XVII.
CAPTAIN NATHANIEL POWELL.
XVII. President of the Council in Virginia.
XVII. April 9, 1619, to April 19, 1619.
Sir George Yeardley having been knighted by King
James I., November 22, 1618, the vessels lay waiting in the
Thames to bear him to Virginia, but before the new Governor
could reach his destination, Argall had decamped, bearing his
booty with him.
Captain John Smith says: "For to begin with the yeere
of our Lord 1619, there arriued a little Pinnace priuately from
England about Easter for Captaine Argall, who taking order
for his affairs, within foure or fiue daies returned in her and
left for his Deputy, Captaine Nathaniell Powell. On the
eighteenth of Aprill, which was but ten or twelue daies after,
arriued Sir George Yeardley," etc., etc.
Captain Powell was one of the first Virginia planters.
He came over in April, 1607, and took an active part for several
years in colonial affairs, contributing a good deal by his
personal efforts and his pen to the benefit of the Plantation.
Unhappily, he and his wife were killed by the Indians, March
22, 1622. Eleven others were also slain in this massacre at
"Powle Brooke."
