A History of Colonial Virginia: The First Permanent Colony in America

THE INDIANS IN VIRGINIA
THE SUMMER OF 1497

"Stand up, stout seamen. Give us now your tale."

To John Cabot and his three sons, Lewis, Sebastian and Sancto, must be bestowed the honor of first discovering the mainland of North America,^[1] and viewing the shores of Virginia. Some doubt has been expressed as to Lewis and Saneto having accompanied their father, but it is known that Sebastian, the second son, made the voyage.

Cabot sailed under commission of Henry VII of England, and was a native of Genoa (as was Columbus) though he had spent most of his life as a citizen of Venice. He settled at Bristol, England, in 1472.

The adventurers were supplied with a ship by the King, and four small vessels accompanied, (furnished by merchants of Bristol) to act as consorts. The commission was dated March 5, 1495, and Cabot was directed "to discover and occupy isles or countries of the heathern or infidels, unknown to Christians; accounting to the king for a fifth part of the profit upon return." He was commanded to "plant the English banner on the walls of their castles and cities and to maintain with the inhabitants a traffic exclusive of all competitors."

Cabot did not set sail from Bristol until 1497. Sailing northwest-he first arrived at Davis Straits. Thence, turning southward, Cape Breton Island and Nova Scotia were sighted on June 24. Nova Scotia was given the name of Prima Vista (First View). Sailing onward he discovered a large island which he called Newfoundland, and in the waters near by first observed the immense schools of cod, which still abound in that section of North America. He reported that the cod were so numerous "they sumtymes stayed his shippes." The voyagers continued along the coast until they reached the Capes of Virginia, possibly going as far south as the Carolina Coast. Victuals running low, Cabot landed and trafficed with the nativesobtaining supplies for use while returning to England. As a result of this traffic turkeys were first introduced into England.

Some writers claim the voyage to Virginia was made while on a second expedition, one year later, but John Cabot died in England in 1498.

The fickle Henry had turned his attention toward war with Scotland and had also commenced negotiations for the marriage of his son, Prince Arthur, to Catherine, daughter of Ferdinand and Isabella. He had lost interest in the Cabot enterprise and had no wish to antagonize the claims of the Spanish sovereigns, who asserted proprietary rights to the New World through the prior discoveries of Columbus.

Sebastian Cabot entered the service of Spain, and made a number of voyages to South America, but never returned to Virginia.

It was while Sebastian Cabot was in the service of Spain that the German schoolmaster, Woldseemuler, who had transformed his name into Hylacomlyus, proposed to members of the Academy that the new continent be called "America," in honor of his friend Amerigo Vespucci, the false claimant to been the first discover of the continent.

Does it not appear a singular coincidence that Columbus, in the service of Spain; Cabot in the service of England, and Americus Vespucius, were Italians, and that another Italian, in the service of France, should be the next explorer to visit Virginia?

Giovanni Verrazano (born 1480, died 1572) a Florentine, in the service of Francis L, of France, on a voyage along the eastern coast of North America, landed near Cape Charles in 1524, 27 years after the visit of Cabot. He explored the peninsular and expressed the opinion that the Chesapeake was an arm of the Pacific Ocean. He makes mention of this conclusion on a map he drafted 'at the time. Verrazano captured a number of Indian children and carried them to France as proof of his discovery, but before returning to Europe he sailed as far north as Newfoundland, and en route visited New York harbor and Narragansett Bay, also explored the Neighboring Coast. Claiming right of prior discovery he named the entire country Nova Francia (New France) and declared it a possession of the French throne. On his return to Europe, he found France at war with Germany and Spain, and as a result, the voyage of Verrazano proved as abortive as had the explorations of Cabot. Had Henry VII., or Francis I, only realized the vast extent of the New World, or could they have dreamed of its wonderful possibilities, what a different story would be written of America of today.

Nova Francia, Nueva Espana, New Amsterdam, (New Holland), Virginia; truly America was blessed with a multiplicity of names bestowed upon it by the rival claimants to its territory. Happily the last was to prove the survivor of the three others.

Notes:

1. The voyages of the Northenmen are not considered in modern discovery, as they were productive of no permanent benefit. The record of their adventures are confined only to Sagas and Egas of Iceland, unknown in Europe when Columbus made discovery of Santo Domingo.

PROVISIONS OF THE FIRST CHARTER

"Folk of Virginia: forward from the hour When first Virginia's name rang clear."

Three hundred and fourteen years have come and gone since that day in May, 1607 when a little band of Englishmen landed at Jamestown, to establish the first Anglo-Saxon Colonyand plant the first germ of Democracy upon the Western Continent. What a far cry there is from the puny little settlement, with its many vicissitudes, to the great Commonwealth of to-day.

With only 105 members in the Colony, its territory extended from the thirty-fourth to the forty-fifth parallel, corresponding to the southern border of North Carolina and the southern line of Nova Scotia. It was divided by charter into the first or Southern Colony, designated for administration by the London Company, and the second, or Northern Colony, apportioned to the cities of Bristol, Exter and Plymouth, associated with the western section of England.

The first charter was dated April 10, 1606. It stipulated that two settlements were to be founded, at least 100 miles apart, with jurisdiction along the coast to within fifty miles of each other. Each was granted jurisdiction within 100 miles of the seashore and promised that "No other of our subjects shall be permitted or suffered to plant or inhabit behind or on the back side of them towards the main land without the express license or consent of the Counsel of the Colonies." Any settlement made within the jurisdiction of the Colonies would be required to pay five in every hundred of value in such wares as they should "traffick, buy or sell." It was under this provision in 1613, that Henrick Corstraensen and his Dutch companions, in their trading camp on Manhattan Island, paid taxes to the Governor of Virginia in acknowledgment of Virginia's sovereignty.

As the centuries have advanced and population increased Virginia's territory has gradually decreased, until, with the loss of West Virginia during the Civil War, it has become small indeed in proportion to its original vast extent. Since its cession of the Northwest Territory in 1787 so many states have been carved fromits original boundaries it has been rightly named, "The Mother of States." How proudly we look, in retrospect, upon the heroic struggles of our Anglo-Saxon forebears and read of their determined efforts to blaze out of an unknown wilderness a civilization never equaled by man.

The three small, vessels on which the Colonists came, to America-"Sarah Constant" of 100 tons, Captain. Christopher Newport; "Good Speed," 40 ton, Captain Bartholomew Gosnold; and the pinnace "Discovery," 20 tons, Captain John Ratcliffe-after a voyage of over four months arrived off Cape Henry on April 26th and anchored off Jamestown on Thursday, May 13, 1607. Having debarked, their Chaplain, Rev. Robt. Hunt, led them in a prayer of thanksgiving to God for safe delivery from the terrors of the deep, and Newport proclaimed leis sovereign, James I, as lawful ruler of the entire region.

How different the reception, by the Indians, of the voyagers sent out by Sir Thomas Gates, Sir George Summers and others, from that received by the colonists of 1585 ! Lane was welcomed by the Chesapeakes; Newport and Grosnold's men savagely attacked upon landing at Cape Henry in search of water. Twentytwo years had passed; the white race had, by their acts, destroyed the pedestal upon which they had beets placed, and instilled into the hearts of the red race was a spirit of enmity and distrust. What Greenville had sown, the colonists of 1607 must reap, at least in part. Yet, welcome and good will awaited the voyagers when they landed on the western shore of the bay. It is probably true that the Indians of Kicoughtan were not advised of the tragic experience of their Algonquin brethren of Croatan. Had the colonists of 1607 profited by the example of the Raleigh expedition? Apparently not!

When the three small ships arrived at the capes, Captain John Smith had been in close confinement for thirteen weeks. He had been arrested while the ships were taking on water and supplies at the Canaries. There had been quarrel and dissension ever since leaving Blackwall, even while stormbound off the coast of England for a period of six weeks.

Smith was charged with conspiring to murder the members of the council, usurp the government and declare himself king of Virginia. The absurdity of this charge is evidenced, as the personnel of the council was not known until the expedition arrived within the capes, and Smith was the one man of the expedition who understood how to deal with the aborigines.

The members of the council whose names were found in the sealed box, when opened upon reaching Chesapeake Bay, were. Bartholomew Grosnold, John Smith. Edward Maria Wingfield, Christopher Newport, John Ratcliffe, John Martin and George Kendall. The council elected Wingfield as its president "the first executive officer in Virginia.^[1] Wingfield held office about three months, and was succeeded by Captain John Ratclifie. The settlers were not satisfied with Ratcliffe's management of affairs. He was soon succeeded by Captain Smith, as the popular choice of the Colony. Smith retained the presidency until his embarkation for England. Captain Geo. Percy administered the government after Smith's departure.

The Colonists of 1607 were not the first Englishmen to enter the capes and partly explore the Chesapeake Bay.^[2]

It is recorded by Stith that a party from the Roanoke Colonly entered the capes in 1585 and explored to the South of the Bay, discovering the Elizabeth river on the banks of Which the Chesapeake Indians were seated. Stith doubts that the name Chesapeake means "Mother of Waters" as many assert, but suggests that it is derived from the Indian tribe of that name. He thinks it may owe the interpretation of "Mother of Waters" from translation of an old Spanish map upon which it is described as "'Madre de las Aguas."

In describing the seat of the Chesapeakes, probably near Norfolk, it is asserted by the Roanoke Colonists that "for pleasantness of situation, for temperature of clime, fertility of soil and commodiousness to the sea, it was not to be excelled by any in the world."

When Newport entered the Chesapeake Bay some days were spent in endeavor to find a passage over the shoals that prevented the ships, though of small tonnage, entering the James river. They had almost decided to abandon the attempt, after many soundings had been made off Willoughby Spit, where the channel was discovered on the Point Comfort side.^[3]

Captain Newport, in charge of the expedition, found among his instructions that he was to settle a Colony at a safe point on a navigable river, but, before making permanent settlement, was to explore the said river., ascertain how far it was navigable and whether it sprung out of the mountains or lake. It was suggested that it might afford passage to the "Other Sea."

In accordance with these instructions, Newport set out from Jamestown as soon as home defense could be temporarily organized. He explored the Powhatah,^[4] as the river was called by the Indians, as far as the falls: His party consisted of twenty-three adventurers. Among them was Captain John Smith who had been released from confinement after arriving in Virginia when it was found, upon opening the sealed instructions given by the London Company, that Smith was appointed a Member of the Council. Smith had not as yet been permitted to act with the Council though his worth was recognized by Newport in such an expedition as he was embarking upon. This fact probably saved the little party from destruction, for upon reaching "Turkey Island" an Indian was added to the party, as interpreter, who evidently could converse in the Spanish language. Smith having spent some time in the wars of Spain, was familiar with this tongue.^[5]

The Newport exploring party left Jamestown at noon Thursday, Way 21st arriving at the Falls on the afternoon of the 23rd and landing there on Whit-Sunday May 24th (O. S.)^[6] During the entire voyage the English were treated with friendship and respect, being entertained by the Passpaheghs seated at Sandy Point, the Quiyoughcohanocks whose chief village was located where here Claremont is now situated; the Arrohatecks whose chief town was near what is now Dutch Gap canal; and by the Powhatans at the Falls of the James. King Powhatan, whose village was on the north bank of the river just east of where Fulton now stands, first refused permission for the adventurers to come ashore on the 23rd, but through the medium of the interpreter a parley was arranged. After spending the. night on an island and having joined Powhatan in repast, the Indian King relented and they ascended the river in their schallop. Powhatan followed along the shore and met 'them at a small island below the falls. This island is now part of the mainland near the northside abutments of Mayor's Bridge. Here it was that Newport set up a cross and took possession of the, land in the name of the King of England. On the cross there was inscribed the words--Jacobus Rex 1607"Newport's name was written below the inscription. It is said that they christened the stream, "King's river"-Thus the river has been called lay three names-Powhatan,^[7] King's and James. Powhatan became very much offened at the ceremony of planting the cross and evading towards the shore he started return to the village. The Indian warriors, taking this as indicative of his hostility, began closing in upon the little party and would probably have massacred them, had it not been for the Indian interpreter hastening after the King, under instructions of Newport and Smith, with explanation that the cross was an indication of friendship. He explained that the upright planted in the. ground was to typify Powhatan as Lord of the country; the transverse section to represent Newport and his followers, bound to the Indian King by the ties of friendship and brotherly love. Powhatan accepted the explanation, returned to the island, called off his warriors, embraced Newport, and the crisis was passed.

What a surprise it must have been for them to fume on return to the settlement that au attack had been made by the Indians, one boy killed and seventeen men wounded. Stith records that "Had not a cross-bar shot from the ships happened to strike a bough from a tree among them the English had been all cut off, being securely at work, and their arms in dry fats." Evidently there was cause for provocation. Is it reasonable to judge the Indians as the sole perpetrators of this first attack upon the settlement, without cause, while the, three ships of the expedition still lay at anchor within a few- yards from shore. Had there been only a savage desire to destroy- would the Passpaheghs, who lived in the neighborhood, have received with every assurance of friendship the little exploring party of Newport and Smith and yet attacked the larger force at Jamestown?

We do know that upon return of the explorers, Smith's demand for a trial, on the charges that had been the cause of his disgrace, was reluctantly granted, resulting in his vindication and a fine of 200 pounds charged against the President of the Council in reparation. Smith gave the money for public use of the Colony, as he was satisfied with the verdict. The Rev. Hunt preached a sermon on "Peace and Concord" and (note the significance)-"The day- after, being the fifteenth of June, the Indians voluntarily sued for Peace." When the English were peaceful so we find the Indians expressing a desire to be. Smith had no minor part in bringing about the ending of a situation frought with such danger as to bid far to prove a parallel of the Roanoke tragedy.

At the time that the English arrived Powhatan, the Indian king, was about seventy years of age and had several villages moving from one to the other as suited his convenience in making collections from his sub-chiefs. He required eighty per cent. of all revenues to be payable. to him and woe unto an Indian who secured a prize pelt who did not offer it to the despotic Chieftan. It seems surprising that he should have had such control over the various tribes when his own tribe had only about fifty warriors. He had the power of life and death not only over individuals but clans and it is said that he utterly annihilated the Chesapeakes and the Kicoughtans for some fancied wrong, notwithstandingtheir combined force was three times that of his own men.

The Indian name for Virginia is said by Tyler in his "Cradle of the Republic" to have been "Attanoughkomouclc," meaning "band enclosed for producing or growing," that is, a plantation.

In the summer of 1607 Smith continued his explorations, following the river down to Kiccoughtan (Kecoughtan) and across to Waroskoyack (Isle of Wright), making journies along the shore line, exploring the creeks, etc., in that section. In the fall he began mapping out the country along the banks of the Chickahominy, exploring the river as far as possible for him to use a canoe.

On September 17th, and again in November, there was a trial by jury at Jamestown. This English custom was inaugurated within a few months after the arrival of the colonists.

January 8, 1608, the first ship to arrive in the colony, since the settlement, anchored off Jamestown and landed what is termed the first supply of colonists who together with others, from a ,ship arriving on the 20th of April, gave a total of 120 additional members, three in excess of the original number of settlers. There had been sixty-seven deaths in the interval and the colony now numbered 158.

Newport, who had sailed for England shortly after his exploration of the James, having left the pinnace "Discovery" for use of the Colony, returned in his two ships with the second supply of seventy more colonists, giving Jamestown a total of 200 men, after deducting for twenty-eight deaths.

He had received express orders, when in England; to explore the country west of the falls of the James, where dwelt the Monacans, hereditary enemies of Powhatan. In deference to the Indian King, no attempt had been made to push west of the now site of Richmond, and it appears that Smith protested against the project, for, declared he "every effort should be subordinated to that of placing Jamestown in a state of defense." Some writers claim it was Smith's purpose to do the exploring himself, after the return of Newport, and thus have the honor of discovery should he find a passage to the sea. Be that as it may, Newport followed out his instructions and explored at least forty miles above the falls, reaching what is now the boundary of Goochland. In order to pass the falls his boat was constructed in five( sections for easy portage, taken apart below the falls and the parts re-assembled after passing the rocks. It seems strange to us that such experienced men should still have had an idea that the James would furnish an outlet to the "South Sea" (Indian Ocean) though it still lingered in the minds of the colony for years after Newport's explorations.^[8]

Notes:

1. Campbell's History of Virginia
2. See pp. 23-24
3. It was on account of their joy at finding deep water that Point Comfort received its name. The name was afterwards changed to Old Point Comfort to distinguish it from New Point Comfort, a cape guarding the entrance to Mob Jack Bay (originally Mock Jack, said to be so called on account of echoes from the wooded shore mocking the sailors' voices). New Point Comfort also guards the entrance to the York.
4. The lower section of the river east of Sandy Point, was called Passpaheghs.
5. Smith found an Indian, with whom he could converse, not only on the voyage up the James, about nine days after landing at Jamestown, but also used as interpreter, Mosco, and Indian met on his exploration of the Rappahannock. It is reasonable to assert that these interpreters had some knowledge of the Spanish language, a boy being found with one of them of light complexion, eyes and hair. Had they knowledge of English it would have proven a clue to the lost Colony of Roanoke. The Jamestown colonists made a number of attempts to discover the fate of their fellow countrymen, urged so to do by positive orders from England. Explorations were made as far south as the Chowan River in effort to discover their fate.
6. Campbell made the error of placing the date of the landing as June 10th, making the interval twenty-eight days after the landing at Jamestown. As a matter of fact only eleven days had intervened. He first made error of seven days, according to, the old style or Julian calendar by which we record the landing at Jamestown, then added ten days, the difference between the Julian calendar and the new style, or Gregorian. If one but reads the diary of Archer, or searches the calendar of that year, it can be easily ascertained that Whit-Sunday came on May 24th. The new style calendar had not come into general use in the English speaking world, and the new Year was calculated from March.
   In later years, Smith, (in his history), used the Gregorian calendar and this accounts for apparent discrepancies in the dates mentioned by him and those quoted by other Colonial writers.
7. Spaniards called it Guandape. See p. 17.
8. The fact that the Volga, Tanais and Dwina rivers had their sources in the same section yet flowed each into a different sea gave encouragement to the thought that such might prove their good fortune in finding an outlet. Picture our distance from India and contrast it with the lack of knowledge the colonists had as to the extent of the western continent, for, as you already know, the Indians were so-called by being mistaken for inhabitants of the Asiaic country.
   Such things seem absurd to the reader of today, yet it is true that, when President Jefferson sent Lewis and Clarke on their explorations to the Pacific coast, he warned against the mammoth, saber tooth tiger and other prehistoric animals, as—fossils having been found in Kentucky—he feared the section through which they passed would probably prove to be the ranging ground of these, long extinct species.

SELECTS SITE FOR NEW TOWN

"The colony Creeps from this marshbound island, up the stream Plantation by plantation."

A description of the Jamestown settlement having been given with an outline of the progress of the colonists centered about that settlement, and having pointed out the salient features in the founding of the other colonies, this chapter will have to do with the attempt of Deputy-Governor Dale to found a city fifty miles further up the James River.

It was in June 1611, that Sir Thomas Dale sailed up the James to select a proper site for the new town he had been instructed to found in Virginia. There were several very- good reasons why such a town should he founded. In the first place, the colony was in jeopardy of surprise attacks by- the Spaniards. That war-like nation looked with great jealousy- upon English colonization in America. They- had, by right of discovery-, claimed all of the coast of North America, and were using every endeavor to gain information as to the situation and condition of the English. As yet they- had not located the settlement, and it was feared that upon being discovered at Jamestown the colony would be destroyed. The town of Henricus could be better defended, owing to its situation. Then again, the low, marshy terrain of Jamestown was thought to be the cause of the great mortality among the settlers, where as, the site for the new- city, being more elevated and with better drainage, would minimize this great drawback to the colony's efforts at successful colonization.

While in search of a new location, Dale ascended the River as far as the falls, and then returned to "A high-land invironed with the Mayne River, near to an Indian Town called Arrahattocke." If this settlement proved a success, it was the intention to abandon Jamestown, unless conditions there greatly improved.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, Dale stated, "I have surveyed a convenient, strong, healthie and sweet seate to plant the new town in, from whence might be no more remove of the principal seate; and in that form to build, as might accommodate the inhabitants, and the Title and Name which, it hath pleased the Lords, all readie to appoint for it." The name selected by the Privy Council had been Henrico (Henricus : Henricopolis) in honor of Henry, Prince of Vales, the patron of the Company-. The Prince of Wales was an enthusiastic supporter of the plan to colonize Virginia, and his untimely death, November 16th, 1623, was a great loss to the colony.-. Had he lived, and succeeded to the Crown, the history of Virginia would have been much less full of the tragedies and sufferings of its founders.

It was Dale's intention to erect five fortifications for the protection of the colony, viz: Point Comfort, ( Fort Algernoune)^[1], Kiskiack, Jamestown, Henrico, and at the Falls (nowRichmond). He requested that a standing army of two thousand men be sent from England. The army was never dispatched, but, with the aid of political prisoners sent over, Dale began preparing the defense of the new town, to secure it against the Indians, "in the midst of whom, he was resolved to set down," as he was convinced that a settlement at Henrico would command the security of that part of the colony situate above its site. Having selected the site, Dale returned to Jamestown, secured the approval of Lieutenant Governor Gates, and returned in September, with about three hundred men, to the place selected. It was reported that "within ten days he had fortified seven acres of ground, which in honor of the Noble Prince Henrie (whose royal heart was ever strongly affected to that section) he called by the name of Henrico." Strong watch-towers were constructed at each corner of the town (five); also a "fair and handsome church and store houses." By the middle of January 1612, he had constructed houses for himself and men, and made ".Henrico much better and of more worth than all the work ever since the Colony began, therein done." (It was reported that the first stories of these houses were constructed of brick, burnt in that vicinity.)

On the Salisbury side (the south side of the River, the north side being called the Popham side), a hospital was constructed, containing eighty beds for the sick and wounded, and keepers were appointed, "To attend them for their comfort and recoverie." The place where this hospital was located w as a section of Coxendale, called Mount Malady. It may be well to explain here that the North side of the River ,vas named after the patron of the North Virginia colony-, Chief Justice Popham, and the South Side after the patron of the South Virginia colony, the Karl of Salisbury, Prime Minister of England.

In fortifying Henrico, three parts being already environed by the James River, Dale cut a "Dutch gap" at the narrowest point, and erected a palisade on the side toward the town. This was called Dutch Gap by Dale, as he was in the military service of Holland, and was furloughed, for a limited time, by request of the Virginia Company. In the wars of the Lower Countries, he had become familiar with this method of defense. If was not the attempted completion of this gap by Germans under command of General B. F. Butler in the Civil war, that gave the name to this piece of engineering, though this is the general impression which has prevailed.

Evidently the intention of Dale was to make this gap deep enough to permit the passage of vessels, for prior to the war between the. States, a channel was open half way across the peninsular, the work having been interrupted by the Indian massacre of 1622.

About two miles from the town, a pale (palisade fence) two miles in length, was placed from the James River to the Appomattox, and there were several block houses on this line of defense. This was to secure a fertile section of land between the James and Appomattox, so that the planters could raise corn and tobacco without interruption by the Indians. Ralph Hammer says that sufficient crops could be raised in this section to have supported ever- immigrant that could be expected to arrive within the colony for three years. Coxendale was also impaled, and secured by block houses. Here the colonists began the raising of quantities of hogs and cattle.

In 1619, Brown state s in his, "First Republic in America," that, "The City- of Henricus included Henrico (Farrar's Island), extending thence on both sides of James River to the westward, the pale run by Dale between the said river and the Appomattox River being the line on the South Side." It was represented in the House of Burgesses by Thomas Dowse and John Polentine. Henrico having keen selected as the site for a college and university, the first college in America, ten thousand acres were set by, as agreed, and the limits of the corporation were extended from the Falls of the James on the Popham side to what is now called Farrar's Island.. Part of the University land was impaled on the Salisbury side, around Coxendale, to which was added one hundred acres of plebe land for a primary school, and one thousand acres (?) to belong to the college. The college was for the purpose of educating Indian boys and girls, whereas the project for the larger institution comprehended including within its scope, the education of sons and daughters of the colonists. Fifty tenants were sent from England to tend the college land, there wages to be pro-rated on a fifty per cent basis of the profits.

In 1622, construction of the university buildings had' begun and a number of houses had been added, among them a guest house or tavern, and the little settlement lead every right to look forward toward rapid growth and prosperity. But, while man proposes and plans, without being able to look into the future, with any accuracy, all of those calculations proved as naught. It was this year, March 22nd, that the massacre entirely destroyed both the inhabitants and their habitations. Henricus was never rebuilt. Only a monument stands sentinel to mark the spot where this great tragedy occurred and commemorate the efforts of these hardy colonists, to establish the first English city in the New World. It may be observed by those passing through Dutch Gap.

Notes:

1. Fort Algernoune (Old Point Comfort) was so named by George Percy, President of the King's Council in 1609. The name was selected in honor, of the founder of his family William Algernoune de Percy, who came from France to England, with William the Conqueror, in 1066. He was called Algernounce, (which means whiskers) on account of his wearing a beard, to distinguish him from the other William of the Conquest.

THE FOURTH CHARTER

"And from this meeting Have grown all congresses and states, All government... for our America."

Tyler, in the "Cradle of the Republic," estimates the of colonists that came to Virginia from December, 1618, to November 1619, as 840, leaving about 900 alive in the colony in December, 1619. Of 1,440 persons accounted as having emigrated from England, five hundred and fort had died.

It was in 1619 that the Puritan refugees in Holland, having, heard through Captain Smith, who visited them, the wonders of the new world, an account of his explorations, and probably having examined his maps, decided to make an attempt to plant a colony, on the southside of the Hudson in Northern Virginia. Permission was secured from the London Company to make their settlement within Virginia territory. One hundred and twenty persons sailed from Plymouth on the Mayflower in 1620, landing at Patuxent (New Plymouth) on December 11. The first landing was at Provincetown but it was not considered as desirable a location as Plymouth.

1620

In 1620, when the Separatists, or Pilgrims, landed at Plymouth there were 2,200 colonists living at or near Jamestown.

Ninety maids voyaged from England to marry Virginia planters. No transportation was charged, provided a maid married a farmer, but should she select a husband with some other trade or profession, transportation fee was to be paid by the one chosen. No maid was permitted to marry a servant, though she was permitted to accept or reject a suitor, the only restriction being that the husband must be a free man and well able to care for her. So successful was this venture, sixty more maids came over the following year, all bringing testimonials of gentle birth and good character. The husbands of the second contingent were required to pay from 120 to 150 pounds of "sweet-scented" tobacco to cover the cost of transportation.

According to Smith's "History of Virginia." twenty-one ships were sent to Virginia in 1620. On them came 1,300 then, women and children. * * * Sir Edwin Sandys, in his report to the London Companv, seated, "With in the year there have been sent out eight ships at the company°s expense, and four other by private adventure." And that "these ships have transported 1,260 persons, wherefore 650 were for the public use, and the other 611 were for private plantations." He reported that "many patents have passed to various adventurers and and their associates, who have undertaken to transport to Virginia great multitudes of people with much cattle." He also reported 150 persons had been seat over to set up three iron works, and directions had been given for making cordage, hemp and flax, from the growing of silk-grass,"which grew there naturally in great abundance, and is found upon experience to make the best cordage and line in the world."

Experts to Make Wine.

Sufficient then had been sent over to erect sawmills, make pitch, tar, pot and soap ashes; also experts were included in making wine from the excellent grapes found in the colony, and "plenty of silk-worm seed of the best sort," were exported for experiment in silk culture. The last in fact, was a second supply, from His Majesty's own store. Sandys reported the salt works had been restored and there were "Hopes of such plenty, as not only to serve the colony for the present, but also shortly to supply the great fishery on those :American coasts." (New England).

Various contributions were made in England, and in the colony, for the purpose of creating a fund to be used in the education of Indian boys and girls. Salaries of ministers, fixed by law, were to be 1,500 weight of tobacco and sixteen barrels of corn, then estimated at about 200 pounds sterling.

In September, the Earl of Southampton was elected treasurer "without ballot, but general acclamation and erection of hands."

The writer records the above details that the reader may be informed of the condition of the Virginia Colony when the 120 Pilgrims landed at Plymouth.

1621

On July .4, 1621, King James, The First, granted the fourth charter to the London Company. It authorized "two supreme councils, in Virginia, for better government of the said colony." One was designed as "the Council of State," whose office was to assist the Governor with "care, advice and circumspection." The first appointees of the Council of State were Sir Francis Wyatt, Governor of Virginia; Captain Francis `Vest, Sir George Yeardley, knight; Sir William Neuse, knight marshal of Virginia; (after whom Newport News (New Porte Neuse) received its name).^[1] George Sandys, treasurer; George Thorpe, deputy of the college; Captain Thomas Neuse, deputy for the company; Rev. Robert Pawlet, Mr. Leech, Captain Nathaniel Powell, Christopher Davidson, secretary; Dr. Pots, physician to the company; Roger Smith, John Berkley, John Rolph, Ralp Hamor, John Pounds, Mitchell Eapworth, 'Mr. Harwood and Samuel Macock. The members of the council were to reside "about or near the Governor" and were to meet quarterly. The other council was to consist of the House of Burgesses and members of the Council of State. This council was to be called "once yearly and no oftener," unless for extraordinary occasion. It was to be called "the General Assembly," a lame still used for our Legislature. This provision in the charter was a confirmation of the Letters Patent under which the House of Burgesses met in 1619.

The General Assembly was granted "free power to treat, consult and conclude as well of all emergent occasions, concerning the public weal of the said colony, and every part thereof, as also to make, ordain and enact such general laws and orders for the behoof of the said colony and every part thereof. * * *"

The General Assembly was instructed to follow the "policy of the form of government of the realm of England," but the said laws were to be confirmed by the General Quarter Court of the London Company. It was stipulated that this would not be required (report to the General Court) after the "Government of the colony shall once have been well framed."

The Virginia lottery, by which 29,000 pounds sterling had been received, now being at an end, it was found necessary to raise additional revenue for use of the company in its Virginia enterprise. To assist in creating interest and revenue, Captain John Smith was requested to write a "History of Virginia" for the "effect which such a general history, deduced to the life, would have throughout the kingdom," and also because "a few years would consume the lives of many whose memories retained much and might also devour those letters and intelligences, which yet remained in loose and neglected papers."

Captain Smith accepted the commission. His history of Virginia was published and found circulation not only throughout England, but in the Virginia colony. Copies, or reprints, of this work are treasured heirlooms in some of the old Virginia families.

1621

Sir Francis Wyatt arrived in Virginia, October, 1621, with a fleet of nine ships, a number of colonists and a commission as Governor to succeed Sir George Yeardley. He assumed the office on November 18. It is said that his instructions from the company contained forty-seven articles, among them being orders to suppress gaming, drunkenness and "excess in apparel." No person, "except the Council, Heads of Hundreds and Plantations, with their wives and children, should wear gold on their clothes, or any apparel of silk, except such as had been raised by their own industry." Smith reports that the Governor and council answered to this by asserting "they knew of no excess in apparel except in the price of it."

One article suggested that the "best disposed" of the Indians should be employed by the, planters in order to reconcile them to a "Civil Way of Life," and that a certain number of Indian children should be, "Brought up in the first elements of Literature," and "the most towardly of these should be fitted for the; College; in the building of which they proposed to proceed as soon as any Profit arose from the Estate appropriated for that use."

They were commanded to make only 100 pounds of tobacco per head, per year, and take all possible care to, "Improve that proportion in Goodness." In order to assist in overcoming the deficiency in the Treasury, the company issued a number of Rolls (permits) for sale to the planters. One roll was a permit to buy from the Cape Merchant (Storekeeper) at such a moderate price as would justify the money advanced. Another roll granted subscribers an allotment of land, according to the number of maids sent over to marry the colonists. The land was to be laid off and formed into a town to be known as "Maidstown." Another roll was a permit to establish a glass furnace to make beads to be used as currency in trading- with the Indians. The fourth roll permitted the holder to voyage age among the Indians and purchase skins and furs.

The population in Virginia at this time was given as near 4,000.

Rev. Mr. Copeland, chaplain of the "Royal James," on a voyage from East India to England, raised a sum of £70, among the ship's company, to be used in building a free school in Virginia. Two anonymous subscribers later made gifts to increase the fund to £125. It was decided to use this fund to build a school in Charles City to he known as East India School, in recognition of the gift having- been started on an East India ship. One thousand acres of land, five servants and an overseer ",ere allotted by the company to support a Master and usher. The graduates of the school were to be admitted to the college at Henricopolis (Dutch Gap). Rev. Mr. Copeland was appointed master, and carpenters were sent over the following year to construct the school building.

The first negroes, bought into the colony arrived in 1619, on a Dutch ship (?-the Treasurer) and were distributed among the planters to assist them in raising tobacco. It is said that Opecancanough, seeing them for the first time in 1621, thought that God had shown displeasure at some of the planters by turning them black.

It was in 1621 that Captain Gookin arrived from Ireland (Newse Towne) with the first Irish immigrants. They were eighty in number, and settled at Newport News, of which mention has been made. This same year Lieutenant Jabez Whitaker erected a Guest House at Jamestown, for accommodation of visitors and newcomers. It is reported that the Planters contributed 11500 towards the venture. This may be said to have been the first traven or hotel in America.

Great distress was suffered by the planters, on the adoption of the method of Garbling by the officials of the Crown in England. "Garbling" was so called from the fact that an officer was appointed to examine tobacco stored in English warehouses and throw out all garble or trash. Advantage was taken of this law, to such extent, much tobacco was confiscated to the Government, though of fine quality, and. after the tax on the balance was paid, there was ofttimes a loss instead of gain. In consequence of this practice the tobacco trade of Virginia was virtually ruined. Notwithstanding the protests of the company and colonists the practice continued. In order to gain relief the commodity was diverted to Holland, until the King, learning of it, interfered.

Notes:

1. First founded by a colony, under Samuel Gookin, from Neucetown (Neuse of Newse), Ireland. The settlers were both Irish and English. The land was part of a tract owned by Sir William Neuse and his, brother. The tract was large and embraced most of what is now Elizabeth City County. The general, presumption, of late years, has been that the name was in honor of Capt. Christopher Newport, but this is a mistake. Manuscript reports of British officers stationed there during the Revolution, are dated from New Port Neuse. (Department of Archives, State Library.)

THE PLYMOUTH COLONY

"Men prospered, far from those bleak struggles when England, divided, turned upon the King."

Now that we have considered the importance of the events of 1622, and the bearing they had upon the history of the Virginia Colony, let us in this chapter study-, in parallel, something about the other colonies that were being founded, in order that we may have a true understanding of the position occupied by the other of States, as compared with her younger sisters. Be it remembered, that when the first charter was granted it was stipulated that there should be two companies, the London Company, for Southern Virginia colonization; the Plymouth, for Northern Virginia. The last named company began operations at once, and sent out a vessel in 1606, for the purpose of planting a colony within its charter bounds, but the expedition came to grief, as the ship was captured by the Spaniards, and the English taken prisoners to Spain. The Spanish government, by right of discovery, claimed jurisdiction in American waters, and did not hesitate to use every effort toward preventing English colonization. The second expedition sent our from Plymouth landed at Saga hadoc (Kennebec) in the autumn of 1607, and built a small fort, which they named St. George.

The expedition, consisting of 100 planters under Captain George Popham, was brought to Northern Virginia by Admiral Rawley Gilbert. They built and fortified a storehouse, but when Gilbert returned to England, after a stay of two months, only forty-five planters remained at the settlement.

The Southern Colony had been planted at Jamestown on the 13th of May of that year, therefore antedating the Northern settlement by several months. The settlement at Sagahadoc was a failure.

The suffering of the men was severe, their warehouse was destroyed by fire, and after a terrible winter, and the death of their leader, Henry Pophan, they returned to England on a relief vessel sent them in the spring of 1608. The few survivors declared the country to be "a cold, barren, mountainous desert, where they found nothing but extreme extremities."

So bitter was their account of suffering- and distress upon the bleak coast, where they- had seated themselves, it was not until 1614 that further attempt was made to secure information of the country, other than such as was returned through the medium of fishing fleets who ventured into those waters in search of cod.

Thus had died aborning the only direct effort made by the Plymouth Company to seat a colony- in Virginia.

In 1614 Captain John Smith was employed and sent on a voyage of trade and discover-,-. He drafted a map of the coast which he presented, on his return, to Prince Charles, who, in token of his pleasure at receiving the map and report of Smith, named that section New England.

In order for one to understand the conditions in England at this time, it would be necessary for a more extensive review of the writings that specialize on this subject. In this paper only slight mention will be made of the salient features connecting it with the Plymouth Colony. There were in England at that time several sects of Protestants, or Dissenters from the Church of England, who objected seriously to abiding by the laws, laid down by- the King, requiring them to adhere to the established church.

They objected to any form of worship in which there was any display whatever, and they were bitterly opposed to the Sabbath being observed in any manner other than religious worship. The King permitted what we term, in our modern day, a wide-open Sunday, with all kinds of pleasure being tolerated. The Brownists, Puritans, Presbyterians, etc., uttered emphatic protests; the King countering with orders of arrest or banishment. A party of these Brownists fled to Holland, and there, under their pastor, Robinson, at Leyden, they worshiped and observed their Sundays as the dictates of their conscience required.

But, these people found, after remaining for some time in Holland, that the younger generation was being subjected to the temptations of the freedom permitted the native children by the burghers. Not being scrupulous in religious affairs, the burghers were willing for the Brownists to worship as they desired, reserving the same right for themselves.

It `vas at this time that Edwin Sandys, of whom mention was made in the last chapter as being such a great friend to the Virginia Colony, conceived the idea of planting a colony- within the northern part of the Virginia (London) company grant. Sandys had been a schoolmate and boyhood friend of William Brewster, and the fathers of these two had also been good friends, Being of liberal ideas himself, in correspondence with Brewster, he suggested the advisability of emigration to Virginia, provided "the parties (the church and company) could reach a mutual agreement."

Associated with Brewster there was another friend of Sandys, George Cranmer, brother of William Cranmer, for some time auditor of the Virginia company, and a grand-nephew of Archbishop Cranmer. A correspondence ensued and, the maps and description of New- England as given by Captain Smith having been examined, a decision was made to make an attempt at colonization.

Sandys secured a grant for them, and they left for Virginiaon the Mayflower, chartered by the Virginia Company, and officered by employes of that company. It is stated that before leaving Holland the pilot was bribed by the Dutch, who had begun making settlements on the Hudson and Manhattan Island, to land the Pilgrims north of their proposed landing. The "Mayflower Compact" was, by necessity, drawn up and signed before the settlement could be attempted. The grant from the Virginia Company was not valid beyond its jurisdiction( the New England Company had just been chartered, as a successor to the defunct Plymouth Company, and held jurisdiction in that territory) and it was necessary that this compact be signed as a mutual guarantee that the settlers abide by and adhere to the Governor and council selected by them, just as they- would have been required to do were they within the territory assigned them. Bradford says that there were mutinous strangers among them. who had let fall-"that when they came ashore they would use their own liberties; for none had power to command them, the patent they- had being for Virginia, and not for New England, which belonged to another government, with which ye Virginia Company had nothing to doe."

The immigrants were not all Pilgrims. Brown, in his "First Republic in America," states that, "Some were from Essex, London, and other places in England. William Moline, his wife and children, are said to have been Huguenots; Christopher Martin, `the Governors in the Mayflower^[1] was a member of the Virginia Company, and owned lands on the James River; Stephen Hopkins was an old Virginia planter." One of the signers of the contract, Edward Listen was killed near Flower lieu Hundred in the massacre of 1622.^[2] The captain of the -Mayflower, Thomas Jones, and his mate, John Clarks, were employes of the London Company.^[3] One of the owners of the Mayflower, Thomas Weston, owned a plantation in Virginia, on the James River. His ships traded between Jamestown and London.

In 1622, John 'Mason and Sir Fernando Gorges were granted land between the Merrimac and Sagahadoc by the Grand Council of Plymouth. Their settlement was near the present site of Dover, and was the beginning of the present state of New Hampshire. In 1628 a charter was granted the Massachusetts Bay Company, and Salem was settled the following year. Boston was founded (1630) by Winthrop and 1,000 colonists.

The first settlement in Maine was from the Plymouth Colony at York, in 1630. Connecticut settlements were made, from - Massachusetts, at the present sites of Winsdor, Hartford and Weathersfield, but New Haven was founded in 1638 by immigrants direct from England, and was a separate colony until 1665. Here is located the Charter Oak, in which the charter, of the colony was hidden when demanded by Sir Edmund Andros in 1687.

The following data is given in brief that the reader may have it convenient for parallel reference.

New York was first called New Amsterdam, and was a part of Virginia -until settled by the Dutch in 1614. It was conquered in 1634 and granted to the Duke of York by his brother, Charles II.

New Jersey was settled by Dutch and Danes, in 1624 and shortly afterwards 1>v colonists front Sweeden and Finland. It was attached to New- York in 1676, transferred to William Penn in 1682, and became a crown province in 1738. The last royal Governor was William Temple Franklin, son of Benjamin Franklin.

Pennsylvania was granted to Win. Penn in 1681. He settled at Philadelphia with 2,000 followers, in 1682, but, remained only for a short time, and died in England in 1718, aged 74.

Delaware was settled by Swedes and Finns, under patronage of Gustavus Adolphus, in 1627. They landed at Paradise Point (Cape Henlopen) and gave the country the name of New Sweden. It was seized by the Dutch in 1655 and united to New Amsterdam under the name of New Netherlands. It became a part of the grant of the Duke of York, when the Dutch were driven out, and was conveyed again to William Penn in 1682.

Maryland a part of the original Virginia grant, was regranted to Lord Baltimore and settled by his son, Leonard Calvert, in 1632. In 1669 the seat of government was fixed at Annapolis. It was wrested from the proprietor in 1688, tendered to William and Mary, the English sovereigns, and remained a royal province until 1716, when it was restored to the Calvert family- and remained a proprietary- colony until the Revolution established its independence.

Rhode Island—Settled by Roger Williams in 1636, who had been banished from Massachusetts. United with the Newport settlement (1638) in 1644. First Assembly held in 1647. New charter granted by Charles II, 1663. Adopted U. S. Constitution in 1790, but still proceeds under provisions of its colonial charter.

Notes:

1. Brown—"The Republic" p. 408.
2. Id. p. 468.
3. Id. p. 424.

OPECHANCANOUGH PLOTS AGAIN

"Once more they struck, and once more driven back, Left to the plow their primal hunting ground's."

While the King had given permission for a return to the blessings of self-government, he retained for himself the restrictions of the tobacco monopoly and demanded that all cargoes be landed in some part of the King's dominions in Europe. Penalties and confiscation of cargo were meted out to any colonist who disregarded the royal edict. The sheep's skin disguised the hungry wolf.

Before Berkeley arrived, during the later years of Harvey's administration, Opechancanough, inveterate enemy of the English, rankling over the failure of the massacre of 1622, had again plotted the destruction of the colony. He was fully aware of the dissensions caused by the tyrannical Harvey, and had also learned from Thomas Rolfe, while the young man was on a visit to him (his great uncle), and his Aunt Cleopatra (sister of Pocahontas), that the people of England were on the verge of a civil war. Rolfe had no idea, of course, that this would influence the old chief to plot against people he was thought to hold in reverence and respect. The wily chieftain was old and feeble; not able to walk; too weak to raise his eyelids without assistance, and must be carried from place to place-yet he mapped out his plans and struck without a warning. Five hundred settlers fell victims in the massacre.

Carried on a litter, at the head of his warriors. Opechancanough began his advance from the outer edge of the colony- in April, 1644. His intention was to annihilate or sweep them into the sea. The settlers along the York and Pamunkey were surprised' and killed, but Berkeley- met' the invaders near the present site of West Point, and defeated them with great slaughter. Opechancanoughwas captured and taken prisoner to Jamestown, where he was mortally- wounded by a soldier who guarded him.

It is said that the aged, warrior, shortly before expiring, heard the voices of the people, who out of curiosity, gathered around him. Requesting an attendant to raise his eyelids that he might see, he gazed upon them in contempt and indignation.

Sending for Governor Berkeley, he exclaimed, "Had it been my fortune to have taken Sir William Berkeley prisoner, I would not meanly have exposed him as a show to my people." Having delivered his reproof, he calmly "stretched himself upon the earth and died."

Upon the death of Opechancanough, Necotowance succeeded him, and notwithstanding the fact that Charles I. had lost his throne at Nasby in June, 164, a treaty was entered into between the "King of the Induns" and Governor Berkeley , October, 1646, by which it was agreed that he would recognize the authority- of the King of England; the General Assembly promising to protect him from his enemies. Necotowance promised as an earnest of his friendship, to deliver the Governor "a yearly tribute of twenty beaver skins at the departure of the wild geese." "Cohonk," the wild goose call, was the Indian term for winter. To this day, this promise has been faithfully kept by the Pamunkey Indians, descendants of the Powhatans and each year their tribute is presented to the Governor of Virginia.

The treaty contained other stipulations; one of which was that the Indians were to occupy- territory an the north side of the York River, and to cede all land extending between the York and James, from the falls (Richmond) to Kicquotan (Hampton). The method of transferring title was to pass over to the English a turn of grass through which an arrow had been shot. Illustrative, the writer ventures to suggest, than the title right was surrendered, as it had been killed, so far as the Indian was concerned.

No Indian was to venture into the ceded territory without official permission, which was to be indicated by a badge of striped cloth to he secured at the time the permit was given. No settler was to he permitted to venture inside of the Indian huntingground, which extended from the head of the Blackwater to old Manakin town on the James. Violation of this constituted a felony and was to be punished as such. Special permits could only be secured at the four forts, viz. : Royal (on the Pamunkey), Charles (Richmond), Henry (Petersburg), and James (on the Chickahominy,). Thomas Rolfe, son of Pocahontas, was commander of the last named fort.

Sir William Berkeley- held office as Governor of Virginia longer than any other executive, appointed or elected in colony or State. Succeeding Wyatt in February, 1642, he held the position with the exception of the interregnum-until recalled by Charles II, in April, 1677. James I. had keen fearful that the marriage of Rolfe to Pocahontas would establish a claim on the part of their son to the throne in Virginia, yet Charles II. virtually, made of Berkeley- a king, saving only the title, and the lack of a few minor prerogatives.

Berkeley visited England in 1644 and returned to Jamestown in June, 1645, without being aware of the defeat of the Royalist cause. In the absence of the Governor, Richard Kemp acted in his stead. Kemp is said to have erected the first brick residence in the colony, though brick had been used in the construction of houses at Henricopolis in 1619, several having at least one story constructed of this material.^[1]

One may well imagine the feelings of this loyal supporter of Charles I when he learned from the next incoming ship that he had been defeated and the ancestral home of the Berkeleys (Gloucester, Eng.), where the governor had been born and reared, was in the possession of the Round Heads. Brave as he was loyal, he found a large majority of the Virginias also determined to be true to the King, and ready under his leadership to defy the "Protector of the Rights of the People," even to the extent of armed resistance. So far as Virginia was concerned, Charles was still the King. Thus is explained the wording of the treaty with Necotowance the following year.

Taking advantage of the unsettled conditions in England and the absence of Berkeley from the colony, Claiborne had organized a band of insurgents, made a descent upon the Maryland government at Kent Island, defeated Culvert, driven him from the colony, and seized the reins of government. The reader will remember that Kent Island had been settled by Claiborne under the provisions of the London Charter, it being part of the Virginia grant, and that he had been dispossessed by Calvert (Lord Baltimore) under rights claimed through the later charter granted him by the crown. Now Calvert fled to Virginia where he remained until August, 1646, when he succeeded in driving Claiborne out again, and the sturdy Virginian never forgave the King for evicting him from what he declared to be a rightful possession. Claiborne became a professed Puritan, and openly espoused the Cromwellian cause. He succeeded in organizing a Puritan party and invited several ministers from New England to visit the colony. These men came to Virginia and were permitted to preach to the Puritan element, gaining many converts, until Berkeley, becoming aroused against them and their growing influence, ordered them banished.

It is to be presumed that practicing lawyers, living in Virginia at this time, also sought other fields of labor, for it was decreed, by Berkeley, that professional attorneys were to be prohibited from receiving any compensation for their services, nor should they be allowed to appear in civil cases before the bar. Parties litigant must plead their own causes, without outside assistance, unless it appear to the court that one of the contestants was suffering from inability to make proper defense. In that case the court was instructed to select some one from the people, presumably not a lawyer, to assist.

Lawyers may fail to understand, without explanation, how the colonists can be reported to have been contented and at peace. Happily, they were little influenced by the civil war then convulsing the mother country. There was a growing trade between the colony and its Northern neighbor, New England. In exchange for fish and other commodities, Virginians shipped tobacco, corn and cattle. In 1647 over 8,000 people lived in the colony, thousands of acres had been cleared and crops planted, 150 plows being in use. When Christmas arrived it found the people worshipping in twenty churches, each with its own minister, who received a salary equivalent to $500 per year, payable in corn and tobacco. There were anchored in James River ten vessels from London, two from Bristol, twelve from Holland, and seven from New England. The several crews totaled 800 men. Captain Brocas, of the Council, had planted a vineyard and made excellent wine; Mr. Richard Bennet had twenty butts of cider pressed from his own orchard; Sir William Berkeley had, from his orchard, apricots, peaches, mellicotons, quinces, wardens and the like, dried, pickled, preserved or otherwise disposed of; and there were wild turkeys, game, oysters, fish, poultry, pork, beef and many other delicacies of Old England.

In 161 the English squadron of Cromwell, having forced the colony at Barbadoes to submission, entered the Chesapeake with orders to compel Berkeley and the Loyalists of Virginia to acknowledge allegiance to the Commonwealth.

Cromwell was greatly incensed when he learned that the Virginia colony had refused to swear fealty to the new government in England. Parliament, by his suggesstion, passed an ordinance declaring the Virginians rebels and traitors, and issued a decree forbidding them commercial intercourse with England or any other colony. 'Massachusetts, notwithstanding the debt of gratitude, owing its Southern neighbor for food supplies when the colony was on the border of starvation, with many other favors voluntarily extended, immediately passed an ordinance similar to that of Parliament, and demanded of its citizens that they discontinue all communication with Virginia.

Notwithstanding the isolated condition of the little band of Royalists and the impossibility of making successful defense, yet, under the leadership of Berkeley, they did not hesitate to take up arms in defense against the invading fleet. Several Dutch ships (trading in Virginia in defiance of the navigation act) were requisitioned and the sturdy-hearted Virginians met the enemy. Though defeated, they made such a gallant defense, the commander, in admiration of their effort, granted terms of submission favorable to the colony.

In lieu of the severe epithets and restrictions of Parliament, the new terms stipulated that, "The people of Virginia shall have a free trade, as the people of England, to all places and with all nations," and that the General Assembly should continue to transact the affairs of the settlement, and enjoy exclusive rights of taxation.

Disdaining any suggestion of personal exemption, from men he considered as regicides and usurpers, Berkeley retired to his country estate, Green Springs, where he resided as a private citizen beloved and respected by his fellow colonists.

Had he never again accepted public office his memory would ever be revered in Virginia history. Yet, Berkeley was logically the man of the hour when the exasperated Virginians could no longer be restrained from erecting the royal standard and proclaiming Charles II. their rightful sovereign.

The terms granted to Virginia by the articles of surrender to the fleet of the Commonwealth, were almost immediately violated by Cromwell and Parliament.

Commercial intercourse between the colonies was forbidden. No production of Europe. Asia, Africa, nor America could be imported unless it be in vessels owned by English subjects, navigated by an English captain with a crew, the majority of which should be Englishmen. This navigation act supplied the tinder; later the stamp act was to supply the torch; starting a conflagration impossible for England to stop. It would sweep forward, until every vestige of English sovereignty was obliterated from the thirteen colonies then (1776) established.

Hundreds of the best families of England fled to Virginia, knowing its loyalty to the crown, to escape the vengence of the Round Heads, as the Cromwellian army was called. Thus were introduced into the colony the Cavalier families whose descendants have shed such lustre upon the history of the commonwealth. The Washington, Madison, Monroe, Marshall, Randolph, Tyler, and other Cavalier families came to Virginia at this time.

Oliver Cromwell died Sept. 3, 1658 and was succeeded by Richard his third son, the two elder having proceeded their father to the grave.

He was unable to restrain the forces of Anarchy and soon resigned. Charles II ascended the throne.

As the tide of emigration, first following the rivers, drifted ever westward, the great distance from Jamestown, Williamsburg, and the older settlements, where attendance upon court made long journeys ofttimes imperative, caused the colonists to continue mapping out new divisions of the original shires.

Be it remembered that there were few roads, even in the vicinity of Williamsburg, only Indian trails and water courses furnishing line of communication. Journeys were ever filled with dangers of many varieties and seldom could be attempted other than on foot. Later, George Rogers Clark is reported to have walked seven hundred miles to attend a session of the House of Burgesses only to find the session closed before he arrived.

One petition for a new division asserted that the petitioners thought it a hardship that they must "swim eight rivers and cross seven mountains" in order to attend court. This, of course, was after settlements had been made along the Ohio River and in Kentucky, all of which was at that time embraced in Virginia territory.

Notes:

1. The general opinion that many of the Colonial houses and churches were constructed of brick brought from England, is incorrect. Very few, if any, brick were imported.

ORIGIN OF COUNTY NAMES

Now in the march of the slow-treading years Men build a nation; and its many states.

The origin of the names of the Northumberland group of counties is as follows:

1. NORTHUMBERLAND 1648). In honor [of] a county, in England of same name.
2. Lancaster (1651). From a north of England County of same name.
3. Westmoreland (1653). In honor of an English county.
4. Rappahannock (1656). In honor of an Indian tribe of the Powhatan confederacy. Meaning, "People of the alternative stream." (Referring to the ebb and flow of the tide in the river of that name). See No. 24.
5. Stafford (1664). From Parish of Stafford in England.
6. Middlesex (1673-4). In honor of an English county. The name meaning "Middle Saxons.—*Essex refers to "East Saxons," Sussex to "South Saxons," as located when they settled in England.
7. Essex (1692). From an English county. (Derivation above*).
8. Richmond (1692). Thought to he named on account of its terrain being similar to that around Richmond, in Surry County. England. Long states that it may have been in honor of the Duke of Richmond. ( Long, pp. 63-67 ).
9. Spotsylvania (1721). In honor of Governor Spotswood. leader of the Knights of the Horseshoe.
10. King George (1721). In honor of George I of England. who reigned from 1714 to 1727.
11. Prince William (1731). In honor of the Duke of Cumberland, Prince William Augustus.
12. Fairfax (1742). In honor of Thomas Lord Fairfax. "The most faithful of the Tories." (Long 69).
13. Frederick (1743). In honor of Frederick, Prince of Wales. Ile was son of George IL, and father of George III.
14. Augusta (1743). Ili honor of Princess Augusta, wife of Frederick. ( Mentioned above ).
15. Culpepper (1749). 1n honor of Lord Culpepper. Governor of Virginia in 1680-83, Lord Fairfax inherited froth him the "Northern Neck Grant."
16. Londoun (1757). Ili honor of John Campbell, Karl of Loudoun. He was Governor-General of the American colonies in 1756-63. Commanded the British forces in latter part of Drench and Indian War.
17. Fauquier (1739). In honor of Francis Fauquier, Lieutenant Governor of Virginia. 1738-68.
18. Berkeley (1772). Not named in honor of Governor William Berkeley, hut of Norborne Berkeley, Baron de Botetourt. He was Governor from 1768 to 1770 and was called "The good Governor of Virginia." His statue is on the campus at William and 'Mary College, Williamsburg, Va.
19. Dunmore (1772-78). In honor of Lord Dunmore Governor of Virginia from 1771 to 1776. Dunmore was in office at outbreak of the Revolution, and his name became so odious that the name of the county was changed to Shenandoah in 1778.
20. Shenandoah (1778). (*See above.) An Indian word meaning "Spruce Stream." Peyton in his history of Augusta says that the ward -was Sherrondo, and signified "Beautiful Daughter of the Stars." Lewis in the "First Biennial report of the Department of archives and History of the State of West Virginia," writes that Spotswood gave the river Shenandoah the name of "Euphrates" (possibly deeming that it flowed through the Garden of Eden I, but it was not to last. "The red man looking down from the mountain barrier in the reflection in its transparent water, saw the twinkling stars overhead. Thus the appellation."
21. Madison (1793). In honor of Lames Madison. President Madison is too well-known f-or farther data to he given in this compilation.
22. Jefferson (1780). In honor of Thomas Jefferson. (Ditto above comment.)
23. Morgan (1820). In honor of General Daniel Morgan.
24. Rappahannock (1833). Same derivation as No. 4. This county name having been changed b)- division into Essex and Richmond in 1692, was again bestowed to a section cut from Culpeper, formerly part of the original county in 1833.
25. Warren (1836). In honor of General Joseph Warren, who fell at Bunker Hill.
26. Clarke (1836). In honor of George Rogers Clark. Though an "e" has been added'.
27. Greene (1838). In honor of General Nathaniel Greene. of Revolutionary fame.
28. Alexandria (1837). In honor of the city of Alexandria. The cites was originally known as the town of Belle Haven, but was renamed when organized in 1748. John Alexander, owned a patent purchased from Captain Robert Howsen in 1669. The grant consisted of six thousand acres. The city, therefore, takes name from him.
29. Hampshire (1754). Taken from Augusta. Named in honor of an English county.
30. Botetourt (1770). (See No. 18.) From Baron de Botetourt. (See next chapter.)
31. Monongalia (1776). From the river Monongahela. Indian word meaning, "River of crumbling banks."
32. Ohio (1776). From the river of that name. Indian (Ohiople) meaning, "River of white caps." (See Robinson's "Virginia Counties," page 187, for fuller derivation.) The "Ohio Company" was a Virginia organization. That this section, with Illinois County, was once part of Virginia, is not generally known by Virginians of today.
33. Yohogania (1770-1786), Indian origin. Meaning "Stream flowing in opposite direction," owing to the watershed causing the river to flow toward the west. It became extinct in 1786. Absorbed by readjustment of Pennsylvania boundary and Ohio County.
34. Rockbridge (1778). From the celebrated Natural Bridge within its borders.
35. Rockingham (1778). In honor of the 'Marquis of Rockingham, Prime -Minister of England in 1765-66. During his administration, the stamp act was repealed, and it was then thought that to him belonged the credit. (See Waddell's "Annals of Augusta County").
36. Illinois (1778-84). From Illini Indians. The name is said to signify "men." It -,vas formed by act of the Virginia Assembly "for the better protection and defense of the county and its inhabitants." It was first proposed that the act be temporary. In 1781, the Virginia Assembly passed resolutions setting forth her offer to Congress of "A cession of the land's, on the northwest of Ohio, to the United States," and giving the conditions of the transfer (Hen. V. X. P. 564). The Virginia delegates to Congress, by authority of the Assembly, conveyed the right above mentioned on March 1, 1784. (Journals of Congress, 1823-24). In continuation of the origin of the names of counties formed from Augusta (itself formed from Northumberland in 1745) we find that: (No. 14, p. 162).

1789—Hardy, now in West Virginia was named in honor of Samuel Hardy one of the signers of the Deed of Cession of the Northwest Territory to the government. He -,vas long a resident of Isle of Wight County.

1789—Pendleton (now in West Virginia)-In honor of Edmund Pendleton, of Caroline, President of the Virginia Convention of 1775.

1791—Bath-In honor its medicinal springs.

1797—Brooke (in West Virginia)—In honor of Robert Brooke (Governor of Virginia 1794-1796) Grandson of Robert Brooke, who came to Virginia with Governor Spottswood in 1710.

1814—Tyler (West Virginia)—In honor of Governor John Tyler, father of the President of the salve name. Governor Tyler -,vas in office from 1808 to 1811.

1821—Pocahontas (West Virginia)—In honor of Matoaka,^[1] better known by her pet name Pocahontas. which means "Little Romp" or "Little Vixen." ``hen converted to Christianity she Avas given the name of Rebecca. Pocahontas was born about 1595, and was twelve years of age when she is recorded as saving the life of Captain John Smith.^[2] Pocahontas married John Rolfe, April 1613, at the age of 18. Her son, Thomas Rolfe, named in honor of Sir Thomas Dale, his godfather, was born between 1614 and 1616, prior to the visit of his parents to England where they- arrived in June 1616. Pocahontas died in 1617 (age 22) after embarking for Virginia but before the ship left England. Her son, who also came near to death's door, when the ship arrived at Plymouth en route to Virginia, was left in England and educated by his Uncle. John Rolfe, his father, married again in Virginia, and was killed in the massacre of 1622, before young Rolfe finished his education and returned to the home of his birth.

1822—Alleghany—In honor of Alleghany Mountains. The name Alleghany is derived from the pre-historic race, the Alleghi, who lived in that region prior to the coming of the Indians. They were mound builders and understood something of astronomy and geometry. Their knowledge of the making of pottery and metal implements shows them more advanced in civilization than their conquerors.

1831—Page—In honor of John Page, Governor of Virginia (1802-05).

1846—Wetzel (West Virginia)—In honor of Louis Wetzel, the famous Indian scout of Northwestern Virginia.

1847—Highland—Descriptive of the high altitude of the county.

1848—Hancock—In honor of John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress. His signature to the Declaration of Independence, stands out with such prominence it is familiar to all who have seen copies of that famous document.

Notes:

1. Matoaka—She plays with something.
2. Smith, in his history of Virginia states she was only ten years old when she interceeded for him. She was twelve, but, evidently, small for her age. Thus, as the Indians gave names appropriate to the person whom it was applied, we find her nicknamed, Pocahontas—Little Romp.