Part 1

Chapter 13,664 wordsPublic domain

TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE

The main text of this book is a facsimile reproduction of printed documents from around 1630, and include many printing errors from those original documents. Spelling and punctuation are very inconsistent. These issues have been left unchanged in this etext to maintain the authenticity of the original works.

Italic text is denoted by _underscores_.

A superscript is denoted by ^x or ^{xx}, for example y^r or w^{ch}.

The character ſ (long-form s) has been replaced by the modern s.

The anchors for the eight footnotes are denoted by [number]; these Notes have not been moved and can be found before the Index near the end of the book. There is also one other footnote in the book with the anchor [A] on page 53; this footnote has been moved and placed after the eight numbered Notes.

Some characters and groups of characters have an overline, similar to a macron. These will display, using Unicode combining diacritical for an overline, on this device as m̅ n̅ o̅ u̅ (m n o and u with overline) c̅o̅ o̅s̅ o̅e̅ m̅o̅ (co os oe and mo with overline) c̅o̅n̅ (con with overline)

Some minor text changes to the Introduction and the Index are noted at the end of the book.

PUBLICATIONS OF THE ESSEX BOOK AND PRINT CLUB

No. I

NEW-ENGLANDS PLANTATION &c.

New-Englands PLANTATION

WITH

_The Sea Journal and Other Writings_

By REV. FRANCIS HIGGINSON

_First Minister of the Plantation at_ SALEM _in the_ MASSACHUSETTS BAY _Colony_

THE ESSEX BOOK AND PRINT CLUB _SALEM MASSACHUSETTS_ 1908

ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-FIVE COPIES PRINTED AT THE RIVERSIDE PRESS CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS FOR THE ESSEX BOOK AND PRINT CLUB

Introduction

“New-Englands Plantation,” a tract published in London early in 1630, contains the earliest printed account of the colony established by Endecott in 1628, at Neihum-kek, now Salem. A description of the natural conditions surrounding the new settlement is also preserved, the narrative presenting, in the quaint phrase of the original, “a short and true description of the commodities and discommodities of that countrey.” The tract was written by the Reverend Francis Higginson, who came in the emigration following Endecott, and who was eminently fitted, both by education and profession, to prepare for the friends in England a faithful account of the life in the new country, not only to gratify a natural curiosity, but also to attract a further emigration.

Francis Higginson probably was born in Claybrooke Parish, Leicester, England, in 1587-88. He received his degree of M.A. in 1613 at Jesus College, Cambridge, and two years later he was settled over Claybrooke Parish, where he preached with distinction until at last his nonconformity brought him into danger of imprisonment. About that time “The Governor and Company of the Massachusetts-Bay in New England” obtained a charter from Charles I, and Higginson was invited to join the party which was being organized to make the first settlement in the new country. As minister he was to have equal political authority with the members of the governing council. He accepted the invitation, and with his family landed safely at Neihum-kek, now Salem, Massachusetts, on June 30, 1629, and on the 6th of August following, was ordained teacher of the church, with Samuel Skelton as pastor. By virtue of his office he became not only a spiritual guide but a leader among his people, more especially during the trying winter and spring following the arrival of the ships. The exposure and the privations endured during that time proved too severe, and consumption laid hold upon him. He died August 6, 1630, “in the prime of his life and on the threshold of a great career,” leaving a widow and eight children, one of whom also became a minister and served the Salem church for nearly fifty years.

The manuscript of “New-Englands Plantation” probably was sent home to England upon the return of one of the vessels that had brought over the planters. It was received in London before November 20, 1629 (see Young’s “Chronicles of the Colony of the Massachusetts Bay,” pp. 107, 242). Higginson had not expected that it would be printed, as it was written for “the satisfaction of loving friends” who had requested a letter upon his arrival, giving some account of the voyage across the Atlantic and of the newly settled country. Only the latter part of this letter was printed, the earlier portion, describing the voyage, not being deemed of sufficient importance to be thus preserved. Three editions were published, all bearing date of 1630. The author’s name appears on the title-pages of the second and third editions. In 1634 was published William Wood’s “New Englands Prospect,” which gave much detailed information regarding the country and the settlements in the Massachusetts Bay. This superseded the earlier account by Higginson, and the latter dropped out of sight and in time became very rare. In 1792 it was reprinted in the Massachusetts Historical Collections. In 1836 it was included in Force’s “Tracts,” and in 1846 in Young’s “Chronicles of the Colony of the Massachusetts Bay.”

The several editions may be described as follows:

FIRST EDITION

Small 4to. 21 unnumbered pages. Collation: Title (1), reverse blank; To the Reader, signed M. S. (1), reverse blank; New-Englands Plantation (17); ends “Finis.” Signatures, B- (D on last page).

SECOND EDITION

Small 4to. 27 unnumbered pages. Collation: Title (1), reverse blank; To the Reader, signed M. S. (1), reverse blank; New-Englands Plantajon (23); ends “Fjnjs.” Signatures, B (beginning with “New-Englands Plantajon”)-D(4)

THIRD EDITION

Small 4to. 23 numbered pages. Collation: Title (1), reverse, To the Reader, signed M. S. (2); New-Englands Plantation (3-17); [Ornament] A Letter sent from New-England, by Master Graues, engynere now there resident (18-19); A Catalogue of such needfull things as euery Planter doth or ought to Prouide to go to New-England, etc. (20-21); The names of the most remarkable places in New-England (22-23); ends “Fjnjs.” Signatures, A7; 1 leaf, B-D in 4s.

Copies of the several editions are preserved in the following libraries:

_First Edition._

Harvard University Library.

Essex Institute Library, Salem, Mass. (This copy has title-page and last leaf in fac-simile.)

John Carter Brown Library, Providence, R. I.

New York Public Library (Lenox Library).

New York State Library, Albany, N. Y.

Library of Congress.

Library of E. D. Church, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Library of a Collector, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Library of Frederick R. Halsey, New York City.

Library of Edward E. Ayer, Chicago, Ill.

_Second Edition._

Boston Public Library.

New York Public Library (Lenox Library).

Library of E. D. Church, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Library of a Collector, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Library of Henry Huth, London, Eng.

_Third Edition._

Boston Public Library.

Massachusetts Historical Society Library.

John Carter Brown Library, Providence, R. I.

New York Public Library (Lenox Library).

Philadelphia Library Company. (This copy has title-page of the first edition bound with text of the third edition.)

British Museum Library.

Library of Edward E. Ayer, Chicago, Ill.

In the following pages the first edition of “New-Englands Plantation” is reproduced in fac-simile from a copy in the John Carter Brown Library, at Providence, R. I., through the courtesy of the Librarian, Mr. George Parker Winship. The third edition also has been reprinted from a copy in the library of the Massachusetts Historical Society for purposes of comparison and to preserve the additional matter that it contains. The account of the voyage to Neihum-kek and other writings of Higginson are from the manuscript formerly in the possession of Governor Hutchinson and now preserved by the Massachusetts Historical Society.

CONTENTS

PAGE

“NEW-ENGLANDS PLANTATION,” by Rev. _Francis Higginson_, London, 1630. Fac-simile of the first edition 15

“GENERALL CONSIDERACONS” for the planting of New England 39

THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN MR. HIGGINSON AND THE NEW ENGLAND COMPANY 49

A TRUE RELATION OF THE LAST VOYAGE TO NEW ENGLAND IN 1629 by Mr. _Higginson_ 55

“NEW-ENGLANDS PLANTATION,” London, 1630. The third edition 85

A LETTER THAT MR. HIGGINSON SENT TO HIS FRIENDS AT LEICESTER 115

NOTES 123

INDEX 127

NEW-ENGLANDS PLANTATION

NEW-ENGLANDS PLANTATION.

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

Written by a reuerend Diuine now there resident.

LONDON, Printed by _T. C._ and _R. C._ for _Michael Sparke_, dwelling at the Signe of the _Blew Bible_ in _Greene Arbor_ in the little _Old Bailey_.

1630.

To the Reader.

_Reader, doe not disdaine to read this Relation; and looke not here to haue a large Gate and no building within; a full-stuffed Title with no matter in the Booke: But here reade the truth, and that thou shalt find without any frothy bumbasted words, or any quaint new-deuised additions, onely as it was written (not intended for the Presse) by a reuerend Diuine now there living, 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 furthrance 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 euerie Creature here 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 sublunarie things are composed; so by the more or lesse inioyment 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 Heanens) Therefore I will endeauour to shew you what _New-England_ is by the consideration of each of these apart, and truly endeauour 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 authoritie_, 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 Falshood 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 enquired from the Mouthes of verie honest and religious person, 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 appurtenances 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 be 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-Pots as needs 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 _Masathulets_ Bay, and Lime-stone, Free-stone, and Smooth-stone, and Iron-stone, and Marble-stone also in such store, that we haue great Rockes 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 very 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 be a wonderment. Thirtie, fortie, fiftie, sixtie are ordinarie here: yea _Iosephs_ encrease in _Ægypt_ 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 he hath had encrease of it 52 Hogsheads, euerie Hogshead holding seuen Bushels of _London_ measure, and euerie 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 the yeere following, as by reckoning will appeare: where you may see how God blesseth husbandry in this Land. There is not such great and beautifull eares of Corne I suppose any where else to be found but in this Countrey: being 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 _Plimouth_ Plantation, so that all our seuerall Graines will grow here verie well, and haue a fitting Soyle for their nature.

Our Gouernour hath store of greene Pease growing in his Garden as good as euer I eat in _England_.

This Countrey aboundeth naturally with store of Roots of great varietie and good to eat. Our Turnips, Parsnips and Carrots are here both bigger and sweeter then is ordinarily to be found in _England_. Here are also store of Pumpions, Cowcumbers, 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 Herbes. Here are also aboundance of other sweet Herbes delightfull to the smell, whose names we know not, &c. and plentie of single Damaske Roses verie sweet; and two kinds of Herbes that beare two kind 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 Woods. Our Gouernour hath already planted a Vineyard with great hope of encrease.

Also, Mulberies, Plums, Raspberies, 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, Iuniper 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 Gum called White Beniamen, that they say is excellent for perfumes. Also here be diuers Roots and Berries wherewith the _Indians_ dye excellent holy day 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 Skin 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 fruitful to beare Corne. Also we 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 Makerils that it would astonish one to behold, likewise Cod-Fish 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 eat, it is altogether as good as our fresh Sammon, and the season of their comming was begun when we came first to _New-England_ in _Iune_, 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 Boats at a time with them. And besides Basse we take plentie of Scate and Thornbacke, and aboundance of Lobsters, that the least Boy in the Plantation may both catch and eat what he wil 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 time so great Lobsters as haue weighed 25 pound, as they assured me. Also here is aboundance of Herring, Turbut, Sturgion, Cuskes, Hadocks, Mullets, Eeles, Crabs, Muskles and Oysters. Beside there is probabilitie that the Countrey is of an excellent temper for the making of Salt: for since our comming our Fishermen haue brought home verie good Salt which they found candied by the standing of the Sea water and the heat of the Sunne, vpon a Rock 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 Feet and cleauing to their Shoes.

And as for fresh Water the Countrey is full of daintie 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 we see both Land and Sea abound with store of blessings for the comfortable sustenance of Mans life in _New-England_.

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