Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 1.djvu/163

 field" and the slashes adjoining which had escheated to the King from Bacon because of his rebellion, and these lands descended to William Randolph's son, Richard Randolph, who was known as Richard Randolph, of '"Curls." Bacon's rebellion is the most spectacular episode in all colonial history, and its leader will always be an interesting historical figure. He had good looks, a commanding manner, and remarkable eloquence, which made him the idol of his followers.

Bowler, Thomas, of Rappahannock county, was a merchant and appears in the records of Rappahannock county in 1663, and on Sept. 29, of the year following, "Mr. Thomas Bowler" was appointed a justice of Rappahannock county and took the usual oath. He was sworn a member of the council, Oct. 9, 1675 and died in 1679. He left many descendants in Virginia.

Cole, William, of ""Bolthorpe," Warwick county, Virginia, was born in 1638. His first appearance in public life, so far as the records show, was on March i, 1674-75, when he was appointed a member of the council, an office he held until his death. He was one of the persons denounced by Bacon in 1676, as one of Berkeley's evil advisers, and, of course, the commissioners sent to suppress Bacon's rebellion described him as "a very honest gentleman" and a member of the council who was all along constant to the governor and with him in all his troubles. In Oct., 1689, the president and council of Virginia wrote to England that on the death of the secretary, Spencer, in September, they had had appointed Col. William Cole to i^e secretary of the state of Virginia, and begged royal confirmation. This was given by commission, dated Jan. 17, 1690, and in it Cole is spoken of as a person of "known integrity and ability to execute the office." On Aug. I, 1690, he wrote to Lord Nottingham, thanking him for the appointment. He did not hold the office long, however, for on April 15, 1692, he stated in a petition to Gov. Nicholson, that he had been one of the council of Virginia for about seventeen years, and had been appointed secretary of state ; that lately he had become much "decayed" in body and strength, and by reason of a deep melancholy that had seized him, he found himself daily growing worse, and that he was "desirous to live a retired life and to serve God Almighty the small remainder of the time he had to live," and so prayed that a secretary might be appointed, and that he, the petitioner, might obtain his majesty's discharge. The request was granted. Councillor Cole died, March 4, 1694. His tomb, with his arms and an epitaph remains at his former seat, Bolthorpe, Warwick county. He is represented by many descendants in Virginia.

Place, Rowland, was living in Virginia as early as 1671, when he owned land in Charles City and near the falls of James river in Hen- rico county. It was on Oct. 9, 1675, that he was first sworn to the council and he continued to serve for several years. He was present as a member in March, 1678, but soon after- wards went to England, evidently with the intention of only making a visit there, though he afterwards seems to have changed his mind, for he never after returned to Virginia. Wil- liam Sherwood, writing to Secretary William- son, July I. 1678, says that his letter will be carried by "Col. Rowland Place, a member of the council." who can give "an ample account of matters in 'irginia,'' and. on July 10, 1678, Gov. Lord Culpeper wrote a letter which he stated he would confide to Col. Place, who had