Chapter II: Part 2

Sabbath day a windye day & could: we kept Sabbath staying still at y^e downes.

[Sidenote: [4]]

Monday God sent vs a fayre gale of wind north: n: East, whereby we came merily fro̅ y^e downes: & passing Dover we saw 6 or 7 saile of dunkirkes, wafting after vs: but it seemed y^y saw o^r co̅pany was too strong for y^m, for then wee had w^{th} vs 3 or 4 ships y^t went for y^e Straits: so y^y returned backe fro̅ pursuing vs any longer. But sayling w^{th} a good wind wee went speedily, & at night came neere y^e Ile of Wight but being darke wee durst not put into y^e channell, but put backe for sea roome 4 houres, & then other 4 houres sayled backe agayne y^e same way.

[Sidenote: [5]]

[Sidenote: [May]]

Tewsday early in y^e morning we entred y^e channell y^e wind being weake & calme, & passed by Portsmouth very slowly; but in y^e afternoone y^e wind quickened, & wee were forced to ancre a little on this side Cowcastle but y^e wind growing more favourable wee weighed & came to ancre again right against Cowcastle thinking to stay y^t night, y^e wind being very calme. Here I & my wiffe & my daughter Mary & 2 maids & so̅e others w^{th} vs obtained of y^e m^r of y^e shipp to go a shoare to refresh vs & to wash o^r linnens, & so we lay at Cowes y^t night. But y^e wind turning when wee were absent, y^y hoysed sayle & left vs there, & ancred 8 miles further ouer ag^t Yarmouth about 8 of y^e clocke at night.

[Sidenote: [6]]

Wednesday betyme in y^e morning y^e shalope was sent fro̅ y^e shipp to fetch vs to Yarmouth; but y^e water prooued rough & o^r weomen desired to bee sett on shoare 3 miles short of Yarmouth, & so went on foote by land & lodged in Yarmouth y^t night.

[Sidenote: [7. 8.]]

On Thursday & fryday there M^r Beecher allowed by y^e co̅pany gaue mee 40^s to make o^r provisio̅ of what things we would for the voyage.

[Sidenote: [9]]

Saturday we went to board agayne: & this day wee had 2 other men pressed to serve y^e Kings Shippe; but we got one agayne by intreaty.

[Sidenote: [10.]]

The Sabbath next day we kept y^e shipp where I preached in y^e morning; & in y^e afternoon was intreated to preach at Yarmouth, where M^r Meare & captayne Borley entertained vs very kyndly, & earnestly desyred to bee certified of o^r safe arrivall in new England, & of y^e state of y^e countrey

[Sidenote: [11]]

[Sidenote: [12]]

Monday morning blew a fayre wind fro̅ East S: E: And y^e lions whelpe having taken in all her provisio̅ for passengers, about 3 of y^e clocke in y^e afternoone wee hoysed sayle for y^e Needles, & by Gods guidance safely passed y^t narrow passage a little after 4 a clocke in y^e afternoone. And being entred into y^e sea, fro̅ y^e top of y^e mast we discerned 4 sayle of shipps lying southward fro̅ vs. But night coming on wee tooke in o^r long boate & shalope. And y^e next day we had a fayre gale of Easterly wind y^t brought vs towards night as farre as y^e Lizzard.

[Sidenote: [13]]

Wednesday y^e wind still houlding Easterly, wee came as farre as y^e lands end, in y^e vtmost part of Cornewall, & so left o^r deare natiue soile of England behind vs; & sayling about 10 leagues further we passed y^e Isles of Sillie & launched y^e same day a great way into y^e maine ocean. And now my wiffe & other passengers began to feele y^e tossing waues of y^e westerne sea, & so were very sea-sicke.

And this is to be noted, y^t all this while o^r passage hath bene vpo̅ y^e coast of England, & so ought truly to be accounted y^e first day of o^r parting w^{th} ould England.

[Sidenote: [14]]

[Sidenote: [15]]

[Sidenote: [May]]

Thursday y^e same Easterly wind blew all day & night; & y^e next day; so y^t so̅e of y^e seamen thought we were co̅e by this tyme 100 leagues fro̅ England, but toward night y^e wind was calme.

[Sidenote: [16]]

Saturday we were becalmed all day. This day met vs a little shipp of Bristoll y^t came fro̅ Christopher Ilands.

[Sidenote: [17.]]

Sabath being y^e first Lords day we held at sea was very calme, especially in the morning, but we were disturbed in o^r morning Service by y^e approach of a Biskaniers shippe, a man of warre, y^t made towards vs, & manned out his boate to viewe vs: But fynding vs too strong for him he durst not venture to assault vs, but made off.

This day my 2 children Samuel & Mary began to be sicke of y^e small-pockes & purples together, w^{ch} was brought into y^e ship by one M^r Browne w^{ch} was sicke of y^e same at Graues End, who̅ it pleased God to make y^e first occasio̅ of bringing y^t contagious sicknes among vs, wherew^{th} many were after afflicted.

[Sidenote: [18.]]

Monday calme still, y^e wind being no: w: blowing a little towards euening, but contrary to o^r course.

[Sidenote: [19.]]

Tewsday wind so: w: as little helpfull as y^e former & blowing uery weake. This day y^e m^r of o^r ship, my selfe & another went aboard the Lions whelpe, where M^r Gibs made vs welco̅e w^{th} bountifull entertayne^{mt}. And this day towards night my daughter grew sicker & many blew Spots were seene vpo̅ her breast, w^{ch} affrighted vs. At y^e first wee thought y^y had bene y^e plague tokens; but we found afterwards y^t it was onely an high measure of y^e infectio̅ of y^e pockes, w^{ch} were strucke agayne into y^e child, & so it was Gods will y^e child dyed about 5 of y^e clocke at night, being y^e first in o^r shipp y^t was buried in the bowells of y^e great Atlanticke Sea; w^{ch} as it was a griefe to vs her parents, & a sorrow to all y^e rest as being y^e beginning of a contagious disease & mortality: so in y^e same judge^{mt} it pleased God to remember mercy in y^e child, in freeing it fro̅ a world of misery wherein otherwise shee had liued all her daies. For being about 4 yeares ould a yeare since, wee know not by what meanes, sweyed in y^e backe, so y^t it was broken & grew crooked, & y^e joynts of her hipps were loosed & her knees went crooked pittifull to see. Since w^{ch} tyme shee hath had a most lamentable payne in her belly, & would oft times cry out in y^e day & in her sleep also my belly, w^{ch} declared so̅e extraordinary distemper. So y^t in respect of her wee had cause to take her death as a blessing fro̅ y^e Lord to shorten her miserie.

[Sidenote: [May 20]]

Wednesday a wett morning, y^e wind was W: S: W: & in y^e afternoone N: W: & by W: both being contrary to o^r course, w^{ch} was to saile W: & by S: Thus it pleased god to lay his hand vpo̅ vs by sicknes & death & contrary winds; & stirred vp so̅e of vs to make y^e moto̅n of humbling o^r selves vnder y^e hand of God by keeping a solemne day of fasting & prayer unto God, to beseech him to remooue y^e continuance & further increase of these evills fro̅ vs. w^{ch} was willingly condescended vnto as a duty very fitting & needfull for o^r present state and condic̅o̅n.

[Sidenote: [21]]

Thursday, there being 2 ministers in y^e ship, M^r Smith & my selfe, we endevoured together w^{th} others to consecrate y^e day as a solemne fasting & humiliac̅o̅n to almighty God, as a furtheraunce of o^r present worke. And it pleased God y^e ship was becalmed all day, so y^t we were freed fro̅ any encumbraunce: And as soone as we had done prayers, see & behould y^e goodnes of god, about 7 a clocke at night y^e wind turned to n: e: & we had a fayre gale y^t night as a manifest evidence of y^e Lords hearing o^r prayers. I heard so̅e of y^e mariners say, y^y thought this was y^e first sea-fast y^t euer was kept, & y^t y^y neuer heard of y^e like perfourmed at sea before.

[Sidenote: [22.]]

[Sidenote: [May]]

Fryday y^e wind fayre, & east northerly, & for o^r purpose for new England. it did blow strongly & carried vs on amayne w^{th} tossing waues, w^{ch} did affright y^m y^t were not wonted to such sights.

[Sidenote: [23.]]

Saturday y^e same wind blowing but more gently. Now we were co̅forted w^{th} hope of my sonne Samuels recovery of y^e pockes.

[Sidenote: [24.]]

The 2 Lords day, a fayre day, an orderly wind & prosperous.

[Sidenote: [25]]

On Monday a fayre frummegale, y^e wind South S: W:

[Sidenote: [26.]]

Tewsday about 10 of y^e clocke in y^e morning, whilest we were at prayers a strong and sudden blast came fro̅ y^e north, y^t hoysed vp y^e waues & tossed vs more then euer before & held vs all y^t day till towards night & then abated by little & little till it was calme. This day M^r Goffes great dogg fell ouer board & could not be recouered.

[Sidenote: [27.]]

[Sidenote: [May 27]]

Wednesday, y^e wind still no: & calme in y^e morning, but about noone there arose a So: wind, w^{ch} encreased more & more, so y^t it seemed to vs y^t are land men a sore & terrible storme; for y^e wind blew mightily, y^e rayne fell vehemently, y^e sea roared & y^e waues tossed vs horribly; besides it was fearfull darke & y^e mariners maid was afraid; & noyse on the other side w^{th} their running here & there, lowd crying one to another to pull at this & y^t rope. The waues powred y^mselues ouer y^e shippe y^t y^e 2 boates were filled w^{th} water, y^t y^y were fayne to strike holes in y^e midst of y^m to let y^e water out. Yea by y^e violence of y^e waues y^e long boate coard w^{ch} held it was broken, & it had like to haue bene washed ouerboard, had not y^e mariners w^{th} much payne & daunger recouered y^e same. But this lasted not many houres; after which it became a calmish day. All w^{ch} while I lay close & warme in my cabine, but farre fro̅ hauing list to sleepe w^{th} Jonah; my thoughts were otherwise employed as y^e tyme & place required. Then I saw y^e truth of y^e Scripture Psal. 107, fro̅ y^e 23 to y^e 32. And my feare at this tyme was ye lesse, when I rememberd what a loving friend of myne, a minister accustomed to sea stormes said to mee y^t I might not be dismayed at such stormes, for y^y were ordinary at seas, & it seeldome falls out y^t a shipp perisheth at storms if it haue sea-roome, w^{ch} I y^e rather wryte y^t others as well as my selfe by y^e knowledge hereof may be encouraged & prepared ag^t these ordinary sea-stormes.

[Sidenote: [28 29]]

[Sidenote: [30]]

Thursday So: wind: calme at night: On fryday a boistrous wind blowing crosse, but was allayed towards night w^{th} a showre of rayne. Saturday So: w: wind, but faire & quiett.

[Sidenote: [May 31]]

Sabbath day being y^e 3 Lords day, fayre & calme; wee saw abundance of grampas fishes, 2 or 3 yards long, & a body as bigg as an oxe.

[Sidenote: [June 1]]

Monday y^e wind westerly & calme: but besides o^r being stayed by contrary winds we began to fynd y^e temperature of y^e ayre to alter & to become more soletry & subject to vnwholsome foggs. For com̅ing now to y^e height of y^e westerne Islands, so̅e of o^r men fell sicke of y^e scuruie & others of the small pockes, w^{ch} more & more increased: yet thankes be to God none dyed of it but my owne child menc̅o̅n̅d. And therefore, according to o^r great need we appointed another fast for the next day.

[Sidenote: [2.]]

Tewsday we solemnely celebrate another fast. The Lord y^t day heard vs before wee prayed & gaue vs aunswere before we called; for early in y^e morning y^e wind turned full East, being as fitt a wind as could blowe. And sitting at my study on y^e shipps poope I saw many bonny fishes & porpuses pursuing one another, and leaping so̅e of y^m a yard aboue y^e water. Also as we were at prayer, vnder y^e hatch, so̅e y^t were aboue saw a whale puffing vp water not farre fro̅ y^e shippe. Now my wiffe was prettily well recouered of her sea sicknesse.

[Sidenote: [3.]]

[Sidenote: [June]]

Wednesday a fayre day & fyne gale of full East wind. This day my selfe & others saw a large round fish sayling by y^e ships side about a yard in length & roundnes euery way. The mariners cald it a sunne fish; it spreadeth out y^e finnes like beames on euery side 4, or 5.

[Sidenote: [4, 5.]]

Thursday & fryday y^e wind full E: we were carried w^{th} admirac̅o̅n on o^r journey. By this wee were more then halfe way to new England. This day I saw a fish very straunge to mee, y^y call it a caruell; w^{ch} came by y^e ship side wafting along y^e top of y^e water. it appeared at y^e first like a bubble aboue the water as bigg as a mans fist, but y^e fish it selfe is about y^e bignes of a mans thum, so y^t y^e fish it selfe & y^e bubble resembleth a shipp w^{th} sailes, w^{ch} therefore is called a caruell.

[Sidenote: [6 7]]

[Sidenote: [8]]

Saturday wind direct E: still. The 4 Sabb: we kept at sea the wind full full Easterly till noone, & then it came full So: E: a strong gale y^t night & y^e next day till night.

[Sidenote: [9]]

Tewsday y^e same wind held till 9 a clock in y^e morning: & then a great showre w^{ch} lasted till about 7 at night, & then it was a very calme. There we sounded w^{th} a dipled lyne aboue 100^{th} fadome & found no bottome. This day we saw a fish called a turkle, a great & large shell fish swiming aboue y^e water neere y^e shippe.

[Sidenote: [10]]

Wednesday wind northerly a fyne gale but calmish in y^e afternoone.

[Sidenote: [11 June]]

Thursday y^e wind at no: an easye gale & fayre morning we saw a mountayne of Ice shyning as white as snow like to a great rocke or clift on y^e shoare. it stood still & therefore we thought it to be on ground & to reach y^e bottome of y^e sea. For though there came a mighty streame fro̅ y^e no: yet it mooued not, w^{ch} made vs sound, & we found a banke of 40 fathom deepe whereupo̅ we judged it to rest: & y^e height aboue was as much. Wee also saw 6 or 7 pieces of Ice, floating on y^e sea, w^{ch} was broken off fro̅ y^e former mountayne, we also saw great store of water fowle swim̅ing by y^e shipp w^{th}in musket shott, of a pyde colour & about y^e bignes of a wild ducke, about 40 in a co̅pany, the mariners call y^m hag birds. Toward night came a fogge, y^t y^e lions whelp was lost till morning. And now we saw many bony toes porpuses and grampases every day more & more.

[Sidenote: [12]]

Fryday foggie & calmish, y^e wind northerly in y^e morning, but about noone it came S: E: a dainty loome gale w^{ch} carried vs 6 leagues a watch.

[Sidenote: [13]]

Saturday y^e same wind till night, & we saw great store of porpuses & grampases.

[Sidenote: [14]]

The 5^{th} Sabbath, y^e same wind, towards noone it began to be foggie, & then it rained till night we went 4 or 5 leagues a watch.

[Sidenote: [June 15]]

Monday a fayre day but foggie, y^e same wind blowing but w^{th} fresh gale carryed vs 7 leagues a watch. In y^e afternoone it blew harder, so y^e sea was rough, & we lost y^e sight of y^e lions whelpe: it being foggie we drum̅ed for y^m & y^y shot off a great piece of ordinance but we feared not one another.

[Sidenote: [16]]

Tewsday wind So: & by E: foggie till about 10 a clocke while we were at prayers it cleared vp about an houre, & then we saw y^e lions whelpe distant about 2 leagues southward. wee presently tackt about to meet her & shee did y^e same to meete vs, but before we could get together a thick fogge came, y^t we were long in fynding each other. This day we sounded divers tymes, & found o^rselves on another banke, at first 40 fathom, after 36. after 33. after 24. wee thought it to haue bene y^e banke ouer ag^t chap Sable, but we were deceiued, for we knew not certainly where we were because of y^e fogge. After 3 or 4 houres co̅pany we lost y^e lions whelpe agayne: & beate o^r drume & shot off a great piece of ordinaunce & yet heard not of y^m. But perceiuing y^e banke to grow still y^t shallower we found it 27 & 24 fathoms. Therefore being a fogg & fearing wee were too neere land we tackt about for sea roome for 2 or 3 watches, & steered Southeast.

[Sidenote: [17]]

Wednesday very foggie still & wind S: and by w: & sounding found no bottome y^t we could reach.

[Sidenote: [18]]

Thursday wind full w: & contrary to vs. This day a notorious wicked fellow y^t was giuen to swearing & boasting of his former wickednes bragged y^t hee had got a wench w^{th} child before hee came this voyage & mocked at o^r daies of fast railing & jesting ag^t puritans, this fellow fell sicke of y^e pockes & dyed. Wee sounded and found 38 fathom, & stayed for a little to take so̅e codfish & feasted o^rselves merily.

[Sidenote: [19]]

Fryday wind west still, a very fayre cleare day. About 4 a clock in y^e afternoone so̅e went vp to y^e top of y^e mast, & affirmed to o^r great co̅fort y^y saw land to y^e north eastward.

[Sidenote: [20]]

Saturday wind So: w: a fayre gale: we sounded & found 40, 30, 22, & a little after no ground.

[Sidenote: [21]]

Sabb: being y^e 6^{th} Lords day; wind westerly but fayre & calme.

[Sidenote: [22]]

Monday wind Easterly a fayre gale. This day wee saw a great deale of froth not farre fro̅ vs: wee feared it might bee so̅e breach of water ag^t some new qvote.[2] Therefore y^e m^r of o^r shipp hoised out y^e shalop & went w^{th} so̅e of y^e men to see what it was; but found it onely to bee a froath carried by y^e streame.

[Sidenote: [June 23]]

Tewsday y^e wind n: E: a fayre gale. This day we examined 5 beastly Sodomiticall boyes, w^{ch} confessed their wickednes not to bee named. The fact was so fowle wee referred y^m to bee punished by y^e governor when we came to new England, who afterward sent y^m backe to y^e co̅pany to bee punished in ould England as y^e crime deserued.

[Sidenote: [24]]

Wednesday wind no: E: a fayre day & cleare: about 9 a clocke in y^e morning we espied a shipp about 4 leagues behind vs; w^{ch} prooued y^e lions whelpe, w^{ch} had bene a weeke separated fro̅ vs. we stayed for [blot (her)] co̅pany. This day a child of goodman Blacke w^{ch} had a co̅sumpc̅o̅n before it came to shipp, dyed. This day we had all a cleare & co̅fortable sight of America, & of y^e Chap Sable y^t was ouer ag^t vs 7 or 8 leagues northward. Here we saw yellow gilliflowers on y^e sea.

[Sidenote: [25]]

Thursday wind still no: Ea: a full & fresh gale. In y^e after noone wee had a cleare sight of many Islands & hills by y^e sea shoare. Now we saw abundaunce of makrill, a great store of great whales puffing vp water as y^y goe, so̅e of y^m came neere o^r shipp: their greatnes did astonish vs y^t saw y^m not before: their backs appeared like a little Island. At 5 a clock at[3] night the wind turned S. E. a fayre gale. This day we caught mackrill.

[Sidenote: [26]]

Fryday a foggie morning, but after cleare and wind calme. We saw many scools of mackrill, infinite multitudes on every side our ship. The sea was abundantly stored with rockweed and yellow flowers like gilly-flowers. By noon we were within 3 leagues of Capan, and as we sayled along the coasts we saw every hill and dale and every island full of gay woods and high trees. The nearer we came to the shoare the more flowers in abundance, sometymes scattered abroad, sometymes joyned in sheets 9 or 10 yards long, which we supposed to be brought from the low meadowes by the tyde. Now what with fine woods and greene trees by land, and these yellow flowers paynting the sea, made us all desirous to see our new paradise of New England, whence we saw such forerunning signals of fertilitie afarre off. Coming neare the harbour towards night we takt about for sea-roome.

[Sidenote: [27]]

Saturday a foggie morning; but after 8 o’clocke in the morning very cleare, the wind being somewhat contrary at So. and by West, we tackt to and againe with getting little; but with much adoe, about 4 o’clock in the afternoone, having with much payne compassed the harbour, and being ready to enter the same, see how things may suddenly change! there came a fearfull gust of wind and rayne and thunder and lightning, whereby we were borne with no little terrour and trouble to our mariners, having very much adoe to loose downe the sayles when the fury of the storme held up. But God be praised it lasted but a while and soone abated agayne. And hereby the Lord shewed us what he could have done with us, if it had pleased him. But blessed be God, he soone removed this storme and it was a fayre and sweet evening.

We had a westerly wind which brought us between 5 and 6 o’clock to a fyne and sweet harbour,[4] 7 miles from the head point of Capan. This harbour 20 ships may easily ryde therein, where there was an island whither four of our men with a boate went, and brought backe agayne ripe strawberries and gooseberries, and sweet single roses. Thus God was merciful to us in giving us a tast and smell of the sweet fruit as an earnest of his bountiful goodnes to welcome us at our first arrivall. This harbour was two leagues and something more from the harbour at Naimkecke, where our ships were to rest, and the plantation is already begun. But because the passage is difficult and night drew on, we put into Capan harbour.

[Sidenote: [28]]

The Sabbath, being the first we kept in America, and the 7th Lord’s day after we parted with England.

[Sidenote: [29]]

Monday we came from Capan, to go to Naimkecke, the wind northerly. I should have tould you before that the planters spying our English colours the Governour sent a shalop with 2 men on Saturday to pilot us. These rested the Sabbath with us at Capan; and this day, by God’s blessing and their directions, we passed the curious and difficult entrance into the large spacious harbour of Naimkecke. And as we passed along it was wonderful to behould so many islands replenished with thicke wood and high trees, and many fayre greene pastures. And being come into the harbour we saw the George to our great comfort then being come on Tuesday which was 7 daies before us. We rested that night with glad and thankful hearts that God had put an end to our long and tedious journey through the greatest sea in the world.

[Sidenote: [30]]

The next morning the governour came aboard to our ship, and bade us kindly welcome, and invited me and my wiffe to come on shoare, and take our lodging in his house, which we did accordingly.

* * * * *

Thus you have a faithful report collected from day to day of all the particulars that were worth noting in our passage.

* * * * *

Now in our passage divers things are remarkeable.

* * * * *

First, through God’s blessing our passage was short and speedy, for whereas we had 1000 leagues, that is 3000 miles English, to saile from Ould to New England, we performed the same in 6 weeks and 3 dayes.

Secondly, our passage was comfortable and easie for the most part, having ordinarily fayre and moderate wind, and being freed for the most part from stormie and rough seas, saving one night only, which we that were not used thought to be more terrible than indeed it was, and this was Wednesday at night May 27th.

Thirdly, our passage was also healthfull to our passengers, being freed from the great contagion of the scurvie and other maledictions, which in other passages to other places had taken away the lives of many. And yet we were in all reason in wonderful danger all the way, our ship being greatly crowded with passengers; but through God’s great goodness we had none that died of the pockes but that wicked fellow that scorned at fasting and prayer. There were indeed 2 little children, one of my owne and another beside; but I do not impute it meerely to the passage; for they were both very sickly children, and not likely to have lived long, if they had not gone to sea. And take this for a rule, if children be healthfull when they come to sea, the younger they are the better they will endure the sea, and are not troubled with sea-sicknes as older people are, as we had experience in many children that went this voyage. My wiffe indeed, in tossing weather, was something ill by vomiting, but in calme weather she recovered agayne, and is now much better for the sea sicknes. And for my owne part, whereas I have for divers yeares past been very sickly and ready to cast up whatsoever I have eaten, and was very sicke at London and Gravesend, yet from the tyme I came on shipboard to this day, I have been straungely healthfull. And now I can digest our ship diett very well, which I could not when I was at land. And indeed in this regard I have great cause to give God praise, that he hath made my coming to be a method to cure me of a wonderful weake stomacke and continual payne of melancholly wynd from the splene: Also divers children were sicke of the small pockes, but are safely recovered agayne, and 2 or 3 passengers towards the latter end of the voyage fell sicke of the scurvie, but coming to land recovered in a short tyme.

Fourthly, our passage was both pleasurable and profitable. For we received instruction and delight in behoulding the wonders of the Lord in the deepe waters, and sometimes seeing the sea round us appearing with a terrible countenance, and as it were full of high hills and deepe vallyes; and sometimes it appeared as a most plain and even meadow. And ever and anon we saw divers kynds of fishes sporting in the great waters, great grampuses and huge whales going by companies and puffing up water-streames. Those that love their owne chimney corner, and dare not go farre beyond their owne townes end shall neever have the honour to see these wonderfull workes of Almighty God.

Fifthly, we had a pious and christian-like passage; for I suppose passengers shall seldom find a company of more religious, honest and kynd seamen than we had. We constantly served God morning and evening by reading and expounding a chapter, singing, and prayer. And the Sabbath was solemnely kept by adding to the former, preaching twise and catechising. And in our great need we kept 2 solemne fasts, and found a gracious effect. Let all that love and use fasting and praying take notise that it is as prevaileable by sea as by land, wheresoever it is faithfully performed. Besides the ship master and his company used every night to sett their 8 and 12 a clocke watches with singing a psalme and prayer that was not read out of a booke. This I wryte not for boasting and flattery; but for the benefit of those that have a mynd to come to New England hereafter, that if they looke for and desyre to have as prosperous a voyage as we had, they may use the same meanes to attayne the same. So letting passe our passage by sea, we will now bring our discourse to land on the shoare of New England, and I shall by God’s assistance endeavour to speake nothing but the naked truth, and both acquaint you with the commodities and discommodities of the country.

NEW-ENGLANDS PLANTATION

_&c._

NEW-ENGLANDS
PLANTATION

OR,

A SHORT AND TRVE
DESCRIPTION OF THE
COMMODITIES AND
DISCOMMODITIES
of that Countrey.

Written by M^r _Higgeson_, a reuerend
Diuine now there resident.

Whereunto is added a Letter, sent by
M^r _Graues_ an Enginere, out of _New England_.

_The third Edition, enlarged._

LONDON.

Printed by _T._ and _R. Cotes_ for _Michael Sparke_,
dwelling at the Signe of the _Blue Bible_ in
_Greene-Arbor_, 1630.

To the Reader.

_Reader, doe not disdaine to reade this Relation: and looke not here to haue a large Gate and no building within: a full-stuffed Tittle with no matter in the Booke: But here reade the truth, and that thou shalt find without any frothy bumbasting words, or any quaint new-deuised additions, onely as it was written (not intended for the Presse) by a reuerend Diuine now there liuing, who onely sent it to some Friends here, which were desirous of his Relations; which is an Epitomy of their proceedings in the Plantation. And for thy part if thou meanest to be no Planter nor Venturer doe but lend thy good Prayers for the furtherance of it. And so I rest a Well-Wisher to all the good designes both of them which are gone, and of them that are to goe._

M. S.

NEW-ENGLANDS _PLANTATION_.

Letting passe our Voyage by Sea, we will now begin our discourse on the shore of _New-England_. And because the life and wel-fare of euery Creature heere below, and the commodiousnesse of the Countrey whereas such Creatures liue, doth by the most wise ordering of Gods prouidence, depend next vnto himselfe, vpon the temperature and disposition of the foure Elements, Earth, Water, Aire, and Fire (For as of the mixture of all these, all sublunary things are composed; so by the more or lesse injoyment of the wholesome temper and conuenient vse of these, consisteth the onely well-being both of Man and Beast in a more or lesse comfortable measure in all Countreys vnder the Heauens) Therefore I will indeauour to shew you what _New-England_ is by the consideration of each of these apart, and truly indeauour by Gods helpe to report nothing but the naked truth, and that both to tell you of the discommodities as well as of the commodities, though as the idle Prouerbe is, _Trauellers may lye by autoritie_, and so may take too much sinfull libertie that way. Yet I may say of my selfe as once _Nehemiah_ did in another case: _Shall such a Man as I lye?_ No verily: It becommeth not a Preacher of Truth to be a Writer of Falshod in any degree: and therefore I haue beene carefull to report nothing of _new England_ but what I haue partly seene with mine owne Eyes, and partly heard and inquired from the mouths of verie honest and religious persons, who by liuing in the Countrey a good space of time haue had experience and knowledge of the state thereof, & whose testimonies I doe beleeue as my selfe.

First therefore of the Earth of _New-England_ and all the appertenances thereof: It is a Land of diuers and sundry sorts all about _Masathulets_ Bay, and at _Charles_ Riuer is as fat blacke Earth as can be seene any where: and in other places you haue a clay soyle, in other grauell, in other sandy, as it is all about our Plantation at _Salem_, for so our Towne is now named, _Psal._ 76. 2.

The forme of the Earth here in the superficies of it is neither too flat in the plainnesse, nor too high in Hils, but partakes of both in a mediocritie, and fit for Pasture, or for Plow or meddow ground, as Men please to employ it: though all the Countrey bee as it were a thicke Wood for the generall, yet in diuers places there is much ground cleared by the _Indians_, and especially about the Plantation: and I am told that about three miles from vs a Man may stand on a little hilly place and see diuers thousands of acres of ground as good as need to be, and not a Tree in the same. It is thought here is good Clay to make Bricke and Tyles and Earthen-Pot as need to be. At this instant we are setting a Bricke-Kill on worke to make Brickes and Tyles for the building of our Houses. For Stone, here is plentie of Slates at the Ile of Slate in _Masathulets_ Bay, and Lime-stone, Free-stone, and Smooth-stone, and Iron-stone, and Marble-stone also in such store, that we haue great Rocks of it, and a Harbour hard by. Our Plantation is from thence called Marble-harbour.

Of Minerals there hath yet beene but little triall made, yet we are not without great hope of being furnished in that Soyle.

The fertilitie of the Soyle is to be admired at, as appeareth in the aboundance of Grasse that groweth euerie where both verie thicke, verie long, and verie high in diuers places: but it groweth verie wildly with a great stalke and a broad and ranker blade, because it neuer had been eaten with Cattle, nor mowed with a Sythe, and seldome trampled on by foot. It is scarce to be beleeued how our Kine and Goats, Horses and Hogges doe thriue and prosper here and like well of this Countrey.

In our Plantation we haue already a quart of Milke for a penny: but the aboundant encrease of Corne proues this Countrey to bee a wonderment. Thirtie, fortie, fiftie, sixtie are ordinarie here: yea _Joseph’s_ encrease in _Ægyt_ is out-stript here with vs. Our planters hope to haue more then a hundred fould this yere: and all this while I am within compasse; what will you say of two hundred fould and vpwards? It is almost incredible what great gaine some of our English Planters haue had by our Indian Corne. Credible persons haue assured me, and the partie himselfe auouched the truth of it to me, that of the setting of 13 gallons of Corne hee hath had encrease of it 52 Hogsheads, euery Hogshead holding seuen Bushels of _London_ measure, and euery Bushell was by him sold and trusted to the _Indians_ for so much Beauer as was worth 18 shillings; and so of this 13 Gallons of Corne which was worth 6 shillings 8 pence, he made about 327 pounds of it in the yeere following, as by reckoning will appeare: where you may see how God blessed husbandry in this Land. There is not such greate and plentifull eares of Corne I suppose any where else to bee found but in this Country: because also of varietie of colours, as red, blew, and yellow, &c. and of one Corne there springeth foure or fiue hundred. I haue sent you many Eares of diuers colours that you might see the truth of it.

Little Children here by setting of Corne may earne much more then their owne maintenance.

They haue tryed our _English_ Corne at new _Plimmouth_ Plantation, so that all our seuerall Graines will grow here verie well, and haue a fitting Soyle for their nature.

Our Gouernor hath store of greene pease growing in his garden as good as euer I eat in _England_.

This Countrey aboundeth naturally with store of rootes of great varietie and good to eat. Our Turnips, Parsnips and Carrots are here both bigger and sweeter then is ordinarily to bee found in _England_. Here are store of Pumpions, Cowcombers, and other things of that nature which I know not. Also diuers excellent Pot-herbs grow abundantly among the Grasse, as Strawberrie leaues in all places of the Countrey, and plentie of strawberries in their time, and Penyroyall, Wintersauerie, Sorrell, Brookelime, Liuerwort, Caruell and Watercresses, also Leekes and Onions are ordinarie, and diuers Physicall Herbs. Here are also aboundance of other sweet Hearbs delightfull to the smell, whose names we know not, &c. and plentie of single Damaske Roses verie sweete; and two kinds of Herbes that beare two kinds of Flowers very sweet, which they say, are as good to make Cordage or Cloath as any Hempe or Flaxe we haue.

Excellent Vines are here vp and downe in the Woodes. Our Gouernour hath already planted a Vineyard with great hope of encrease.

Also, Mulberries, Plums, Raspberries, Corrance, Chesnuts, Filberds, Walnuts, Smalnuts, Hurtleberies, & Hawes of Whitethorne neere as good as our Cherries in _England_, they grow in plentie here.

For Wood there is no better in the World I thinke, here being foure sorts of Oke differing both in the Leafe, Timber, and Colour, all excellent good. There is also good Ash, Elme, Willow, Birch, Beech, Saxafras, Juniper, Cipres, Cedar, Spruce, Pines, & Firre that will yeeld abundance of Turpentine, Pitch, Tarre, Masts and other materials for building both of Ships and Houses. Also here are store of Sumacke Trees, they are good for dying and tanning of Leather, likewise such trees yeeld a precious Gem called Wine Benjamen, that they say is excellent for perfumes. Also here be diuers Roots and Berries wherewith the _Indians_ dye excellent holding colours that no raine nor washing can alter. Also, wee haue materials to make Sope-Ashes and Salt-Peter in aboundance.

For Beasts there are some Beares, and they say some Lyons also; for they haue been seen at Cape _Anne_. Also here are seuerall sorts of Deere, some whereof bring three or foure young ones at once, which is not ordinarie in _England_. Also Wolues, Foxes, Beauers, Otters, Martins, great wild Cats, & a great Beast called a Molke as bigge as an Oxe. I haue seen the Skins of all these Beasts since I came to this Plantation excepting Lyons. Also here are great store of squerrels, some greater, and some smaller and lesser: there are some of the lesser sort, they tell me, that by a certaine Skill will fly from Tree to Tree though they stand farre distant.

_Of the Waters of_ New-England, _with the things belonging to the same._

_New-England_ hath Water enough both salt and fresh, the greatest Sea in the World, the _Atlanticke_ Sea runs all along the Coast thereof. There are abundance of Ilands along the Shore, some full of Wood and Mast to feed Swine; and others cleere of Wood, and fruitfull to beare Corne. Also wee haue store of excellent harbours for Ships, as at Cape _Anne_, and at _Masathulets_ Bay, and at _Salem_, and at many other places: and they are the better because for Strangers there is a verie difficult and dangerous passage into them, but vnto such as are well acquainted with them, they are easie and safe enough. The aboundance of Sea-Fish are almost beyond beleeuing, and sure I should scarce haue beleeued it, except I had seene it with mine owne Eyes. I saw great store of Whales, and Crampusse, and such aboundance of Mackerils that it would astonish one to behold, likewise Cod-Fish in aboundance on the Coast, and in their season are plentifully taken. There is a Fish called a Basse, a most sweet & wholesome Fish as euer I did eate, it is altogether as good as our fresh Sammon, and the season of their comming was begun when wee came first to _New-England_ in _June_, and so continued about three months space. Of this Fish our Fishers take many hundreds together, which I haue seene lying on the shore to my admiration; yea their Nets ordinarily take more then they are able to hale to Land, and for want of Boats and Men they are constrained to let a many goe after they haue taken them, and yet sometimes they fill two Boates at a time with them. And besides Basse wee take plentie of Scate and Thornbacks, and abundance of Lobsters, and the least Boy in the Plantation may both catch and eat what he will of them. For my owne part I was soone cloyed with them, they were so great, and fat, and lussious. I haue seene some my selfe that haue weighed 16 pound, but others haue had diuers times so great Lobsters as haue weighed 25 pound, as they assure mee. Also heere is abundance of Herring, Turbut, Sturgion, Cuskes, Hadocks, Mullets, Eeles, Crabbes, Muskles and Oysters. Besides there is probability that the Countrey is of an excellent temper for the making of Salt: for since our comming our Fishermen haue brought home very good Salt which they found candied by the standing of the Sea water and the heat of the Sunne, vpon a Rocke by the Sea shore: and in diuers salt Marishes that some haue gone through, they haue found some Salt in some places crushing vnder their Feete and cleauing to their Shooes.

And as for fresh Water the Countrey is full of dainty Springs, and some great Riuers, and some lesser Brookes; and at _Masathulets_ Bay they digged Wels and found Water at three Foot deepe in most places: and neere _Salem_ they haue as fine cleare Water as we can desire, and we may digge Wels and find Water where we list.

Thus wee see both Land and Sea abound with store of blessings for the comfortable sustenance of Man’s life in _New-England_.

_Of the Aire of_ New-England _with the temper and Creatures in it_.

The Temper of the Aire of _New-England_ is one speciall thing that commends this place. Experience doth manifest that there is hardly a more healthfull place to be found in the World that agreeth better with our English bodyes. Many that haue beene weake and sickly in old _England_, by comming hither haue beene thoroughly healed and growne healthfull strong. For here is an extraordinarie cleere and dry Aire that is of a most healing nature to all such as are of a Cold, Melancholy, Flegmatick, Rheumatick temper of Body. None can more truly speake hereof by their owne experience then my selfe. My Friends that knew me can well tell how verie sickly I haue bin and continually in Physick, being much troubled with a tormenting paine through an extraordinarie weaknesse of my Stomacke, and aboundance of Melancholicke humors; but since I came hither on this Voyage, I thanke God, I haue had perfect health, and freed from paine and vomiting, hauing a Stomacke to digest the hardest and coursest fare, who before could not eat finest meat; and whereas my Stomacke could onely digest and did require such drinke as was both strong and stale, now I can and doe often times drink _New-England_ water verie well; and I that haue not gone without a Cap for many yeeres together, neither durst leaue off the same, haue now cast away my Cap, and doe weare none at all in the day time: and whereas beforetime I cloathed my selfe with double cloathes and thicke Wastcoates to keepe me warme, euen in the Summer time, I doe now goe as thin clad as any, onely wearing a light Stuffe Cassocke vpon my Shirt, and Stuffe Breeches of one thicknesse without Linings. Besides I haue one of my Children that was formerly most lamentably handled with sore breaking out of both his hands and feet of the King’s-euill, but since he came hither hee is very well ouer he was, and there is hope of perfect recouerie shortly euen by the very wholesomnesse of the Aire, altering, digesting and drying vp the cold and crude humours of the Body: and therefore I thinke it is a wise course for al cold complections to come to take Physick in _New England_: for a sup of _New-England’s_ Aire is better then a whole draught of old _England’s_ Ale. In the Summer time in the midst of _July_ and _August_, it is a good deale hotter then in old _England_: and in Winter _January_ and _February_ are much colder as they say: but the Spring and Autumne are of a middle temper.

Fowles of the Aire are plentifull here, and of all sorts as we haue in _England_ as farre as I can learne, and a great many of strange Fowles which wee know not. Whilst I was writing these things, one of our Men brought home an Eagle which hee had killed in the Wood: they say they are good meate. Also here are many kinds of excellent Hawkes, both Sea Hawkes & Land Hawkes: and my selfe walking in the Woods with another in company, sprung a Partridge so bigge that through the heauinesse of his Body could fly but a little way: they that haue killed them, say they are as bigge as our Hens. Here are likewise aboundance of Turkies often killed in the Woods, farre greater then our English Turkies, and exceeding fat, sweet and fleshy, for here they haue aboundance of feeding all the yeere long, as Strawberries, in Summer all places are full of them, and all manner of Berries and Fruits. In the Winter time I haue seene Flockes of Pidgeons, and haue eaten of them: they doe fly from Tree to Tree as other Birds doe, which our Pidgeons will not doe in _England_: they are of all colours as ours are, but their wings and tayles are far longer, and therefore it is likely they fly swifter to escape the terrible Hawkes in this Country. In Winter time this Country doth abound with wild Geese, wild Duckes, and other Sea Fowle, that a great part of winter the Planters haue eaten nothing but roast meate of diuers Fowles which they haue killed.

Thus you haue heard of the Earth, Water and Aire of _New-England_, now it may bee you expect something to bee said of the Fire proportionable to the rest of the Elements. Indeede I thinke _New-England_, may boast of this Element more then of all the rest: for though it bee here somewhat cold in the winter, yet here we haue plenty of Fire to warme vs, and that a great deale cheaper then they sel Billets and Faggots in _London_: nay, all _Europe_ is not able to afford to make so great Fires as _New-England_. A poore seruant here that is to possesse but 50 Acres of Land, may afford to giue more wood for Timber & Fire as good as the world yeelds, then many Noble men in _England_ can afford to do. Here is good liuing for those that loue good Fires. And although _New-England_ haue no Tallow to make Candles of, yet by the aboundance of the Fish thereof, it can afford Oyle for Lampes. Yea our Pine-Trees that are the most plentifull of all wood, doth allow vs plenty of Candles which are very vsefull in a House: and they are such Candles as the _Indians_ commonly vse, hauing no other, and they are nothing else but the wood of the Pine Tree clouen in two little slices something thin, which are so full of the moysture of Turpentine and Pitch, that they burne as cleere as a Torch. I haue sent you some of them that you may see the experience of them.

Thus of _New-England’s_ commodities, now I will tell you of some discommodities that are here to be found.

First, in the Summer season for these three months, _June_, _July_, and _August_, we are troubled much with little Flyes called Musketoes, being the same they are troubled with in Lincolneshiere and the Fens: and they are nothing but Gnats, which except they bee smoked out of their houses are troublesome in the night season.

Secondly, in the Winter season for two months space, the earth is commonly couered with Snow, which is accompanied with sharp biting Frosts, something more sharpe then is in old _England_, and therefore are forced to make great Fires.

Thirdly, the countrey being very full of Woods, and Wildernesses, doth also much abound with Snakes and Serpents of strange colours, and huge greatnesse: yea there are some Serpents called Rattlesnakes that haue Rattles in their Tailes, that will not fly from a man as others will, but will flye vpon him and sting him so mortally, that hee will dye within a quarter of an houre after, except the partie stinged haue about him some of the root of an Hearbe called Snake-weed to bite on, and then hee shall receiue no harme: but yet seldome falles it out that any hurt is done by these. About three yeares since, an _Indian_ was stung to death by one of them, but wee heard of none since that time.

Fourthly and lastly, Here wants as it were good company of honest Christians to bring with them Horses, Kine and Sheepe to make vse of this fruitfull Land: great pitty it is to see so much good ground for Corne & for Grasse as any is vnder the Heauens, to ly altogether vnoccupied, when so many honest Men and their Families in old _England_ through the populousnesse thereof, do make very hard shift to liue one by the other.

* * * * *

Now, thus you know what _New-England_ is, as also with the commodities and discommodities thereof: now I will shew you a little of the Inhabitants thereof, and their gouernment.

For their Gouernors they haue Kings, which they call _Saggamores_, some greater, and some lesser, according to the number of their Subjects.

The greatest _Saggamores_ about vs can not make aboue three hundred Men, and other lesse _Saggamores_ haue not aboue fifteene Subjects, and others neere about vs but two.

Their Subjects aboue twelue yeares since were swept away by a great & grieuous Plague that was amongst them, so that there are verie few left to inhabite the Country.

The _Indians_ are not able to make vse of the one fourth part of the Land, neither haue they any setled places, as Townes to dwell in, nor any ground as they challenge for their owne possession, but change their habitation from place to place.

For their Statures, they are a tall and strong limmed People, their colours are tawny, they goe naked, saue onely they are in part couered with Beasts Skins on one of their shoulders, and weare something before their priuities: their Haire is generally blacke, and cut before like our Gentelewomen, and one locke longer then the rest, much like to our Gentelmen, which fashion I thinke came from hence into _England_.

For their weapons, they haue Bows and Arrowes, some of them headed with Bone, and some with Brasse: I haue sent you some of them for an example.

The Men for the most part liue idely, they doe nothing but hunt and fish: their wiues set their Corne and doe all their other worke. They haue little Houshold stuffe, as a kettle, and some other Vessels like Trayes, Spoones, Dishes and Baskets.

Their Houses are verie little and homely, being made with small Poles pricked into the ground, and so bended and fastned at the tops, and on the sides they are matted with Boughes and couered on the Roofe with Sedge and old Mats, and for their beds that they take their rest on, they haue a Mat.

They doe generally professe to like well of our comming and planting here; partly because there is abundance of ground that they cannot possesse nor make vse of, and partly because our being heere will bee a meanes both of reliefe to them when they want, and also a defence from their Enemies, wherewith (I say) before this Plantation began, they were often indangered.

For their religion, they doe worship two Gods, a good God and an euill God: the good God they call _Tantum_, and their euill God whom they feare will doe them hurt, they call _Squantum_.

For their dealing with vs, we neither feare them nor trust them, for fourtie of our Musketeeres will driue fiue hundred of them out of the Field. We vse them kindly, they will come into our Houses sometimes by halfe a douzen or halfe a score at a time when we are at victuals, but will aske or take nothing but what we giue them.

We purpose to learne their language as soone as we can, which will be a meanes to do them good.