Those yeares fallinge out to be generally contagious through this continent, the people alsoe sent over arrived heere at the most unseasonable time of the yeare, beinge at the heat of Sommer, and divers of the ships brought with them most pestilent infections, wherof many of their people had died at Sea, soe that these times alsoe of plenty and libertie were mixed with the calamities of sicknes and mortalitie.

* * * * *

In October, 1621, Arived Sir Fras. Wyatt, Knight, with commission to be Gov^r and Capt. Gen^l of Virginia. He ratified and confirmed all the afore mentioned liberties, freedomes and priveledges, to our great happines and content; the country alsoe flourished and increased in her former proceedinges, as iron workes, plantinge of vines and mulberrie for silke, &c. A ship alsoe was sent to the Summer Islandes for such commodities as that place afforded, as Potatoes, Fig Trees, Orange and Lemon Trees, and such like, many of which prosper and growe very likely to increase. But amidst this happines was the Hande of God sett against us, in great part, no doubt, for the punishment of our ingratitude in not being thankefull but forgettfull that by his mercye we were delivered from such bondage and calamitie as before time we had suffered. Justly likewise were we punished for our greedy desires of present gaine and proffit, wherin many showed themselves insatiable and covetous; we beinge too secure in trustinge of a treacherous enimie, the Salvadges, they, whilest we entertained them frendley in our houses, tooke their opportunities and suddenly fell uppon us, killing and murdering very many of our people, burninge and devastinge their houses and plantations, this happeninge uppon the two and twenteth of March followinge (1622), stroocke so at the life of our wellfare by blood and spoile, that it almost generally defaced the beautie of the wholl Collonye, puttinge us out of the way of bringinge to perfection those excellent workes wherin we had made soe faire a beginninge.

This deadly stroake being given to the great amazement and ruine of our 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.

THE END