Indian Wheat Indian Iay THE DISCOVERY OF new Britain. Began August 27. Anno Dom. 1650. By Edward Bland, Merchant. Abraham wood, captain. Sackford Brewster, Elias Pennant, Gentlemen. From Fort Henry, at the head of Appamattuck River in Virginia, to the false of Blandina, first River in New Britain, which runneth West, being 120. Mile South-west, between 35. & 37. degrees, (a pleasant Country,) of temperate air, and fertile soil. LONDON, Printed by Thomas Harper for John Stephenson, at the Sun below Ludgate. M.DC.LI. TO THE honourable, SIR JOHN DANVERS, KNIGHT: Great Favourer of the Western Plantations, and a Member of the Parliament of England. Noble Sir: THE great encouragement that I have found from your Worthy self to propagate the public affairs, as well foreign as domestic, hath imbolned me to presume humbly to present this small Piece of the Discovery of the Western Part of Virginia, wherein you shall find by the Industry of the Surveyors of that Part, the great Benefit that may accrue to the English Plantation; in regard of the many and several Commodities that may thence arise, by reason of the fertility of the soil, Nature having provided so plentifully for all things, that with no extraordinary great Charge it may be effected, to the great Profit, and more Glory of this English Nation: And whereas yourself hath been, and still are a chief Agent in that, and other Plantations, so (under God) you may be a means for converting divers of those poor Indians to the Christian Faith. For the World doth take notice you observe the Orators saying; That you were not borne for yourself, but for your Country: Which that you may ever do, shall be the Prayer, SIR, Of your most humble servant, J. S. To the Reader. WHo ever thou art that desirest the Advancement of God's glory by conversion of the Indians, the Augmentation of the English commonwealth, in extending its liberties; I would advise thee to consider the present benefit and future profits that will arise in the well settling Virginia's Confines, especially that happy Country of New Britain, in the Latitude of 35. and 37. degrees, of more temperate climate then that the English now inhabit, abounding with great Rivers of long extent, and encompassing a great part, or most of Virginia's Continent; a place so easy to be settled in, in regard that Horse and Cattle in four or five days may be conveyed for the benefit of undertakers, and all inconveniencies avoided which commonly commonly attend New Plantations, being supplied with necessaries from the Neighbourhood of Virginia. That the Assembly of Virginia (as may be seen by their Order since my return hereto procured) have conceived a hundred to be a sufficient force and competence for the establishment of that Country in which Tobacco will grow larger and more in quantity. Sugar Canes are supposed naturally to be there, or at least if implanted will undoubtedly flourish: For we brought with us thence extraordinary Canes of twenty five foot long and six inches round; there is also great store of fish, and the Inhabitants relate that there is plenty of Salt made to the sun without art; Tobacco Pipes have been seen among these Indians tipped with Silver, and they wear Copper Plates about their necks: They have two Crops of Indian corn yearly, whereas Virginia hath but one. What I write, is what I have proved; I cordially wish some more than private Spirits would take it into their consideration, so may it prove most advantageous to particular and public ends; for which so prayeth, Your faithful servant, Edward Bland. October 20. 1650. By the Assembly. IT is Ordered by the Grand Assembly, that according to the Petition of Mr. Edward Bland, Merchant, that he the said Bland, or any other be permitted to discover and seat to the Southward in any convenient place where they discover; and that according to his Petition for furthering his designs he be permitted to have correspondence with the Indians, and also receive the benevolence of the well-affected, and use all lawful means for effecting thereof, provided that they secure themselves in effecting the said design with a hundred able men sufficiently furnished with arms and Munition. John corks, Cler. Dom. Com. Sir Walter Raleigh's Observation on 35. degrees Latitude. PAradise was created a part of this Earth, and seated in the lower part of Eden or Mesopotamia, containing also a part of Shinar and Armenia; it stands 35 degrees from the equinoctial, and 55 from the North-pole, in a temperate Climate, full of excellent fruits, chiefly of palmtrees without labour; for wherein soever the Earth, Nature, and the Sun can most vaunt that they have excelled, yet shall the palmtree be the greatest wonder of all their works: This tree alone giveth unto man whatsoever his life beggeth at nature's hand. The like are also found both in the East and West-Indies as well as in Paradise, which Countries are also blessed with a perpetual Spring and Summer, &c. Raleigh's Marrow of History, Page 42. By how much Adam exceeded all living men in perfection, by being the immediate workmanship of God, by so much did that chosen, and particular Garden exceed all the parts of the universal World in which God had planted the Trees of Life, and Knowledge, Plants only proper, and belonging to the Paradise, and Garden, of so great a Lord. Ibid. p. 43. The Discovery of New Britain. AUgust 27. 1650. The Right honourable Sir W. Berkly, Kt. being governor and captain general of Virginia, Edw. Bland Merch. Abraham Wood Capt. Elias Ponnant and Sackford Brewster Gent. four Men, and one Indian named Pyancha, an Appamattuck for our Guide, with two servants, four Horses and Provision, advanced from Fort Henry, lying on Appamattuck River at the falls, being a branch of James River, intending a South Western Discovery. This day we passed over a branch belonging to Blackwater lake, running South east into Chawan River; at that place we were forced to unlade our Carriages by reason of the great reins lately fallen, which otherwise is very passable for foot, being firm gravelly ground in the bottom, and lieth from Fort Henry 20. miles, and some 12. miles from this place we traveled unto a deep River called the Nottaway creek some 100 paces over sandy bottoms (& with a little labour may be made passable) unto a Nottaway Town lying some two miles from the River. Hither we came within night, and by reason of our sudden approach and hallowing of Robert Farmer servant to Mr. Bland, the Inhabitants ran all away into the Woods, with their Women and Children; therefore by us it was named Farmers Chase. After our arrival there within a small space of time one Indian man appeared, and finding of us peaceable, and the white flag bore before us by our Guide whom they knew, he made a hallow and the rest came in from their skulking holes like so many timorous Hares, and showed us what courtesy they could. About two hours after came to us Oyeocker elder brother to Chounterounte one of the Nottaway Kings, who told us that his brother Chounterounte, and other of the Nottaway Kings would come to us next day by noon, and that the day before Chounterounte and all his men had been a hunting, and it happened that Chounterounte had shot one of his brothers in the leg, and that thereupon he was gone downwards. We stayed until next day at noon but he came not, and then we journyed unto the town belonging unto Oyeocker, who kindly invited us thither, and told us he thought that Chounterounte would meet us there, and also of his own accord proffered us to be our guide whithersoever we went. The Land generally to this town is Champion, very rich, and the town situate in a rich level, well timbered, watered, and very convenient for Hogs and Cattle. August 28. We journied with our new entertained Guide Oyeocker, lying between South, and South and by West, from the first town upon a very rich level of Land: sixteen miles from this place we came unto the River Penna Mount, being another branch of Chawan River, eight miles on the South side it hath very rich Land and cornfields on both sides the River, and is about some 200. paces wide, and runs out with elbows: at the place of our passage over this River to this second town is shallow upon a Sandy Point, and with a very little labour may be made passable both for foot and horse, or any Carriage by Land, or pentater with small Boats, and some two miles higher there is a sound passage no deeper than a man's ankle: Within night came Chounterounte unto our Quarters frowning, and with a countenance noting much discontent, down he sets, and looks about him, salutes the English with a scornful posture, and then our Appamattack Guide, and tells him, I am sorry for thee friend, thou wilt be knocked on the head; after this some pause was made before any discourse, expecting the English would begin, but finding us slow, he thus spoke: There was a Wainoake Indian told him that there was an Englishman a Cockarous hard by captain Floods, gave this Indian Bells, and other petty truck to lay down to the Tuskarood King, and would have hired him to have gone with him, but the Wainoakes being doubtful what to do, went to captain Flood for advice, who advised them not to go, for that the governor would give no licence to go thither; hereupon Chounterounte was by us questioned, when and who it was that had told him so, & if he did know that Wainoake Indian, to which he answered doubtfully, and demanded of us whither we did intend to go; we told him the Tuskarood King had envited us to trade, and our governor had ordered us to go, and speak with an Englishman amongst them, and to inquire for an English woman cast away long since, and was amongst those Nations. Chounterounte persuaded us to go no further, alleging there was no English there, that the way was long, for passage very bad by reason of much rain that had lately fallen, and many rotten Marrishes and Swampps there was to pass over, in fine we found him, and all his men very unwilling we should go any further; but we told them, that let the ways and passages be never so bad, we were resolved to go through, and that we were not afraid of him nor his Nation, nor any other, for we intended no injury, and that we must go, for we were commanded by our King; these words caused Chounterounte to assimilate a fear in his countenance, and after delivery of himself, at our going away next day, when we had mounted our Horses, Chounterounte came privately unto us, and in a most serious manner intimating unto us, that he loved us, and our Nation, and that he lively apprehended our danger, and that our safety concerned him, for if any accident happened otherwise then good to us, he should be suspected to have a hand in it, and withal wished us to go no further, for that he certainly knew that the Nations we were to go through would make us away by treachery; we answered him, that we were not afraid to be killed, for that any one of us were able to deal with forty through the protection of our great God, for we were commanded by our King. August 29. We traveled from this second Town to Maharineck, eight miles upon barren Champion Lands, and six miles further is a branch that runs South west, with rich Lands upon it; and from thence some six miles further, is a brook some hundred paces over, and runs South and a little to the West, on both sides of the Creek: for four miles or thereabouts, is very rich Lands, well Timbered and Watered, and large dry meadows, South and by West: From this creek is another, some eight miles off, that opens itself into divers small Guts, made by the inundation of Freshes of Waters; and the passage lies some two hundred paces from the Path, and this Creek is some ten miles from Maharinecke town, and was by us named Newcombs forest. It was night when we entered into Maharineck, where we found a House ready made for us of mats; and corn stalks laid in several places for our Horses, the Inhabitants standing, according to their custom, to greet us: and after some discourse with their Werrowance, a Youth, to whom we presented several gifts, we certified them the cause of our coming was to Trade in way of friendship, and desired the great men that what Wares or Skins the Town did afford, might be brought to our Quarters next morning; and also a measure for Roanoak, which they promised should be done, and so left us to ourselves a while, until we had refreshed ourselves with such provisions as they had set before us, in most plentiful manner; and afterwards the great men and Inhabitants came, and performed divers Ceremonies, and Dancings before us, as they use to do to their great Emperor Apachancano, when they entertain him in most solemn manner and friendship. August 30. Being wearied with our last day's travel, we continued at Maharineck, and this day spoke with a Tuskarood Indian, who told us that the Englishman was a great way off at the further Tuskarood town, and we hired this Turkarood Indian to run before, and tell his Werrowance we intended to lay him down a present at Hocomowananck, and desired to have him meet us there, and also wrote to that effect to the Englishman in English, Latin, Spanish, French and Dutch, the Tuskarood promised in three days to meet us at Hocomawananck. In the afternoon came two Indians to our Quarters, one of whom the Maharinecks told us was the Werrowance of Hocomawananck River, seemed very joyful that we could go thither, and told us the Tuskarood would have come to us to trade, but that the Wainoakes had spoken much to dishearten them from having any trade with the English, and that they intended divers times to have come in, but were afraid, for the Wainoakes had told them that the English would kill them, or detain them, and would not let them go without a great heap of Roanoake middle high, to which we answered that the Wainoakes durst nor affirm any such thing to our faces, and that they had likewise spoken much against the Tuskarood to the English, it being a common thing amongst them to villefie one another, and tell nothing but lies to the English. This day in the morning the Maharineck great men spoke to hear some of our guns go off: Whereupon we shot two guns at a small mark, both hitting it, and at so great a distance of a hundred paces, or more, that the Indians admired at it: And a little before night the old King of Maharineck came to us, and told us, that the people in the town were afraid when the guns went off, and ran all away into the Woods. This night also we had much Dancing. August 31. We went away from Maharineck South East two miles to go over Maharineck River, which hath a bottom between two high land sides through which you must pass to get over, which River is about two hundred paces broad, and hath a high water mark after a fresh of at least twenty foot perpendicular by the trees in the breaches between the River, and the high land of the old fields. This River is the Southerly last and main branch of Chawan River, and was by us named Woodford River, and runs to the Eastward of the South. On both sides of Woodford River is very much exceeding rich Land, but especially on the further side towards Hocomawananck. immediately after the passage over this River, are old Indian fields of exceeding rich Land, that bear two Crops of Indian corn a year, and hath timber trees above five foot over, whose trunks are a hundred foot in clear timber, which will make twenty Cuts of Board timber a piece, and of these there is abundance. As also exceeding rich Land, full of great Reeds thrice as big as the largest Arrow Reeds we have about our Plantations; this good Land continues for some six miles together unto a great Swampp, and then begins a pyny barren Champion Land with divers Branches and Pecosans, yet very passable, running South and by West, unto a deep River some a hundred paces over, running South, and a little to the East, which River encloses a small Island which we named Brewsters Island, some eighteen miles from Woodford River due South, and by West, with very exceeding rich Land on both sides of it for some six miles together, and this River we also named Brewsters River, it being the first branch of Hocomawananck River: and a little lower down as the River runs, is such another River as Chickahamine River (which is a mile broad.) After we had passed over this River we traveled some twenty miles further upon a pyny barren Champion Land to Hocomawananck River, South, and by West: some twelve miles from Brewsters River we came unto a path running cross some twenty yards on each side unto two remarkable Trees; at this path our Appamattuck Guide made a stop, and cleared the Westerly end of the path with his foot, being demanded the meaning of it, he showed an unwillingness to relate it, sighing very much: Whereupon we made a stop until Oyeocker our other Guide came up, and then our Appamattuck Guide journied on; but Oyeocker at his coming up cleared the other end of the path, and prepared himself in a most serious manner to require our attentions, and told us that many years since their late great Emperor Appachancano came thither to make a War upon the Tuskarood, in revenge of three of his men killed, and one wounded, who escaped, and brought him word of the other three murdered by the Hocomawananck Indians for lucre of the Roanoake they brought with them to trade for Otter skins. There accompanied Appachancano several petty Kings that were under him, amongst which there was one King of a town called Pawhatan, which had long time harboured a grudge against the King of Chawan, about a young woman that the King of Chawan had detained of the King of Pawhatan: Now it happened that the King of Chawan was invited by the King of Pawhatan to this place under pretence to present him with a gift of some great value, and there they met accordingly, and the King of Pawhatan went to salute and embrace the King of Chawan, and stroking of him after their usual manner, he whipped a bow string about the King of Chawans neck, and strangled him; and how that in memorial of this, the path is continued unto this day, and the friends of the Pawhatans when they pass that way, cleanse the Westerly end of the path, and the friends of the Chawans the other. And some two miles from this path we came unto an Indian Grave upon the East side of the path: Upon which Grave there lay a great heap of sticks covered with green boughs, we demanded the reason of it, Oyeocker told us, that there lay a great man of the Chawans that died in the same quarrel, and in honour of his maemory they continue green boughs over his Grave to this day, and ever when they go forth to war they relate his, and others valorous, loyal Acts, to their young men, to animate them to do the like when occasion requires. Some four miles from Hocomawananck is very rich champion Land: It was night when we came to Hocomawananck River, and the Indian that came with us from Woodford River, and belonged to Hocomawananck, would have had us quartered upon the side of a great Swampp that had the advantage of several bottoms of the Swampp on both sides of us, but we removed to take our advantage for safety, and retreat, in case any accident should happen, which at that time promised nothing but danger, for our Guides began to be doubtful, and told us, that the Hocomawananck Indians were very treacherous, and that they did not like their countenances, and shape well; this place we named Pyanchas' park: about three hours after we had taken up our Quarters, some of the Inhabitants came, and brought us roasting cares, and Sturgeon, and the Hocomawananck Indian that came with us from Woodford River, came not unto us until next day, but his Warrowance told us before we came from Woodford, he could not come until that day at night. The next day morning after our coming to Hocomawananck the Inhabitants seemed to prepare us a house: But we about eight of the clock set forward to go view the place where they killed Sturgeon, which was some six miles from the place where we quartered by Pyanchas' park, where there is a River Running very deep South, exceeding deep, and four hundred paces broad. The high water mark of this River between both sides of the River perpendicular, from the top of the bank to the River, is forty five foot upon a fresh; this River was by us named Blandina River: from Pyanchas' park to the place where they kill Sturgeon is six miles up the River running Northerly, and all exceeding rich Land: Both upwards and downwards upon the River, at this place where they kill Sturgeon also are the Falls, and at the foot of these Falls also lies two Islands in a great Bay, the uppermost whereof Mr. Blande named Charles Island, and the lowermost captain Wood named Berkeley Island: on the further side of these Islands the Bay runs navigable by the two Islands sides: Charles Island is three miles broad, and four miles long, and Berkeley Island almost as big, both in a manner impregnable, by nature being fortified with high Clefts of Rocky Stone, and hardly passable, without a way cut through them, and consists all of exceeding rich Land, and clear fields, wherein grows Canes of a foot about, and of one years' growth Canes that a reasonable hand can hardly span; and the Indians told us they were very sweet, and that at some time of the year they did suck them, and eat them, and of those we brought some away with us. The Land over against Charles Island we named Blands' Discovery, and the Land over against Berkeley Island we named Woods journey, and at the lower end of Charles Island lies a Bay due South from the said Island, so spacious that we could not see the other side of it: this bay we nameed Pennants Bay, and in the River between Charles Island, and the main Land lies a Rocky Point in the River, which Point comes out of Charles Island, and runs into the middle of the River: this Point we nameed Brewsters Point, and at this Point only, and no other is there any place passable into Charles Island, and this Brewsters Point runs not quite from Charles Island to the main Land, but when you come off the main Land to the river's side, you must wade about fifty paces to come upon the Point, and if you miss the Point on either side, up or down the River, you must swim, and the River runs very swift. Some three miles from the River side over against Charles Island is a place of several great heaps of bones, and here the Indian belonging to Blandina River that went along with us to the false, sat down, and seemed to be much discontented, insomuch that he shed tears; we demanded why those bones were piled up so curiously? Oyeocker told us, that at this place Appachancano one morning with 400. men treacherously slew 240. of the Blandina River Indians in revenge of three great men slain by them, and the place we named Golgotha; as we were going to Blandina River we spoke to Oyeocker our Guide to lead us the way, and he would not; but asked our Appamattuck Guide why we did not get us gone, for the Inhabitants were jealous of us, and angry with us, and that the Runner we sent to the Tuskarood would not come at the day appointed, nor his King, but ran another way, and told the Indians that we came to out them off; whereupon our Appamattuck Guide stepped forth, and frowning said, come along, we will go see the Falls, and so led the way, and also told us that the Woodford Indians lied, and that Indian that came to us, which the Woodford Indian said was the King of Blandina River, was not the Werrowance of Blandina River; whereupon we resolved to return (having named the whole Continent New Britain) another way into our old path that led to Brewsters River, and shot off no guns because of making a commotion, and adding to the Natives fears. At Blandina River we had some discourse with our Appamattuck Guide concerning that River, who told us that that Branch of Blandina River ran a great way up into the Country; and that about three days' journey further to the South-West, there was a far greater Branch so broad that a man could hardly see over it, and bended itself to the Northward above the head of James River, unto the foot of the great mountains, on which River there lived many people upwards, being the Occonacheans and the Nessoneicks, and that where some of the Occonacheans lived, there is an Island within the River three days' journey about, which is of a very rich and fertile soil, and that the upper end of the Island is fordable, not above knee deep, of a stony bottom, running very swift, and the other side very deep and navigable: Also we found many of the people of Blandina River to have beards, and both there, and at Woodford River we saw many very old men, and that the Climate according to our opinions was far more temperate than ours of Virginia, and the Inhabitants full of Children; they also told us that at the bottom of the River was great heaps of Salt; and we saw among them Copper, and were informed that they tip their pipes with silver, of which some have been brought into this Country, and 'tis very probable that there may be Gold, and other metals amongst the hills. September 1. About noon from Woods Journey we traveled some six miles North East, unto the old Path that leads to Brewsters River: within night we quartered on the other side of it, and kept good watch: this Path runs from Woods Journey north and by East, and due North. September 2. In the morning about eight of the clock, as every one was mounted, came to our quarter's Occonnosquay, son to the Tuskarood King, and another Indian whom he told was a Werrowance, and his kinsman, with the Runner which we had sent to the Tuskarood King, who was to meet us at Blandina River that night; the King's son told us that the English man would be at his house that night, a great way off; and would have had us gone back with him, but we would not, and appointed him to meet us at Woodford River where he came not, we having some suspicion that he came from Woodford River that night, and that our Runner had not been where we had sent him, through some information of our Nottaway guide, which afterwards proved true, by the Relation of the Werrowance of Blandina River, whom about four hours after we had parted with the King's son, we met on the way coming from Woodford River with a company of men, thinking he should have found us at Blandina River that night, according to his order and promise; with whom falling into discourse, he told us that the King of the tuskaroods' son, and our Runner were the night before at Woodford River; but the King's son told us he came from Blandina River, and beyond, and hearing we were gone before he came, he had traveled all night from Blandina River to overtake us. This day about noon we came to Woodford River town, and tarried there that night, we found the old Werrowance, and all his great men gone, yet had courteous quarter; but not without great grounds of suspicion, and signs that they were angry at us: at our coming back to Woodford River we had information that some Spies of Wainoake had been there a little before we came, and that the King of Wainoake and Chounterounte had sent Runners to all the Nations thereabouts, informing them that the English were come to cut them off, which we supposed to be some greater politicians then Indian Consultations, who had some private ends to themselves, and minded nothing less than a public good; for we found that the Runner whom we employed to carry our message to the Tuskarood King, ran to the Waynoakes, and he whom the Woodford Indians told us was the Werrowance of Blandina River, was a Woodford Indian, and no Werrowance, but done of purpose to get something out of us, and we had information that at that time there were other English amongst the Indians. September 3. By break of day we journied from Woodford River to a path some eight miles above Pennants Mount running North, and by East and North, North, East, which was done by the advice of our Appamattuck Guide, who told us that he was informed that some plots might be acted against us, if we returned the way that we came, for we told Chounterounte we would return the same way again: And this information our Guide told us he had from a woman that was his sweetheart belonging to Woodford River. This day we passed over very much rich, red, fat, marl Land, between Woodford River town, and the head of Pennant's Mount, with divers Indian fields; the head of which River abounds much with great Rocks of Stone, and is two hundred paces over, and hath a small Island in it named Sackford's Island. Between Pennant's Mount River head, and the head of farmer's Chase River is very much exceeding rich, red, fat, marl Land, and Nottaway and Schockoores old fields, for a matter of six miles together all the trees are blown up or dead: here it began to rain, and some six miles further we took up our quarters, and it proved a very wet night. At the first other Nottaway old fields, we found the Inhabitants much perplexed about a gun that went off to the Westward of them, the night before we came thither, which our Appamattuck Guide conceived were the Wainoake Spies, set out there to prevent our journeyings, and we found several Ager's about the place where the Indians told us the gun went off. Septemb. 4. About 8 of the Clock we traveled North, North-East some six miles, unto the head of farmer's Chase River, where we were forced to swimm our horses over, by reason of the great rain that fell that night, which otherwise with a little labour may be made very passable. At this place is very great Rocky stones, fit to make millstones with very rich tracks of Land, and in some places between the head of farmer's Chase River and Black water Lake, is ground that gives very probable proof of an Iron, or some other rich Mine. Some sixteen miles from farmer's Chase, North, and by East, and North, North-East, lies Black Mine Lake, which hath very much rich land about it, and with little labour will be made very passable. From Black water Lake we did travel to the old fields of Manks Nessoneicks, and from thence some 12 miles N. N East we came unto Fort Henry about the close of the Evening, all well and in good health, notwithstanding from the time we had spoken with Chounterounte at Pennant's Mount, we every night kept a strict watch, having out Swords girt, and our Guns and Pistols by us, for the Indians every night where we lay, kept a strict guard upon us. The Discoverers, viz. Mr. Edward Blande, Merchant. Abraham Wood, captain. Mr. Elias Pennant. Mr. Sackford Brewster. Robert Farmer, Servant to Mr. Blande. Henry Newcombe, Servant to captain Wood. Guides. Oyeocker, a Nottaway Werrowance. Pyancha, an Appamattuck War captain. FINIS.