a general commission business. With one or more changes of partners, he successfully continued the business until his death, eventually owning several ships, and sending valuable cargoes to the ports of Europe, Asia, and America. Despite his naturally strong constitution, the warm climate and incessant labor took their toll on his health, which was made known to his friends in frequent letters home to his relatives. In a letter to his father, March 3, 1828, he writes:
"I am fully convinced and certain of your disapprobation, mingled, no doubt, with sentiments of displeasure, when I inform you that I am about to embark, and not for home. Be assured that I feel as much as yourself on the occasion; but for the present it must be so. I have been so long in a warm climate that I need a little bracing up, and have concluded to embark for California; and, God willing, shall return in about ten months, after which I am determined to take a voyage home, be the consequences what they mav."
But fate had decreed that he should never return, even to the home of his adoption. On his return voyage from California, and as the vessel was entering Manilla Bay, Mr. Blake died unmarried on April 12th, 1829, in the 39th year of his age. The vessel being detained in the bay by adverse winds, his body was buried in the sea, far from the home and friends which he ardently loved.
Bela Blake, the son of Deacon Ebenezer Blake, originally of Wrentham Massachusetts, was born November 21st, 1790. He showed an eagerness to learn from an early age, and studied hard in preparation for college. However he gave up the idea of college in 1811 and accepted the position of an accountant in Boston, where he stayed for 5 years all the while studying modern languages, becoming fluent in five.
In 1816 Bela sailed as a clerk of a merchant vessel bound for the west coast of Mexico and from there to Canton China. Arriving in San Blas, they conducted some trade, and then sailed for Mazatlan, which at the time was in the hands of rebels fighting the Mexican Government. In Mazatlan, locals visiting the ship in the guise of friendship, overpowered the officers and crew, taking them captive and seizing the vessel and cargo. The captives were thrown in prison, and soon after Mr. Blake and several of his shipmates were taken to Arispe, in the province of Sonora, a journey of twelve hundred miles, fraught with many hardships. Here they remained imprisoned for more than two years before being released. They arrived back at San Blas on December 14th, 1820, and immediately took passage on a friendly vessel to Manilla, which was destined to be his home for the rest of his life.
In December, 1821, he formed a partnership with Jose de Ortega, a Spanish gentleman, manufacturing sugar, and transacting a general commission business. With one or more changes of partners, he successfully continued the business until his death, eventually owning several ships, and sending valuable cargoes to the ports of Europe, Asia, and America. Despite his naturally strong constitution, the warm climate and incessant labor took their toll on his health, which was made known to his friends in frequent letters home to his relatives. In a letter to his father, March 3, 1828, he writes:
"I am fully convinced and certain of your disapprobation, mingled, no doubt, with sentiments of displeasure, when I inform you that I am about to embark, and not for home. Be assured that I feel as much as yourself on the occasion; but for the present it must be so. I have been so long in a warm climate that I need a little bracing up, and have concluded to embark for California; and, God willing, shall return in about ten months, after which I am determined to take a voyage home, be the consequences what they mav."
But fate had decreed that he should never return, even to the home of his adoption. On his return voyage from California, and as the vessel was entering Manilla Bay, Mr. Blake died unmarried on April 12th, 1829, in the 39th year of his age. The vessel being detained in the bay by adverse winds, his body was buried in the sea, far from the home and friends which he ardently loved.
Grandson of Gamaliel & Rebecca Lawrence Gerould
Bela Blake, the son of Deacon Ebenezer Blake, originally of Wrentham Massachusetts, was born November 21st, 1790. He showed an eagerness to learn from an early age, and studied hard in preparation for college. However he gave up the idea of college in 1811 and accepted the position of an accountant in Boston, where he stayed for 5 years all the while studying modern languages, becoming fluent in five.
In 1816 Bela sailed as a clerk of a merchant vessel bound for the west coast of Mexico and from there to Canton China. Arriving in San Blas, they conducted some trade, and then sailed for Mazatlan, which at the time was in the hands of rebels fighting the Mexican Government. In Mazatlan, locals visiting the ship in the guise of friendship, overpowered the officers and crew, taking them captive and seizing the vessel and cargo. The captives were thrown in prison, and soon after Mr. Blake and several of his shipmates were taken to Arispe, in the province of Sonora, a journey of twelve hundred miles, fraught with many hardships. Here they remained imprisoned for more than two years before being released. They arrived back at San Blas on December 14th, 1820, and immediately took passage on a friendly vessel to Manilla, which was destined to be his home for the rest of his life.
In December, 1821, he formed a partnership with Jose de Ortega, a Spanish gentleman, manufacturing sugar, and transacting a general commission business. With one or more changes of partners, he successfully continued the business until his death, eventually owning several ships, and sending valuable cargoes to the ports of Europe, Asia, and America. Despite his naturally strong constitution, the warm climate and incessant labor took their toll on his health, which was made known to his friends in frequent letters home to his relatives. In a letter to his father, March 3, 1828, he writes:
"I am fully convinced and certain of your disapprobation, mingled, no doubt, with sentiments of displeasure, when I inform you that I am about to embark, and not for home. Be assured that I feel as much as yourself on the occasion; but for the present it must be so. I have been so long in a warm climate that I need a little bracing up, and have concluded to embark for California; and, God willing, shall return in about ten months, after which I am determined to take a voyage home, be the consequences what they mav."
But fate had decreed that he should never return, even to the home of his adoption. On his return voyage from California, and as the vessel was entering Manilla Bay, Mr. Blake died unmarried on April 12th, 1829, in the 39th year of his age. The vessel being detained in the bay by adverse winds, his body was buried in the sea, far from the home and friends which he ardently loved.
Bela Blake, the son of Deacon Ebenezer Blake, originally of Wrentham Massachusetts, was born November 21st, 1790. He showed an eagerness to learn from an early age, and studied hard in preparation for college. However he gave up the idea of college in 1811 and accepted the position of an accountant in Boston, where he stayed for 5 years all the while studying modern languages, becoming fluent in five.
In 1816 Bela sailed as a clerk of a merchant vessel bound for the west coast of Mexico and from there to Canton China. Arriving in San Blas, they conducted some trade, and then sailed for Mazatlan, which at the time was in the hands of rebels fighting the Mexican Government. In Mazatlan, locals visiting the ship in the guise of friendship, overpowered the officers and crew, taking them captive and seizing the vessel and cargo. The captives were thrown in prison, and soon after Mr. Blake and several of his shipmates were taken to Arispe, in the province of Sonora, a journey of twelve hundred miles, fraught with many hardships. Here they remained imprisoned for more than two years before being released. They arrived back at San Blas on December 14th, 1820, and immediately took passage on a friendly vessel to Manilla, which was destined to be his home for the rest of his life.
In December, 1821, he formed a partnership with Jose de Ortega, a Spanish gentleman, manufacturing sugar, and transacting a general commission business. With one or more changes of partners, he successfully continued the business until his death, eventually owning several ships, and sending valuable cargoes to the ports of Europe, Asia, and America. Despite his naturally strong constitution, the warm climate and incessant labor took their toll on his health, which was made known to his friends in frequent letters home to his relatives. In a letter to his father, March 3, 1828, he writes:
"I am fully convinced and certain of your disapprobation, mingled, no doubt, with sentiments of displeasure, when I inform you that I am about to embark, and not for home. Be assured that I feel as much as yourself on the occasion; but for the present it must be so. I have been so long in a warm climate that I need a little bracing up, and have concluded to embark for California; and, God willing, shall return in about ten months, after which I am determined to take a voyage home, be the consequences what they mav."
But fate had decreed that he should never return, even to the home of his adoption. On his return voyage from California, and as the vessel was entering Manilla Bay, Mr. Blake died unmarried on April 12th, 1829, in the 39th year of his age. The vessel being detained in the bay by adverse winds, his body was buried in the sea, far from the home and friends which he ardently loved.
Inscription
In memory of
Bela Blake Esq.
Merchant at the Isle of
Manilla in Asia,
who.Died in his own Ship
on his Homeward bound Voyag-
e from Spanish America
to that place
April 12, 1829.
in the 39, year of
his age:
And was buried in the Boundless deep,
Was the son of
Dea. Eleazer & Jerusha Blake.
No sculptured stone marks out the ruthless wave,
Which clos'd relentless o'er my watery grave,
It naught awaits.
When God to judgement shall appear;
And all the hosts of heaven draw near
The knell of time shall reach my bed
[continued below grade]
Gravesite Details
Bela Blake died on board his ship at the entrance of Manila Bay, Philippine Islands and was buried at sea. Cenotaph placed for him at Meeting House Cemetery aka Blake Cemetery.
Family Members
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