LIST OF JAMESTOWN
SETTLERS
On May 13, 1607 three English ships the Susan Constant, Godspeed and Discovery with approximately 144
settlers and sailors, will land and plant the first permanent English colony in North America. Established by the
Virginia Company of London this settlement would be called Jamestown, after king James I. On June 15, 1607
the fleet commander Captain Christopher Newport will return to England leaving 104 settlers. Taken from "The
Proceedings - of the English Colony in Virginia since their First beginning form England in the Year of Our
Lord 1606 till this Present 1612, with All their Accidents that befell them in their Journeys and Discoveries" the
following is a list of the names of those known 104 settlers.
Adling (or Adding), Henry - Gentleman
Alicock (or Alikock), Jeremy (or Jerome) - Gentleman - died
August 14, 1607
Archer, Gabriel- Captain, Gentleman - died Winter 1609-1610
Asbie, John - died August 6, 1607
Beast (or Best), Benjamin - Gentleman - died Sept. 5, 1607
BehotWand Robert - Gentleman - died 1628
Bonto (or Brinton), Edward - Mason, Soldier
Brookes, Edward - Gentleman - died April 7, 1607
Brookes, Jolm - Gentleman
Browne, Edward - Gentleman - died August 15, 1607
Brunfield, James - Boy
Bruster, William - Gentleman - died Aug. 10, 1607
Capper, John
Cassen (or Cawsen), George - Laborer - died December 1607
Cassen, Thomas - Laborer
Cassen, William - Laborer
Clovill, Ustis (or Eustace) - Gentleman - died June 7, 1607
Collier, Samuel - Boy - died 1622
Cooke, Roger - Gentleman
Cooper (or Cowper), Thomas - Barber
Crofts, Richard - Gentleman
Dixon, Richard - Gentleman
Dads, John - Laborer, Soldier
Emry, Thomas - Carpenter - died December 1607
Fenton, Robert - Gentleman
Rower, George - Gentleman - died August 9, 1607
Ford, Robert - Gentleman
Frith, Richard - Gentleman
Galthrope (or Halthrop, Calthrop), Stephen - Gentleman - died
August 15, 1607
Garret, William - Bricklayer
Golding (or Goulding), George - Laborer
Gosnold (or Gosnoll), Anthony, (Cousin) - Gentleman - died
January 7,1609
Gosnold (or Gosnoll), Anthony, (Cousin) - Gentleman
Gosnold (or Gosnoll), Bartholomew - Captain, Councilor died August 16, 1607
Gower (or Gore), Thomas - Gentleman - died August 16, 1607
Harrington, Edward - Gentleman - died August 24, 1607
Herd, John - Bricklayer
Houlgrave, Nicholas - Gentleman
Hunt, Robert- Master, Preacher, Gentleman - died before 1609
Jacob, Thomas - Sergeant - died September 4, 1607
Johnson, William - Laborer
Kendall, George - Captain, Councilor - died Dec. 1, 1607
Kingston, Ellis - Gentleman - died September 18, 1607
Laxton (or Laxon), William - Carpenter
Laydon, John - Laborer, Carpenter
Loue (or Love), William - Tailor, Soldier
Martin, John, (Senior), Captain, Councilor - died June 1632
Martin, John, (Junior), Gentleman - died August 18, 1607
Martin, George - Gentleman
Midwinter, Francis - Gentleman - died August 14, 1607
Morish (or Morris), Edward - Gentleman, Corporal - died
August 14, 1607
Morton, Matthew - Sailor
Mounslie, Thomas - Laborer - died August 17, 1607
Mouton, Thomas - Gentleman - died September 19, 1607
Mutton, Richard - Boy
Peacock (or Peacocke, Pecock), Nathaniel - Boy
Penington, Robert - Gentleman - died August 18, 1607
Percy, George - Master, Gentleman - died 1632
Pickhouse (or Piggas), Drue - Gentleman - died Aug. 19, 1607
Posing (or Pising), Edward - Carpenter
Powell, Nathaniel - Gentleman - died March 22, 1622
Profit, Jonas - Fisherman
Ratcliffe (or Sicklemore), John - Captain, Councilor - died
November 1609
Read, James - Blacksmith, Soldier - died March 13, 1622
Robinson, John (or Jehu) - Gentleman - died December 1607
Rods (or Rodes,), William - Laborer - died Aug. 27, 1607
Sands, Thomas - Gentleman
Short, John - Gentleman
Short, Edward - Laborer - died August 1607
Simons, Richard - Gentleman - died September 18, 1607
Skot (or Scot), Nicholas - Drummer
Small, Robert - Carpenter
Smethes, William - Gentleman
Smith (or Smyth), John - Captain, Councilor - died June 1631
Snarsbrough, Francis - Gentleman
Stevenson, John - Gentleman
Studley, Thomas - Gentleman - died Aug. 28, 1607
Tankard, William - Gentleman
Tavin (or Tauin), Henry - Laborer
Throgmorton, Kellam- Gentleman - died August 26, 1607
Todkill, Anas - Soldier
Vnger (or Unger), William - Laborer
Waller (or Waler), John - Gentleman - died August 24,1607
Walker, George - Gentleman
Webbe, Thomas - Gentleman
White, William - Laborer
Wilkinson, William - Surgeon
Wingfield, Edward- Master, Councilor President - died 1613
Wotton, Thomas - Gentleman, Surgeon, - died April 28, 1638
FROM
The laws of Virginia (1611-12)
Smith left Virginia in 1609 after surviving an explosion that mayor may not have
been deliberately set by settlers who resented his authoritarian leadership. Leaderless,
contentious, and ill-equipped for survival, most of the settlers died over the following
winter. Then Thomas West, Lord de la Warr (Delaware) saile{1in from England,
bringing with him new colonists and martial law. The Laws of Virginia, as excerpted below, show how the Virginia Company and, in particular, its governors
tried to impose order and godliness on its adventurers in the wilderness. After de la
Warr left in 1611, order was reenforced with the imposition of the so-called "Dale's
Code" established first under Sir Thomas Gates and then Sir Thomas Dale, the latter serving first as marshall under Gates and then as governor in 1611-12 and
them
· sactheir
1614-1616. These Lawes Divine, Moral, and Martiall were rather Draconian, but
they were considered essential to the survival of both colony and colonists.
'.s eil-
From "Articles, Lawes, and Orders, Divine, Politique, and Martiall for the Colony in Virginea," in William Strachey, camp., For the Colony in Virginia Brittania (London, 1612),
pp. 1-7, 19. [The spelling in this selection has been modernized.-Ed.]
ed to
· exe)ther,
then
lP the
ip his
about
such
m and
d here
s?
lilitary
· signi-
. . . Whereas his Majesty, like himself a most
zealous prince, has in his own realms a principal
care of true religion and reverence to God and
has always strictly commanded his generals and
governors, with all his forces wheresoever, to
let their ways be, like his ends, for the glory of
God.
And forasmuch as no good service can be performed, or were well managed, where military discipline is not observed, and military discipline
cannot be kept where the rules or chief parts
thereof be not certainly set down and generally
known, I ... do now publish them to aU persons
in the colony, that they may as well take knowledge of the laws themselves as of the penalty and
punishment, which, without partiality, shall be inflicted upon the breakers of the same.
1. First, since we owe our highest and supreme
duty, our greatest, and all our allegiance to him
from whom all power and authority is derived,
. . . and being especial soldiers impressed in this
sacred cause, . . . I do strictly command and
charge all captains and officers, of what quality or
nature soever, ... to have a care that the Almighty
God be duly and daily served and that they call
upon their people to hear sermons, as that also
they diligently frequent morning and evening
prayer themselves by their own exemplar and daily
life and duty herein, encouraging others thereunto, and that such who shall often and willfully
. absent themselves be duly punished according to
the martial law in that case provided.
2. That no man speak impiously or maliciously
against the holy and blessed Trinity or any of the
three persons, that is to say, against God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost, or
against the known articles of the Christian
upon pain of death.
faith,
3. That no man blaspheme God's holy name upon
pain of death, or use unlawful oaths, taking the
name of God in vain, curse, or bane upon pain of
severe punishment for the first offense so committed and for the second to have a bodkin thrust
through his tongue; and if he continue the blaspheming of God's holy name, for the third time
so offending, he shall be brought to a martial
court and there receive censure of death of his
offense.
4. No man shall use any traitorous words against
his Majesty's person or royal authority, upon pain
of death.
5. No man shall speak any word or do any act
which may tend to the derision or despite of God's
holy word, upon pain of death; nor shall any man
unworthily demean himself unto any preacher or
minister of the same, but generally hold them in
all reverent regard and dutiful entreaty; otherwise
he the offender shall openly be whipped three
times and ask public forgiveness in the assembly
of the congregation three several Sabbath days.
6. Every man and woman duly, twice a day upon
the first tolling of the bell, shall upon the working
days repair unto the church to hear divine service
upon pain of losing his or her day's allowance for
the first omission, for the second to be whipped;
and for the third to be condemned to the galleys
for six months. Likewise, no man or woman shall
dare to violate or break the Sabbath by any gaming, public or private abroad or at home, but duly
sanctify and observe the same ....
As also every
24
CHAPTER
2
ENGLAND
AND
ITS
COLONIES
man and woman shall repair in the morning to
the divine service and sermons preached upon the
Sabbath day and in the afternoon to divine service
and catechising, upon pain for the first fault to
lose their provision and allowance for the whole
week following, for the second to lose the said
allowance and also to be whipped, and for the
third to suffer death.
7. All preachers or ministers within this our colony or colonies shall, in the forts where they are
resident, after divine service, duly preach every
;::,l,hath day in the forenoon and catechise in the
., ernoon and weekly say the divine service twice
every day and preach every Wednesday. Likewise,
every minister where he is resident, within the
same fort or fortress, towns or town, shall choose
unto him four of the most religious and better
disposed as well to inform of the abuses and neglects of the people in their duties and service of
God, as also to the due reparation and keeping of
the church handsome and fitted with all reverent
observances thereunto belonging. Likewise, every
.ulinister shall keep a faithful and true record or
church book of all christenings, marriages, and
deaths of such our people as shall happen within
their fort .or fortress, towns or town, at any time,
upon the burden of a neglectful conscience and
upon pain of losing their entertainment.
10. No man shall be found guilty of sacrilege,
which is a trespass as well committed in violating
and abusing any sacred ministry, duty, or office of
the church irreverently or prophanely, as by being
a church robber to filch, steal, or carry away anything out of the church appertaining thereunto or
unto any holy and consecrated place to the divine
service of God, which no man should do upon
pain of death. Likewise, he that shall rob the store
of any commodities therein of what quality soever,
whether provisions of victuals, or of arms, trucking stuff, apparel, linen, or woolen, hose or shoes,
hats or caps, instruments or tools of steel, iron,
etc., or shall rob from his fellow soldier or neighbor anything that is his, victuals, apparel, household stuff, tool, or what necessary else soever, by
water or land, out of boat, house, or lmapsack,
shall be punished with death ....
*
*
*
... Every minister or preacher shall, every Sabbath
day before catechising, read all these laws and ordinances publicly in the assembly of the congregation upon pain of his entertainment checked for
that week. ...
*
*
*
8. He that, upon pretended malice, shall murder
or take away the life of any man, shall be punished
with death.
REVIEW QUESTIONS
9. No man shall commit the horrible and detestable sins of sodomy, upon pain of death; and he
or she that can be lawfully convict of adultery shall
be punished with death. No man shall ravish or
force any woman, maid, or Indian, or other, upon
pain of death; and know that he or she that shall
commit fornication,
and evident proof made
thereof, for their first fault shall be whipped, for
their second they shall be whipped, and for their
third they shall be whipped three times a week for
one month and ask public forgiveness in the assembly of the congregation.
1. Did these colonists create a community based
upon a civilian or military model? What effect
would such a choice have on settlement?
2. How does the order in which the laws appear
suggest that the colonists perceived that there
was a hierarchy to the rules of civilized living?
3. Why was there so much emphasis on religion
(and keep in mind this was not a "Puritan"
settlement)?
4. What acts could be punished by death? Why
were these capital crimes?
L
self
und
case
[wh
[sue
vers
poo
nod
the
lollil
I ne
Remarks by Chief Powhatan to John Smith, (c. 1609)
From Samuel Drake, Biography and History of the Indians of North America, 11th
ed. (Boston, 1841), p. 353.
By 1609, relations between the Jamestown settlers and the Algonquian people, led by
Chief Powhatan, had deteriorated. Trade continued, but the atmosphere was becoming
increasingly hostile. In the excerpt below, Powhatan addresses Captain John Smith,
legendary leader of the Jamestown settlement, and explains his concerns for the future of
the relationship.
I am now grown old, and must soon die; and the succession must descend, in order, to my
brothers,Opitchapan, Opekankanough, and Catataugh, and then to my two sisters, and
their two daughters. I wish their experience was equal to mine; and that your love to us
might not be less than ours to you. Why should you take by force that from us which you
can have by love? Why should you destroy us, who have provided you with food? What
can you get by war? We can hide our provisions, and fly into the woods; and then you
must consequently famish by wronging your friends. What is the cause of your jealousy?
You see us unarmed, and willing to supply your wants, if you will come in a friendly
manner, and not with swords and guns, as to invade an enemy. I am not so simple, as not
to know it is better to eat good meat, lie well, and sleep quietly with my women and
children; to laugh and be merry with the English; and, being their friend, to have copper,
hatchets, and whatever else I want, than to fly from all, to lie cold in the woods, feed
upon acorns, roots, and such trash, and to be so hunted, that I cannot rest, eat, or sleep. In
such circumstances, my men must watch, and if a twig should but break, all would cry
out, "Here comes Capt. Smith "; and so, in this miserable manner, to end my miserable
life; and, Capt. Smith, this might be soon your fate too, through your rashness and
unadvisedness. I, therefore, exhort you to peaceable councils; and, above all, I insist that
the guns and swords, the cause of all our jealousy and uneasiness, be removed and sent
away.
-
Thomas Hariot, A Brief and True Report of the New Found Land of Virginia,
directed to the investors, farmers, and well-wishers of the project of colonizing and
planting there (1588)
Sir Walter Raleigh sent long-time associate Thomas Hariot on the first English
colonizing attempt in America with directions to categorize the wildlife, observe the
native peoples, and, upon returning to England, write his report. Hariot's loyalty to, and
financial dependence on, Raleigh ensured that his report would protect Raleigh's stake in
the American colony. This excerpt is of interest to anyone who is addicted to tobacco.
There is an herb called uppowoc, which sows itself. In the West Indies it has several
names, according to the different places where it grows and is used, but the Spaniards
generally call it tobacco. Its leaves are dried, made into powder, and then smoked by
being sucked through clay pipes into the stomach and head. The fumes purge superfluous
phlegm and gross humors from the body by opening all the pores and passages. Thus its
use not only preserves the body, but if there are any obstructions it breaks them up. By
this means the natives keep in excellent health, without many of the grievous diseases
which often afflict us in England.
This uppowoc is so highly valued by them that they think their gods are delighted with it.
Sometimes they make holy fires and cast the powder into them as a sacrifice. If there is a
storm on the waters, they throw it up into the air and into the water to pacify their gods.
Also, when they set up a new weir for fish, they pour uppowoc into it. And if they escape
from danger, they also throw the powder up into the air. This is always done with strange
gestures and stamping, sometimes dancing, clapping of hands, holding hands up, and
staring up into the heavens. During this performance they chatter strange words and utter
meaningless noises.
While we were there we used to suck in the smoke as they did, and now that we are back
in England we still do so. We have found many rare and wonderful proofs of the
uppowoc's virtues, which would themselves require a volume to relate. There is sufficient
evidence in the fact that it is used by so many men and women of great calling, as well as
by some learned physicians.
e)
)
P....
RT I:
The Colonizing
Impulse
18
secutive years, after which, in. consequence of the jealousy and annoyance of certain Basque merchants, together
with some from Brittany, the monopoly which had been
granted to him was revoked by the Council to the great
.injury and loss of Sieur de Monts, who, in consequence of
this revocation, was compelled to abandon his entire undertaking, sacrificing his labors and the outfit for his settlement.
But since a report had been made to the king on the
fertility of the soil by him. and by me on the feasibility
of discovering the passage to China. without the inconveniences of the ice of the north or the heats of the torrid
zone. through which our sailors pass twice in going and
twice in-returning. with inconceivable hardships and risks,
his Majesty directed Sieur de Monts to make a new outfit,
and send men to continue what he had commenced. This
he did. And. in view of the uncertainty of his commission,
he chose a new spot for his settlement. in order to deprive jealous persons of any such distrust as they had previously conceived. He was also influenced by the hope of
greater advantages in case of settling in the interior. where
the people are civilized. and where it is easier to. plant the
Christian faith and establish such order as is necessary for
the protection of a country, than along the sea-shore.
where the savages generally dwell. From this course, he
believed the king would derive an inestimable profit; for
it is easy to suppose that Europeans will seek out this advantage rather than those of a jealous and intractable disposition to be found on the shores. and the barbarous
tribes.
D~CUMENT
4
RICHARD HAKLUYT, DISCOURSE
WESTERN
OF
PLANTING,
1584
Richard Hakluyt devoted his life to recording every
piece of evidence that could contribute to English
participation in the colonization of the New World.
H ....KLUYT. Discourse of Western Planting
19
He listened to the tales of returning voyagers Gnd repeated them for a broad reading audience. He supported the adventures 0/ Sir Humphrey Gilbert and
Sir Walter Raleigh; he urged England 10 cem/ront
Spain and claim the great rewards 0/ "raysing trades"
and other pro/i13 that England could hal'e if it ap'
plied itself with zeal and purpose/ulness to colonization. Stern anti-Catholic arguments 0/ Protesttlllt England-lhe
Spanish (Iinging overboard English prayer
books and the like-complemellled
Ihe political and
economic arguments for plallting English colonies in
the New World.
A particuler discoun;e cODcem.inge tbe greate necessilie
and manifolde comodyties that...are like to growe to this
Realme of- Englande by. the Westerne discoveries lately
attempted, Written in the yere 1584 by Ricbarde U~ckluyt of Oxforde at the requeste and direction of tbe rigbte
worshipful! Mr. Walter Ragbly {Raleigh] nowe Knight,
b~fore the comynge borne of his Twoo Barkes: and is devided into xxi chapiters, the Titles whereof followe in the
nexte leafe.
J. That this westerne discoverie will be greately for
the inlargement of the gospell of Christe whereunto the
Princes of the refourmed. relligion are chefely bounde
-amongest whome her Majestie is principal\.
.
2. That all other englishe Trades are growen heggerly
or daungerous. especially in all the kinge of Spaine his
Domynions, where our men are dryven to flinge their
Bibles and prayer Bakes into the sea, and to forsweare
and renownce their relligion and conscience and consequently theyr obedience to her Majestie.
3. That this westerne voyadge will yelde unto liS all
the commodities of Europe. Affrica, and Asia, as far as
Wile were wonte to travell. and supply the wantes of all
our decayed trades.
4. That this enterprise will be for the manifolde imploymente of nombers of idle men, and for bredinge of
many sufficient, and for utterance of the greate quantitie
of the commodities of our Realme.
5. That this voyage will be a great bridle to the
PART I:
The Colonizing Impulse
11
HAKLUIT, Discours~
oj Western Planting
10
Indies of the tinge of Spaine and a means that wee may
arreste at our pleasure for the space of tenne weekes or
three monethes every yere, one or twoo hundred Saile of
his subjectes shippes at the fysshinge in Newfounde lande.
6. That the mischefe
that the Indian Threasure
wrought in time of Charles the late Emperor father to the
Spanishe kinge, is to be had in consideracion
of the Q.
moste excellent Majestie, leaste the contynuall commynge
of the like threasure from thence to his sonne, worke the
unrecoverable annoye of this Realme, whereof already wee
have had very dilngerous experience.
7· What speciall meanes may bringe kingePhillippe
from his high Throne, and make him equal to the Princes
his neighboUI1I, wherewithall
is shewed his weakenes in
the west Indies.
.
8. That the limites of the linge of Spaines domynions in the west Indies be nothinge so large as is generally
imagined and surmised,
neither those partes which he
holdeth be of any such forces as is falsely geven oute by
the popishe Clergye and others his suitors, to terrifie the
Princes of the Relligion and to abuse and blinde them.
9· The Names of the riche Townes Iienge alonge the
sea coa,ste on the northe side from the equinoctial! of the
Il)ayne lande of America under the kinge of Spaine.
10. A Brefe dec1aracion of the chefe I1ands in the Bay
of Mexico beinge under the kinge of Spaine, with their
havens and fortes, and what commodities they yelde.
IX. That
the Spaniardes
have executed
most outragious and more then Turkishe cruelties in all the west
Indies, whereby they are every where there, become moste
odious unto them, whee woulde joyne with us or any
other moste willingly to shake of their moste intollerable
yoke, and have begonne to doo it already in dyvers places
where they were L~rdes heretofore.
12. That
the passage in this voyadge is easie and
shorte, that it cutteth not nere the trade of any other
mightie Princes, nor nere their Contries, that it is to be
perfourmed at all tymes of the yere, and nedeth but one
kinde of winde, that Ireland beinge full of goodd havens
on the sou the and west sides, is the neTest parte of Europe
to it, which by this trade shall be in more securitie, and
the sooner drawen to more Civilitie.
13. That hereby the Revenewes and customes of her
Majestie bothe outwardes and inwardes shall mightely be
inlarged by the toll, excises, and other dueties which without oppression may be raised.
14. That this action will be greately for the increase,
mayneteynaunce
and safetie of our Navye, and especially
of greate shippinge which is the strengthe of our Realme,
and for the' supportation of all those occupacions that depende upon the same.
IS. That spedie plantinge in divers fitt places is moste
necessarie upon these luckye westeme discoveries for feare
of the daunger of being prevented by other nations which
have the like intentions, with the order thereof and other
reasons therewithall alleaged.
... 16. Meanes to kepe this enterprise from overthrowe'
and the enterprisers from shame and dishonor.
17. That by these Colonie~ th~ Northwest passage to
Cathaio and China may easely quickly and perfectly be
searched oute aswell by river and overlande, as by sea, for
proofe whereof here are quoted and alleaged divers rare
Testymonies oute of the three volumes of voyadges gathered by Ramusius and other grave authors.
18. That the Queene of Englande title to all the west
Indies, or at the leaste to as moche as is from Florida to
the Circle article,
is more lawfull and righte then the
Spaniardes or any other Christian Princes.
19. An aunswer to the Bull of the Donacion of all the
west Indies graunted to the kinges of Spaine by Pope
Alexander the VI whoe was himselfe a Spaniarde borne.
20. A brefe collection ot' certaine
reasons to induce
her Majestie and the state to take in hande the westeme
voyadge and the plantinge there.
2 I. A note of some thinges to be prepared
for the
voyadge which is sett downe rather to drawe the takers of
the voyadge in hande to the presente consideracion
tbell
for any other reason for that divers thinges require preparation longe before the voyadge, without whicp the voyadge is maymed.
r
)
John Smith, "The Starving Time" (1624)
Captain John Smith quickly rose to become the leader of the colonists in Virginia based
on his proven skills as soldier and explorer. Later in his life, Smith endeavored to write a
history of the Virginia colony, of which this document is an excerpt. Specifically, this
document is from a section titled "The Starving Time, " which recounts the period after
Smith returned to England in 1609.
It might well be thought, a Countrie so faire (as Virginia is) and a people so tractable,
would long ere this have beene quietly possessed to the satisfaction of the adventurers, &
the eternizing of the memory of those that effected it. But because all the world doe see a
defailement; this following Treatise shall give satisfaction to all indifferent Readers, how
the businesse hath bin carried; where no doubt they will easily understand and answer to
their question, how it came to passe there was no better speed and successe in those
proceedings. . . .
The day before Captain Smith returned for England with the ships, Captain Davis arrived
in a small Pinace, with some sixteene proper men more ... for the Salvages no sooner
understood Smith was gone, but they all revolted, and did spoile and murther all they
incountered. Now wee were all constrained to live onely on that Smith had onely for his
owne Companie, for the rest had consumed their proportions ... Sicklemore upon the
confidence of Powhatan, with about thirtie others as carel esse as himselfe, were all slaine,
onely Jeffrey Shortridge escaped, and Pokahontas the Kings daughter saved a boy called
Henry Spilman, that lived many yeeres after, by her meanes, amongst the
Patawomekes ...
Now we all found the losse of Captain Smith, yea his greatest maligners could now curse
his losse: as for corne, provision and contribution from the Salvages, we had nothing but
mortall wounds, with clubs and arrowes; as for our Hogs, Hens, Goats, Sheepe, Horse, or
what lived, our commanders, officers & Salvages daily consumed them, some small
proportions sometimes we tasted, till all was devoured; then swords, armes, pieces, or
any thing, wee traded with the Salvages, whose cruell fingers were so oft imbrewed in
our blouds, that what by their crueltie, our Governours indiscretion, and the losse of our
ships, of five hundred within six moneths after Captain Smiths departure, there remained
not past sixtie men, women and children, most miserable and poore creatures; and those
were preserved for the most part, by roots, herbes, acornes, walnuts, berries, now and
then a little fish: they that had startch in these extremities, made no small use of it; yea,
even the very skinnes of our horses. Nay, so great was our famine, that a Salvage we
slew, and buried, the poorer sort tooke him up againe and eat him, and so did divers one
another boyled and stewed with roots and herbs: And one amongst the rest did kill his
wife, powdered [salted] her, and had eaten part of her before it was knowne, for which
hee was executed, as hee well deserved; now whether shee was better roasted, boyled or
carbonado'd [grilled], I know not, but of such a dish as powdered wife I never heard of.
This was that time, which still to this day we called the starving time; it were too vile to
say, and scarce to be beleeved, what we endured.