Travels of Captaine John Smith Volume I - Pages 331-354



Page 331

THE FIFTH BOOKE.

The Generall Historie of the Bermudas, now called the Summer Iles, from 
their beginning in the yeere of our Lord 1593. to this present 1624. with 
their proceedings, accidents and present estate.

The description of the Iles.

Before we present you the matters of fact, it is fit to offer to your view 
the Stage whereon they were acted, for as Geography without History 
seemeth a carkasse without motion, so History without Geography, wandreth 
as a Vagrant without a certaine habitation. Those Ilands lie in the huge 
maine Ocean, and two hundred leagues from any continent, situated in 32. 
degrees and 25. minutes, of Northerly latitude, and distant from England 
West South-West, about 3300. miles, some twenty miles in length, and not 
past two miles and a halfe in breadth, environed with Rocks, which to the 
North-ward, West-ward, and South-East, extend further then they have bin 
yet well discovered: by reason of those Rocks the Country is naturally 
very strong, for there is but two places, & scarce two, unlesse

Page 332

to them who know them well, where shipping may safely come in, and those 
now are exceeding well fortified, but within is roome to entertaine a 
royall Fleet: the Rocks in most places appeare at a low water, neither are 
they much covered at a high, for it ebbs and flowes not past five foot; 
the shore for most part is a Rocke, so hardened with the sunne, wind and 
sea, that it is not apt to be worne away with the waves, whose violence is 
also broke by the Rocks before they can come to the shore: it is very 
uneven, distributed into hills and dales; the mold is of divers colours, 
neither clay nor sand, but a meane betweene; the red which resembleth clay 
is the worst, the whitest resembling sand and the blackest is good, but 
the browne betwixt them both which they call white, because there is 
mingled with it a white meale is the best: under the mould two or three 
foot deep, and sometimes lesse, is a kinde of white hard substance which 
they call the Rocke: the trees usually fasten their roots in it; neither 
is it indeed rocke or stone, or so hard, though for most part more harder 
then Chalke; nor so white, but pumish-like and spungy, easily receiving 
and containing much water. In some places Clay is found under it, it 
seemes to be ingendred with raine water, draining through the earth, and 
drawing with it of his substance unto a certaine depth where it congeales; 
the hardest kinde of it lies under the red ground like quarries, as it 
were thicke slates one upon another, through which the water hath his 
passage, so that in such places there is scarce found any fresh water, for 
all or the most part of the fresh water commeth out of the Sea draining 
through the sand, or that substance called the Rocke, leaving the salt 
behinde, it becomes fresh: sometimes we digged wells of fresh water which 
we finde in most places, and but three or foure paces from the Sea side, 
some further, the most part of them would ebbe and flow as the Sea did, 
and be levell or little higher then the superficies of the sea, and in 
some places very strange, darke and cumbersome Caves.

Page 333

The clime, temper and fertility.

The aire is most commonly cleere, very temperate, moist, with a moderate 
heat, very healthfull and apt for the generation and nourishing of all 
things, so as many things transported from hence yeeld a farre greater 
increase, and if it be any living thing it becomes fatter and better; by 
this meanes the country is so replenished with Hens and Turkies, within 
the space of three or foure yeeres, that many of them being neglected, 
forsake the houses and become wilde, and so live in great abundance; the 
like increase there is in Hogs, tame Conies, and other Cattle according to 
their kindes. There seemes to be a continuall Spring, which is the cause 
some things come not to that maturity and perfection as were requisite; 
and though the trees shed their leaves, yet they are alwaies full of 
greene; the Corne is the same they have in Virginia, and the West-Indies: 
of this and many other things without plowing or much labour, they have 
two Harvests every yeere, for they set about March, which they gather in 
July; and againe in August, which they reape in December; and little slips 
of Fig-trees and Vines doe usually beare fruit within the yeere, and 
sometimes in lesse; but we finde not the Grapes as yet come to any 
perfection; the like fertility it hath in Oranges and Limons, Pomgranates, 
and other things. Concerning the serenity and beauty of the skie, it may 
as truly be said of those Ilands as ever it was said of the Rhodes, that 
there is no one day throughout the 12. moneths, but that in some houre 
thereof, the sun lookes singularly & cleere upon them: for the temperature 
it is beyond all others most admirable; no cold there is beyond an English 
Aprill, nor heat much greater then an ordinary July in France, so that 
frost and snow is never seene here, nor stinking and infectious mists very 
seldome, by reason of the maine Ocean, there is some wind stirring that 
cooles the aire: the winter they have observes the time with ours, but the 
longest daies and nights are shorter then ours almost by two houres.

Trees and Fruits.

We found it at first all overgrowne with weeds, and

Page 334

plants of severall kinds, as many tall and goodly Cedars, infinite store 
of Palmetoes, numbers of Mulberies, wild Olive-trees store, with divers 
others unknowne both by name and nature, so that as yet they become lost 
to many usefull imployments, which time and industry no doubt will one day 
discover, and even already certaine of the most notorious of them have 
gotten them appellations from their apparent effects, as the Prickell-
peare which growes like a shrub by the ground, with broad thick leaves, 
all over-armed with long and sharpe dangerous thornes, the fruit being in 
forme not much unlike a small greene Peare, and on the outside of the same 
colour, but within bloud red, and exceeding full of juice; with graines 
not much unlike the Pomgranat, and colouring after its nature. The 
poysoned weed is much in shape like our English Ivy, but being but 
touched, causeth rednesse, itching, and lastly blisters, the which 
howsoever after a while passe away of themselves without further harme, 
yet because for the time they are somewhat painfull, it hath got it selfe 
an ill name, although questionlesse of no ill nature. Here is also 
frequently growing a certaine tall Plant, whose stalke being all over 
covered with a red rinde, is thereupon termed the red weed, the root 
whereof being soked in any liquor, or but a small quantity of the Juice 
drunke alone, procures a very forcible vomit, and yet is generally used by 
the people, and found very effectuall against the paines and distempers of 
the stomacke.

The red weed. The purging Beane.

A kinde of Wood-bind there is likewise by the Sea very commonly to bee 
found, which runnes upon trees twining it selfe like a Vine: the fruit 
somewhat resembles a Beane, but somewhat flatter, the which any way eaten 
worketh excellently in the nature of a purge, and though very vehemently, 
yet without all perill. Contrary to this, another small tree there is, 
which causeth costivenesse; there is also a certaine Plant like a bramble 
bush, which beares a long yellow fruit, having the shell very hard, and 
within it a hard berry, that beaten and taken inwardly

Page 335

purgeth gently. There is another fruit much like our Barberies, which 
being beaten or brused betweene the teeth, sets all the mouth on an 
extreme heat very terrible for the time, to avoid which they are swallowed 
downe whole, and found of the same or better operation then the red 
Pepper, and thence borroweth the name. In the bottome of the Sea there is 
growing upon the Rocks a large kinde of Plant in the forme of a Vine 
leafe, but far more spread with veines in colour of a pale red, very 
strangely interlaced & woven one into another, which we call the Feather, 
but the vertue thereof is altogether unknowne, but only regarded for the 
rarity. Now besides these naturall productions, providences & paines since 
the Plantation, have offered divers other seeds & plants, which the soile 
hath greedily imbraced & cherished, so that at this present 1623. there 
are great abundance of white, red and yellow coloured Potatoes, Tobacco, 
Sugarcanes, Indicos, Parsnips, exceeding large Radishes, the American 
bread, the Cassado root, the Indian Pumpian, the Water-millon, Musk-
millon, & the most delicate Pineapples, Plantans, and Papawes, also the 
English Artichoke, Pease, &c. briefly whatsoever else may be expected for 
the satisfaction either of curiosity, necessity or delight.

Fruits transported. Birds.

Neither hath the aire for her part been wanting with due supplies of many 
sorts of Fowles, as the gray and white Hearne, the gray and greene Plover, 
some wilde Ducks and Malards, Coots and Red-shankes, Sea-wigions, Gray-
bitterns, Cormorants, numbers of small Birds like Sparrowes and Robins, 
which have lately beene destroyed by the wilde Cats, Wood-pickars, very 
many Crowes, which since this Plantation are kild, the rest fled or 
seldome seene except in the most uninhabited places, from whence they are 
observed to take their flight about sun set, directing their course 
towards the North-west, which makes many conjecture there are some more 
Ilands not far off that way. Sometimes are also seene Falcons & Jar-
falcons, Ospraies, a Bird like a Hobby, but because they come seldome, 
they are held but as passengers; but

Page 336

above all these, most deserving observation and respect are those two 
sorts of Birds, the one for the tune of his voice, the other for the 
effect, called the Cahow, and Egge-bird, which on the first of May, a day 
constantly observed, fall a laying infinite store of Eggs neere as big as 
Hens, upon certaine small sandie baies especially in Coupers Ile; and 
although men sit downe amongst them when hundreds have bin gathered in a 
morning, yet there it hath stayed amongst them till they have gathered as 
many more: they continue this course till Midsummer, and so tame & 
feareles, you must thrust them off from their Eggs with your hand; then 
they grow so faint with laying, they suffer them to breed & take infinite 
numbers of their yong to eat, which are very excellent meat.

Cahowes.

The Cahow is a bird of the night, for all the day she lies hid in holes in 
the Rocks, where they and their young are also taken with as much ease as 
may be, but in the night if you but whoop and hollow, they will light upon 
you, that with your hands you may chuse the fat and leave the leane; those 
they have only in winter: their Eggs are as big as hens, but they are 
speckled, the other white. Mr. Norwood hath taken twenty dozen of them in 
three or foure houres, and since there hath beene such havocke made of 
them, they were neere all destroyed, till there was a strict inhibition 
for their preservation. The Tropicke bird is white, as large as a Pullet, 
with one onely long Feather in her taile, and is seldome seene far distant 
from other of the Tropicks: another small Bird there is, because she cries 
Pemblyco they call her so, she is seldome seene in the day but when she 
sings, as too oft she doth very clamorously; too true a Prophet she proves 
of huge winds and boysterous weather: there were a kinde of small Owles in 
great abundance, but they are now all slaine or fled: some tame Ducks, 
Geese and Pigeons there are, but the two latter prosper not.

The Tropicke Bird and the Pemblicos presagements. Of Vermine.

Concerning vermine and noisome creatures, there are not many, but onely 
Rats and Cats, there increased since

Page 337

the Plantation, but how they agree together you shall heare hereafter. The 
Musketas and Flies are also too busie, with a certaine India Bug, called 
by the Spaniards a Cacarootch, the which creeping into Chests they eat and 
defile with their ill-sented dung: also the little Ants in summer time are 
so troublesome, they are forced to dry their figs upon high frames, and 
anoint their feet with tar, wherein they sticke, else they would spoile 
them all ere they could be dryed: Wormes in the earth also there are, but 
too many, so that to keepe them from destroying their Corne and Tobacco, 
they are forced to worme them every morning, which is a great labour, else 
all would be destroyed. Lizards there were many and very large, but now 
none, and it is said they were destroyed by the Cat. Certaine Spiders also 
of very large size are found hanging upon trees, but instead of being any 
way dangerous as in other places, they are here of a most pleasing aspect, 
all over drest, as it were with Silver, Gold, and Pearle, and their Webs 
in the Summer woven from tree to tree, are generally a perfect raw silke, 
and that as well in regard of substance as colour, and so strong withall, 
that divers Birds bigger than Black-birds, being like Snipes, are often 
taken and snared in them as a Net: then what would the Silke-worme doe 
were shee there to feede upon the continuall greene Mulbery?

Fishes.

But above all the rest of the Elements, the Sea is found most abundantly 
liberall: hence have they as much excellent Fish, and as much variety as 
need be desired. The most of which being unknowne to our Northerne parts, 
got there new names, either for their shapes or conditions; as the large 
Rocke-fish from his like hew, and haunting amongst the Rocks, the fat Hog-
fish from his swinelike shape and snout: for this is not the old knowne 
Hog-fish with brussels on his backe; the delicate Amber-fish from his 
taste and smell, Angell-fish, Cony-fish, the small yellow taile from that 
naturall painting; the great Growper from his odde and strange grunting, 
some of them yet knowne to the Americans, as

Page 338

the Purgoose, the Cavallo, the Gar-fish, Flying-fish and Morerayes: the 
rest are common to other Continents; as the Whale in great numbers, the 
Sharke, the Pilot-fish, the Sea-Breame, the Oyster and Lobster, with 
divers others; twenty Tortoises have beene taken in a day, and some of 
them will affoord halfe a bushell of Egges, and suffice to feed forty men 
at a meale. And thus have you briefely epitomized Mother Natures benefits 
to this little, yet danty spot of earth, neither were it ingenuity to 
conceale wherein shee inclineth to the Stepdame, especially since the 
particulars are so few, as rather requisite Antidotes against idlenesse to 
rouse up industry, then any great cause of much distaste, much lesse 
despaire: and of those to speake troth, there are onely two: viz. the 
Winds, and the Wormes, especially in the Spring and Autumne; and thus 
conditioned as yet we will let rest these small Ilands, in the midst of 
this mightie and maine Ocean, so invironed on every side, by infinite 
numbers of uncertaine scattered Rocks, lying shallowly hid under the 
surface of the water, a league, two, three, foure, or five, to Sea, to the 
which advantagers added by art, as hereafter you shall heare at large, and 
finde described in the Map. It may well be concluded to be the most 
impregnable place in the world, and although the Amber Greece, Pearles, 
nor Tobacco, are of that quantity and certainty to be relied upon to gaine 
wealth; yet by practise and experience they finde, by Silke, Saffron, 
Indico, Madar, Sugar-canes, Wine, Oile, and such like great profit may be 
expected: yet were those hopelesse in regard of their conveniency to 
nourish and maintane themselves, and releeve them shall visit them with 
wood, water, and other necessaries, besides what an eye-sore they are 
already becommed to them that have them not, and how deare and pretious to 
them that have them, I thinke none will deny but they are well worth the 
keeping: and so we will proceed to the accidents that befell the first 
finders; also the proceedings of the first Planters and their successors, 
Master Norrod, Thomas Sparkes, and divers others.

Page 339

A briefe relation of the shipwracke of Henry May.

1593. How it is supposed they were called the Bermudas.

How these Iles came by the name of Bermudas, or the infinite number of 
blacke Hogs, or so fearefull to the world, that many called them the Ile 
of Devils, that all men did shun as Hell and perdition; I will not 
expostulate, nor trouble your patiences with those uncertaine antiquities 
further then thus; our men found divers crosses, peeces of Spanish monies 
here and there. Two or three wracks also they found, by certaine 
inscriptions to bee some Spanish, some Dutch, some French; but the 
greatest rumour is, that a Spanish ship called Bermudas was there cast 
away, carrying Hogges to the West-Indies that swam a shore, and there 
increased: how the Spaniards escaped is uncertaine: but they say, from 
that ship those Iles were first called Bermudas, which till then for six 
thousand yeares had beene namelesse.

But the first English-man that was ever in them, was one Henry May, a 
worthy Mariner that went with Captaine Lancaster to the East-Indies 1591. 
and in their returne by the West-Indies, being in some distresse, sent 
this Henry May for England by one Mounsier de la Barbotier, to acquaint 
the Merchants with their estate. The last of November, saith May, we 
departed from Laguna in Hispaniola, and the seventeenth of December 
following, we were cast away upon the North-west of the Bermudas; the 
Pilots about noone made themselves Southwards of the Iles twelve leagues, 
and demanded of the Captaine their Wine of hight as out of all danger, 
which they had: but it seemes they were either drunke, or carelesse of 
their charge; for through their negligences a number of good men were cast 
away. I being but a stranger amongst fiftie and odde French-men, it 
pleased God to appoint me to be one of them should be saved. In this 
extremity we made a raft, which we towed with our Boat, there were but six 
and twentie of us saved; and I seeing scarce roome for the one halfe, 
durst not

Page 340

passe in amongst them till the Captaine called me along with him, leaving 
the better halle to the seas mercy: that day we rowed till within two 
houres of night ere we could land, being neere dead with thirst, every man 
tooke his way to seeke fresh water, at length, by searching amongst many 
weeds, we found some raine water, but in the maine are many faire Baies, 
where we had enough for digging.

The building and calking their Barke.

Now it pleased God before our ship split we saved our Carpenters tooles, 
some Nailes, Sailes, and Tacklings, wherewith we went roundly to worke, 
and built a Barke of eighty tunnes: In stead of Pitch, we made Lime, mixed 
with Tortoise oyle, and as the Carpenters calked her, I and another paied 
the seames with this plaster, which being in Aprill, became quickly dry, 
and as hard as a stone.

His returne for England.

In Aprill it was so hot, we feared our water would faile, two great Chests 
wee made which we calked as our ship; those we stowed on each side our 
maine Mast, filled them with water and thirtie live Tortoises: wee found 
many Hogges, but so leane wee could not eat them; the tops of the 
Palmetaberries was our bread, and the juyce we got out of the trees we cut 
downe our drinke, and of the leaves, which are more then an Ell long, we 
covered our Cabens, & made our beds, and found many of those provisions as 
is related, but little foule weather. The eleventh of May it pleased God 
to set us cleere of the Ile, after wee had lived there five moneths: and 
the twentieth wee fell with Cape Britton, neere New found Land, where 
refreshing our selves with wood and water, and such things as we could get 
of the Salvages, it seemed a good Countrey, but we staied not past foure 
houres before we set saile for the banke of New found land, where wee met 
many ships, but not any would take in a man of us, untill it pleased God 
we met a Barke of Fawmothe, which received us for a little time, and with 
her we tooke a French ship, wherein I left Captaine de la Barbotier, my 
deare friend, and all his Company: and in August arrived at Falmouth in 
this honest English Barke, 1594.
Written by me Henry May.

Page 341

The first English ship knowne to have beene cast away upon the Bermudas 
1609. From the relation of Mr. Jordan, Master John Evens, Master Henry 
Shelly, and divers others.

A most desperate estate by a storm.

You have heard, that when Captaine Smith was Governor of Virginia, there 
were nine ships sent with Sir Thomas Gates, and Sir George Somers, and 
Captaine Nuport with five hundred people, to take in the old Commission, 
and rectifie a new government: they set saile in May, and in the height of 
thirty degrees of Northerly latitude, they were taken with an extreme 
storme, or rather a part of Hericano, upon the five and twentieth of July, 
which as they write, did not onely separate them from the Fleet, but with 
the violent working of the Seas, their ship became so shaken, torne, and 
leake, she received so much water as covered two tire of Hogsheads above 
the ballace, that they stood up to the middles, with Buckets, Baricos, and 
Kettles, to baile out the water. Thus bailing and pumping three daies and 
three nights without intermission, and yet the water seemed rather to 
increase then diminish, in so much that being all utterly spent with 
labour, were even resolved without any hope to shut up the hatches, and 
commit themselves to the mercy of the Sea, which is said to be mercilesse, 
or rather to the mercy of Almighty God, whose mercy farre exceeds all his 
workes; seeing no sense or hope in mans apprehension, but presently to 
sinke: some having some good and comfortable waters, fetched them and 
dranke one to another, as taking their last leaves untill a more happy, 
and a more joyfull meeting in a more blessed world, when it pleased God 
out of his most gracious and mercifull providence, so to direct and guide 
their ship for her most advantage;

The care and judgement of Sir George Somers.

That Sir George Somers all this time sitting upon the poupe, scarce taking 
leisure to eat nor sleepe, coving the ship to keepe her as upright as he 
could, otherwaies she

Page 342

must long ere that needs have foundered, most wishedly and happily 
descried land; whereupon he most comfortably incouraged them to follow 
their worke, many of them being fast asleepe: this unlooked for welcome 
newes, as if it had bin a voice from heaven, hurrieth them all above 
hatches, to looke for that they durst scarce beleeve, so that 
improvidently forsaking that taske which imported no lesse then their 
lives, they gave so dangerous advantage to their greedy enemy the salt 
water, which still entred at the large breaches of their poore wooden 
castle, as that in gaping after life, they had well-nigh swallowed their 
death. Surely it is impossible any should now be urged to doe his best, 
and although they knew it, that place all men did so shun, yet they spread 
all the saile they could to attaine them: for not long it was before they 
strucke upon a rocke, till a surge of the sea cast her from thence, and so 
from one to another, till most luckily at last so upright betwixt two, as 
if she had beene in the stocks, till this they expected but every blow a 
death: But now behold, suddenly the wind gives place to a calme, and the 
billowes, which each by overtaking her, would in an instant have shivered 
her in peeces, become peaceable and still, so that with all conveniency 
and ease, they unshipped all their goods, victuall, and persons into their 
Boats, and with extreme joy, even almost to amazednesse, arrived in 
safetie, though more then a league from the shore, without the losse of a 
man; yet were they in all one hundred and fiftie: yet their deliverance 
was not more strange in falling so happily upon the land, as their feeding 
and preservation was beyond their hopes; for you have heard, it hath beene 
to the Spaniards more fearefull then an Utopian Purgatory, and to all Sea-
men no lesse terrible then an inchanted den of Furies and Devils, the most 
dangerous, unfortunate, and forlorne place in the world, and they found it 
the richest, healthfullest and pleasantest they ever saw, as is formerly 
said.

Sir George Somers his first ranging the land.

Being thus safe on shore, they disposed themselves to search the Iles for 
food and water; others to get a shore

Page 343

what they could from the ship; not long Sir George wandred but found such 
a fishing, that in halfe an houre with a hooke and line, he tooke so many 
as sufficed the whole company, in some places they were so thicke in the 
Coves, and so great, they durst not goe in lest they should bite them, and 
these rocke fish are so great two will load a man, and fatter nor better 
fish cannot be. Mr. Shelly found a Bay neere a quarter of a mile over, so 
full of Mullets, as none of them before had ever scene or heard of the 
like: the next day seeking to kill them with fis-gigs, they strucke so 
many the water in many places was red with bloud, yet caught not one, but 
with a net they caught so many as they could draw a shore, with infinite 
number of Pilchards and divers other sorts; great craw-fishes in a night 
by making a fire they have taken in great quantity. Sir George had twice 
his hooke and line broke out of his hand, but the third time he made it so 
strong he caught the same fish, which had pulled him into the Sea had not 
his men got hold of him, whereby he had his three hookes againe were found 
in her belly. At their first hunting for hogs they found such abundance, 
they killed 32 and this hunting & fishing was appointed to Captaine Robert 
Walsingham, and Mr. Henry Shelly for the company in general: they report 
they killed at least 500. besides Pigs, and many that were killed by 
divers others; for the birds in their seasons, the facility to make their 
cabens of Palmeta leaves, caused many of them utterly forget or desire 
ever to returne from thence, they lived in such plenty, peace and ease.

What meanes they made to send to Virginia.

But let us remember how the Knights began to resolve in those desperat 
affaires: many projects they had, but at last it was concluded, to decke 
their long boat with their ship hatches; which done, with all expedition 
they sent Master Raven, a very sufficient Mariner, with eight more in her 
to Virginia, to have shipping from thence to fetch them away; three weekes 
or a moneth they expected her returne, but to this day she was never more 
heard of; all this time was spent in searching the Iles: now although

Page 344

God still fed them with this abundance of plenty, yet such was the malice 
of envy or ambition, for all this good service done by Sommers, such a 
great difference fell amongst their Commanders, that they lived asunder in 
this distresse, rather as meere strangers then distressed friends: but 
necessity so commanded, patience had the victory.

A mariage, and two children borne.

Two ships at this time by those severall parties were a building; in the 
meane time two children were borne, the Boy was called Bermudas, the Girle 
Bermuda, and amongst all those sorrowes they had a merry English mariage; 
the forme of those Iles you may see at large in the Map of Mr. Norwood, 
where you may plainly see no place knowne hath better walls, nor a broader 
ditch. But having finished and rigged their two new Cedar ships with such 
provisions they saved from the Sea-adventurer they left amongst the Rocks, 
they called the one the Patience, the other the Deliverance; they used 
Lime and Oile, as May did for Pitch and Tar. Sir George Summers had in his 
Barke no Iron at all but one bolt in her Keele; now having made their 
provisions of victuall and all things ready, they set saile the tenth of 
May 1610. onely leaving two men behinde them, called Christopher Carter 
and Edward Waters, that for their offences, or the suspition they had of 
their judgements, fled into the woods, and there rather desired to end 
their daies then stand to their trials and the event of Justice; for one 
of their consorts was shot to death, and Waters being tied to a tree also 
to be executed, had by chance a Knife about him, and so secretly cut the 
Rope, he ran into the woods where they could not finde him. There were two 
Salvages also sent from Virginia by Captain Smith, the one called 
Namuntack, the other Matchumps, but some such differences fell betweene 
them, that Matchumps slew Namuntack, and having made a hole to bury him, 
because it was too short, he cut of his legs and laid them by him, which 
murder he concealed till he was in Virginia.

Their arrivall in Virginia.

The foure and twentieth of the same moneth they arrived in Virginia at 
James towne, where they found but

Page 345

threescore persons, as you may reade at large in the History of Virginia, 
of the five hundred left by Captaine Smith, also of the arrivall of the 
Lord Laware, that met them thus bound for England, returned them backe, 
and understanding what plenty there was of hogs and other good things in 
the Bermudas, was desirous to send thither to supply his necessary 
occasions; whereupon Sir George Summers, the best acquainted with the 
place, whose noble minde ever regarded a generall good more then his owne 
ends, though above threescore yeeres of age, and had meanes in England 
sutable to his ranke, offered himselfe by Gods helpe to performe this 
dangerous voyage againe for the Bermudas, which was kindly accepted, so 
upon the 19. of June, he imbarked in his Cedar ship, about the burthen of 
thirty tunnes, and so set saile.

Sir George Summers his returne to the Bermudas.

Much foule and crosse weather he had, and was forced to the North parts of 
Virginia, where refreshing himselfe upon this unknowne coast, he could not 
bee diverted from the search of the Bermudas, where at last with his 
company he safely arrived: but such was his diligence with his 
extraordinary care, paines and industry to dispatch his businesse, and the 
strength of his body not answering the ever memorable courage of his 
minde, having lived so long in such honourable services, the most part of 
his well beloved and vertuous life, God and nature here determined, should 
ever remaine a perpetuall memory of his much bewailed sorrow for his 
death: finding his time but short, after he had taken the best course he 
could to settle his estate, like a valiant Captaine he exhorted them with 
all diligence to be constant to those Plantations, and with all expedition 
to returne to Virginia. In that very place which we now call Saint Georges 
towne, this noble Knight died, whereof the place taketh the name. But his 
men, as men amazed, seeing the death of him who was even as the life of 
them all, embalmed his body and set saile for England, being the first 
that ever went to seeke those Ilands, which have beene ever since called 
Summers Iles, in honour of his

Page 346

worthy memory, leaving three men behind them, that voluntarily stayed, 
whose names were Christopher Carter, Edward Waters, there formerly left as 
is said, and Edward Chard. This Cedar ship at last with his dead body 
arrived at Whit-Church in Dorsetshire, where by his friends he was 
honourably buried, with many vollies of shot, and the rites of a Souldier, 
and upon his tombe was bestowed this Epitaph.

His Epitaph.

Hei mihi Virginia quod tam cito præterit Æstas
Autumnus sequitur, sæviet inde & hiems;
At ver perpetuum nascetur, & Anglia læta,
Decerpit flores florida terra tuas.

In English thus:
Alas Virginia's Summer so soone past,
Autumne succeeds and stormy Winters blast,
Yet Englands joyfull Spring with joyfull showers,
O Florida, shall bring thy sweetest flowers.

The proceedings of the three men.

THe honour of this resulution belongs principally to Carter, for through 
his importunity, not to leave such a place abandoned, Chard & Waters were 
moved to stay with him, and the rest promised with all the speed they 
could againe to revisit them. But the ship once out of sight, those three 
Lords, the sole inhabitants of all those Ilands, began to erect their 
little common wealth for a while with brotherly regency, repairing the 
ground, planting Corne, and such seeds and fruits as they had, building a 
house, &c. Then making privy search amongst the crevises and corners of 
those craggy Rocks, what this maine Ocean since the worlds creation had 
throwne amongst them, at last they chanced upon the greatest peece of 
Amber-greece was ever seene or heard of in one lumpe, being in weight 
fourescore pound, besides divers other small peeces.

A peece of Amber-greece of 80. pound weight.

But now being rich, they grew so proud and ambitious, contempt tooke such 
place, they fell out for superiority, though but three forlorne men, more 
then three thousand miles from their native Country, and but small hope 
ever

Page 347

to see it againe. Notwithstanding, they sometimes fell from words to 
blowes about meere trifles: in one of which fights, one of them was bitten 
with his owne dog, as if the dumbe beast would reprove them of their 
folly; at last Chard and Waters, the two greater spirits, must try it out 
in the field, but Carter wisely stole away their weapons, affecting rather 
to live amongst his enemies, then by being rid of them live alone; and 
thus those miserable men lived full two yeeres, so that all their clothes 
were neere worne cleane from their backs, and their hopes of any forraine 
releefe as naked as their bodies. At last they began to recover their 
wits, yet in a fashion perhaps would have cost them dearer then when they 
were mad; for concluding a tripartite peace of their Matachin warre, they 
resolved to frame as good a Boat as they could, and therein to make a 
desperate attempt for Virginia, or New found Land; but no sooner were they 
entred into that resolution, but they descried a saile standing in for the 
shore, though they neither knew what she was, nor what she would, they 
were so over-joyed, with all possible speed they went to meet her, and 
according to their hearts desire she proved an English-man, whom they 
safely conducted into their harbour.

How they were supplied. 1611.

Now you are to understand, that Captaine Matthew Somers, Nephew and heire 
to Sir George, that returned with his dead body, though both he and his 
Company did their utmost in relating all those passages to their Countrey-
men and adventurers, their relations were beleeved but as travellers 
tales, till it came to be apprehended by some of the Virginia Company, how 
beneficiall it might be, and helpfull to the Plantation in Virginia, so 
that some one hundred and twentie of them bought the pretended right of 
all the Company, and had sent this ship to make a triall; but first they 
had obtained Letters Patents of the Kings most excellent Majestie. Sir 
Thomas Smith was elected Treasurer and Governor heere, and Master Richard 
More to be Governor of the Iles and Colony there.

Page 348

The first beginning of a Colonie in the Somer Iles, under the command of 
Master Richard More, extracted out of a plot of Master Richard Norwood 
Surveior, and the relations of divers others.

The arrivall of Master More. 1612. Sir Thomas Smith Treasurer.

MAster More thus finding those three men not onely well and lusty, but 
well stored with divers sorts of provisions, as an Acre of Corne ready to 
be gathered, numbers of Pumpions and Indian Beanes, many Tortoises ready 
taken, good store of hogs flesh salted, and made in flitches of Bacon, 
were very good, and so presently landed his goods and sixty persons 
towards the beginning of July 1612. upon the South side of Smiths Ile.

Their differences about the Amber-greece.

Not long after his arrivall, More having some private intelligence of this 
Amber-greece, tooke first Chard in examination, he being one of the three 
the most masterfull spirit, what Amber-greece, Pearle, Treasure, or other 
Commodities they had found. Chard no lesse witty then resolute, directly 
answered; Not any thing at all but the fruits of the Ile, what his 
fellowes had done he knew not, but if they had, he doubted not but to 
finde it out, and then hee should know it certainly. This he spake onely 
to win time to sweare his Consorts to secrecy, and he would finde the 
meanes how they should all returne in that ship with it all for England, 
otherwise they should be deceived of all. Till this was effected they 
thought every houre an age; now for the better conveiance of it aboord, 
they acquainted it to Captaine Davis, master of the ship, and one Master 
Edwin Kendall, that for their secrecy and transportation should 
participate with them: Without further ceremony the match was accepted, 
and absolutely concluded, the plot laid, time and place set downe to have 
it aboord. But Carter, were it for feare the Governor at last should know 
of it, to whom so oft they had denied it; or that the rest should deceive 
him, is uncertaine; but most certaine it is, he revealed all the

Page 349

plot to Master More: To get so much wealth he knew would please them in 
England, though it did displease all his Company, and to lose such a prize 
he would not for hazarding a mutiny. So first hee revealed himselfe to 
Kendall in faire tearmes, reproving his dishonesty, but not being answered 
according to his expectation, he committed both Chard and him to person. 
The next Sabboath day Davis comming on shore, More also taxed with very 
hard language and many threats, to lay him fast also if he mended not his 
manners; Davis for the present replied little, but went with him to the 
place of praier: but in the midst of divine service he goeth away, 
commanding all his Sea-men to follow him presently aboord, where he 
encourageth them to stand to him like men, and hee would free the 
Prisoners, have all the Amber-greece for themselves, and so be gone.

Chard in danger of hanging.

The Governor hearing of this resolution, prepares with his company to 
repulse force with force, so that a generall expectance of a civill 
uncivill warre possessed every man; but this threatning gust passed over 
more calmlier then was expected; for Davis having better advised with 
himselfe, repented his rashnesse, and desired a reconcilement with the 
Governor. Peace thus concluded, Kendall was set at libertie, but Chard was 
condemned, and upon the ladder to be hanged for his obstinacy; yet upon 
better consideration More reprived him, but kept him a prisoner all the 
time he staied in the Country, which was generally thought a very bad 
reward for his great desert, and that there was more of this Amber-greece 
imbeziled, then would have contented all the finders, that never had any 
consideration at all. The greatest part though More thus recovered, yet 
Davis and Kendall had so much, either by the ignorance or connivency of 
the Governors, that arriving in England, they prepared themselves for a 
new voiage; at last they two falling out, the Company having notice 
thereof, so tormented them both, they gave over their voiage, and durst 
not be seene a long time after.

Master Mores industry in fortifying and planting.

The Governor thus rid of the ship and those discontents,

Page 350

removed his seat from Smiths Ile to Saint Georges, after he had fitted up 
some small Cabbens of Palmata leaves for his wife and family, in that 
valley where now stands their prime towne called S. Georges, hee began to 
apply himselfe to fortifie the Countrey, and training his men in the 
exercise of armes. For although he was but a Carpenter, he was an 
excellent Artist, a good Gunner, very witty and industrious: he built and 
laid the foundation of eight or nine Forts, called the Kings Castle, 
Charles Fort, Pembrookes Fort, Smiths Fort, Pagits Fort, Gates Fort, 
Warwicks Castle, Saint Katharines Fort, &c. mounting in them all the 
Ordnance he had, preparing the ground to build Houses, plant Corne, and 
such Fruits as they had.

A contention of the Minister against the Governor.

Being thus busied, and as the necessitie of the time required, keeping his 
men somewhat hard at worke, Master Keath his Minister, were it by the 
secret provocation of some drones, that grew weary of their taskes, or his 
affection to popularity is not certaine: But he begins to tax the Governor 
in the Pulpit, hee did grinde the faces of the poore, oppressing his 
Christian brethren with Pharoahs taxes. More finding this in short time, 
might breed ill bloud, called the Company together and also the Minister, 
urging them plainly, to tell him wherein he had deserved those hard 
accusations: whereupon, with an universall cry they affirmed the contrary, 
so that Keath downe of his knees to aske him forgivenesse. But Master More 
kindly tooke him up, willing him to kneele to God, and hereafter be more 
modest and charitable in his speeches; notwithstanding two other 
discontents so upbraided More with that doctrine, and stood to maintaine 
it, he impaneled a Jury, with a great deale of seeming much adoe he would 
hang them being condemned, one of them with the very feare, fell into a 
dead Palsie; so that the other was set at libertie, and proved after a 
very good labourer.

Many conclusions he tried about the Sea-venture, the wracke of Sir George 
Somers, but he got onely for his

Page 351

paines but two peece of Ordnance. Having framed a Church of timber, it was 
blowne downe by a tempest, so that he built another in a more closer place 
with Palmeta leaves.

The first supply.

Before this yeere was expired, the adventerers sent them an adviso with 
thirtie Passengers and good provisions, to prepare with all expedition for 
their defence against the Spaniard, whom they understood ere long would 
visit them: This occasioned him to keepe all his men together in that Ile 
so hard at worke, that wanting libertie to goe abroad for food, living 
onely on that they had, and expected daily to receive from England, they 
were so over-toiled, many fell sicke, but none died. Very earnest this 
ship was to have all the Amber-greece, which M. More perceiving, was the 
chiefest cause of their comming, and that it was the onely loadstone to 
draw from England still more supplies; for all the expresse command sent 
from the Company, he returned this ship but with the one third part; so 
from thence she went to Virginia, and not long after arrived safely in 
England.

1613. The second supply. Sir Thomas Smith Treasurer.

But before her returne the Company sent the Martha with sixtie Passengers 
more; they arrived in June with one Master Bartlet to survey the Iland, 
and the estate of the Colonie, with expresse command for all the 
Ambergreece: but More perceiving him not as he would have him, and that 
the Company began to mistrust him, would send no more but another third 
part, wherewith they returned, leaving a French-man to make triall of the 
Mulberies for Silke, but he did not bring any thing to perfection; 
excusing himselfe, they were not the right Mulberies he expected. About 
this time they were in hope of a small crop of Tobacco, but it was most 
spoiled for want of knowledge to use it. Now in England Master More became 
amongst the Merchants marvelous distastfull, for the detaining so long the 
Amber-greece; which delaies they so much abhorred, they forthwith 
dispatched the Elizabeth the second time and forty Passengers, much 
rebuking More for so long detaining

Page 352

the Amber-greece: for the which, having now no more colourable excuses,
he delivered it, wherewith the ship went to Virginia, & thence home. In
this ship was brought the first Potato roots, which flourished exceedingly 
for a time, till by negligence they were almost lost (all but two cast-
away roots) that so wonderfully have increased, they are a maine releefe 
to all the Inhabitants. This ship was not long gone but there came two 
Spanish ships, sounding with their Boat, which attempted to come in: but 
from the Kings Castle Master More made but two shot, which caused them 
presently depart. Marke here the handy-worke of the divine providence, for 
they had but three quarters of a barrell of powder, and but one shot more, 
and the powder by carelesnesse was tumbled downe under the mussels of the 
two peeces were discharged, yet not touched with fire when they were 
discharged.

This feare thus past, appeares another much worse, which was the extremity 
of famine; in this extremity God sent Captaine Daniel Elfrid with a 
carvell of meale which a little relieved them, but brought withall so many 
Rats, that within two yeeres after neere ruined all; now though Elfrid had 
deceived his friend Fisher of this Carvell in the West-Indies they 
revenged Fishers injury, for Elfrid had his passage for England, and they 
made use of all he had. Some two moneths after, came in the Blessing with 
an hundred Passengers; and two daies after the Starre with a hundred and 
fourescore more, amongst which were many Gentlemen, as Master Lower for 
Marshall, Master Barrer, Master Felgate, and divers others; but very 
unproper for what they undertooke. Within foureteene daies after came in 
the Margaret and two Frygats, and in them one hundred and threescore 
Passengers; also Master Bartlet came now expresly to divide the Country 
into Tribes, and the Tribes into shares. But Master More finding no 
mention made of any part for himselfe nor all them with him, as he was 
promised in England, by no meanes would admit of any division,

Page 353

nor suffer his men from finishing their fortifications, which was so 
necessary, it was his maine ambition to see that accomplished; but such 
unkindnesse grew betwixt this Master Bartlet and the Governour, that the 
rude multitude with all the disdaine they could devise caused Bartlet 
returne for England as he came. About this time William Millington was 
drawne into the Sea by a fish, but never after ever seene.

1614. A great famine and mortalitie. Sir Thomas Smith Treasurer.

The neglect of this division was very hardly conceited in England, so that 
Master More grew more and more in dislike with the company; 
notwithstanding he followed the building of these Forts so earnestly, 
neglecting planting of Corne, till their store was neere all consumed, 
whereby they became so feeble and weake, some would not, others could not 
goe abroad to seeke releefe, but starved in their houses, and many that 
went abroad, through weaknesse were subject to be suddenly surprized with 
a disease called the Feauges, which was neither paine nor sicknesse, but 
as it were the highest degree of weaknesse, depriving them of power and 
ability from the execution of any bodily exercises, whether it were 
working, walking, or what else, being thus taken, if any presently gave 
them food many times they straight recovered, yet some after a little rest 
would bee able to walke, but if they found not present succour, died.

A strange being of Ravens.

About this time or immediatly before, came in a company of Ravens, which 
continued amongst them all the time of this mortality and then departed, 
which for any thing knowne, neither before nor since were ever scene or 
heard of: this with divers other reasons caused Master More to goe out to 
Sea, to see if he could discover any other Ilands, but he went not farre 
ere ill weather forced him backe; and it were a noble adventure of him 
would undertake to make more perfect all the dangers are about the Summer 
Iles.

All workes abandoned to get onely victuals.

Thus famine and misery caused Governour More leave all his workes, and 
send them abroad to get what they could; one hundred and fifty of the most 
weake and

Page 354

sicke he sent to Coupers Ile, where were such infinite numbers of the 
Birds called Cahowes, which were so fearelesse they might take so many as 
they would, and that admired abundance of fish, that the extremity of 
their hunger, and their gluttony was such, those heavenly blessings they 
so consumed and wasted by carelesnesse and surfetting, many of them died 
upon those silly Birds that offered themselves to the slaughter, which the 
Governour understanding, caused them for change of aire to be removed to 
Port-royall, and a Company of Fishers with a Boat to releeve them with 
fish, but the Gange grew so lazie the poore weaklings still died; they 
that remained killed the Cattle they found in the Ile, faining the heat 
caused them to runne into the Sea and so were drowned; so that the 
Governour sent againe for them home, but some obtained leave still to live 
abroad; one amongst the rest hid himselfe in the Woods, and lived onely on 
Wilkes and land Crabs, fat and lusty many moneths, but most of them being 
at Saint Georges, ordinarily was taken one hundred and fifty or two 
hundred great fishes daily for their food; for want of hookes and lines, 
the Smith made hookes of old swords, and lines of old ropes, but finding 
all those poore Engines also decay, they sent one of the two Frigats last 
left with them for England, to tell them of this misery. All which was now 
attributed to Master Mores perversnesse, who at first when he got the 
Amber-Greece had not such a generall applause, but now all the worst could 
possibly be suggested was too good for him; yet not knowing for the 
present how to send a better, they let him continue still, though his time 
was neere expired, and with all speed sent the Welcome fraught with 
provision, where shee well arrived, and proved her selfe as welcome in 
deed as in name; for all those extremities, Master Lewes Hues writeth, not 
one of all those threescore that first beganne this Plantation was dead, 
which shewes it was not impossible, but industry might have prevented a 
great part of the others sluggish carelesnesse.