University of Virginia Library

No. V.

Extract from John Rolf's Letter to King James when he was in
England with Pocahontas, concerning the first Plantations
or Settlements in the Colony.

At Henrico, on the north side of the river, ninety odd myles from the
mouth thereof, and within fifteen or sixteen myles of the Falls or head of

that river, (being our furthest habitation within the land,) are thirty-eight
men and boyes, whereof twenty-two are farmors, the rest officers and
others, all whom maintayne themselves with food and apparrell. Of this
towne one capten Smaley hath the command in the absence of capten
James Davis. Mr. Wm. Wickham minister there, who, in his life and
doctrine, give good examples and godly instructions to the people.

At Bermuda Nether Hundred, (seated on the south side of the river,
crossing it and going by land, five myles lower then Henrico by water,)
are one hundred and nineteen—which seate conteyneth a good circuite of
ground—the river running round, so that a pale running cross a neck of
land from one parte of the river to the other, maketh it a peninsula. The
houses and dwellings of the people are sett round about by the river, and
all along the pale, so farr distant one from the other, that upon anie alarme,
they can succor and second one the other. These people are injoyned by
a charter, (being incorporated to the Bermuda towne, which is made a
corporacoun,) to effect and performe such duties and services whereunto
they are bound for a certain tyme, and then to have their freedome. This
corporacoun admit no farmors, unles they procure of the governor some of
the colony men to be their servants, for whom (being no members of the
corporacoun,) they are to pay rent corne as other farmors of this kind—
these are about seventeen. Others also comprehended in the said number
of one hundred and nineteen there, are resident, who labor generallie
for the colonie; amongst whom some make pitch and tarr, potashes, charcole
and other works, and are maintayned by the magazin—but are not
of the corporacoun. At this place (for the most part) liveth capten
Peacdly, deputy marshal and deputy governor. Mr. Alexander Whitaker,
(sonne to the reverend and famous divine, Dr. Whitaker,) a good divine,
hath the ministerial charge here.

At West and Sherley Hundred (seated on the north side of the river,
lower then the Bermudas three or four myles,) are twenty-five, commanded
by capten Maddeson—who are imployed onely in planting and curing
tobacco,—with the profitt thereof to clothe themselves and all those who
labor about the generall business.

At James Towne (seated on the north side of the river, from West and
Sherley Hundred lower down about thirty-seven myles,) are fifty, under
the command of lieutenant Sharpe, in the absence of capten Francis
West, Esq., brother to the right ho'ble the Le Lawarre,—whereof thirty-one
are farmors; all theis maintayne themselves with food and rayment.
Mr. Richard Bucke minister there—a verie good preacher.

At Kequoughtan (being not farr from the mouth of the river, thirty-seven
miles below James Towne on the same side,) are twenty—whereof
eleven are farmors; all those also maintayne themselves as the former.
Capten George Webb commander. Mr. Wm. Mays minister there.

At Dales-Gift (being upon the sea, neere unto Cape Charles, about
thirty my'es from Kequoughtan,) are seventeen, under the command of one

lieutenant Cradock; all these are fedd and maintayned by the colony. Their
labor is to make salt and catch fish at the two seasons aforementioned.

So the nomber of officers and laborers are two hundred and five. The
farmors 81; besides woemen and children, in everie place some—which in
all amounteth to three hundred and fifty-one persons—a small nomber to
advance so great a worke.

Theis severall places are not thus weakly man'd, as capable of no greater
nomber, (for they will maintayne many hundreds more,)—but because no
one can be forsaken without losse and detriment to all. If then so few
people, thus united, ordered and governed, doe live so happily, every one
partaking of the others labor, can keepe in possession so much ground as
will feed a far greater nomber in the same or better condition; and seeing
too, too many poore farmors in England worke all the yeare, rising early
and going to bed late, live penuriously, and much adoe to pay their landlord's
rent, besides a daily karking and caring to feed themselves and
families, what happines might they enjoy in Virginia, were men sensible
of theis things, where they may have ground for nothing, more than they
can manure; reape more fruits and profitts with half the labor, void of
many cares and vexacions, and for their rent a matter of small or no
moment, I leave to your singular judgment and consideracoun, nothing
doubting, but He (who, by his infinite goodnes, with so small means,
hath settled these poore and weake beginnings so happily,) will animate,
stirr up and encourage manie others cheerfully to undertake this worke,
and will assuredly add a daily strength to uphold and maintayne what he
hath already begun.

Seeing then this languishing action is now brought to this forwardness
and strength, no person but is provided for, either by their owne or others
labors, to subsist themselves for food, and to be able to rayse commodities
for clothing and other necessaries, envy it selfe, poysoned with the venom
of aspes, cannot wound it.

Now, to drawe to a conclusion of this my poore oblacon, I would crave
your Highnes' patience a little longer—and that you would turne your
heart to a more heavenly meditacoun, wherein much joy and comfort is to
be reaped and found, of all such as shall truly, sincerely and unfeynedly
seeke to advance the honor of God, and to propagate his gospell. There
is no small hope by pietie, clemencie, curtesie and civill demeanor, (by
which meanes some are wonne to us alreadie,) to convert and bring to the
knowledge and true worship of Jesus Christ thousands of poore, wretched
and misbelieving people on whose faces a good christian cannot looke without
sorrow, pittie and compsssion, seeing they beare the image of our
Heavenlie Creator, and we and they come from one and the same mould,
especiallie we knowing that they, merely through ignorance of God and
Christ, doe run headlong, yea, with joy, into destruction and perpetuall
damnation,—for which knowledge we are the more bound and indebted
to Almightie God, (for what were we before the gospell of Christ shined

amongst us?) and cannot better express our duties and thankfulness for so
great mercies, then by using such meanes to them, as it pleased him to
lend unto others to bring our forefathers and us into the waies of trueth,
—it is much to be mourned and lamented how lightlie the workes of God
are now a days generallie regarded, and less sought after; but the worke
of the world, as though they were eternall, hungered for, and thirsted after
with insatiable greedines. But should we well consider, examine and
search into ourselves, what we were, and now are, there can be no heart,
(if not hardened as the nether mill stone,) but would even break itself to
pieces, and distribute to manie poore soules some parte thereof, to purge
them from their lees of synne, and to sette them in the right pathes of
holines and righteousnes, to serve the King of Heaven; by which meanes
and God's holy assistance, no doubt they will soone be brought to abandon
their old superstitions and idolatries, wherein they have been nursed and
trayned from their infancies, and our greatest adversaries shall not taunt
us with this reproach, "Whom of you have you wonne to christianitie?"
What a crowne of glorie shalbe sett upon their heads who shall faithfullie
labor herein, I leave to the enjoying of them, who shall endeavour unfeynedly
to meritt the same. Finallie, as Caleb and Joshua in the verie
heate of grudgings, murmurings, and assemblies of the children of Israell,
stood stoutlie for the Lord's cause, commending the goodnes of the land
they discovered, to the faces of their oppressors, and the easines to obtain
it even to the perill of their lives, so many right ho'ble and worthie personages,
both here and in Virginia, (whom generallie the most parte withdrew
themselves, that the action was almost sunck downe in forgetfulnes,)
have mightilie upheld this christian cause—for God, even our owne God,
did helpe them. For neither evill reports, nor slanders, nor murmurings,
nor backbitings of others, nor any disaster, did once dismay or hinder
them from upholding thereof with their good reports, incouragements, and
meanes yearelie sent to the planters, to nourish life and being in this zealous
worke. I beseech God to raise up many more such, so zealous for
God's glory, to forward the same—we have tasted of some fruits thereof.
There are no great nor strong castles, nor men like the sons of Anack, to
hinder our quiet possession of that land. God's hand hath been mightie
in the preservacoun thereof hitherto; what need we then to feare, but to
goe up at once as a peculiar people, marked and chosen by the finger of
God, to possess it, for undoubtedly he is with us. And as for murmurers,
slanderers and backsliders, a due porcoun shalbe given them for their reward.
So the blessings of Caleb and Joshua shall fall upon all those that
constantly persevere to the end. Thus, craving your gracious pardon for
my rude boldnes, beseaching God to send you the fulnes of his blessings
in this world and in the world to come, I rest,