16th century in North American history 16th century in North American history The historical record in North America begins in the second half of the 16th century, with ongoing European exploration. Giovanni da Verrazzano explored the East Coast of North America from Florida to presumably Newfoundland in 1524. Jacques Cartier made a series of voyages on behalf of the French crown in 1534 and explored the St. Lawrence River. André Thevet's "The new found worlde, or Antarctike" is an English translation of Thevet's "Les singularitez de la France antarctique", first published in 1558. André Thevet was a Franciscan friar who accompanied Villegagnon in 1555 when he
Richard Blake (16th century) to St. Nicholas's church, Galway. He died in 1564, having had sons Geoffrey, John, Martin and Thomas. The second son, John Blake fitz Richard, was elected Mayor in 1578. Richard Blake (16th century) Richard Blake was Mayor of Galway from 1533 to 1534. Blake resided at Kiltolla (modern-day Kiltullagh, Carnamore), some ten miles east of Galway town. His grandfather, John Blake fitz William, was elected for the term 1487-88, being the third Mayor. He had disputes with the Burke family, as well as his own Blake relatives, concerning the ownership of lands at Kiltolla, having inherited from his great-grandfather, William