State, caused our Governor and Counsell, withall speede, for the safetie
of the rest (lest the Indians shoulde take courage to pursue what they
had begunne), to re-collect the straglinge and woefull Inhabitants, soe
dismembered, into stronger bodies and more secure places. This enforced
reducement of the Collony into fewer bodies, together with the troble of
warre then in hande, caused the year following a slender harvest to be
reaped, wherby we weare constrained to relye upon hopes for our reliefe
by shippinge out of Englande, and by trading with the more remote
Salvadges, most part of which supplies from Englande unfortunately
miscarried by the waye, the Salvadges, likewise, from whome we hoped to
have helpes by trade, proved our most treacherous ennemies, cunninglye
circumventinge and cruellie murderinge such as were employed abroade to
gett reliefe from them, by all which misaccidents we fell that yeare
into great want and scarcitye; which since, by the blessinge of God,
through our supplies we have had from the Company, together with a
plentifull harvest, hath bene abundantly restored. Our Gov^r, Counsell
and others have used their uttermost and Christian endeavours in
prosequtinge revenge against the bloody Salvadges, and have endeavoured
to restore the Collonye to her former prosperitye, wherin they have used
great diligence and industrye, imployinge many forces abroade for the
rootinge them out of severall places that therby we may come to live in
better securitie, doubtinge not but in time we shall clean drive them
from these partes, and therby have the free libertie and range for our
cattle, the increase of whom may bringe us to plentie, and maye alsoe
more freely goe on againe with setting up those staple commodities which
we hoped by this time to have brought to good perfection.
For the supplies of shippinge, men, cattle and provisions that have
arived heere since Sir Thomas Smith left his government we can not nowe
well reckon up, they beinge manye, but must referre you to the printed
bookes and to the Lists and Invoices retorned by Sir Geo. Yeardley.
For the State of the Collony at this present we leave to the report of
such commissioners as are nowe sent over by the Right Hon. the Lordes of
his Ma^{tie's} privie counsell.
This being reade in the Gen^l Assemblie received full approbation.
[Endorsed.]
Virginia--A relation of its Planting.
[This document is undated but is placed in the Callendar among papers of
1625?]
A LIST
OF THE NUMBER OF
MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN
INHABITING IN THE SEVERAL COUNTIES
WITHIN THE COLONY OF VIRGINIA,
_ANNO D^{NE}, 1634_.
PREFACE.
The three succeeding papers are printed from the De Jarnette collection.
The first is a census in gross without any details of sex, age or social
condition. In these respects it lacks the interest which one feels in
the list made out in 1623.
In February, 1623, there were living in the Colony 1277 persons, and
including 371 who had died during the preceding year, _i.e._ since
April, 1622; it is evident that the greatest number of inhabitants
during the year ending February 16, 1623--not including those murdered
in the massacre--amounted to 1648; and in 1634, eleven years afterwards,
they amounted to 5,119, being an increase of 3,471, or an average of
about 315 per annum, by birth and immigration. Accustomed as we are to
the rapid growth of new countries this seems but a small increase, but
when it is remembered that they made the voyage in sailing vessels only,
and that it then not unfrequently lasted three or four months, we have
little cause for wonder.
The next paper is a copy of a letter from His Majesty Charles II., to
the Governor, Sir Wm. Berkeley, returning his thanks for a present of
silk grown in Virginia. The first settlers were very anxious for success
in this department of industry, and the House of Burgesses in 1657-'8
passed a law offering a premium of 5,000 pounds of tobacco to any one
who made "100 pounds of wound silke in any one year," and in the next
session, 1658-'9, the premium was made 10,000 pounds of tobacco for 50
pounds of "wound silke." We have frequently heard repeated a tradition
to the effect that Charles II. wore a robe made of Virginia silk at his
coronation. The circumstance of which this document is evidence, is
probably the nearest approach to any thing of the sort that ever
occurred, and hereafter this with the foolish and groundless story of
one of the Lees going to see him when an exile at Breda, to offer him a
crown and a refuge in Virginia, must be consigned to that oblivion which
is likely, soon, we hope, to receive many of the mythical legends which
have heretofore passed current for the history of Virginia.
The third is a list of the parishes and their ministers in 1680, the
number of the latter showing that the people were poorly provided for in
this respect, and that some of the parishes had no ministers. This
deficiency was, however, in a measure provided for by the appointment of
"readers" under the operation of acts passed February 1632-'3, by which
if a minister's cure "is so large that he cannot be present on the
Saboth and other holy days. _It is thought fit_ That they appoint
deacons for the readinge of common prayer in their absence;" and
further, in March, 1661-'2, it was enacted "That every parish not
haveing a minister to officiate every Sunday doe make choice of a grave
and sober person to read divine service at the Parish church."--Hen.
Vol. I., p. 208; Vol. II., p. 46, 54.
STATE PAPERS, }
COLONIAL. }
_Vol. 8, No. 55 (1634)._}
A LIST _of the number of men, women and children Inhabitinge in the
severall Counties w^{th}in the Collony of Virginia. Anno D^{ne}, 1634._
_Imprimis_, from Arrowhattock to Shirley hundred Iland, on both
sides the river, being within the Countie of Henrico, 419
Item, from Shirley hundred Iland to Weysnoake, on both sides the
River, being w^{th}in the countie of Charles Citty, 511
Item, from Upper Cheppeake Creeke to Lawnes Creeke on the
Southward side, and from Checohominey River to Creeke on the
northward side of the River, being w^{th}in the Countie of James
Citty, 886
Item, from Ketche's Creeke & Mulbury Iland to Maries Mount, on
the northward side of the river, being w^{th}in the countie of
Warricke river, 811
Item, from Lawne's Creeke to Warrosquyoake Creeke on the
southward side of the river, beinge within the Countye of
Warrosquyoake, 522
Item, from Maires Mount to Fox hill, w^{th} the Plantations of
the Back river & the old Pocolson river on the Northward side,
and from Elizabeth river to Chesepeake River on the southward
side of the river, being w^{th}in the Countie of Elizabeth Citty, 859
Item, in the Plantations of Kiskyake, Yorke & the new Pocolson,
being within the Countie of Charles River, 510
Item, in the Plantations on the Esterlie side of Chessepeake Bay,
being w^{th}in the Countie of Accowmack, 396
The whole number is, 4,914
After this list was brought in there arrived a ship of Holand with 145
from the Bermudas.
And since that 60 more in an English shipp w^{ch} likewise came from the
Bermudas.
I certify that the foregoing is a true and
authentic copy taken from the volume
above named.
JOHN McDONAGH,
Record Agent,
July 14th, 1871.
A LETTER
FROM
His Majesty, Charles the Second,
TO SIR WM. BERKELEY, GOV. OF VA.
ACKNOWLEDGING THE RECEIPT OF A PRESENT OF
SILK MADE IN THE COLONY, AND PROMISING
HIS PROTECTION TO THIS BRANCH
OF INDUSTRY.
1648.
STATE PAPERS, }
COLONIAL--VIRGINIA. }
_Vol. 59, No. 115 (Nov'r --, 1668)._ }
[Partly damaged by damp.]
Trusty & welbeloved, Wee Greet you well. Wee have received w^{th} much
content y^e dutifull respects of that Our Colony in y^e present lately
made us by you & y^e Councell there of y^e first product of y^e new
Manufacture of Silke, w^{ch}, as a mark of Our Princely acceptation of
yo^r dutyes & of y^r particular encouragement, Wee resolve to give to
yo^r industry in y^e prosecution and improvem^t of that or any other
usefull Manufacture, Wee have comanded to be wrought up for y^e use of
Our owne person, and herein Wee have thought good to * * * * * ledge
from Our owne Royall * * * * * you of Our more especiall care &
protection in all occasions that may concern that our ancient Colony and
Plantation, whose laudable industry, raysed in good part & improved by
y^e sobriety of y^e governm^t, we esteeme much, & are desirous by this &
any other seasonable expression of Our favor, as farre as in us lies, to
encourage. And soe Wee bid you Farewell. Given at Our Court at
Whitehall, the--day of November, in y^e 20^{th} yeare of our Reigne,
1668.
By his Ma^{tie's} Comand.
His Ma^{ty} to S^r W^m. Berkeley & Colony.
[Endorsed.]
To our Trusty and Welbeloved Sir William Berkeley, Kn^t, Our Governour
of our Colony of Virginia, to be communicated to y^e Councill of that
Our Colony.
I certify that the foregoing is a true and authentic copy taken
from the volume above named.
JOHN McDONAGH,
Record Agent,
July 1st, 1871.
A LIST
OF
THE PARISHES IN VIRGINIA
IN 1680.
STATE PAPERS, }
COLONIAL--VIRGINIA. }
_Vol. 60, No. 410 (June 30th, 1680)._ }
A LIST OF THE PARISHES IN VIRGINIA.
JUNE THE 30TH, 1680.
Henrico County {Varina, } John Ball.
{1/2 Bristol,[JJ] }
Charles Citty Co^ty {1/2 Bristol, }
{Jordan, } Readers onely.
{Westover, }
{ }
{Weyonoak, } M^r Paul Williams.
{Martin Brandon, }
Surry County {Southwork, } M^r John Clough.
{Lawns Creek, } M^r John Woyre.
James Citty County {Martins hundred, }
{1/2 Brewton, }
{Wallingford, }
{Wilmington, } M^r Thomas Hampton.
Isle of Wight {Isle of Wight Parish, } M^r Rob^t Park.
{Lower Parish, } M^r W^m Housden.
{Upper Parish, } M^r John Gregory.
Nanzemund {Lower Parish, } M^r John Wood.
{Chicokatuck Parish, } M^r W^m Housden, who
serves in Isle of Wight
alsoe.
Warwick County {Denby, } M^r John Larwence for
{Mulberry Island, } both.
Eliz. Citty County {Inone Parish. } M^r John Page.
Lower Norfolk {Eliz. River Parish, } M^r W^m Nern.
{Lynhaven Parish, } M^r James Porter.
{ 1/2 Brewton, }
{ Hampton Parish, } M^r Rowland Jones.
Yorke County { York Parish, } M^r Edwd. Foliott.
{ New Towson Parish, } M^r John Wright.
{ South { St. Peter's Parish, } M^r Wm. Sellick.
{ side. { Blissland Parish, } M^r Tho. Taylor.
New Kent { }
{ North { St. Steven's Parish, } M^r Wm. Williams.
{ side, { Stratton Maj^r } M^r Robt. Carr.
{ Kingston, } M^r Michaell Zyperius.
{ Ware Parish, } M^r ---- Clark.
Glost^r County { Telsoe Parish, } M^r Thomas Vicars.
{ Abingdon, } M^r John Gwynn.
Midd^x County Christ Church Parish, M^r John Sheppard.
{ Farnam, } M^r Charles Davies.
Rapp^a County { Sydenburn, } M^r ---- Dudley.
{ Stafford Parish, }
Stafford County { Choatanck, } John Wough.
{ Copeland Parish, } M^r ---- Scrimmington.
Westmerland County { Washington, } M^r William Butler.
{ Fairfield, } M^r John Farnefold.
Northumberl^d. Cou'ty { Wacacommico, } M^r Davies, who serves
alsoe at Farnam.
Accomack County Accomack Parish, M^r Henry Parkes.
{ Northampton Parish, }
Northampton County { Hungers Parish, } M^r Thomas Teagle.
{ Christ's Church, }
Lancaster County { White Chapple, } M^r Benj. Doggett.
I certify that the foregoing is a true and authentic copy taken
from the volume above named.
JOHN McDONAGH,
Record Agent,
July 14th, 1871.
[JJ] The 1/2 occurs in such cases as when one portion of the parish is
in one county and the other portion in another. Thus Bristol parish was
partly in Henrico and partly in Charles City counties.
ADDENDA.
The following additions to the text and notes are suggested as
explanatory, without being considered superfluous.
Page 16.--"The sixte petition, to change the sauage name of Kicowtan,"
was granted. In 1621, Treasurer Sandys in his report to the Company
informed them that the name had been changed to Elizabeth
Cittie.--Neill's history, page 178.
Page 25.--The word "howes" inserted in connection with various kinds of
dogs, is our modern word hoe; Smith has it hows on page 86, and howes on
page 162.
Page 29.--Capt. Henry Spelman, was the third son of the distinguished
antiquary, Sir Henry Spelman, of Conghan, Norfolk, England. He was about
twenty-one years of age when he came to Virginia, in 1609, for which he
accounts as follows: "Beinge in displeasuer of my frendes, and desirous
to see other countryes. After three months' sayle we cum with prosperus
winds in sight of Virginia." Afterwards he says, "I was carried by Capt.
Smith, our President, to ye Fales, to ye litell Powhatan, wher, vnknowne
to me he sould me to him for a towne called Powhatan."--Spilman's
Relation, pp. 15, 16. Dr. Simons, in Smith's General Historie, says:
"Captain West and Captain Sickelmore sought abroad to trade; Sickelmore,
upon the confidence of Powhatan, with about thirty other as careless as
himselfe, were all slaine, onely Jeffrey Shortridge escaped, and
Pokahontas, the King's daughter, saued a boy called Henry Spilman, that
liued many yeeres after, by her meanes, among the Patawmokes;" this
occurred in 1609.--Smith, p. 105. He remained with the Indians but
little more than one year, for in 1610 Capt. Argall being sent to the
"riuer Patawmoke to trade for corne," where finding him, used Spelman's
influence to secure the loading of his vessel with corn, and Spelman
returned with him to Jamestown.--Smith, p. 108. Spelman adds, "and
brought into England," p. 221. We then lose sight of him until he is
arraigned before the Assembly at Jamestown in 1619 (_ante_ p. 29) He
makes his final appearance in 1623, when we are told, he was sent with a
bark and twenty-six men to "trucke in the River Patawmek," where at some
place, the name of which was to his companions unknown, he landed with
twenty-one of his companions, when the savages made hostile
demonstrations "and presently after they" (the five left in the bark)
"heard a great brute amongst the Saluages ashore, and saw a man's head
thrown downe the banke, whereupon they weighed Anchor and returned home,
but how he was surprised or slaine is vncertaine."--Smith p. 161.
Spelman wrote a short account of his observations while among the
Indians, and it laid in obscurity until the sale of Dawson Turner's
library, in 1859, when it was bought by Mr. Joseph Lilly and, by
accident, again lost; and at the sale of Mr. Lilly's library, in 1871,
it was again discovered and purchased for James F. Hunniwell, Esq., who
has had one hundred copies printed for private circulation.
Spelman was not the only Englishman with the savages. In the same year
that Spelman was sold for a town, or saved by Pocahontas--whichever
version being correct--Admiral Newport gave Powhatan a boy, named Thomas
Salvage, in exchange for "Namontack, his trustie seruant." Spelman says
Savage was murdered by the Indians, but there is a tradition that he
lived nearly all his life with them; became possessor of a tract of land
on the eastern shore by gift and that it remained in his family until
within the last ten years, when it was sold by some of his descendants
then living in Philadelphia. The authority for this statement is
obtained in correspondence with Hon. Hugh B. Grigsby, LL. D., President
of the Virginia Historical Society.
Page 39.--To note to Jordan's Journey it may be added that a reference
to this place is doubtless made when Smith says: "After the massacre
many of the inhabitants fortified themselves against other attacks, and
Master Samuel Iorden gathered but a few about him at Begger's Bush" (the
title of one of Fletcher's comedies) "where he fortified."--Smith, p.
150; Campbell, p. 164.
Page 47.--The following may be added to the note on Glass House: "For
glass they," the Indians, "knowe not, though the country wants not
sal-sodiack enough to make glasse, and of which we have made some store
in a goodly house sett up for the same purpose, a little without the
island where Jamestown stands."--Strachey's Virginia Brittania (1612),
p. 71. "To take care of Capt. Wm. Norton and certaine Italians sent to
sitt a glass house."--Instructions to Sir Francis Wyatt (1621), Hening
I., p. 116.
Page 47.--To note on Warwick-Squrake add: "In the autumn of 1607, Capt.
Smith, with "six or seaven in company," went to Kicoughtan to get food
from the Indians by trade. On his return he discovered the town and
county of Warraskoyack."--Smith, page 45.
RICHMOND, VA., _July 15, 1874_.