The Digital Ark: Early Modern Collections of Curiosities in England and Scotland, 1580-1700

[ Previous ][ Next ]

Edmund Bohun ( - 13 Oct 1734)

Son of Edmund Bohun (1645–1699), writer and press licenser, who left England in 1698 to become chief justice of South Carolina, where his son was already established as a merchant. Edmund inherited the family estates after his father's death, returning to England to take up residence in the family seat of Westhall manor (Rix, 129)

Bohun and Robert Ellis coordinated in gathering and sending specimens to Petiver (See also Rix, xxv, note‡). In a letter to Petiver, Ellis reported that he had distributed among his acquaintances several codices to fill with specimens, including Bohun, who, he says, "knows very well, who Trades with another Nation of Indians"; "Mr. Bohun asked for ten one-pound pots of Lucatellus Balsam for providing this service" (Maydom, 224). Ellis and Bohun evidently also collected specimens together. Relevant locations: Lived at or near South Carolina, United States
Visited Ashley River , South Carolina
 Relationships: Edmund Bohun was a source of object(s) for Robert Ellis (-fl. c. 1700)
Edmund Bohun was a friend of James Petiver (c. 1665-Apr 1718)

Adam Buddle (bap. 1662-1715) was a friend of Edmund Bohun
Robert Ellis (-fl. c. 1700) was a source of object(s) for Edmund Bohun
Linked print sources: as Mentions or references - James Petiver's apothecary practice and the consumption of American drugs in early modern London.
as Mentions or references - The Diary and Autobiography of Edmund Bohun, Esq: With an Introductory Memoir, Notes, and Illustrations.
 References in Documents:
Petiver, Musei Petiveriani (1695-1703) 722. Papilio Carolinianus caudatus nigredine & ochroleuco variegatus. This elegant Fly amongst many other Insects, my very kind friends Mr. Robert Ellis and Mr. Edmund Bohun caught in March and Aprill last, up Ashly River in South Carolina.
Petiver, Musei Petiveriani (1695-1703) 791. Osmunda Virginiana Cicutæ folio. Adiantum album floridum Cicutæ foliis Virginianum Ray H. pl. 1854. 7. Lunaria botrytis elatior Virginiana, pinnulis tenuissimis & Cicutariæ in modum divisis H. Oxon. Sect. 14. p. 595. Tab. 4. Fig. 5. Urtica Canadensis Myrrhidis folio El. Bot. 426. Inst. R. H. 534. Hort. Reg. Monspel. 207. Fig. Mr. Hugh Jones first sent me this from Maryland, I have also this Year received it from my kind Friends Mr Edmund Bohun and Mr. Robert Ellis in Carolina.
Petiver, Musei Petiveriani (1695-1703) MR.Mr. James Braylsford a Turkey Mechant. This worthy Gentleman was pleased freely to present me (at the request of my hearty and very ingenious Friend Mr. Timothy Langley) with Four Bookes of Plants which he gathered about Ierusalem, the Mountains of Bilan and on the Banks of Euphrates and Iordan. And to each Plant he procured its Name in Arabick, French and Latine from the Physicians of those parts. My Curious Friend Mr. Iezreel Iones has been also so kind to render me the meaning of several of the Arabick Characters. Mr. Edmund Bohun and Mr. Robert Ellis. I am very much obliged to these two Gentleman for a Collection of 80 Musei Petiveriani of such Plants as they observed in South Carolina, last March and April most of them being very well preserved. They also sent me several rare Insects and Reptiles caught in those months, with promises of farther Improvements from them, which I daily expect the arrival of. To Mr. Iohn Dickinson I am obliged for some Plants he lately sent me from Bermudas (besides 2 Collections some Years agoe.) with assurances of larger performances. Mr. Iohn Fox Surgeon brought me 3 or 4 Bookes of Plants which he gathered in the Bay of Bengale with some Insect, Shells &c. My kind Friend Mr. George Franklyn Apothecary sent me some Plants he observed the last Spring about Charles Town in Carolina. Capt. Edmund Halley was pleased to give me what Plants he collected on the Island Trinidado in his last Expedition. Dr. Godfried Klem one of the Czar's Physicians sent me a Collection of Plants gathered about Moscow with some Animals &c. which he observed in a Voyage between that City and Azoff; he also procured me some Curious Shells from Persia. Mr. Keir and Mr. Barklay Surgeons presented me with some Plants they collected in China. Mr. Iohn Staremberg. This kind Gentleman hath lately sent me a Collection of Plants from the Cape of Good Hope, amongst which were some very Curious and altogether new, gathered neer 800 Miles up the Country. He likewise promises me frequent and larger performances by every oportunity and particularly the next shipps which I am suddenly in Expectation of.
Petiver, Musei Petiveriani (1695-1703) 933. Jacea Carolin. Salicis folio non crenato capitulis pilosis. These two Elegant Plants my kind Friend Mr. Edmund Bohun brought me from Goose Creek in Carolina, with many others wholly new.
Petiver, Musei Petiveriani (1695-1703) 1. INIn her Grace the DUCHESS of BEAUFORT's most Noble Garden and Matchless Stoves at Badmington in Gloucestershire, I the last Summer met with many New Rare and very curious Plants, most of them raised to that Perfection I never saw before. 2. From Mr. JACOB BOBART, Botanick Professor of the Physick Garden at Oxford, I have at times received several curious Plants raised in that Garden under his Care. 3. Dr. JOANNES PHILIPPUS BREYNIUS (Son of JACOBUS BREYNIUS that late Celebrated Botanist) hath been pleased to give me several uncommon Plants, which he had collected the last Summer out of the most Curious Gardens in Holland, and he promised me greater Favours at his return to Dantzick. 4. Mr. EDMUND BOHUN hath again been pleas'd generously to present me with great variety of Insects and several Books of Plants, which he collected in Carolina. 5. I am much obliged to Mr. EDWARD BULKLEY at Fort St. George for several curious Plants, Shells, Insects, &c. which, since Mr. SAMUEL BROWNE's Death, he hath been pleased frequently to procure me, which I intend to give some Account of, with what else he shall particularly favour me with. 6. The Reverend Father GEORGE JOSEPH CAMEL hath again been pleased to Favour Mr. RAY and me with the accurate Descriptions and Designs of several new Plants he hath observed to grow in the Phillippine Isles. I have also lately received divers Insects from him, and other Curiosities which shall suddenly be Figured and Described. 7. Mr. MATTHEW COLVILL, Surgeon, gave me a Collection of such Shells he found on Pulo Verara, an Island near Malacca. 8. Mr. JAMES CUNINGHAME. To this Curious Person I am beyond expression obliged, not only for what he has formerly done, but also lately performed, viz. in his last Voyage to China he sent me Collections from the Cape of Good Hope, as also from Combuys near Java, and the Crocodile Isles, and twice from the Islands of Chusan, from whence I have received near two hundred several Plants, most of them altogether New, to these he has added such Insects, Shells, &c. as he met with; some of which are already Figured in the First and Second Decade of my Gazophylacium Nature & Artis, and others you may expect in my Third, &c. 9. To Mr. FIFIELD, Surgeon, I am obliged for some Shells and Plants he gathered in the Bay of Campeachy, and particularly for some Sprigs of the Logwood, which I never saw in England before. 10. Madam ELIZABETH GLANVILE. To this Curious Gentlewoman I am obliged for an hundred Insects lately sent me (besides others she gave me before) which she had observed in the West of England, several of them being altogether new to me. 11. Dr 11. Dr. CHARLES GOODALL, Physician to the Charter-house and one of the College, observed this last Autumn, near Tunbridge-Wells, several Curious Mushrooms which he was pleased to give me. 12. Mr. CLAUDIUS HAMILTON, Surgeon, was pleased some time since to give me a Book of Plants he had collected in Barbadoes, with his Observations on them. 13. From Mr. JAMES HAMILTON, Surgeon in Edinburgh, I have received several Curiosities. 14. To Dr. DAVID KRIEG, F. R. S. I am obliged for some Curiosities he sent me from Riga in Livonia; whilst that City was besieged, and for others since from Paris. 15. The Reverend Dr. LEWIS hath been pleased to favour me lately with some Shells, &c. part of which you may see in the Philosophical Transactions, No 282. and others are Figured in the second and third Decades of my Gazophylacick Tables. 16. In his Lordship the BISHOP of LONDON's Curious Gardens at Fulham, I yearly see many Rare Plants, and several of them not to be met with in any other Garden in England. 17. Dr. NISSOLE, a Physician and very Curious Botanist at Monpelier, has been pleased to send me a Collection, finely preserved, of such Rare Plants as I desired, growing thereabouts 18. My kind Friend Mr. RICHARD PLANER, Surgeon, hath again brought me several Plants and Insects from the Coasts of Guinea, not yet taken notice of, some of which I shall suddenly figure. 19. Mr. RANCE, Surgeon, was generally pleased to give me a Collection of such Shells, &c. he found in the Island of Borneo. 20. To Dr. RICHARD RICHARDSON, a Curious Naturally and Physician, I am indebted for many Rare Plants, Fossils, &c. which he hath observed in the North of England. 21. I have again from Dr. FREDERICK RUYSCH Anatomick and Botanick Professor in Amsterdam, received several Cape-Plants and Foreign Insects. 22. I am obliged to that Accurate Botanist Dr. WILLIAM SHERARD, for divers Specimens of Plants, several of which I had not before. 23. Mr. JAMES SKEEN, Surgeon, was pleased to present me with three of four Books of Plants, with such Shells and Insects as he and Mr. WATT, Surgeon, deceased, had observed at Cape tres Puntas and Wida on the Coast of Guinea. 24. Mr. JOHN STAREMBURGH. From this Gentleman I have received many Curious Cape-Plants very treatly dried, as also some Insects, which are figured in my first and second Decades, and I am daily in expectation of the arrival of many more Curiosites from him. 25. Mr. JOHN STOCKER hath again been pleased to bring me some Shells and Insects, which he hath met with in another East-Indies Voyage. 26. From Mr. JAMES SUTHERLAND, Superintendant of the Physick Garden at Edinburgh, I have received several uncommon Northern Plants, which he had gathered wild in Scotland. 27. I am again charged to that Celebrated Botanist Dr. PITTON TOURNEFORT, Physician, one of the Royal, Academy of Sciences, and Botanick Professor of the Royal Garden at PARIS, for not only his Institutions, Rei Herbariæ, but also for many Curious Plants, several of which he gathererd himself in and . 28. To Mons. VAILLANT (Secretary to Dr. FAGON, Chief Physician to the King of FRANCE) I am indebted for several uncommon Plants, growing about Paris and elsewhere, very curiously preserved. 29. To 29. To that Curious Preserver of all Natural and Artificial Rarities Myn Heer LEVINUS VINCENT at Amsterdam, I am very much obliged for divers admirable Insects he hath lately sent me. 30. Mr. THOMAS WALNER. This Generous Gentleman, at the desire of my kind Friend Mr. ROBERT ELLIS, hath lately sent me Specimens of the Brasiletto Wood, and some other Trees and Plants from New Providence, one of the Bahama Islands: for which I am extreamly obliged to him, and for his kind Promises of greater Performances, by the next and all Opportunities. 31. Madam WILLIAMS. This Gentlewoman, tho altogether a Stranger, was to kind as to send me several Curious Insects, especially Burterflies, which she had observed about her Residence in Carolina. These my hearty Friend Major WILLIAM HALSTEAD brought me with several Curiosities of his own collecting, as Plants, Shells &c. 32. A certain Curious , whose Name at present I am obliged to conceal, hath sent me, from Carolina, several Plants of that Country with his Remark on them.
Petiver, Gazophylacii Naturæ (1702-1706) 12. Gladiolus lacustris VIRGINIANUS cæruleus, Sagittariæ folio. nobis. Sagittariæ similis, planta palustris Virginiana spicâ florum cæruleâ. D. BANISTER. H. Oxon. Sect. 15. p. 618. Tab. 4. Fig. 8. I have received this from MARY-LAND and VIRGINIA; as also from Mr. Edm. Bohun who gathered it in South Carolina, where it Flowers in June and July, and is called by them Wake-Robin.
Petiver, Gazophylacii Naturæ (1702-1706) 6. Linulum CAROLINIANUM humistratum Knawel facie. This was brought me by my kind Friend Mr. Edm. Bohun who observed it about Goose Creek in South CAROLINA.
Petiver, Gazophylacii Naturæ (1702-1706) 12. Papilio CAROLINIANA nigrescens maculis luteis. My Kind Friend Mr. Edmund Bohun first observed this Butterfly in CAROLINA.
Petiver, Gazophylacii Naturæ (1702-1706) 6. Folliculena CAROLINIANA e virgulis cooperta. This Case-worm as Mr. Edward Bohun calls it, he observed many times in the Woods in Carolina about July; These are fastened to a sort of Willow and guarded with little bits of Twigs like those I have observed on the Phryganium or Caddus in our Rivers.
Petiver, Gazophylacii Naturæ (1702-1706) 11. Capricornus CAROLINIANUS fuscus pallido aspersus. This singular Beetle Mr Edmund Bohun brought me from Carolina.
Petiver, Gazophylacii Naturæ (1702-1706) 4. Small yellow Carolina Turtle-Beetle with transparent Edges, Cat. 561. Phil. Trans. n°. 271. p. 814. 50. These 2 last Mr. Edmund Bohun was pleased to send me with divers other curious Insects from Carolina.
Petiver, Gazophylacii Naturæ (1702-1706) American Insects and Shells 93 531 Bohans, yellow spotted Carolina Butterfly 6. 12. 532 William’s Orange girdled Carolina Butterfly 15. 9: 533 Williams Selvedge eyed Carolina Butterfly 33. xi. 534 Jones Maryland Selvedge eye 2. 3. 535 Virginia Painted Lady 33. 5. 536 Black Darien Butterfly with 2 white Spots 6. 7. 537 Mexican Butterfly with 2 Scarlet blots 4 2. 538 Jamaica Tricolor 13. 1. 539 Vincent’s large Surinam Peacocks eye 28. 1. 540 Vincent's Surinam long Tricolor 12. 8. 541 Charlton's Copper blistered Surinam Butterfly 10. 9. 542 Small blue Sarinam Butterfly 46. 15. 543 Greenish Maryland large Page Moth 14. 5. 544 Maryland long Cross Moth 17. 7. 545 Maryland short Cross moth 17. 8. 546 Maryland Ermin moth 17. 2. 547 Maryland Buff Ermin Moth 3. 2. 548 Golden Lanthorn Carolina Butter Moth 32. 5. 549 Great Carolina Lanthorn Bee Moth 32. 7. 550 Maryland mottled Bee Moth 17. 12. 551 Carolina Twig Coffin 7. 6. 552 Feather horned Carolina Fly 6. 6. 553 Virginia Wingless Wasp 13 10. 554 Clear tipt Maryland Adderbolt 15 1. 555 Cloud tipt Maryland Adderbolt 15. 2. 556 Mexican Bull Rhinoceros 46. 14. 557 Brown Maryland Bull Rhinoceros 24. 10. 558 Campeachy Goat Chaffer 24. 6. 559 Bohun's brown speckled Goat-chaffer 25. xi. 560 Maryland Wasp Beetle 27. 3. 561 Carolina Wasp Cantharis 33 9. 562 Copper spotted Maryland Carab 2. 2. 563 Velvet eyed Virginia Snap Beetle 10. 4: 564 Marshal's Virginia Chaffer 27. 7. 565 Green Maryland Chaffer 27. 9. 566 Green Maryland Horn Chaffer 27. 8. 567 True Cochineel with its changes 1. 5. 568 Great Maryland Cow Lady 33. 3. 569 Straw Maryland Cow Lady 26. xi. 570 Yellow and black streaks Maryland Beetle 17. xi. 571 Speckled Barbadoes Rag Oyster 24. 12. 572 American rugged Hart Henckle 25. 9. 573 American ridged Hart Henckle 24. 5. 574 Jamaica pointed Henckle 25. 8. 575 Dominico Tellen 18. 4. 576 Flat Jamaica two tooth’d Shell 21 6. 577 Barbadoes Lady Whelk 22. xi. 578 Stonestreets flet Pap shell 3. 12. 579 Bar-