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JAMES TOWNE In the Words of Contemporaries |
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Captain John Smith
Smith as shown on his map of New England first published in 1614.
Original plate in the William L. Clements Library.
6. SMITH PUTS THE COLONISTS TO WORK
OUT of the internal dissensions there arose a forceful leader in the person of Captain John Smith. Under his strong, yet sometimes harsh, leadership real and necessary projects were completed.
Now we so quietly followed our businesse, that in three moneths [Febr.-April 1609] wee made three or foure Last of Tarre, Pitch, and Sope ashes; produced a tryall of Glasse; made a Well in the Fort of excellent sweet water, which till then was wanting; built some twentie houses; re-covered our Church: provided Nets and W[e]ires for fishing; and to stop the disorders of our disorderly theeues [thieves], and the Salvages [Savages], built a Blockhouse in the neck of our Isle, kept by a Garrison to entertaine the Salvages trade, and none to passe nor repasse Salvage nor Christian without the presidents order. Thirtie or forty Acres of ground we digged and planted. Of three sowes in eighteene moneths, increased 60 and od Piggs. And neere 500. chickings brought up themselves without having any meat given them: but the Hogs were transported to Hog. Isle [Island]: where also we built a block-house with a garison to give us notice of any shipping, and for their exercise they made Clapbord and waynscot, and cut downe trees.
JOHN SMITH, The Generall Historic of Virginia, New-England, and the Summer Isles . . . 1624.
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Last Modified: Thurs, Sep 11 2003 10:00:00 pm PST |