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 6
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George Tucker,
Henry Timberlake,
William Tucker,
Richard Shepard,
Henry Spranger,
William Stonnard, Steuen Sad,
Ichn Stockley.
Thomas Steuens,
Matthew Shepard, Thomas Sherwell, William Seabright, Esquire,
Nicholas Sherwell, Augustine Steward. Thomas Stile,
Edmund Scot, Francis Smalman,
Gregory Spint, Esquire,
Thomas Stacy, William Sandbatch,
Robert Smith, Matthias Springham, Richard Smith,
Edward Smith,
Jonathan Smith,
Humfrey Smith,
John Smith,
Sir Thomas Tracy,
George Thorpe, Esquire,
Richard Turner,
John Tauerner,
William Strachey,
Varion Spencer,
lohn Scarpe, Thomas Scott,
William Sharpe,
Steuen Sparrow, Thomas Stokes,
Lewis Tite,
Robert Thornton,
V.
Sir Horatio Vere, Sir Walter Vaughan, Henry Vincent, Richard Venne,
1
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55
The names of the Adventurers.
Christopher Vertue, lohn Vassell, Arthur Venne,
W.
Henry Bishop of Worcester, Francis West, Esquire,
Sir Ralph Winwood,
Sir John Wentworth,
Sir William Waad,
Sir Robert Wroth,
Sir Perciual Willoby,
Sir Charles Wilmott,
Sir John Wats,
Sir Hugh Worrell,
Sir Edward Waterhouse,
Sir Thomas Wilsford,
Sir Richard Williamson,
Sir John Wolstenhohn,
Sir Thomas Walsingham,
Sir Thomas Watson,
Sir Thomas Wilson,
Sir John Weld,
Mistris Kath. West, now La- dy Conway,
John Wroth, Esquire,
Captaine Maria Winckfield, Esquire, Thomas Webb,
John Walker,
Thomas Wood,
Rice Webb,
John Willet,
Nicholas Wheeler,
Thomas Wale,
William Wilston,
Ioho Waller,
William Ward,
William Williamson,
Humfrey Westwood, Hagh Willeston,
Thomas Wheatiev,
William Wattey, William Webster,
James White,
Edmund Winne, John West, lohn Wright, Edward Wooller,
Thomas Walker,
lohn Wooller,
John Westrow,
Edward Welch,
Nathaniel Waad,
Richard Widowes,
Dauid Waterhouse, Esquire,
Captaine Owen Winne,
Randall Wetwood,
George Wilmer, Esquire,:
Edward Wilkes,
Leonard White,
Andrew Willmer,
Clement Willmer,
George Walker,
William Welbie,
Francis Whistler,
Thomas Wells,
Captaine Thomas Winne,
John Whittingham,
Thomas Wheeler,
William Willet,
Deuereux Woogam,
Edward Webb,
Sands Webb,
Felix Wilson,
Thomas White,
Richard Wiffen,
William Willeston, lohn Water,
Thomas Warr, Esquire,
Dauid Wiffin,
Garret Weston,
56
The names of the Adventurers.
Y.
Z.
Sir George Yeardley, now Gonernour of Virginia. William Yong, Simon Yeomans,
Edward, Lord Zouch, lohn Zouch, Esquire,
THAT most generous and most honourable Lord, the Earle of Southampton, being pleased to take vpon him the title of Treasurer, and Master lohn Farrar his Deputy, with such instructions as were necessary, and admonitions to all Offi- cers to take heede of extortion, ingrossing commodities, fore- stalling of markets, especially to have a vigilant care, the fa- miliarity of the Saluages liuing amongst them made them not way to betray or surprize them, for the building of Guest- houses to relieve the weake in, and that they did wonder in all this time they had made no discoueries, nor knew no more then the very place whereon they did inhabit, nor yet could euer ses any returne for all this continuall charge and trou- ble, therefore they sent to be added to the Councell seuen Gentlemen, namely Mr. Thorp, Captaine Nuce, Mr. Tracy, Captaine Middleton, Captaine Blount, Mr. John Pountus, and Be. Harwood, with men, munition, and all things thought fitting, but they write from Virginia, many of the Ships were so pestered with diseased people, and thronged together in their passage, there was much sicknesse and a great mortality, wherefore they desired rather a few able sufficient men well prouided, then great multitudes, and be- cause there were few accidents of note, but priuate aduer- tisements by letters, we will conclude this yeere, and pro- ceed to the next. Collected out of the Councels letters for Virginia.
The instructions and aduertisements for this veere were both from Englund and Virginia, much like the last: only whereas before they had cuer a suspicion of Opechankanough, and all the rest of the Saluages, they had an eye ouer him more then any, but now they all write so confidently of their assured peace with the Saluages, there is now no more feare nor danger either of their power or trechery, so that cuery man planteth himselie where he pleaseth, and followeth his.
----
... .
57
Master Stockams Relation.
businesse securely. But the time of Sir George Yeardley being neere expired, the Councel here made choise of a wor- thy young Gentleman Sir Francis Wyat to succeed him, whom they forth with furnished and provided, as they had done his Predecessors, with all the necessary instructions all these times had acquainted them for the conuersion of the Saluages, the suppressing of planting Tobacco, and planting Corne, not depending continually to be supplied by the Saluages, but in case of necessity to trade with them, whom long ere this, it hath beene promised and expected should have beene fed and relieued by the English, not the English by themn; and carefully to redresse all the complaints of the needlesse mortality of their people, and by all diligence seeke to send something home to satisfie the Aduenturers, that all this time had only lined ypon hopes, grew so weary and discouraged, that it must now be substance that must maintaine their pro- ceedings, and not letters, excuses and promises; seeing they could get so much and such great estates for themselues, as to spend after the rate of 100. pounds, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. nay some 2000. or 3000. pounds yearely, that were not worth so many pence when they went to Virginia, can scarce containe themselues either in diet, apparell, gaming, and all manner of such superfluity, within a lesse compasse than our curious, costly, and consuming Gallants here in England, which cannot possibly be there supported, but either by op- pressing the Comminalty there, or deceiuing the generality here (or both.) Extracted out of the Councels Letters for Virginia.
- From Virginia, by the relations of the Chieftaines there, and many I haue conferred with, that came from thence hi- ther, I have much admired to heare of the incredible pleasure, profit and plenty this Plantation doth abound in, and yet could neuer heare of any returne but Tobacco, but it hath oft amazed me to vnderstand how strangely the Saluages hath beene taught the vse of our armes, and imploied in hunting and fowling with our fowling peeces, and our men rooting in the groundabout Tobacco like Swine; besides that, the Saluages that doe little but continually exercise their bow and arrowes, should dwell and lie so familiarly amongst our men that prac- tised little but the Spade, being so farre asunder, and in such small parties dispersed, and neither Fort. exercise of armes used, Ordnances mounted, Courts of guard, nor any prepa-
Vol. 2-1
58
Master Stocktons Relation.
ration nor provison to prevent a forraine enemy, much more the Saluages; howsoeuer for the Saluages vncertaine confor- mity I doc not wonder, but for their constancy and conuer- sion, I am and euer hane beone of the opinion of Master Ionas Stockum a Minister in Virginia, who euen at this time, when all things were so prosperous, and the Saluages at the point of conversion, against all their Gouernours and Coun- cels opinions, writ to the Councell and Company in England to this effect.
May 28.
WEthat haue left our natine country to soiourne in a strange land, some idle spectators, who either cowardly dare not, or conetously will not aduenture either their purses or persons in so commendable a worke; others supporting Atlas of this almost vnsupportable burdens as your selues, without whose assistance this Virginia Firmament (in which some) and I hope in short time will shine many more glorious Starres, though there be many Italiannated and Spaniolized English- men enuies our prosperities, and by all their ignominious scandals they can deuise seckes to dishearten what they can, those that are willing to further this glorious enterprize, to such I wish according to the decree of Darius, that whoso- euer is an enemy to our peace, and sceketh cither by getting monipolicall patents, or by forging vniust tales to hinder our welfare, that his house were pulled downe, and a paire of gallowes made of the wood, and he hanged on them in the place.
As for those lasie seruanis, who had rather stand all day idle, than worke, though but an houre in this Vineyard, and spend their substance riotously, than cast the superfluity of their wealth into your Treasury, I leaue them as they are to the eternall Judge of the world. But you right worthy, that hath aduentured so freely, I will not examine, if it were for the glory of God, or your desire of gaine, which it may be you expect should flow vnto you with a full tide, for the conuer- sion of the Saluages: I wonder you vse not the meanes, 1 confesse you say well to have them converted by faire meanes, but they scorne to acknowledge it, as for the gifts bestowed on hem they deuoured them, and so they would
59
The government of Sir Francis Wyat.
the giners if they could, and though many haue endeauoured by all meanes they could by kindnesse to convert them, they finde nothing from them but derision and ridiculous answers. We have sent boies amongst them to learne their Language, but they returne worse than they went; but I am no States- man, nor loue I to meddle with any thing but my Bookes, but I can finde no probability by this course to draw them to goodnesse; and I am perswaded if Mars and Minerua goe hand in hand, they will effect more good in an houre, then those verball Mercurians in their lives, and till their Priests and Ancients haue their throats cut, there is no hope to bring them to conuersion.
The government of Sir Francis Wyat.
ABOUT October arrived Sir Francis Wyat, with Master George Sands, appointed Treasurer, Master Davison Secre- tary, Doctor Pot the Physician, and Master Cloyburne the Surgian, but much prouision was very badly conditioned, nay the Hogs would not eat that Corne they brought, which was a great cause of their sicknesse and mortality, and what- soeuer is said against the Virginia Corne, they finde it doth better nourish than any prouision is sent thither; the Sailers still they complaine are much to blame for imbesling the pro- uisions sent to priuate men, killing of Swine, and disorderly trucking; for which some order would be taken.
In them nine Ships that went with Sir Francis Wyat not one Passenger died, at his arriuall he sent Master Thorpe to Opechancanough, whom hee found much satisfied with his comming, to confirme their leagues as he had done his Prede- cessors, and so contented his people should coinhabit amongst them, and hee found more motions of Religion in him than could be imagined: euery man betaking himselfe to his quar- ter, it was ordred, that for euery head they should plant but 1000. Plants of Tobacco, and vpon each plant nine leaues, which will be about 100, weight, the Corne being appointed but at two shillings and six pence the bushell, required such labour, it caused most men neglect it, and depend vpon trade; where were it rated at ten shillings the bushell, cuery man wonld indenour to hane plenty to sell to the new commers,
60
The government of Sir Francis Wyat.
or any that wanted, and seldomc any is transported from En- gland, but it standeth in as much, besides the hazard and other necessaries, the Ships might transport of that burden. The 22. of Nouember arrived Master Gookin out of Ireland, with fifty men of his owne, and thirty Passengers, exceeding- ly well furnished with all sorts of provision and cattle, and planted himselfe at Nupors neves: the Cotten trees in a yeere grew so thicke as ones arme, and so high as a man: here any thing that is planted doth prosper so well as in no place better. For the mortality of the people accuse not the place. foi of the old Planters and the families scarce one of twenty miscarries, onely the want of necessaries are the occasions of those diseases. And so wee will conclude this yeere with the shipping and numbers sent. Out of the Councels Letters from Virginia.
This yeere was sent one and twenty sale of Ships that imployed more than 400, sailers and 1300 men, women and children of diuers faculties, with fourescore cattell; the Tiger fell in the Turkes hands, yet safely escaped, and by the re- turne of their letters from thence, the company is assured there can bee no fitter places of Mines, Wood and Water for Iron than there: and the French men affirme no Country is more proper for Vines, Olives, Slike, Rice and Salt, &c. of which the next yeere they promise a good quantity.
GIFTS.
THE Gentlemen and Mariners that came in the Royall James from the Eust Indies, gaue towards the building of a free Schoole 70. pound, eight shillings, and six pence: and an vnknowne person to further it, sent thirtie pounds; and ano- ther in like manner fiue and twenty pounds; another refusing to be made knowne, gaue fortie shillings yeerely for a Ser- mon before the Virginia companie: also another that would not be knowne, sent for the College at Henrico, many excellent good religious bookes, worth ten pound, and a most curious Map of al that coast of America. Master Thomas Bargaue their Preacher there deccased, gaue a Librarie valued at one hundred Markes: and the inhabitants hath made a contribu- tion of one thousand and five hundred pounds to build a house for the entertaining of strangers. This yeere also
...
61
The observations of Master Iohn Pory.
there was much suing for Patents for Plantations, who prom- ised to transport such great multitudes of people: there was much disputing concerning those diuisions, as though the whole land bad beene too little for them: six and twentie obtained their desires. but as yet not past six hath sent thi- ther a man; notwithstanding many of them would haue more, and are not well contented; whom I would intreat, and all other wranglers, to persue this saying of honest Claudius.
See'st not the world of Natures worke, the fairest well, I wot, How it, it selfe together ties, as in a true-loues knot. Nor seest how th' Elements ayre combin'd, maintaine one constant plea, How midst of heaven contents the Sunne, and shore containes the sea: And how the aire both compasseth, and carrieth still earths frame, Yet neither pressing burdens it, nor parting leaues the same.
'The observations of Master Iohin Pory Secretarie of Virginia, in his trauels.
HAVING but ten men meanly provided to plant the Secre- taries land on the Easterne shore neere Acomack. Captainc Wilcocks plantation, the better to secure and assist each other. Sir George Yearely intending to visit Smiths Iles, fell so sicke that he could not, so that he sent me with Estinien Molt a French-man, to finde a convenient place to make salt in. Not long after Namenacus the King of Pautuxunt, came to vs to seeke for Thomas Saluage our Interpreter. Thus in- sinuating himselfe, he led vs into a thicket, where all sitting downe, he shewed vs his naked brest; asking if we saw any deformitie vpon it, we told him, No; No more, said hee, is the inside, but as sincere and pure; therefore come freely to my Countrie and welcome: which wee promised wee would within six weekes after. Hauing taken a muster of the com- panies tenants, I went to Smiths Iles, where was our Salt- house: not farre off wee found a more conuenient place, and so returned to James towne.
Being furnished the second time, wee arrived at Aquo- hanock, and conferred with Kiptopeke their King. Passing Russels Ile and Onaucoke, we arrived at Punturunt: the discription of those places, you may reade in Captaine Smiths discoueries, therefore needlesse to bee writ againe. But
1
62
The trecherie of Namanicus.
here arriving at Attoughcomoco the habitation of Namenacus and Wamanato, his brother, long wee staied not ere they came aboord vs with a brasse Kettle, as bright without as within, ful of boyled Oisters. Strict order was giuen none should offend vs, so that the next day I went with the two Kings a hunting, to discouer what I could in their confines. Wama- nato brought mee first to his house, where hee shewed mee his wife and children, and many Corne-fields; and being two miles within the woods a hunting, as the younger conducted me forth, so the elder brought me home, and vsed me as kindly as he could, after their manner. The next day he presented me tielue Beuer skinnes and a Canow, which I requited with such things to his content, that he promised to keepe them whilst hee liued, and burie them with him be- ing dead. Hec much wondered at our Bible, but much more to heare it was the Law of our God, and the first Chapter of Genesis expounded of _Idum and Eue, and simple mariage: to which he replved, hee was like Adam in one thing, for he neuer had but one wife at once: but he as all the rest, seemed more willing of other discourses they better understood .- The next day the two Kings with their people, came aboord vs, but brought nothing according to promise; so that Ensigne Saluage challenged Namenacus the breach of three promis- es, viz. not in giuing him a Boy, nor Corne, though they had plentie, nor Moutapass a fugitiue, called Robert Marcum, that had liued 5. veeres amongst those northerly nations, which hee cunningly answered by excuses. Womanato it seemes, was guiltlesse of this falshood, because hee staied alone when the rest were gone. I asked him if he desired to bee great and riel .; he answered, They were things all men aspired vnto: which I told him he should be, if he would follow my counsell, so he gaue me two tokens, which being returned by a messenger, should suffice to make him confi- dent the messenger could not abuse vs.
Some things being stolne from vs, he tooke such order that they were presently restored, then we interchanged presents: in all things he much admired our discretions, and gaue vs a guide that hec called brother, to conduct vs vp the River: by the way we met with diuers that still tould vs of Marcu .: and though it was in October, we found the Countrie very hot, and the ( orne gathered before ours at Inmes towne .--- "The next day we went to Puccamagannant, and they direead
63
The trecherie of Nam anicus.
ys to Assacomoco, where their King Cassatowap had an old quarrell with Ensigne Saluage, but now seeming reconciled, went with ys, with another Werowance towards Matiapani- ent, where they perswaded vs ashore vpon the point of a thicket; but supposing it some trecherie, we returned to our boat: farre wee had not gone from the shore, but a multitude of Saluages sallied out of the wood, with all the ill words and signes of hostilitie they could. When wee saw plainly their bad intent, wee set the two Werowances at libertie, that all this while had line in the Cabbin, as not taking any notice of their villanie: because we would conuert them by courtesie. Leauing them as we found them, very ciuill and subtill, wee returned the same way wee came, to the laughing King on the Easterne shore, who told vs plainly, Numanicus would haue allured him into his Countrie, under colour of trade to cut his throat. Hee told vs also Opechankanough had im- ployed Onianimo to kill Salvage, because he brought the trade from him to the Easterne shore, and some disgrace hee had done his sonne, and some thirirteene of his people before one hundred of those Easterlings in rescuing Thomas Granes whom they would haue slaine, where hoe and three more did challenge the thirteene Pamarnkes to fight, but they durst not, so that all those Easterlings so derided them, that they came there no more.
This Thomas Saluage, it is sixteene yeeres since he went to Virginia, being a boy, hee was left with Powhatan, for Namontacke to learne the language, and as this Author af. firmeth, with much honestic and good successe hath serued the publike without any public recompence, yet had an ar- row shot through his body in their service. This laughing King at Accomack, tels vs the land is not two daies iourney ouer in the broadest place, but in some places a man may goe in halfe a day, betwixt the Bay and the maine Ocean, where inhabit many people, so that by the narrownesse of the Land there is not many Deere, but most abundance of Fish and Fowle. Kiptope his brother rules as his Lieute- nant, who seeing his younger brother more affected by the people than himselfe, freety resigned him the moitie of his Countrie, applying himselfe only to husbandry and hunting, yet nothing neglected in his degree, nor is hee carelesse of any thing concernes the state, hat as a vigilant and faithfull Counceller, as kee is an affectionated Brother, bearing the
64
Captaine Each sent to build a Fort.
greater burden in gouernment, though the lesse honour, where cleane contrary they on the Westerne shore, the youn- ger bearcs the charge, and the elder the dignitie. Those are the best husbands of any Saluages we know: for they pro- uide Corne to serue them all the yeare, yet spare; and the other not for halfe the yeare, yet want. They are the most ciuill and tractable people we haue met with, and by little stickes will keepe as just an account of their promises, as by a tally. In their marriages they obserue a large distance, as well in affinitie and consanguinitie; nor doe they vse that de- willish custome in making black Boyes. There may be ou this shore about two thousand people: they on the West would inuade them, but that they want Boats to crosse the Bay, and so would divers other Nations, were they not pro- tected by vs. A few of the Westerly Runnagadoes had conspir- ed against the laughing King, but fearing their treason was discovered, fled to Smiths Iles, where they made a massacre of Deere and Hoggs; and thence to Rickahake betwixt Chis- sapeack and Nansamund. where they now are seated vnder the command of Atoyatin, and so I returned to James Towne, where I found the government rendered to Sir Francis Wyat. In February also he trauelled to the South Riuer Chauonock, some sixtie miles ouer land, which he found to be a uery fruit- full and pleasant Country, yeelding two haruests in a veere, and found much of the Silke grasse formerly spoken of, was kindly vsed by the people, and so returned.
Captaine Each sent to build a Fort to secure the Country. 1622.
It was no small content to all the Aduenturers to heare of the safe arriuall of all those ships and companies, which was thought sufficient to have made a Plantation of them- selues: and againe to second them, was sent Captaine Euch, in the Abigale, a ship of three or foure hundred tunnes, who hath vndertaken to make a Block-house amongst the Oyster banks, that shall secure the River. The furnishing him with Instruments, cost three hundred pounds; but the whole charge and the ships returne, will be neere two thousand pounds .- In her went Captaine Barwicke with fue and owentie men
.65
A relation of the massacre.
for the building ships and Boats, and not other waics to be imploied: and also a selected number to build the East Indie Schoole, but as yet from Virginia little returnes but prinate meus Tobacco, and faire promises of plentie of Iron, Silke, Wine, and many other good and rich commodities, besides the speedy conversion of the Saluages, that at first were much discouraged from liuing amongst them, when they were debarred the vse of their peeces; therefore it was disputed as a matter of State, whether such as would line amongst them should vse them or not, as a bait to allure them; or at least such as should bee called to the knowledge of Christ. But because it was a great trouble for all causes to be brought to James Towne for a triall, Courts were appointed in con- uenient places to releeue them: but as they can make no Lawes in Virginia till they be ratified here; so they thinke it but reason, none should bee inacted here without their consents, because they onely feele them, and must liue vnder
them. Still they complaine for want of Corne, but what must be had by Trade, and how vnwilling any Officer when he leaueth his place, is to make good his number of men to his Successor, but many of them during their times to help themselues, vndocs the Company: for the seruants you al - low them. or such as they hire, they plant on their priuate Lands, not ypon that belongeth to their office, which crop alwales exceeds yours, besides those which are your tenants to halfes, are forced to row them vp and downe, whereby both you and they lose more then halfe. Nor are those officers the ablest or best deseruing, but make their experience vpon the companies cost, and your land lies vnmanured to any purpose, and will yeeld as little profit to your next new officers. .
The massacre upon the two and twentieth of March.
THE Prologue to this Tragedy, is supposed was occasion- ed by Nemattanow, otherwise called lack of the Feather, because hee commonly was most strangely adorned with them; and for his courage and policy, was accounted amongst the Saluages their chiefe Ciptaine, and immortall from any hurt could bee done him by the English. This Captaine comming Vol. 2-K
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