NEW
ENGLANDS
PROSPECT.
A true, lively, and experimentall
description of that part of _America_,
commonly called NEW ENGLAND:
discovering the state of that Countrie,
both as it stands to our new-come
_English_ Planters; and to the old
Native Inhabitants.
Laying downe that which may both enrich the
knowledge of the mind-travelling Reader,
or benefit the future Voyager.
By WILLIAM WOOD.
[Illustration]
Printed at _London_ by _Tho. Cotes_, for _Iohn Bellamie_, and are
to be sold at his shop, at the three Golden Lyons in _Corne-hill_,
neere the _Royall Exchange_. 1634.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Illustration]
To the Right Worshipfull,
my much honored Friend,
Sir WILLIAM ARMYNE,
Knight and Baronet.
Noble Sir.
The good assurance of your native worth, and thrice generous
disposition, as also the continuall manifestation of your bounteous
favour, and love towards my selfe in particular, hath so bound my
thankfull acknowledgement, that I count it the least part of my service
to present the first fruites of my farre-fetcht experience, to the
kinde acceptance of your charitable hands: well knowing that though
this my worke, owne not worth enough to deserve your patronage, yet
such is your benigne humanity, that I am confident you will daigne it
your protection, under which it willingly shrowdes it selfe. And as it
is reported of that man whose name was _Alexander_, being a cowardly
milke-sop by nature, yet hearing of the valiant courage of that
magnificent _Hero_, _Alexander_ the Great, whose name hee bore, he
thenceforth became stout and valorous; and as he was animated by having
the very name of puissant _Alexander_; so shall these my weake and
feble labours, receive life and courage by the patronage of your much
esteemed selfe; whereby they shall bee able to out-face the keenest
fanges of a blacke mouth'd _Momus_. For from hence the world may
conclude, that either there was some worth in the booke, that caused so
wise a person to looke upon it, and to vouchsafe to owne it, or else if
they suppose that in charity he fosterd it, as being a poore helpelesse
brat, they may thence learne to do so likewise. If here I should take
upon me the usuall straine of a soothing Epistolizer, I should (though
upon better grounds than many) sound forth a full mouth'd encomiasticke
of your incomparable worth: but though your deserts may justly
challenge it, yet I know your vertuous modesty would not thanke me for
it; and indeed your owne actions are the best _Heralds_ of your owne
praise, which in spite of envy it selfe must speake you Wise, and truly
Noble: and I for my part, if I may but present any thing, which either
for its profit or delight may obtaine your favourable approbation, I
have already reaped the harvest of my expectation; onely I must desire
you to pardon my bold presumption, as thus to make your well deserving
name, the frontispeece to so rude and ill deserving frame. Thus wishing
a confluence of all blessings both of the throne, and foot-stoole, to
be multiplied upon your selfe, and your vertuous Consort, my very good
Lady, together with all the Stemmes of your Noble family, I take my
leave and rest,
_Your Worships to serve
and be commanded_,
W. W.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Illustration]
To the Reader.
Courteous Reader,
_Though I will promise thee no such voluminous discourse, as many have
made upon a scanter subject, (though they have travailed no further
than the smoake of their owne native chimnies) yet dare I presume to
present thee with the true, and faithfull relation of some few yeares
travels and experience, wherein I would be loath to broach any thing
which may puzzle thy beleefe, and so justly draw upon my selfe, that
unjust aspersion commonly laid on travailers; of whom many say, They
may lye by authority, because none can controule them; which Proverbe
had surely his originall from the sleepy beleefe of many a home-bred
Dormouse, who comprehends not either the raritie or possibility of
those things he sees not, to whom the most classicke relations seeme
riddles, and paradoxes: of whom it may be said as once of _Diogenes_,
that because he circled himselfe in the circumference of a tubbe, he
therefore contemned the Port and Pallace of _Alexander_, which he knew
not. So there is many a tub-brain'd Cynicke, who because any thing
stranger than ordinary, is too large for the straite hoopes of his
apprehension, he peremptorily concludes it is a lye: But I decline this
sort of thicke-witted readers, and dedicate the mite of my endeavours
to my more credulous, ingenious, and lesse censorious Country-men, for
whose sake I undertooke this worke; and I did it the rather, because
there hath some relations heretofore past the Presse, which have beene
very imperfect; as also because there hath beene many scandalous and
false reports past upon the Country, even from the sulphurious breath
of every base ballad-monger: wherefore to perfect the one, and take off
the other, I have laid downe the nature of the Country, without any
partiall respect unto it, as being my dwelling place where I have lived
these foure yeares, and intend God willing to returne shortly againe;
but my conscience is to me a thousand witnesses, that what I speake is
the very truth, and this will informe thee almost as fully concerning
it, as if thou wentest over to see it. Now whereas I have written the
latter part of this relation concerning the _Indians_, in a more light
and facetious stile, than the former; because their carriage and
behaviour hath afforded more matter of mirth, and laughter, than
gravity and wisedome; and therefore I have inserted many passages of
mirth concerning them, to spice the rest of my more serious discourse,
and to make it more pleasant. Thus thou mayest in two or three houres
travaile over a few leaves, see and know that, which cost him that writ
it, yeares and travaile, over Sea and Land before he knew it; and
therefore I hope thou wilt accept it; which shall be my full reward, as
it was my whole ambition, and so I rest,_
Thine bound in what I may,
_W. W._
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[Illustration]
To the Author, his singular good
Friend, M^r. _William Wood_.
_Thanks to thy travell, and thy selfe, who hast
Much knowledge in so small roome, comptly plac't,
And thine experience thus a Mount do'st make,
From whence we may _New Englands Prospect_ take,
Though many thousands distant: wherefore thou
Thy selfe shalt sit upon mount _Praise_ her brow.
For if the man that shall the short cut find
Vnto the _Indies_, shall for that be shrin'd;
Sure thou deservest then no small prayse, who,
So short cut to _New England_ here dost show;
And if then this small thankes, thou getst no more,
Of thankes I then will say the world's growne poore._
S. W.
The Table.
Part. 1. _Page._
_Chap._ 1. Of the Situation, Bayes, 1
Havens, and Inlets.
_Chap._ 2. Of the seasons of the yeare, 3
Winter and Summer, together with the
heat, cold, snow, raine, and the effects
of it.
_Chap._ 3. Of the Climate, length, and 8
shortnesse of day and night, with the
suiteablenesse of it to English bodies
for health and sicknesse.
_Chap._ 4. Of the nature of the Soyle. 10
_Chap._ 5. Of the Hearbs, Fruits, Woods, 13
Waters, and Minerals.
_Chap._ 6. Of the Beasts that live on 18
the land.
_Chap._ 7. Beasts living in the water. 24
_Chap._ 8. Of the Birds and Fowles both 26
of land and water.
_Chap._ 9. Of Fish. 32
_Chap._ 10. Of the severall plantations 36
in particular.
_Chap._ 11. Of the evils, and such 44
things as are hurtful in the plantation.
_Chap._ 12. What provision is to be made 49
for a Iourney at Sea, and what to carry
with us for our use at Land.
Part. 2. _Page._
_Chap._ 1. Of the Connectacuts, 56
Mowhacks, or such Indians as are West-
ward.
_Chap._ 2. Of the Tarrenteenes or the 60
Indians inhabiting East-ward.
_Chap._ 3. Of the Pequants and 61
Narragansets, inhabiting South-ward.
_Chap._ 4. Of the Aberginians or Indians 62
North-ward.
_Chap._ 5. Of their Apparell, Ornaments, 64
Paintings, &c.
_Chap._ 6. Of their diet, cookery, &c. 65
_Chap._ 7. Of their dispositions and 69
good qualifications, as friendship, &c.
_Chap._ 8. Of their hardinesse. 75
_Chap._ 9. Of their wondring at the 77
first view of any strange invention.
_Chap._ 10. Of their Kings governement, 79
and Subiects obedience.
_Chap._ 11. Of their Mariages, &c. 81
_Chap._ 12. Of their worship, &c. 82
_Chap._ 13. Of their Warres. 84
_Chap._ 14. Their games, sports, &c. 85
_Chap._ 15. Of their huntings. 88
_Chap._ 16. Of their Fishings. 89
_Chap._ 17. Of their Arts, &c. 90
_Chap._ 18. Of their Language. 91
_Chap._ 19. Of their deaths, &c. 92
_Chap._ 20. Of their women, &c. 94
_FINIS._
_Errata._
_Page. 13. line 25._ _for_ Squonterquashes _reade_ Isquoutersquashes.
_p. 15. l. 10._ hee, they.
_l. 11._ his, their.
_l. 28._ spoyling, spoile.
_p. 16. l. 10._ mast, masts.
_p. 17. l. 37._ boates, bolles.
_p. 23. l. 12._ us, up.
_p. 24. l. 4._ an, a.
_p. 27. l. 21._ Humiliteers, Humilitees.
_l. 22._ million, millions.
_p. 29. l. 7._ tide, tides.
_p. 31. l. 26._ those, their.
_p. 32. l. 26._ Hage, Haicke.
_p. 37. l. 33._ Clarly, Charles.
_p. 41. l. 10._ land, Inland.
_p. 42. l. 8._ stone, stop.
_l. 16._ lands, ponds.
_l. 36._ brech, Beach.
_p. 45. l. 29._ house, horse.
_p. 46. l. 9._ lyd, lie.
_l. 18._ by, her.
_l. 24._ a (left out.)
_l. 30._ musketor, musketoe.
_p. 47. l. 2._ Fen (left out.)
_p. 50. l. 3._ it (left out.)
_p. 53. l. 20._ handsome, handie.
_l. 36._ Centrie, Gentrie.
_p. 54. l. 6._ many, If any.
_l. 8._ he, they.
_p. 57. l. 14._ here, there.
_p. 60. l. 1._ placed, placing.
_l. 33._ hath (too much.)
_p. 70. l. 24._ Warme, worme.
_p. 82. l. 8._ obiect, subiect.
_p. 83. l. 38._ English ans, English mans.
[Illustration: The South part of New-England, as it is
Planted this yeare, 1634.]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Illustration]
NEW
ENGLANDS
PROSPECT.
CHAP. I.
_Of the Situation, Bayes, Havens, and Inlets._
For as much as the Kings most excellent Majesty hath beene graciously
pleasd by the grant of his Letters Patents, at first to give life to
the plantations of _New England_, and hath dayly likewise by his
Favours and Royall protection cherished their growing hopes; whereby
many of his Majesties faithfull Subjects haue beene imboldned to
venture persons, states, and indeavours, to the inlargement of his
Dominions in that Westerne Continent: Wherefore I thought fit (for the
further encouragement of those that hereafter, either by Purse, or
Person shall helpe forward the Plantation,) to set forth these few
observations out of my personall and experimentall knowledge.
The place whereon the _English_ have built their Colonies, is judged by
those who have best skill in discovery, either to be an Iland,
surrounded on the North side with the spacious River _Cannada_, and on
the South with _Hudsons_ River, or else a _Peninsula_, these two Rivers
overlapping one another, having their rise from the great Lakes which
are not farre off one another, as the _Indians_ doe certainely informe
us. But it is not my intent to wander far from our Patent; wherefore I
referre you to the thrice memorable discoverer of those parts, Captaine
_Smith_, who hath likewise fully described the Southerne and North-east
part of _New England_, with the noted head-lands, Capes, Harbours,
Rivers, Ponds, and Lakes, with the nature of the Soyle, and commodities
both by Sea and Land, &c. within the degrees of fourty one and fourty
five.
The Bay of _Massachusets_ lyeth under the degree of fourty two and
fourty three, bearing South-west from the Lands end of _England_: at
the bottome whereof are situated most of the _English_ plantations:
This Bay is both safe, spacious, and deepe, free from such cockling
Seas as runne upon the Coast of _Ireland_, and in the Channels of
_England_: there be no stiffe running Currents, or Rockes, Shelves,
Barres, Quicksands. The Mariners having sayled two or three Leagues
towards the bottome, may behold the two Capes embracing their welcome
Ships in their Armes, which thrust themselves out into the Sea in forme
of a halfe-moone, the surrounding shore being high, and shewing many
white Cliffes in a most pleasant prospect with divers places of low
land, out of which divers Riuers vent themselves into the Ocean, with
many openings, where is good Harbouring for Ships of any burthen; so
that if an unexpected storme or crosse winde should barre the Marriner
from recovering his desired Port, he may reach other Harbours, as
_Plimmouth_, _Cape Ann_, _Salem_, _Marvill Head_; all which afford good
ground for Anchorage, being likewise land-lockt from Winde and Seas.
The chiefe and usuall Harbour, is the still Bay of _Massachusets_,
which is close aboard the plantations, in which most of our ships come
to anchor, being the nearest their mart, and usuall place of landing of
Passengers; it is a safe and pleasant Harbour within, having but one
common and safe entrance, and that not very broad, there scarce being
roome for 3. Ships to come in board and board at a time, but being once
within, there is roome for the Anchorage of 500. Ships.
This Harbour is made by a great company of Ilands, whose high Cliffes
shoulder out the boistrous Seas, yet may easily deceiue any unskilfull
Pilote; presenting many faire openings and broad sounds, which afford
too shallow waters for any Ships, though navigable for Boates and small
pinnaces. The entrance into the great Haven is called _Nantascot_;
which is two Leagues from _Boston_; this place of it selfe is a very
good Haven, where Ships commonly cast Anchor, untill Winde and Tyde
serve them for other places; from hence they may sayle to the River of
_Wessaguscus_, _Naponset_, _Charles_ River, and _Misticke_ River, on
which Rivers bee seated many Townes. In any of these fore-named
harbours, the Sea-men having spent their old store of Wood and Water,
may haue fresh supplies from the adjacent Ilands, with good timber to
repaire their weather-beaten Ships: Here likewise may be had Masts or
Yards, being store of such Trees as are usefull for the same purpose.
CHAP. II.
_Of the Seasons of the yeare, Winter and Summer, together
with the Heate, Cold, Snow, Raine, and the
effects of it._
For that part of the Countrey wherein most of the _English_ have their
habitations: it is for certaine the best ground and sweetest Climate in
all those parts, bearing the name of _New England_, agreeing well with
the temper of our _English_ bodies, being high land, and sharpe Ayre,
and though most of our _English_ Townes border upon the Sea-coast, yet
are they not often troubled with Mists, or unwholesome fogges, or cold
weather from the Sea, which lies East and South from the Land. And
whereas in _England_ most of the cold windes and weathers come from the
Sea, and those situations are counted most unwholesome, that are neare
the Sea-coast, in that Countrey it is not so, but otherwise; for in the
extremity of Winter, the North-east and South winde comming from the
Sea, produceth warme weather, and bringing in the warme-working waters
of the Sea, loosneth the frozen Bayes, carrying away their Ice with
their Tides, melting the Snow, and thawing the ground; onely the
North-west winde comming over the Land, is the cause of extreame cold
weather, being alwaies accompanied with deepe Snowes and bitter Frost,
so that in two or three dayes the Rivers are passable for horse and
man. But as it is an Axiome in Nature, _Nullum violentum est
perpetuum_, No extreames last long, so this cold winde blowes seldome
above three dayes together, after which the weather is more tollerable,
the Aire being nothing so sharpe, but peradventure in foure or five
dayes after this cold messenger will blow a fresh, commanding every man
to his house, forbidding any to out-face him without prejudice to their
noses; but it may be objected that it is too cold a Countrey for our
_English_ men, who have beene accustomed to a warmer Climate, to which
it may be answered, (_Igne levatur hyems_) there is Wood good store,
and better cheape to build warme houses, and make good fires, which
makes the Winter lesse tedious: and moreover, the extremity of this
cold weather lasteth but for two Moneths or ten weekes, beginning in
_December_, and breaking up the tenth day of _February_; which hath
beene a passage very remarkeable, that for ten or a dozen yeares the
weather hath held himselfe to his day, unlocking his ycie Bayes and
Rivers, which are never frozen againe the same yeare, except there be
some small frost untill the middle of _March_. It is observed by the
_Indians_ that every tenth yeare there is little or no Winter, which
hath beene twice observed of the _English_; the yeare of new _Plimouth_
mens arrivall was no Winter in comparison; and in the tenth yeare after
likewise when the great company settled themselves in _Massachusets
Bay_, was a very milde season, little Frost, and lesse Snow, but cleare
serene weather, few North-west windes, which was a great mercy to the
_English_ comming over so rawly and uncomfortably provided, wanting all
utensils and provisions which belonged to the well being of Planters:
and whereas many died at the beginning of the plantations, it was not
because the Country was unhealthfull, but because their bodies were
corrupted with sea-diet, which was naught, their Beefe and Porke being
tainted, their Butter and Cheese corrupted, their Fish rotten, & voyage
long, by reason of crosse Windes, so that winter approaching before
they could get warme houses, and the searching sharpnes of that purer
Climate, creeping in at the crannies of their crazed bodies, caused
death and sicknesse; but their harmes having taught future voyagers
more wisedome, in shipping good provision for Sea, and finding warme
houses at landing, finde health in both. It hath bin observed, that of
five or sixe hundred passengers in one yeare, not above three have died
at Sea, having their health likewise at Land. But to returne to the
matter in hand, dayly observations makes it apparant, that the peircing
cold of that Country produceth not so many noysome effects, as the raw
winters of _England_. In publike assemblies it is strange to heare a
man sneeze or cough as ordinarily they doe in old _England_; yet not to
smother any thing, lest you judge me too partiall in reciting good of
the Countrey, and not bad; true it is, that some venturing too nakedly
in extreamity of cold, being more foole hardy than wise, have for a
time lost the use of their feete, others the use of their fingers; but
time and Surgery afterwards recovered them: Some haue had their
over-growne beards so frozen together, that they could not get their
strong water-bottells into their mouthes; I never heard of any that
utterly perished at land with cold, saving one _English_ man and an
_Indian_, who going together a Fowling, the morning being faire at
their setting out, afterward a terrible storme arising, they intended
to returne home; but the storme being in their faces, and they not able
to with-stand it, were frozen to death, the _Indian_ having gained
three flight-shot more of his journey homeward, was found reared up
against a tree with his _Aqua-vitæ_ bottle at his head. A second
passage (concerning which many thinke hardly of the Country in regard
of his cold) was the miscarriage of a boate at sea; certaine men having
intended a voyage to new _Plimouth_, setting sayle towards night, they
wanted time to fetch it, being constrained to put into another harbour,
where being negligent of the well mooring of their Boate, a strong
winde comming from the shore in the night, loosned their killocke, and
drove them to Sea, without sight of land, before they had awaked out of
sleepe; but seeing the eminent danger, such as were not benummed with
cold, shipt out their Oares, shaping their course for _Cape Cod_, where
the _Indians_ met them, who buried the dead, and carryed the Boate with
the living to _Plimouth_, where some of them died, and some recovered.
These things may fright some, but being that there hath beene many
passages of the like nature in our _English_ Climate, it cannot
dishearten such as seriously consider it, seeing likewise that their
owne ruines sprung from their owne negligence.
The Countrey is not so extreamely cold, unlesse it be when the
North-west winde is high, at other times it is ordinary for Fishermen
to goe to Sea in _Ianuary_ and _February_, in which time they get more
Fish, and better than in Summer, onely observing to reach some good
Harbours before night, where by good fires they sleepe as well and
quietly, (having their mayne sayle tented at their backes, to shelter
them from the winde) as if they were at home. To relate how some
_English_ bodies have borne out cold, will (it may be) startle beliefe
of some, it being so strange, yet not so strange as true. A certaine
man being something distracted, broke away from his Keeper, and running
into the Wood, could not bee found with much seeking after; but foure
dayes being expired, he returned, to appearance as well in body, as at
his egresse, and in minde much better: for a mad man to hit home
through the unbeaten Woods, was strange, but to liue without meate or
drinke in the deepe of Winter, stranger, and yet returne home bettered,
was most strange: but if truth may gaine beleefe, you may behold a more
superlative strangenesse. A certaine Maide in the extreamity of cold
weather, (as it fell out) tooke an uncertaine journey, in her intent
short, not above foure miles, yet long in event; for losing her way,
she wandred sixe or seaven dayes in most bitter weather, not having one
bit of bread to strengthen her, sometimes a fresh Spring quenched her
thirst, which was all the refreshment she had; the Snow being upon the
ground at first, shee might have trackt her owne foot-steps backe
againe, but wanting that understanding, shee wandred, till God by his
speciall providence brought her to the place shee went from, where she
lives to this day.
The hard Winters are commonly the fore-runners of pleasant
Spring-times, and fertile Summers, being iudged likewise to make much
for the health of our _English_ bodies: It is found to be more
healthfull for such as shall adventure thither, to come towards Winter,
than the hot Summer; the Climate in Winter is commonly cold and dry,
the Snow lies long, which is thought to be no small nourishing to the
ground. For the _Indians_ burning it to suppresse the under-wood, which
else would grow all over the Countrey, the Snow falling not long after,
keepes the ground warme, and with his melting conveighs the ashes into
the pores of the earth, which doth fatten it. It hath beene observed,
that _English_ Wheate and Rye proves better, which is Winter sowne, and
is kept warme by the Snow, than that which is sowne in the Spring. The
Summers be hotter than in _England_; because of their more Southerne
latitude, yet are they tollerable; being often cooled with fresh
blowing windes, it seldome being so hot as men are driven from their
labours, especially such whose imployments are within doores, or under
the coole shade: servants have hitherto beene priviledged to rest from
their labours in extreame hot weather, from ten of the clocke till two,
which they regaine by their early rising in the morning, and double
diligence in coole weather. The Summers are commonly hot and dry, there
being seldome any raines; I have knowne it sixe or seaven weekes,
before one shower hath moystened the Plowmans labour, yet the Harvest
hath beene very good, the _Indian_ Corne requiring more heate than wet;
for the _English_ Corne, it is refresht with the nightly dewes, till it
grow vp to shade his roots with his owne substance from the parching
Sunne. In former times the Raine came seldome, but very violently,
continuing his drops, (which were great and many) sometimes foure and
twenty houres together; sometimes eight and fourty, which watered the
ground for a long time after; but of late the Seasons be much altered,
the raine comming oftner, but more moderately, with lesse thunder and
lightnings, and suddaine gusts of winde. I dare be bold to affirme it,
that I saw not so much raine, raw colds, and misty fogges in foure
yeares in those parts, as was in _England_ in the space of foure
Moneths the last Winter; yet no man at the yeares end, complained of
too much drought, or too little raine. The times of most Raine, are in
the beginning of _Aprill_, and at _Michaelmas_. The early Springs and
long Summers make but short Autumnes and Winters. In the Spring when
the Grasse beginnes to put forth, it growes apace, so that where it was
all blacke by reason of Winters burnings, in a fortnight there will be
Grasse a foote high.
CHAP. III.
_Of the Climate, length, and shortnesse of day and night,
with the suiteablenesse of it to English bodies for
health and sicknesse._
The Countrey being nearer the Equinoctiall than _England_, the dayes
and nights be more equally divided. In Summer the dayes be two houres
shorter, and likewise in Winter two houres longer than in _England_. In
a word, both Summer and Winter is more commended of the _English_
there, than the Summer Winters, and Winter Summers of _England_; and
who is there that could not wish, that _Englands_ Climate were as it
hath beene in quondam times, colder in Winter, and hotter in Summer? or
who will condemne that which is as _England_ hath beene? _Virginia_
having no Winter to speake of, but extreame hot Summers, hath dried up
much _English_ blood, and by pestiferous diseases swept away many lusty
bodies, changing their complexion not into swarthinesse, but into
Palenesse; so that when as they come for trading into our parts, wee
can know many of them by their faces. This alteration certainely comes
not from any want of victuals or necessary foode, for their soyle is
very fertile and pleasant, yeelding both Corne and Cattle plenty, but
rather from the Climate, which indeede is found to be hotter than is
suiteable to an ordinary _English_ constitution.
In _New England_ both men and women keepe their naturall complexions,
in so much as Sea men wonder when they arrive in those parts, to see
their Countrey-men so fresh and ruddy: If the Sunne doth tanne any, yet
the Winters cold restores them to their former complexion; and as it is
for the outward complexion, so it is for the inward constitution; not
very many being troubled with inflammations, or such diseases as are
encreased by too much heate: and whereas I say, not very many, yet dare
I not exclude any; for death being certaine to all, in all Nations
there must be something tending to death of like certainty. The
soundest bodies are mortall and subject to change, therefore fall into
diseases, and from diseases to death. Now the two chiefe messengers of
mortality, be _Feavers_ and _Callentures_; but they be easily helpt, if
taken in time, and as easily prevented of any that will not prove a
meere foole to his body. For the common diseases of _England_, they be
strangers to the _English_ now in that strange Land. To my knowledge I
never knew any that had the Poxe, Measels, Greene-sicknesse,
Head-aches, Stone, or Consumptions, &c. Many that have come infirme out
of _England_, retaine their old grievances still, and some that were
long troubled with lingering diseases, as Coughs of the lungs,
Consumptions, &c. have beene restored by that medicineable Climate to
their former strength and health. God hath beene pleased so to blesse
men in the health of their bodies, that I dare confidently say it, out
of that Towne from whence I came, in three yeares and a halfe, there
dyed but three, one of which was crazed before he came into the Land;
the other were two Children borne at one birth before their time, the
Mother being accidentally hurt. To make good which losses, I have seene
foure Children Baptized at a time, which wipes away that common
aspersion, that women have no Children, being a meere falsity, there
being as sweete lusty Children as in any other Nation, and reckoning so
many for so many, more double births than in _England_; the women
likewise having a more speedy recovery, and gathering of strength after
their delivery than in _England_.
The last Argument to confirme the healthfulnesse of the Countrey, shall
be from mine owne experience, who although in _England_ I was brought
up tenderly under the carefull hatching of my dearest friends, yet
scarce could I be acquainted with health, having beene let blood sixe
times for the _Pleurisie_ before I went; likewise being assailed with
other weakning diseases; but being planted in that new Soyle and
healthfull Ayre, which was more correspondent to my nature, (I speake
it with praise to the mercifull God) though my occasions have beene to
passe thorow heate and cold, wet, and dry, by Sea and Land, in Winter
and Summer, day by day, for foure yeares together, yet scarse did I
know what belonged to a dayes sicknesse.
CHAP. IIII.
_Of the nature of the Soyle._
The Soyle is for the generall a warme kinde of earth, there being
little cold-spewing land, no Morish Fennes, no Quagmires, the lowest
grounds be the Marshes, over which every full and change the Sea
flowes: these Marshes be rich ground, and bring plenty of Hay, of which
the Cattle feed and like, as if they were fed with the best up-land Hay
in _New England_; of which likewise there is great store which growes
commonly betweene the Marshes and the Woods. This Medow ground lies
higher than the Marshes, whereby it is freed from the over-flowing of
the Seas; and besides this, in many places where the Trees grow thinne,
there is good fodder to be got amongst the Woods. There be likewise in
divers places neare the plantations great broad Medowes wherein grow
neither shrub nor Tree, lying low, in which Plaines growes as much
grasse, as may be throwne out with a Sithe, thicke and long, as high as
a mans middle; some as high as the shoulders, so that a good mower may
cut three loads in a day. But many object, this is but a course fodder:
True it is, that it is not so fine to the eye as _English_ grasse, but
it is not sowre, though it grow thus ranke; but being made into Hay,
the Cattle eate it as well as it were Lea-hay and like as well with it;
I doe not thinke _England_ can shew fairer Cattle either in Winter, or
Summer, than is in those parts both Winter and Summer; being generally
larger and better of milch, and bring forth young as ordinarily as
Cattle doe in _England_, and have hitherto beene free from many
diseases that are incident to Cattle in _England_.
To returne to the Subject in hand, there is so much hay-ground in the
Countrey, as the richest voyagers that shall venture thither, neede not
feare want of fodder, though his Heard increase into thousands, there
being thousands of Acres that yet was never medled with. And whereas it
hath beene reported, that some hath mowne a day for halfe of a loade of
Hay: I doe not say, but it may be true, a man may doe as much, and get
as little in _England_, on _Salisbury_ Plaine, or in other places where
Grasse cannot be expected: So Hay-ground is not in all places in _New
England_: Wherefore it shall behoue every man according to his calling,
and estate, to looke for a fit situation at the first, and if hee be
one that intends to live on his stocke, to choose the grassie Vallies
before the woody Mountaines. Furthermore, whereas it hath beene
generally reported in many places of _England_, that the Grasse growes
not in those places where it was cut the fore-going yeares, it is a
meere falshood; for it growes as well the ensuing Spring as it did
before, and is more spiery and thicke, like our _English_ Grasse: and
in such places where the Cattle use to graze, the ground is much
improved in the Woods, growing more grassie, and lesse weedy. The worst
that can be sayd against the meddow grounds, is because there is little
edish, or after-pasture, which may proceede from the late mowing, more
than from any thing else; but though the edish be not worth much, yet
is there such plenty of other Grasse and seeding, that there is no want
of Winter-fodder till _December_, at which time men beginne to house
their milch-cattle and Calves: Some, notwithstanding the cold of the
Winter, have their Young Cattle without doores, giving them meate at
morning and evening. For the more upland grounds, there be different
kinds, in some places clay, some gravell, some a red sand; all which
are covered with a black mould, in some places above a foote deepe, in
other places not so deepe. There be very few that have the experience
of the ground, that can condemne it of barrennesse; although many deeme
it barren, because the _English_ use to manure their land with fish,
which they doe not because the land could not bring corne without it,
but because it brings more with it; the land likewise being kept in
hart the longer: besides, the plenty of fish which they have for little
or nothing, is better so used, than cast away; but to argue the
goodnesse of the ground, the _Indians_ who are too lazie to catch fish,
plant corne eight or ten yeares in one place without it, having very
good crops. Such is the rankenesse of the ground that it must bee sowne
the first yeare with _Indian_ Corne, which is a soaking graine, before
it will be fit for to receive _English_ seede. In a word, as there is
no ground so purely good, as the long forced and improoved grounds of
_England_, so is there none so extreamely bad as in many places of
_England_, that as yet have not beene manured and improved; the woods
of _New England_ being accounted better ground than the Forrests of
_England_ or woodland ground, or heathy plaines.
For the naturall soyle, I preferre it before the countrey of Surry, or
Middlesex, which if they were not inriched with continuall manurings,
would be lesse fertile than the meanest ground in _New England_;
wherefore it is neyther impossible, nor much improbable, that upon
improvements the soile may be as good in time as _England_. And whereas
some gather the ground to be naught, and soone out of hart, because
_Plimouth_ men remove from their old habitations, I answer, they do no
more remove from their habitation, than the Citizen which hath one
house in the Citty & another in the Countrey, for his pleasure, health,
& profit. For although they have taken new plots of ground, and built
houses upon them, yet doe they retaine their old houses still, and
repaire to them, every Sabbath day; neyther doe they esteeme their old
lots worse than when they first tooke them: what if they doe not plant
on them every yeare? I hope it is no ill husbandry to rest the land,
nor is alwayes that the worst that lies sometimes fallow. If any man
doubt of the goodnesse of the ground, let him comfort himselfe with the
cheapenesse of it; such bad land in _England_ I am sure wil bring in
store of good monie. This ground is in some places of a soft mould, and
easie to plow; in other places so tough and hard, that I have seene ten
Oxen toyled, their Iron chaines broken, and their Shares and Coulters
much strained: but after the first breaking up it is so easie, that two
Oxen and a Horse may plow it; there hath as good _English_ Corne growne
there, as could be desired; especially Rie and Oates, and Barly: there
hath beene no great tryall as yet of Wheate, and Beanes; onely thus
much I affirme, that these two graines grow well in Gardens, therefore
it is not improbable, but when they can gather seede of that which is
sowne in the countrey, it may grow as well as any other Graine: but
commonly the seede that commeth out of _England_ is heated at Sea, and
therefore cannot thrive at land.
CHAP. V.
_Of the Hearbes, Fruites, Woods, Waters and Mineralls._
The ground affoards very good kitchin Gardens, for Turneps, Parsnips,
Carrots, Radishes, and Pumpions, Muskmillions, Isquoutersquashes,
Coucumbers, Onyons, and whatsoever growes well in _England_, growes as
well there, many things being better and larger: there is likewise
growing all manner of Hearbes for meate, and medicine, and that not
onely in planted Gardens, but in the Woods, without eyther the art or
the helpe of man, as sweet Marjoram, Purselane, Sorrell, Peneriall,
Yarrow, Mirtle, Saxifarilla, Bayes, &c. There is likewise Strawberries
in abundance, very large ones, some being two inches about; one may
gather halfe a bushell in a forenoone: In other seasons there bee
Gooseberries, Bilberies, Resberies, Treackleberies, Hurtleberries,
Currants; which being dryed in the Sunne are little inferiour to those
that our Grocers sell in _England_: This land likewise affoards Hempe
and Flax, some naturally, and some planted by the _English_, with Rapes
if they bee well managed. For such commodities as lie underground, I
cannot out of mine owne experience or knowledge say much, having taken
no great notice of such things; but it is certainely reported that
there is Iron stone; and the _Indians_ informe us that they can leade
us to the mountaines of blacke Lead, and have showne us lead ore, if
our small judgement in such things doe not deceive us: and though no
body dare confidently conclude, yet dare they not utterly deny, but
that the _Spaniards_ blisse may lye hid in the barren Mountaines; such
as have coasted the countrey affirme that they know where to fetch
Seacole if wood were scant; there is plenty of stone both rough and
smooth, usefull for many things, with quarries of Slate, out of which
they get covering for houses, with good clay, whereof they make Tiles
and Brickes, and pavements for their necessary uses.
For the Countrey it is as well watered as any land under the Sunne,
every family, or every two families having a spring of sweet waters
betwixt them, which is farre different from the waters of _England_,
being not so sharpe, but of a fatter substance, and of a more jetty
colour; it is thought there can be no better water in the world, yet
dare I not preferre it before good Beere, as some have done, but any
man will choose it before bad Beere, Wheay, or Buttermilke. Those that
drinke it be as healthfull, fresh, and lustie, as they that drinke
beere; These springs be not onely within land, but likewise bordering
upon the Sea coasts, so that some times the tides overflow some of
them, which is accounted rare in the most parts of _England_. No man
hitherto hath beene constrained to digge deepe for his water, or to
fetch it farre, or to fetch of severall waters for severall uses; one
kind of water serving for washing, and brewing and other things. Now
besides these springs, there be divers spacious ponds in many places of
the Countrey, out of which runne many sweet streames, which are
constant in their course both winter and summer, whereat the Cattle
quench their thirst, and upon which may be built water mills, as the
plantation encreases.
The next commoditie the land affords, is good store of Woods, & that
not onely such as may be needfull for fewell, but likewise for the
building of Ships, and houses, & Mils, and all manner of water-worke
about which Wood is needefull. The Timber of the Countrey growes
straight, and tall, some trees being twenty, some thirty foot high,
before they spread forth their branches; generally the Trees be not
very thicke, though there be many that will serve for Mill posts, some
beeing three foote and a halfe o're. And whereas it is generally
conceived, that the woods grow so thicke, that there is no more cleare
ground than is hewed out by labour of man; it is nothing so; in many
places, divers Acres being cleare, so that one may ride a hunting in
most places of the land, if he will venture himselfe for being lost:
there is no underwood saving in swamps, and low grounds that are wet,
in which the _English_ get Osiers, and Hasles, and such small wood as
is for their use. Of these swamps, some be ten, some twenty, some
thirty miles long, being preserved by the wetnesse of the soile wherein
they grow; for it being the custome of the _Indians_ to burne the wood
in _November_, when the grasse is withered, and leaves dryed, it
consumes all the underwood, and rubbish, which otherwise would over
grow the Country, making it unpassable, and spoile their much affected
hunting: so that by this meanes in those places where the _Indians_
inhabit, there is scarce a bush or bramble, or any combersome underwood
to bee seene in the more champion ground. Small wood growing in these
places where the fire could not come, is preserved. In some places
where the _Indians_ dyed of the Plague some foureteene yeares agoe, is
much underwood, as in the mid way betwixt _Wessaguscus_ and _Plimouth_,
because it hath not beene burned; certaine Rivers stopping the fire
from comming to cleare that place of the countrey, hath made it
unusefull and troublesome to travell thorow, in so much that it is
called ragged plaine, because it teares and rents the cloathes of them
that passe. Now because it may be necessary for mechanicall artificers
to know what Timber, and wood of use is in the Countrey, I will recite
the most usefull as followeth.
_Trees both in hills and plaines, in plenty be,
The long liv'd Oake, and mournfull Cypris tree,
Skie towring pines, and Chesnuts coated rough,
The lasting Cedar, with the Walnut tough:
The rozin dropping Firre for masts in use,
The boatmen seeke for Oares light, neate growne sprewse,
The brittle Ash, the ever trembling Aspes,
The broad-spread Elme, whose concave harbours waspes,
The water spungie Alder good for nought,
Small Elderne by th' _Indian_ Fletchers sought,
The knottie Maple, pallid Birtch, Hawthornes,
The Horne bound tree that to be cloven scornes;
Which from the tender Vine oft takes his spouse,
Who twinds imbracing armes about his boughes.
Within this _Indian_ Orchard fruites be some,
The ruddie Cherrie, and the jettie Plumbe,
Snake murthering Hazell, with sweet Saxaphrage,
Whose spurnes in beere allayes hot fevers rage.
The Diars Shumach, with more trees there be,
That are both good to use, and rare to see._
Though many of these trees may seeme to have epithites contrary to the
nature of them as they grow in _England_, yet are they agreeable with
the Trees of that Countrie. The chiefe and common Timber for ordinary
use is Oake, and Walnut: Of Oakes there be three kindes, the red Oake,
white, and blacke; as these are different in kinde, so are they chosen
for such uses as they are most fit for, one kind being more fit for
clappboard, others for sawne board, some fitter for shipping, others
for houses. These Trees affoard much Mast for Hogges, especially every
third yeare, bearing a bigger Acorne than our _English_ Oake. The
Wallnut tree is something different from the _English_ Wallnut, being a
great deale more tough, and more serviceable, and altogether as heavie:
and whereas our Gunnes that are stocked with _English_ Wallnut, are
soone broaken and cracked in frost, beeing a brittle Wood; we are
driven to stocke them new with the Country Wallnut, which will indure
all blowes, and weather; lasting time out of minde. These trees beare a
very good Nut, something smaller, but nothing inferiour in sweetnesse
and goodnesse to the _English_ Nut, having no bitter pill. There is
likewise a tree in some part of the Countrey, that beares a Nut as
bigge as a small peare. The Cedar tree is a tree of no great growth,
not bearing above a foot and a halfe square at the most, neither is it
very high. I suppose they be much inferiour to the Cedars of _Lebanon_
so much commended in holy writ. This wood is more desired for ornament
than substance, being of colour red and white like Eugh, smelling as
sweete as Iuniper; it is commonly used for seeling of houses, and
making of Chests, Boxes, and staves. The Firre and Pine bee trees that
grow in many places, shooting up exceeding high, especially the Pine:
they doe afford good masts, good board, Rozin and Turpentine. Out of
these Pines is gotten the candlewood that is so much spoken of, which
may serve for a shift amongst poore folkes; but I cannot commend it for
singular good, because it is something sluttish, dropping a pitchie
kinde of substance where it stands. Here no doubt might be good done
with saw mils; for I have seene of these stately highgrowne trees, ten
miles together close by the River side, from whence by shipping they
might be conveyed to any desired Port. Likewise it is not improbable
that Pitch and Tarre may be forced from these trees, which beare no
other kinde of fruite. For that countrey Ash, it is much different from
the Ash of _England_, being brittle and good for little, so that
Wallnut is used for it. The Horne-bound tree is a tough kind of Wood,
that requires so much paines in riving as is almost incredible, being
the best for to make bolles and dishes, not being subject to cracke or
leake. This tree growing with broad spread Armes, the vines winde their
curling branches about them; which vines affoard great store of grapes,
which are very big both for the grape and Cluster, sweet and good:
These be of two sorts, red and white, there is likewise a smaller kind
of grape, which groweth in the Islands which is sooner ripe and more
delectable; so that there is no knowne reason why as good wine may not
be made in those parts, as well as in _Burdeuax_ in _France_; being
under the same degree. It is great pittie no man sets upon such a
venture, whereby he might in small time inrich himselfe, and benefit
the Countrie; I know nothing which doth hinder but want of skilfull men
to manage such an imployment: For the countrey is hot enough, the
ground good enough, and many convenient hills which lye toward the
south Sunne, as if they were there placed for the purpose. The Cherrie
trees yeeld great store of Cherries, which grow on clusters like
grapes; they be much smaller than our _English_ Cherrie, nothing neare
so good if they be not very ripe: they so furre the mouth that the
tongue will cleave to the roofe, and the throate wax horse with
swallowing those red Bullies (as I may call them,) being little better
in taste. _English_ ordering may bring them to be an _English_ Cherrie,
but yet they are as wilde as the _Indians_. The Plummes of the Countrey
be better for Plummes than the Cherries be for Cherries, they be blacke
and yellow about the bignesse of a Damson, of a reasonable good taste.
The white thorne affords hawes as bigge as an _English_ Cherrie, which
is esteemed above a Cherrie for his goodnesse and pleasantnesse to the
taste.
CHAP. VI.
_Of the Beasts that live on the land._
Having related unto you the pleasant situation of the Countrey, the
healthfulnesse of the climate, the nature of the soile, with his
vegetatives, and other commodities; it will not be amisse to informe
you of such irrationall creatures as are daily bred and continually
nourished in this countrey, which doe much conduce to the well being of
the Inhabitants, affording not onely meate for the belly, but cloathing
for the backe. The beasts be as followeth.
_The kingly Lyon, and the strong arm'd Beare
The large lim'd Mooses, with the tripping Deare,
Quill darting Porcupines, and Rackcoones bee,
Castelld in the hollow of an aged tree;
The skipping Squerrell, Rabbet, purblinde Hare,
Immured in the selfesame Castle are,
Least red-eyd Ferrets, wily Foxes should
Them undermine, if rampird but with mould.
The grim fac't Ounce, and ravenous howling Woolfe,
Whose meagre paunch suckes like a swallowing gulfe.
Blacke glistering Otters, and rich coated Bever,
The Civet sented Musquash smelling ever._