USA > Virginia > The generall historie of Virginia, New-England, and the Summer isles: with the names of the adventurers, planters, and governours, from their first beginning, an. 1584. To this present 1626. With the proceedings of those severall colonies > Part 12
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Two ships at this time by those seuerall parties were a building ; in the meane time two children were borne, the Doy was called Bermudas, the Girle Bermuda, and amongst all those sorrowes they had a merry English mariage : the forme of those Iles you may see at large in the Map of Mr. Norwood, where you may plainly see no place knowne hath better walls. nor a broader ditch. But having finished and rigged their two new Cedar ships with such prouisions they saued from the Sea-aduenturer they left amongst the Rocks, they called the one the Patience, the other the Deliverance ; they vsed Lime and Oile; as May did for Pitch and Tar. Sir George Summers had in his Barke no Iron at all but one bolt in her Keele ; now having made their provisions of vic- quall and all things ready, they set saile the tenth of May 1610. onely leauing two meu behinde them, called Christo- phar Carter and Edward Waters, that for their offences, or the suspicion they had of their judgements, fled into the woods, and there rather desired to end their daies then stand to their trials and the eueat of Justice : for one of their con- sorts was shot to death, and Waters being tied to a tree also to be executed, had by chance a Knife about him, and so se - eretly cut the Rope, he ran into the woods where they could not finde him. There were two Saluages also sent from Virginia by Captain Smith, the one called Yumurtache, the other Mitchamps, but some such differences fell betweene them, that Muchumps slew Namuntuck, and hauing made a Ante to bury him. because it was too short, he cut of this fees
123
The death of Sir George Summers.
and laid them by him, which murder he concealed till he was. in Virginia.
The foure and twentieth of the same moneth they arrived in Virginia at James towne, where they found but threescore persons, as you may reade at large in the History of Virginia, of the five hundred left by Captaine Smith, also of the arrivall of the Lord Laware, that met them thus bound for England, returned them backe, and understanding what plenty there was of hogs and other good things in the Bermudas, was de- sirous to send thither to supply his necessary occasions ; whereupon Sir George Summers, the best acquainted with the place, whose noble minde ener regarded a generall good more then his own ends, though about threescore years of age, and had meanes in England sutable to his ranke, offer- ed himselfe by Gods helpe to performe this dangerous voy- age againe for the Bermudas, which was kindly accepted, so vpon the 19. of June, he imbarked in his Cedar ship, about the burthen of thirty tunnes, and so set saile.
Much foule and crosse weather he had, and was forced to the North parts of Virginia, where refreshing himself'e vpou this vnknowne coast, he could not bee diuerted from the search of the Bermudas, where at last with his company he safely arriued: but such was his diligence with his extraor- dinary care, paines and industry to dispatch his busi- nesse, and the strength of his body not answering the euer memorable courage of his minde, hauing lined so long in such honourable seruices, the most part of his well beloued and vertuous life, God and nature here determined, shouldl euer remaine a perpetuall memory of his much bewailed sorrow for his death: finding his time but short. after he had taken the best course he could to settle his estate, like a valiant Captaine he exhorted them with all diligence to be constant to those Plantations, and with all expedition to returne to Virginia. In that very place which we now call Saint Georges towne, this noble Knight died, whereof the place taketh the name. But his men, as men amazed, seeing the death of him who was cuen as the life of them all, embalmed his body and set saile for England, being the first that euer went to seeke those Hands, which have been quer since call- ed Summers les, in honour of his worthy memory, leaning three men behind them, that voluntarily staved, whose nanies were Christopher Carter, Withward Waters, there formerly left
121
The death of Sir George Summers.
as is said, and Edward Chard. This Cedar ship at last with his dead body arrived at Whit-Church in Dorsetshire, where by his friends he was bonourably buried, with many vollies of shot, and the rites of a Souldier, and vpon his tombe was bestowed this Epitaph.
Ilei mihi Virginia quod tam cito praterit Estas, Autumnus sequitur, sæniet inde & hiems; At ver perpetuum nascetur, & Anglia læta, Decerpit flores florida terra tuas .
In English thus.
Alas Virginia's Summer so soone past, Autumne succeeds and stormy Winters blast, Yet Englands loytull Spring with joyfull show ers, O Florida, shall bring thy sweetest flowers.
THE honour of this resolution belongs principally to Car- ter, for through his importunity, not to leaue such a place abandoned, Chard and Waters were mound to stay with him, and the rest promised with all the speed they could againe to revisit them. But the ship once out of sight, those three Lords, the sole inhabitants of all those Hands, began to erect their little common wealth for a while with brotherly rogen- cy, repairing the ground, planting Corne, and such seeds and fruits as they had, building a house, &c. Then making priny search amongst the creuises and corners of those crag- gy Rocks, what thi maine Ocean since the worlds creacion had throwne amongst them, at last they chanced vpon the grewest pecce of Amber-greece was euer secue or heard of in one lumpe, being in weight foure-score pound, besides diuers other small peeces.
But now being rich, they grew so proud and ambitious, contempt took such place, they fell out for superiority, though but three forlone men, more then three thousand miles from their native Country, and but small hope quer to see it again .. Notwithstanding, they sometimes fell from words to blowes about mere trifles: in one of which fights. one of them was bitten with his owne dog, as if the dumbe beast would reproue them of their folly; at last Chard and Waters. the two greater spirits, mast try it out in the field, but Carter wisely stole away their weapons, affecting rather to line amongst his enemies, then by being rid of them lue alone:
Master Richard More sent to make a Plantation. 125
and thus those miserable men liued full two yeeres, so that all their clothes were neere worne cleene from their backs, and their hopes of any forraine releefe as naked as their bo- dies. At last they began to recover their wits, vet in a fa- shion perhaps would have cost them dearer then when they were mad; for concluding a tripartite peace of their Mamachin warre, they resolued to frame as good a boat as they could, and therein to make a desperate attempt for Virginia, or New found Land; but no sooner were they entered into that resolution, but they descried a saile standing in for the shore, though they neither knew what she was, cor what she would, they were so ouer-loved, with all possible speed they went to meet her, and according to their hearts desire she proued an English-man, whom they safely conducted into their har- bour.
Now you are to understand, that Captaine Matthew Som- ers, Nephew and heire to Sir George, that returned with his dead body, though both he and his Company did their vt- most in relating all those passages to their Countrey-inen and adventurers, their relations were belecued but as tianel- lers tales, till it came to be apprehended by some of the 1 ir . ginia Company. how beneficiall it might be, and helpfull to the Plantation in Virginia, so that some one hundred and twenty of them bought the pretended right of all the Compa- ny, and had sent this ship to make a triall: but first they had obtained Letters Patents of the Kings most excellent Maies- tic. Sir Thomas Smith was elected Treasurer and Gonera- our heero, and Master Richard More to be Gouernour of the Iles and Colony there.
The first beginning of a Colonie in the Somer Iles, wonder the command of Master Richard More. o.r. tracted out of a plot of Master Richard Norwood Surueior, and the relation of divers others: 1612.
MASTER More thus Guiding those three men not onely well and lusty, but well stored with diuers sorts of prouisions, as an Acre of Corne ready to be gathered, numbers of Pumpi- cis and Indian Boanes, many Tortoises ready taken, good
126
Master More sent to make a Plantation.
store of hogy flesh salted, and made in Glitches of Bacon, were very good, and so presently landed his goods and sixty persons towards the beginning of July 1612, vpon the South side of Smiths Ile.
Not long after his arrinall, More having some private in- telligence of this Amber-greece, tooke first Chard in exami- nation, he being one of the three the most masterfull spirit, what Amber-greece, Pearle, Treasure, or other Commodi- ties they had found. Chard no lesse witty then resolute, di- rectly answered: Not any thing at all but the fruits of the Ile, what his fellowes had done he knew not, but if they had, he doubted not but to finde it out, and then he should know it certainly. This he spake onely to win time to sweare his Consorts to secrecy, and he would finde the meanes how they should all returne in that ship with it all for England, otherwise they should be deceived of all. Till this was ef- fected they thought every houre an age; now for the better convenience of it aboord, they acquainted it to Captaine Di- uis, master of the ship, and one Master Edwin Kendall, that for their secrecy and transportation should participate with them: Without further ceremony the match was accepted, and absolutely concluded, the plot laid, time and place set downe to haue it aboord. But Carter, were it for feare the Governor at last should know of it, to whom so oft they had denied it; or that the rest should deceiue him, is vncertaine; but most certaine it is, he revealed all the plot to Master More: To get so much wealth he knew would please them in England, though it did displease all his Company, and to lose such a prize he would not for hazarding a mutiny. first he revealed himselfe to Kendall in faire tearmes, repro- uing his dishonesty, but not being answered according to hisex- pectation, he committed both Chard and him to person [prison ] The next Sabboath day Dauis comming on shore, More also taxed with very hard language and many threats, to lay him fast also if he mended not his manners; Davis for the pre- sent replied little, but went with him to the place of praier: but in the midst of dinine seruice be goeth away, command- ing all his seamen to follow him presently aboord, where he .encourageth them to stand to him like men, and see would free the Prisoners, hane all the Amber-greece for themselves and so be gone.
Master More sent to make a Plantation ~ 127
The Governor hearing of this resolution, prepares with his company to repulse force with force, so that a generall expectance of a civill vnciuill warre possessed euery man; hur this threatning gust passed ouer more calmlier then was expected; for Davis hauing better aduised with himselfe, re- pented his rashoesse, and desired a reconcilement with the Governor. Peace thus concluded, Kendoll was set at liber- tic but Chard was condemned, and vpeu the ladder to be hanged for his obstinacy: yet vpon better consideration More reprieued him, but kept him a prisoner all the time he staied in the Country, which was generally thought a very bad re- ward for his great desert, and that there was more of this Amber-greece imbeziled, then would haue contented all the finders, that never had any consideration at all. The great- est part though More thus recovered, yet Dauis and Kendall had so much, either by the ignorance or conniuency of the Governors, that arriving in Englund, they prepared them- selues for a new volage; at last they two falling out, the Company hauing notice thereof, so tormented them both, they- gaue over their volage, and durst not be seene a long time after.
The Gouernor thus rid of the ship and those discontents, remoued his seat from Smiths Ile to Saint Georges, after he had fitted vp some small Cabbens of Palmata leaues for life wife and family, in that valley where now stands their prime towne called S. Georges, hee began to apply Himselfe to for- tify the Countrey, and training bis men to the exercise of armes. For although he was but a Carpenter, he was an excellent Artist, a good Gunner, very witty and industrious; he built and laid the foundation of eight or nine Forts, called the Kings Castle, Charles Fort, Pembrookes Fort, Smiths Fort, Pagits Vort, Gates Fort, Weerricks Castle, Saint Ku tharines Fort, &c. mounting in them all the Ordnance he had. preparing the ground to build Houses, plant Corne, and such fruits as they had.
Being thus busied, and as the necessitie of the time rc- quired, keeping his men somewhat hard at worke; Master Keath his Minister, were ir by the secret prouocation of some drones, that grev weary of their taskes, or his affection to popularity is not certaine : But he begins to tak the Gio- uernor in the Pulpit, hee did grind the faces of the poore, op. pressing his Christian brothrea with Therocks taxes. More
120 Master Richard Move sent to make a Plantation.
Anding his in short time, might breed ill bloud. called the Com- pany together and also the Minister, vreing them plainly, to tell Him wherein he had deserged those bard accusations : whereupon, with an yniversall ery they affirmed the contra- ry. so dru Wrath downo of his knees to aske him forgiveness. But Mester More Kindly tooke bim vp, willing him to kncele to God, and hereafter be more modest and charitable in his speeches ; norwithstanding ti. o other discontents so vpbrai- ded More with that doctrine, and stood to maintaine it, he impacled a lury, with a great deale of seeming much adoc he would hang them being condemned, one of them with the verv fcare, fell into a dead Palsie : so that the other was set at libertie, and proued after a very good labourer.
Meny conclusions he tried about the Sea venture. che wracke of Sir Gopre Somers but he got onely for his paines but tivo peece of Ordnance. Tauing framed a Chureb of timber, it was bist ne donne by a tempest, so that be built another in a more closer place with Palmeta leantes.
Before this veere was expired, the adnenturers sent them an adviso with thirdie Passengers and good pronissions to prepare with all expedition for their defence azeinst the Sea- niard, whom they understood ero long would visit theo : This occasioned him to kespe all his inen together in that Isle so harde at worke, that wanting liberde to goe abroad for food, living onely on that they bad, aal expected daily to
were se etter-tailed. many fell
receive from Eaglioul, they sicke, but noue died. Very earnest this s' in was to have all the Amber-greece, which MI. Moreperceiving, was the chief- est cause of their comming, and that it wasthe onels lood- stehe to draw from Endand sill more supplies : for all the expresse command sent from the Company. he returned this ship ist with the one taird part : so from thenee she went Had not bag after arrived safely in Haslund. Bat before ber o came The Company
Buying to arney the Wood, and the state of the Volte, with mypresse comning for all the \mber- ; prece : but Dore
third
Master Richard More sent to make a Plantation. 129
right Mulberies be expected. About this time they were in hope of a small crop of Tobacco, but it was most spoiled for want of knowledge to vse it. Now in England Master More became amongst the Merchants marvelous distastfull, for the detaining so long the Amber-greece; which delaies ther so much abhorred, they forthwith dispatched- the Eli- zabeth the second time and forty Passengers, much rebuking More for so long detaining the Amber-greece: for the which, hauing now no more colourable excuses, he delivered it, where- with the ship went to Virginia, and thence home. In this ship was brought the first Potato roots, which flourished ex- ceedingly for a time, till by negligence they were almost lost (all but two cast-away roots) that so wonderfully hane ju- creased, they are a maine releefe to all the Inhabitants. This ship was not long gone but there came two Spanish ships, sounding with their Boat, which attempted to come in: but from the Kings Castle Master More made but two shot, which caused them presently depart. Marke here the handy- worke of the divine prouidence, for they had but three quar- ters of a barrell of powder, and but one shot more, and the powder by carelesnesse was tumbled downe under the mus- sels of the two perces, were discharged, yet not touched with fire when they were discharged.
This feare thus past, appeares another much worse, which was the extremity of famine; in this extremity God sent Captaine Daniel Elfrid with a caruell of meale which a lit- tle releued them, but brought with all so many Rats, that within two yeeres after neered ruined all; now though El- frid had deceived his friend Fisher of this Caruell in the West-Indies, they reuenged Fishers injury, for Elfrid had his passage for England, and they made vse of all he had. Some two months after, came in the Blessing with an hun- dred Passengers ; and two daies after the Starre with a hun- dred and fourscore more, amongst which were many Gentle- men, as Master Lower for Marshall, Master Baviet, Master Felgate, aud divers others ; but very vnproper for what they undertooke. Within fourteene daies after came in the Mar- garet and two Frygats, and in them one hundred and three- score Passengers: also Master Bartlet came now expressly to diuide the Country foto Tribes, and the Tribes into shares. But Master. More finding no mention made of any part for himselfe nor all them with him, as he was promised in En- Vol. 2-S
-
130
Master More his accidents and proceedings.
yland. by no meanes would admit of any division, nor suffer his men from finishing their fortifications, which was so ne- ·cessary, it was his maine ambition to see that accomplished; but such vnkindness grew betwixt this Master Bartlet and the Gonernour, that the rude multitude with all the disdaive they could deuise caused Bartlet returne for England as he came. About this time William Millington was drawne into the Sea by a fish, but neuer after euer seene.
The neglect of this diuision was very hardly conceited in England, so that Master More grew more and more in dis- like with the company; notwithstanding he followed the building of these Forts so earnestly, neglecting planting of Corne, till their store was noere all consumed, whereby they became so feeble and weake, some would not, others could not goc abroad to seeke releefe. but starued in their houses; and many that were abroad, through weaknesse were sub- ject to be suddenly surprized with a disease called the Feauges, which was neither paine nor sicknesse, but as it were the highest degree of weaknesse, depriving them of power and ability from the execution of any bodily exercises, whether it were working, walking, or what else: being thus taken, if any presently gave them food. many times they straight re- couered, yet some after a little rost would bee able to walke, but if they found not present succour, died.
About this time or immediately before, came in a company of Rauens, which continued amongst them all the time of this mortality and then departed, which for any thing knowne; neither before nor since were cuer seone or heard of: this with diuers other reasons caused Master More to goe out to Sea, to see if he could discouer any other Islands, but he went not farre ere ill weather forced him backe; and it were ·a noble adventure of him would vndertake to make more perfect all the dangers are about the Summer Iles.
Thus famine and mise. aused Governor More leave all his workes, and send them abroad to get what they could : one hundred and fifty of the most weake and sicke he sent to Coupers Isle, where were such infinite numbers of the Birds called Cahowes, which were so fearlesse they might take se many as they would, and that admired abundance of fish, that the extremity of their hunger, and their gluttony was sich. those heavenly blessings they so much consumed and wast- ed by carelestesse and shriciting, many of them died ypat
----
131
Master More his accidents and proceedings.
those silly Birds that offered themselues to the slaughter, which the Gonernour understanding, caused them for change of aire to be removed to Port-royall, and a Company of lish- ers with a Boat to relecue them with fish, but the Gange grew so lazie the poore weaklings still died; they that re- mained killed the Cattle they found in the Isle, taining the heat caused them to runne into the Sea and so were drown- ed; so that the Gouernour sent againe for them home, but some obtained leaue still to liue abroad; one amongst the rest hid bimselfo in the Woods, and liued onely on Wilkes, and land Crabs. fat and lusty many moneths, but most of them being at Saint Georges, ordinarily was taken one hun- dred and fifty or two hundred great fishes daily for their food; for want of hookes and lines, the Smith made hookes of old swords, and lines of old ropes, but finding all those poore Engines also decay, they sent one of the two Frigats last left with them for England, to tell them of this misery. All which was now attributed to Master Mores peruersenesse, who at first when he got the Amber-Greece had not such a general applause, but now all the worst could possibly be suggested was too good for him ; yet not knowing for the present how to send a better, they let him continue still, though his time was neere expired, and with all speed sent the Welcome fraught with provision, where shee well arriu- ed, and proued her selfe as welcome in deed as in name : for all those extremities, Master Leres Hues writeth, not one of all those threescore that first beganne this Plantation was dead, which shewes it was not impossible, but industry might haue prevented a great part of the others sluggish careles- nesse.
This ship much refreshed this miserable Colony, but Mas- ter More seeing they sent not for him, his time being now expired, understanding how badly they reputed him in Eng- land, and that his imployment now was more for their owne ends then any good for himselfe, resolute directly to returne with this ship. Hauing setled all things in the best order he could, left the government to the charge of the counsell of six to succeed each other monthly, till they had further di- rections from England: whose names were Captaine Miles Kendall, Captaine John Mansfield, Thomas Knight, Charles Culdycot. Edward Waters, and Christopher Carter, with 'welue others for their assistances. More thus taking leaue
132 The government left to six and their proccedings.
of those Hands, arrined in England, much wrangling they had, but at last they confirmed him according to promise eight shares of Land, and so he was dismissed of his charge. with shew of fauour and much friendship.
- The rule of the six Governors. 1615.
THE first thing they did was the casting of lots, who should rule first, which lot lighted vpon Master Coldicot. This last supply somewhat abated the extremitie of their miseries, and the better in that their fortifications being finished, they had the more leisure to goe abroad with that meanes was brought to that purpose to fish. Chard as you have heard, whom all this while More had kept Prisoner, they set at libertie: now by reason of their former miseries, little or nothing could be done: yet this Gouernor hauing thus concluded his mouth, and prepared a Frigot and two and thistie men, hee imbark- ed himselfe with two other of his fellow counsellors; name- lv, Knight and Waters for the West-Indies, to get Fruits and Plants, Goats, young Cattle, and such like, But this poore vessell, whether through ill weather, or want of Mariners, or both, in stead of the Indies fell with the Canaries, where taking a poore Portugall, the which they manned with ten of their owne people, as soone after separated from her in a storme, and the next day was taken by a French Piekaroune. so that the Frigot out of hope of her prize, makes a second time for the West-Indies, where she no sooner arriued, but foundred in the sea; but the men in their Boat recouered a desolate lle, where after some few moneths stay, an English Pyrat tooke them in, and some of them at last got for Eng- land, and some few veares after returned to the Somer Iles.
The government left to six, and their proceedings. 183
Captaine John Mansfield his moneth.
THE Frigot thus gone, Captaine Mansfield succeeded .---- Then was contrived a petition, as from the generalitie, vnto the triumpirat Governors: wherein they supplicated, that by no means they should resigne the government to any should come from England, vpon what tearmes soquer, votill six months after the returne of their ship sent to the West-In- dies: about this vnwarrantable action, Master Lewes Hues their Preacher was so violent in suppressing it, that such dis- contents grew betwixt the Gouernors and him, and divisions among the Company, he was arraigned, condemed, and im- prisoned. but not long detained before released. Then the matter fell so hotly againe to be disputed betwixt him and one Master Kenth a Scotch-man, that professed schollership, that made all the people in a great combustion: much adoe there was, till at last as they sate in the Church and ready to proceed to a indiciary course against Master Hues, sud- dealy such an extreme gust of wind and weather so ruffled in the trees and Church: some cried out, A miracle; others, it was but an accident common in those Iles, but the noise was so terrible it dissolued the assembly: notwithstanding; Master Hues was agame imprisoned, and as suddenly dis- charged; but those factions were so confused, and their rela- tions so variable, that such vnnecessary circumstances were better omitted then any more disputed.
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