The Bee and Spider by a divers powerSuck honey and poyson from the self-same flower.
The Bee and Spider by a divers powerSuck honey and poyson from the self-same flower.
The Bee and Spider by a divers powerSuck honey and poyson from the self-same flower.
The Bee and Spider by a divers power
Suck honey and poyson from the self-same flower.
I am confident you will get but little poyson here, no ’tis the poyson ofAspsunder your tongue that swells you: truly, I do take you rather to be Spider catchers than Spiders, such as will not laudably imploy themselves, nor suffer others; you may well saynon amo hominem, sed non possum[p. 151.]dicere quare, unless it be because I am a Veronessa, no Romancer. To conclude; if with yourmother wit, you can mend the matter, take pen in hand and fall to work, do your Countrey some service as I have done according to my Talent. Henceforth you are to expect no more Relations from me. I am now return’d into my Native Countrey, and by the providence of the Almighty, and the bounty of my Royal Soveraigness am disposed to a holy quiet of study and meditation for the good of my soul; and being blessed with a transmentitation or change of mind, and weaned from the world, may take up for my word,non est mortale quod opto. If what I have done is thought uprears for the approvement of those to whom it is intended, I shall be more than meanly contented.
New-Englandwas first discovered byJohn Cabotaand his SonSebastianinAnno Dom.1514. A further discovery afterwards was made by the honourable SirWalter RawleighKnight inAnno1584. when asVirginiawas discovered, which together withMary-land,New-England,Nova Scotiawas known by one common name to theIndians,Wingandicoa, and by SirWalter Rawleighin honour of our Virgin Queen, in whose name he took possession of it,Virginia. In [p. 152.] KingJameshis Reign it was divided into Provinces as is before named. In 1602. these north parts were further discovered by Capt.Bartholomew Gosnold. The firstEnglishthat planted there, set down not far from theNarragansets-Bay, and called their ColonyPlimouth, since oldPlimouth,An. Dom.1602. SirJohn PophamLord chief Justice authorized by his Majesty, KingJames, sent a Colony ofEnglishtoSagadehock,An.1606.Newfound-landwas discovered by oneAndrew Thornan English man inAnno1527.SirHumphrey Gilberta west Countrey Knight took possession of it in the Queens name,Anno1582. The two first Colonies inNew-Englandfailing, there was a fresh supply ofEnglishwho set down in other parts of the Countrey, and have continued in a flourishing condition to this day.
The whole Countrey now is divided into Colonies, and for your better understanding observe, a Colony is a sort of people that come to inhabit a place before not inhabited, orColonus quasi, because they should be Tillers of the Earth. From hence by an usual figure the Countrey where they sit down, is called a Colony or Plantation.
The first of these that I shall relate of, though last in possession of theEnglish, is now our most Southerly Colony, and next [p. 153.] adjoyning toMary-land,scil.theManadaesorManahanentlying upon the great RiverMohegan, which was first discovered by Mr.Hudson, and sold presently by him to theDutchwithout Authority from his Soveraign the King ofEngland,Anno1608. TheDutchin 1614 began to plant there, and call’d itNew-Netherlands, but SirSamuel ArgalGovernour ofVirginiarouted them, theDutchafter this got leave of KingJamesto put in there for fresh water in their passage toBrasile, and did not offer to plant until a good while after theEnglishwere settled in the Countrey. InAnno1664 his MajestieCharlesthe Second sent over four worthie Gentlemen Commissioners to reduce the Colonies into their bounds, who had before incroached upon one another, who marching with Three hundred red-Coats toManadaesorManhataestook from theDutchtheir chief town then calledNew-Amsterdam, nowNew York; theTwenty ninth ofAugustturn’d out their Governour with a silver leg, and all but those that were willing to acknowledge subjection to the King ofEngland, suffering them to enjoy their houses and estates as before. Thirteen days after SirRobert Carrtook the Fort and Town ofAuranianow calledAlbany; and Twelve days after that, the Fort and Town [p. 154.] ofAwsapha, thenDe-la-wareCastle, man’d withDutchandSweeds. So now theEnglishare masters of three handsome Towns, three strong Forts and a Castle, not losing one man. The first Governour of these parts for the King ofEnglandwas ColonelNicols, a noble Gentleman, and one of his Majesties Commissioners, who coming forEnglandinAnno Dom.1668 as I take it, surrendered the Government to ColonelLovelace.
The Countrey here is bless’d with the richest soil in allNew-England, I have heard it reported from men of Judgement and Integrity, that one Bushel ofEuropean-Wheathath yielded a hundred in one year. Their other Commodities are Furs, and the like.
New-Yorkis situated at the mouth of the great RiverMohegan, and is built withDutchBrickalla-moderna, the meanest house therein being valued at One hundred pounds, to the Landward it is compassed with a Wall of good thickness; at the entrance of the River is an Island well fortified, and hath command of any Ship that shall attempt to pass without their leave.
Albanyis situated upon the same River on the West-side, and is due North fromNew-Yorksomewhat above Fifty miles.
[p. 155.] Along the Sea-side Eastward are manyEnglish-Towns,as firstWestchester, a Sea-Town about Twenty miles fromNew-York; to the Eastward of this isGreenwich, another Sea-Town much about the same distance; thenChichester,Fairfield,Stratford,Milford, all Sea-Towns twenty and thirty mile distant from one another, twenty miles Eastward ofMilfordisNewhaventhe Metropolis of the Colony begun in 1637. One Mr.Eatonbeing there Governour: it is near to the shoals ofCape Cod, and is one of the four united Colonies.
The next Sea-Town Eastward ofNewhavenis calledGuilfordabout ten mile, and I think belonging to that Colony.
FromGuilfordtoConnecticut-River, is near upon twenty miles, the fresh RiverConnecticutbears the name of another Colony begun in the year 1636 and is also one of the four united Colonies. Upon this River are situated 13 Towns, within two, three & four miles off one another. At the mouth of the River, on the West-side is theLord-Say, andBrooks fort, calledSaybrook-fort. Beyond this Northward is the Town ofWindsor, thenNorthampton, thenPinsers-house. On the Eastside of the River,Hartford, about it low land well stored with meadow and very fertile.Wethersfieldis [p. 156.] also situated uponConnecticut-River andSpringfield; but this Town although here seated is in the jurisdiction of theMattachusets, and hath been infamous by reason of Witches therein.Hadleylyes to the Northward ofSpringfield.New-Londonwhich I take to be in the jurisdiction of this Coloney is situated to the Eastward ofConnecticut-River by a small River, and is not far from the Sea. FromConnecticut-Riverlong-Islandstretcheth it self toMoheganone hundredand twenty miles, but it is but narrow and about sixteen miles from the main; the considerablest Town upon it isSouthamptonbuilt on the Southside of the Island towards the Eastern end; opposite to this on the Northernside isFeversham, Westward isAshford,Huntingdon, &c. The Island is well stored with Sheep and other Cattle, and Corn, and is reasonable populous. Between this Island and the mouth ofConnecticut-River lyeth three small Islands,Shelter-Island,Fishers-Island, and the Isle ofWight. Over againstNew-Londonfull South lyethBlock Island.
The next place of note on the Main isNarragansets-Bay, within which Bay isRhode Islanda Harbour for theShunamitishBrethren, as the Saints Errant, the Quakers who are rather to be esteemed Vagabonds, than Religious persons,&c.
[p. 157.] At the further end of theBayby the mouth ofNarragansets-River, on the South-side thereof was oldPlimouthplantationAnno1602. Twenty mile out to Sea, South ofRhode-Island, lyethMartinsvineyard in the way toVirginia, this Island is governed by a discreet Gentleman Mr.Mayhewby name. To the Eastward ofMartin’svinyard lyethNantocket-Island, and further EastwardElizabeths-Island, these Islands are twenty or thirty mile asunder, and now we are come toCape-Cod.
Cape-Codwas so called at the first by CaptainGosnoldand his CompanyAnno Dom.1602, because they took much of that fish there; and afterward was calledCape-Jamesby CaptainSmith: the point of theCapeis calledPoint-CaveandTuckersTerror, and by theFrenchandDutchMallacar, by reason of the perillous shoals. Thefirst place to be taken notice of on the South-side of theCapeisWests-Harbour, the first Sea-TownSandwichformerly calledDuxburyin the Jurisdiction ofNew-Plimouth. Doubling theCapewe come into the greatBay, on the West whereof isNew-Plimouth-Bay, on the South-west-end of thisBayis situatedNew Plimouth, the firstEnglish-Colony that took firm possession in this Countrey, which was in 1620, and the first Town built [p. 158.] therein, whose longitude is 315 degrees, in latitude 41 degrees and 37 minutes, it was built nine years before any other Town, from the beginning of it to 1669 is just forty years, in which time there hath been an increasing of forty Churches in this Colony (but many more in the rest,) and Towns in allNew-Englandone hundred and twenty, for the most part along the Sea-Coasts, (as being wholsomest) for somewhat more than two hundred miles: onely onConnecticut-River (as I have said) is thirteen Towns not far off one another.
The other Towns of note in this Colony areGreen-Harbourto the Eastward ofPlimouthtowards the point of theCape, & therefore somewhat unaccessible by land, here is excellent Timber for shipping; thenMarshfield,Yarmouth,Rehoboth,Bridgwater,Warwick,Taunton,Eastham, by theIndianscalledNamset.
The first Town Northeast fromGreen-harborisSittuatein the jurisdiction of theMattachusets-Colony, more Northward ofSittuateisConchussetandHulla little Burg lying open to the Sea, from thence we came toMerton-pointover against which isPullin-point. UponMerton-point(which is on the Larboard-side) is a Town calledNantascot, which is two Leagues fromBoston,where [p. 159.] Ships commonly cast Anchor.Pullin-pointis so called, because the Boats are by the seasing or Roads haled against the Tide which is very strong, it is the usual Channel for Boats to pass intoMattachusets-Bay.
There is an Island on the South-side of the passage containing eight Acres of ground. Upon a rising hill within this Island is mounted a Castle commanding the entrance, no stately Edifice, nor strong; built with Brick and Stone, kept by a Captain, under whom is a master-Gunner and others.
TheBayis large, made by many Islands, the chiefDeere-Island, which is within a flight shot ofPullin-point, great store ofDeerewere wont to swim thither from the Main; thenBird-Island,Glass-island,Slate-Island, the Governours Garden, where the first Apple-Trees in the Countrey were planted, and a vinyard; thenRound-Island, andNoddles-Island not far fromCharles-Town: most of these Islands lye on the North-side of theBay.
The next Town toNantascoton the South-side of theBayisWissaguseta small Village, about three miles fromMount-wolleston, about this Town the soil is very fertile.
Within sight of this isMount-wollestonorMerry-mount, calledMassachusets-fields, [p. 160.] whereChicatabatthe greatestSagamoreof the Countrey lived before the plague: here the Town ofBraintreeis seated, no Boat nor Ship can come near to it, here is an Iron mill: to the West of this Town isNaponsetRiver.
Six miles beyondBraintreelyethDorchester, a frontire Town pleasantly seated, and of large extent into the main land, well watered with two small Rivers, her body andwings filled somewhat thick with houses to the number of two hundred and more, beautified with fair Orchards and Gardens, having also plenty of Corn-land, and store of Cattle, counted the greatest Town heretofore inNew-England, but now gives way toBoston, it hath a Harbour to the North for Ships.
A mile fromDorchesteris the Town ofRoxbury, a fair and handsome Countrey Town, the streets large, the Inhabitants rich, replenished with Orchards and Gardens, well watered with springs and small freshets, a brook runs through it calledSmelt-River, a quarter of a mile to the North-side of the Town runs stony River: it is seated in the bottom of a shallowBay, but hath no harbour for shipping. Boats come to it, it hath store of Land and Cattle.
Two miles Northeast fromRoxbury, and [p. 161.] Forty miles fromNew-Plimouth, in the latitude of 42 or 43 degrees and 10 minutes, in the bottom ofMassachusets-BayisBoston(whose longitude is 315 degrees, or as others will 322 degrees and 30 seconds.) So called from a Town inLincolnshire, which in theSaxonstime bare the name of St.Botolph, and is the Metropolis of this Colony, or rather of the whole Countrey, situated upon aPeninsula, about four miles in compass, almost square, and invironed with the Sea, saving one smallIsthmuswhich gives access to other Towns by land on the South-side. The Town hath two hills of equal height on the frontire part thereof next the Sea, the one well fortified on the superficies with some Artillery mounted, commanding any Ship as she sails into the Harbour within the stillBay; the other hill hath a very strong battery built of whole Timber and fill’d withearth, at the descent of the hill in the extreamest part thereof, betwixt these two strong Arms, lyes a largeCoveorBay, on which the chiefest part of the Town is built to the Northwest is a high mountain that out-tops all, with its three little rising hills on the summit, calledTramount, this is furnished with a Beacon and great Guns, from hence you may [p. 162.] overlook all the Islands in theBay, and descry such Ships as are upon the Coast: the houses are for the most part raised on the Sea-banks and wharfed out with great industry and cost, many of them standing upon piles, close together on each side the streets as inLondon, and furnished with many fair shops, their materials are Brick, Stone, Lime, handsomely contrived, with three meeting Houses or Churches, and a Town-house built upon pillars where the Merchants may confer, in the Chambers above they keep their monethly Courts. Their streets are many and large, paved with pebble stone, and the South-side adorned with Gardens and Orchards. The Town is rich and very populous, much frequented by strangers, here is the dwelling of their Governour. On the North-west and North-east two constant Fairs are kept for daily Traffick thereunto. On the South there is a small, but pleasant Common where the Gallants a little before Sun-set walk with theirMarmalet-Madams, as we do inMorefields, &c. till the nine a clock Bell rings them home to their respective habitations, when presently the Constables walk their rounds to see good orders kept, and to take up loose people. Two miles from the town, [p. 163.] at a place calledMuddy-River, the Inhabitants have Farms, to which belong rich arable grounds and meadows where they keep their Cattlein the Summer, and bring them toBostonin the Winter; the Harbour before the Town is filled with Ships and other Vessels for most part of the year.
Hinghamis a Town situated upon the Sea-coasts, South-east ofCharles-River: here is great store of Timber, deal-boards, masts for Ships, white-Cedar, and fish is here to be had.
Dedhaman inland town ten miles fromBostonin the County ofSuffolkwell watered with many pleasant streams, and abounding with Garden fruit; the Inhabitants are Husband-men, somewhat more than one hundred Families, having store of Cattle and Corn.
The Town ofWaymouthlyes open to the Sea, on the East Rocks and Swamps, to the South-ward good store ofDeer, arable land and meadows.
On the North-side ofBostonflowsCharles-River, which is about six fathom deep, many small Islands lye to the Bayward, and hills on either side the River, a very good harbour, here may forty Ships ride, the passage fromBostontoCharles-Townis by a Ferry worth forty or fifty pounds a [p. 164.] year, and is a quarter of a mile over. The RiverMistickruns through the right side of the Town, and by its near approach toCharles-Riverin one place makes a very narrow neck, where stands most part of the Town, the market-place not far from the waterside is surrounded with houses, forth of which issue two streets orderly built and beautified with Orchards and Gardens, their meeting-house stands on the North-side of the market, having a little hill behind it; there belongs to this Town one thousand and two hundred Acres of arable, four hundred head of Cattle, and as many Sheep, these also provide themselves Farms in the Country.
Up higher inCharles-Riverwest-ward is a broad Bay two miles over, into which runsStony-RiverandMuddy-River.
Towards the South-west in the middle of theBayis a great Oyster-bank, towards the North-west is a Creek; upon the shore is situated the village ofMedford, it is a mile and half fromCharles-town.
At the bottom of theBaythe River begins to be narrower, half a quarter of a mile broad; by the North-side of the River isNew-town, three miles fromCharles-town, a league and half by water, it was first [p. 165.] intended for a City, the neatest and best compacted Town, having many fair structures and handsom contrived streets; the Inhabitants rich, they have many hundred Acres of land paled with one common fence a mile and half long, and store of Cattle; it is now calledCambridgewhere is a Colledg for Students of late; it stretcheth fromCharles-Riverto the Southern part ofMerrimach-River.
Half a mile thence on the same side of the River isWater-townbuilt upon one of the branches ofCharles-River, very fruitful and of large extent, watered with many pleasant springs and small Rivulets, the Inhabitants live scatteringly. Within half a mile is a great pond divided between the two Towns, a mile and half from the Town is a fall of fresh waters which conveigh themselves into the Ocean throughCharles-River, a little below the fall of waters they have a wair to catch fish, wherein they take store ofBasse,Shades,Alwives,Frost-fish, andSmelts, in two tides they have gotten one hundred thousand of these fishes. They have store of Cattle and Sheep, and near upon two thousand Acres of arable land, Ships of small burden may come up to these Towns.
[p. 166.] We will now return toCharles-townagain, where the RiverMistickruns on the North-side of the Town (that is the right side as beforesaid) where on the Northwest-side of the River is the Town ofMistick, three miles fromCharles-town, a league and half by water, a scattered village; at the head of this River are great and spacious ponds, full ofAlewivesin the spring-time, the notedst place for this sort of fish. On the West of this River is MerchantCraddock’splantation, where he impaled a park.
Upon the same River and on the North-side is the Town ofMalden.
The next Town isWinnisimeta mile fromCharles-town, the River only parting them, this is the last Town in the still bay ofMassachusets.
WithoutPullin-point, six miles North-east fromWinnisimetisCawgust, orSagust, orSangutnow calledLinn, situated at the bottom of aBaynear a River, which upon the breaking up of winter with a furious Torrent vents it self into the Sea, the Town consists of more than one hundred dwelling-houses, their Church being built on a level undefended from the North-west wind is made with steps descending [p. 167] into the Earth, their streets are straight and but thin of houses, the people most husbandmen. At the end of theSandy beachis a neck of land calledNahant, it is six miles in circumference. BlackWilliamanIndianDuke out of his generosity gave this to theEnglish. At the mouth of the River runs a great Creek into a great marsh calledRumney-marsh, which is four miles long, and a mile broad, this Town hath the benefit of minerals of divers kinds, Iron, Lead, one Iron mill, store of Cattle, Arable land and meadow.
To the North-ward ofLinnisMarvilorMarble-head, a small Harbour, the shore rockie, upon which the Town is built, consisting of a few scattered houses; here they have stages for fishermen, Orchards and Gardens, half a mile within land good pastures and Arable land.
Four miles North ofMarble-headis situatedNew-Salem(whose longitude is 315 degrees, and latitude 42 degrees 35 minutes) upon a plain, having a River on the South, and another on the North, it hath two Harbours, Winter Harbour and Summer Harbour which lyeth withinDarbie’sfort, they have store of Meadow and Arable, in this Town are some very rich Merchants.
[p. 168.] Upon the Northern Cape of theMassachusets, that isCape-Ann, a place of fishing is situated, the Town ofGlocesterwhere theMassachusetsColony first set down, butSalemwas the first Town built in that Colony, here is a Harbour for Ships.
To the North-ward ofCape-AnnisWonasquam, a dangerous place to sail by in stormie weather, by reason of the many Rocks and foaming breakers.
The next Town that presents it self to view isIpswichsituated by a fair River, whose first rise is from a Lake or Pond twenty mile up, betaking its course through a hideousSwampfor many miles, a Harbour forBears, it issueth forth into a largeBay, (where they fish forWhales) due East over against the Islands ofSholesa great place of fishing, the mouth of that River is barr’d; it is a good haven-town, their meeting-house or Church is beautifully built, store of Orchards and Gardens, land for husbandry and Cattle.
Wenhamis an inland Town very well watered, lyingbetweenSalemandIpswich, consisteth most of men of judgment and experiencein re rustica, well stored with Cattle. At the first rise ofIpswich-River in the highest part of the land near the head [p. 169.] springs of many considerable Rivers;Shashinone of the most considerable branches ofMerrimach-River, and also at the rise ofMistick-River, and ponds full of pleasant springs, is situatedWooburnan inland-Town four miles square beginning at the end ofCharles-townbounds.
Six miles fromIpswichNorth-east isRowley, most of the Inhabitants have been Clothiers.
Nine miles fromSalemto the North isAgowamine, the best and spaciousest place for a plantation, being twenty leagues to the Northward ofNew-Plimouth.
BeyondAgowaminis situatedHamptonnear the Sea-coasts not far fromMerrimach-River, this Town is like aFlower-deluce, having two streets of houses wheeling off from the main body thereof, they have great store of salt Marshes and Cattle, the land is fertil, but full of Swamps and Rocks.
Eight miles beyondAgowaminrunneth the delightful RiverMerrimachorMonumach, it is navigable for twenty miles, and well stored with fish, upon the banks grow stately Oaks, excellent Ship timber, not inferiour to ourEnglish.
On the South-side ofMerrimach-River [p. 170.] twelve miles fromIpswich, and near upon the wide venting streams thereof is situatedNewberrie, the houses are scattering, well stored with meadow, upland, and Arable, and about four hundred head of Cattle.
Over againstNewberrielyes the Town ofSalisbury,where a constant Ferry is kept, the River being here half a mile broad, the Town scatteringly built.
Hard upon the River ofShashinwhereMerrimachreceives this and the other branch into its body, is seatedAndover, stored with land and Cattle.
Beyond this Town by the branch ofMerrimach-River calledShashin, lyethHaverhill, a Town of large extent about ten miles in length, the inhabitants Husbandmen, this Town is not far fromSalisbury.
Over againstHaverhilllyeth the Town ofMalden, which I have already mentioned.
In a low level upon a fresh River a branch ofMerrimachis seatedConcord, the first inland Town inMassachusetspatent, well stored with fish,Salmon,Dace,Alewive,Shade, &c. abundance of fresh marsh and Cattle, this place is subject to bitter storms.
[p. 171.] The next town isSudburybuilt upon the same River whereConcordis, but further up; to this Town likewise belongs great store of fresh marshes, and Arable land, and they have many Cattle, it lyeth low, by reason whereof it is much indammaged with flouds.
In the Centre of the Countrey by a great pond side, and not far fromWoeburn, is situatedReading, it hath two mills, a saw-mill and a Corn-mill, and is well stockt with Cattle.
The Colony is divided into four Counties, the first isSuffolk, to which belongsDorchester,Roxbury,Waymouth,Hingham,Dedham,Braintre,Sittuate,Hull,Nantascot,Wisagusset. The second County isMiddlesex, to this belongsCharles-town,Water-town,Cambridge,Concord,Sudbury,Woeburn,Reading,Malden,Mistick,Medford,WinnisimetandMarble-head. To the third County which isEssex, belongsNew-Salem,Linn,Ipswich,New-Berry,Rowley,Glocester,WenhamandAndover. The fourth County isNorthfolk, to this belongsSalisbury,HamptonandHaverhill.
In the year of our Lord 1628, Mr.John Endicotwith a number ofEnglishpeople set down byCape-Annat that place called [p. 172.] afterwardsGloster, but their abiding-place was atSalem, where they built a Town in 1639. and there they gathered their first Church, consisting but of Seventy persons; but afterwards increased to forty three Churches in joynt Communion with one another, and in those Churches were about Seven thousand, seven hundred and fifty Souls, Mr.Endicotwas chosen their first Governour.
The Twelfth ofJulyAnno Dom.1630.John WenthorpEsq; and the assistants, arrived with the Patent for theMassachusets, the passage of the people that came along with him in ten Vessels came to 95000 pound: the Swine, Goats, Sheep, Neat, Horses cost to transport 12000 pound, besides the price they cost them; getting food for the people till they could clear the ground of wood amounted to 45000 pound: Nails, Glass, and other Iron work for their meeting and dwelling houses 13000 pound; Arms, Powder, Bullet, and Match, together with their Artillery 22000 pound, the whole sum amounts unto One hundred ninety two thousand pounds. They set down first uponNoddles-Island, afterwards they began to build upon the main. In 1637. there were not many houses in the Town of [p. 173.]Boston, amongst which were two houses of entertainment called Ordinaries, into which if a strangerwent, he was presently followed by one appointed to that Office, who would thrust himself into his company uninvited, and if he called for more drink than the Officer thought in his judgment he could soberly bear away, he would presently countermand it, and appoint the proportion, beyond which he could not get one drop.
The Patent was granted to SirHenry Rosewell, SirJohn YoungKnight,Thomas Southcoat,John Humphrey,John Endicot, andSimon Whitecomb, and to their Heirs, Assigns, and Associats for ever. These took to them other Associats, as SirRichard Saltonstall,Isaac Johnson,Samuel Aldersey,Jo. Ven,Matth. Craddock,George Harwood,Increase Nowell,Rich. Perry,Rich. Bellingham,Nathaniel Wright,Samuel Vasell,Theophilus Eaton,Thomas Goffe,Thomas Adams,Jo. Brown,Samuel Brown,Thomas Hutchins,Will. Vasell,Will. PinchonandGeorge Foxcroft.Matth. Craddockwas ordained and constituted Governour by Patent, andThomas GoffeDeputy Governour of the said Company, the rest Assistants.
That part ofNew-Englandgranted to [p. 174.] these fore-mentioned Gentlemen lyeth and extendeth between a great River calledMonumach, aliasMerrimach, and the often frequentedCharles-River, being in the bottom of aBaycalledMassachusets, aliasMattachusets, aliasMassatusets-bay; and also those lands within the space of threeEnglishmiles, on the South part of the saidCharles-River, or any or every part, and all the lands within three miles to the South-ward part of theMassachusets-bay, and all those lands which lye within the space of threeEnglishmiles to the North-ward of the RiverMerrimach, or to the North-ward of any and every partthereof, and all lands whatsoever within the limits aforesaid, North and South, in latitude, and in breadth and length and longitude of and within all the main land there, from theAtlantickand Western-Sea and Ocean on the East-part, to the South-Sea on the West-part, and all lands and grounds, place and places, soils, woods and wood-groves, Havens, Ports, Rivers, Waters, fishings and Hereditaments whatsoever lying within the aforesaid lands and limits, and every part and parcel thereof, and also all Islands lying inAmericaaforesaid in the said Seas, or either of them on the Western or Eastern [p. 175.] Coasts or parts of the said tracts of lands. Also all mines and minerals as well Royal of Gold, Silver, as others&c.With power to rule and govern both Sea and land, holden of the East manner ofGreenwichinCom. Kent, in free and common soccage, yielding and paying to the King the fifth part of the Oar of Gold and Silver which shall be found at any time.
This Colony is a body Corporated and Politick in fact by the name of the Governour and Company of theMattachusets-bayinNew-England.
That there shall be one Governour, and Deputy-Governour, and Eighteen Assistants of the same Company from time to time.
That the Governour and Deputy-Governour, Assistants and all other Officers to be chosen from amongst the free-men, the lastWednesdayinEaster-term yearly in the general Court.
The Governour to take his Corporal Oath to be true and faithful to the Government, and to give the same Oath to the other Officers.
[p. 176.] To hold a Court once a month, and any seven to be a sufficient Court.
And that there shall be four general Courts kept in Term time, and one great general and solemn Assembly to make Laws and Ordinances; So they be not contrary and repugnant to the Laws and Statutes of the Realm ofEngland. Their form of Government and what their Laws concern, you may see in the ensuing Table.
click here for image of this Table.
[p. 177.]
[p. 178.]Anno Dom.1646. they drew up a body of their Laws for the well ordering of their Commonwealth, as they not long since termed it.
The military part of their Commonwealth is governedby one Major-General, and three Serjeant Majors; to the Major-General belongeth particularly the Town ofBoston, to the three Serjeant Majors belong the four Counties, but with submission to the Major-General. The first Serjeant Major chosen for the County ofSuffolkwas MajorGibbons. For the County ofMiddlesexMajorSedgwick. For the County ofEssexandNorthfolkMajorDenison.
Every Town sends two Burgesses to their great and solemn general Court.
For being drunk, they either whip or impose a fine of Five shillings; so for swearing and cursing, or boring through the tongue with a hot Iron.
For kissing a woman in the street, though in way of civil salute, whipping or a fine.
For Single fornication whipping or a fine.
For Adultery, put to death, and so for witchcraft.
AnEnglishwoman suffering anIndianto have carnal knowledge of her, had anIndiancut out exactly in red cloth sewed [p. 179.] upon her right Arm, and injoyned to wear it twelve moneths.
Scolds they gag and set them at their doors for certain hours, for all comers and goers by to gaze at.
Stealing is punished with restoring four fould, if able; if not, they are sold for some years, and so are poor debtors.
If you desire a further inspection to their Laws, I must refer you to them being in print, too many for to be inserted into this Relation.
The Governments of their Churches are Independent and Presbyterial, every Church (for so they call their particularCongregations) have one Pastor, one Teacher, Ruling Elders and Deacons.
They that are members of their Churches have the Sacraments administred to them, the rest that are out of the pale as they phrase it, are denyed it. Many hundred Souls there be amongst them grown up to men & womens estate that were never Christened.
They judge every man and woman to pay Five shillingsperday, who comes not to their Assemblies, and impose fines of forty shillings and fifty shillings on such as meet together to worship God.
[p. 180.] Quakers they whip, banish, and hang if they return again.
Anabaptists they imprison, fine and weary out.
The Government both Civil and Ecclesiastical is in the hands of the thorow-pac’d Independents and rigid Presbyterians.
The groseGoddons, or great masters, as also some of their Merchants are damnable rich; generally all of their judgement, inexplicably covetous and proud, they receive your gifts but as an homage or tribute due to their transcendency, which is a fault their Clergie are also guilty of, whose living is upon the bounty of their hearers. On Sundays in the afternoon when Sermon is ended the people in the Galleries come down and march two a breast up one Ile and down the other, until they come before the desk, for Pulpit they have none: before the desk is a long pue where the Elders and Deacons sit, one of them with a mony box in his hand, into which the people as they pass put their offering, some a shilling, some two shillings, half a Crown, five shillings according to their abilityand good will, after this they conclude with a Psalm; but this by the way.
The chiefest objects of discipline, Religion, [p. 181.] and morality they want, some are of aLinsie-woolsiedisposition, of several professions in Religion, all likeÆthiopianswhite in the Teeth only, full of ludification and injurious dealing, and cruelty the extreamest of all vices. The chiefest cause ofNoah’sfloud, Prov. 27. 26.Agni erant ad vestitum tuum, is a frequent Text among them, no trading for a stranger with them, but with aGræcianfaith, which is not to part with your ware without ready money, for they are generally in their payments recusant and slow, great Syndies, or censors, or controllers of other mens manners, and savagely factious amongst themselves.
There are many strange women too, (inSalomon’ssence) more the pitty, when a woman hath lost her Chastity, she hath no more to lose.
But mistake me not to general speeches, none but the guilty take exceptions, there are many sincere and religious people amongst them, descryed by their charity and humility (the true Characters of Christianity) by their Zenodochie or hospitality, by their hearty submission to their Soveraign the King ofEngland, by their diligent and honest labour in their callings, amongst these we may account the Royalists, who are lookt upon with an evil eye, and [p. 182.] tongue, boulted or punished if they chance to lash out; the tameIndian(for so they call those that are born in the Countrey) are pretty honest too, and may in good time be known for honest Kings men.
They have store of Children, and are well accommodatedwith Servants; many hands make light work, many hands make a full fraught, but many mouths eat up all, as some old planters have experimented; of these some areEnglish, othersNegroes: of theEnglishthere are can eat till they sweat, and work till they freeze; & and of the females that are like Mrs.Winterspaddocks, very tender fingerd in cold weather.
There are none that beg in the Countrey, but there be Witches too many, bottle-bellied Witches amongst the Quakers, and others that produce many strange apparitions if you will believe report, of aShallopat Sea man’d with women; of a Ship, and a great red Horse standing by the main-mast, the Ship being in a smallCoveto the East-ward vanished of a suddain. Of a Witch that appeared aboard of a Ship twenty leagues to Sea to a Mariner who took up the Carpenters broad Axe and cleft her head with it, the Witch dying of the wound at home, with such like bugbears andTerriculamentaes.
[p. 183.] It is published in print, that there are not much less than Ten hundred thousand soulsEnglish,ScotchandIrishinNew-England.
Most of their first Magistrates are dead, not above two left in theMassachusets, but one atPlimouth, one atConnecticut, and one atNew-haven, they having done their generation work are laid asleep in their beds of rest till the day of doom, there and then to receive their reward according as they have done be it good or evil. Things of great indurance we see come to ruine, and alter, as great Flouds and Seas dryed up; mighty hills and mountains sunk into hollow bottoms: marvel not then that man is mortal, since his nature is unconstant and transitory.
The Diseases that theEnglishare afflicted with, are the same that they have inEngland, with some proper toNew-England, griping of the belly (accompanied with Feaver and Ague) which turns to the bloudy-flux, a common disease in the Countrey, which together with the small pox hath carried away abundance of their children, for this the common medicines amongst the poorer sort are Pills of Cotton swallowed, or Sugar and Sallet-oyl boiled thick and made into Pills, Alloes pulverized [p. 184.] and taken in the pap of an Apple. I helped many of them with a sweating medicine only.
Also they are troubled with a disease in the mouth or throat which hath proved mortal to some in a very short time, Quinsies, and Impostumations of the Almonds, with great distempers of cold. Some of ourNew-Englandwriters affirm that theEnglishare never or very rarely heard to sneeze or cough, as ordinarily they do inEngland, which is not true. For a cough or stitch upon cold, Wormwood, Sage, Marygolds, and Crabs-claws boiled in posset-drink and drunk off very warm, is a soveraign medicine.
Pleurisies and Empyemas are frequent there, both cured after one and the same way; but the last is a desperate disease and kills many. For the Pleurisie I have givenCoriander-seed prepared,Carduusseed, andHarts-hornpulverized with good success, the dose one dram in a cup of Wine.
The Stone terribly afflicts many, and the Gout, and Sciatica, for which take Onions roasted, peeled and stampt, then boil them with neats-feet oyl and Rhum to a plaister, and apply it to the hip.
Head-aches are frequent, Palsies, Dropsies, Worms, Noli-me-tangeres, Cancers, [p. 185.] pestilent Feavers. Scurvies, the body corrupted with Sea-diet, Beef and Pork tainted, Butter and Cheese corrupted, fish rotten, a long voyage, coming into the searching sharpness of a purer climate, causeth death and sickness amongst them.
Men and Women keep their complexions, but lose their Teeth: the Women are pittifully Tooth-shaken; whether through the coldness of the climate, or by sweet-meats of which they have store, I am not able to affirm, for the Toothach I have found the following medicine very available, Brimstone and Gunpowder compounded with butter, rub the mandible with it, the outside being first warm’d.
For falling off of the hair occasioned by the coldness of the climate, and to make it curl, take of the strong water called Rhum and wash or bath your head therewith, it is an admirable remedie.
For kibed heels, to heal them take the yellowest part of Rozen, pulverize it and work it in the palm of your hand with the tallow of a Candle to a salve, and lay of it to the sore.
For frozen limbs, a plaister framed with Soap, Bay-salt, and Molosses is sure, or Cow-dung boiled in milk and applyed.
For Warts and Corns, bathe them with Sea-water.
[p. 186.] There was in the Countrey not long since living two men that voided worms seven times their length. Likewise a young maid that was troubled with a sore pricking at her heart, still as she lean’d her body, or stept down with her foot to the one side or the other; this maidduring her distemper voided worms of the length of a finger all hairy with black heads; it so fell out that the maid dyed; her friends desirous to discover the cause of the distemper of her heart, had her open’d, and found two crooked bones growing upon the top of the heart, which as she bowed her body to the right or left side would job their points into one and the same place, till they had worn a hole quite through. AtCape-Porpuslived an honest poor planter of middle-age, and strong of body, but so extreamly troubled with two lumps (or wens as I conjectured) within him, on each side one, that he could not rest for them day nor night, being of great weight, and swagging to the one side or the other, according to the motion or posture of his body; at last he dyed inAnno1668 as I think, or thereabouts. Some Chirurgeons there were that proffered to open him, but his wife would not assent to it, and so his disease was hidden in the Grave.
[p. 187.] It is the opinion of many men, that the blackness of theNegroesproceeded from the curse uponCham’sposterity, others again will have it to be the property of the climate where they live. I pass by other Philosophical reasons and skill, only render you my experimental knowledge: having aBarbarie-moorunder cure, whose finger (prickt with the bone of a fish) was Impostumated, after I had lanc’d it and let out the Corruption the skin began to rise with proud flesh under it; this I wore away, and having made a sound bottom I incarnated it, and then laid on my skinning plaister, then I perceived that theMoorhad one skin more thanEnglishmen; the skin that is basted to the flesh is bloudy and of the same Azure colour with the veins, but deeper than the colour of ourEuropeansveins. Over this is an other skin of a tawny colour, and upon thatEpidermisorCuticula, the flower of the skin (which is that Snakes cast) and this is tawny also, the colour of the blew skin mingling with the tawny makes them appear black. I do not peremptorily affirm this to be the cause, but submit to better judgment. More rarities of this nature I could make known unto you, but I hasten to an end; only a word or two of ourEnglishCreatures and then to Sea again.
[p. 188.] I have given you an Account of such plants as prosper there, and of such as do not; but so briefly, that I conceive it necessary to afford you some what more of them.PlantainI told you sprang up in the Countrey after theEnglishcame, but it is but one sort, and that is broad-leaved plantain.
Gilliflowersthrive exceedingly there and are very large, the Collibuy or humming-Bird is much pleased with them. OurEnglishdames make Syrup of them without fire, they steep them in Wine till it be of a deep colour, and then they put to it spirit ofVitriol, it will keep as long as the other.
Eglantineor sweetBryeris best sowen withJuniper-berries, two or three to oneEglantine-berryput into a hole made with a stick, the next year separate and remove them to your banks, in three years time they will make a hedge as high as a man, which you may keep thick and handsome with cutting.
OurEnglish Clover-grasssowen thrives very well.
RadishesI have seen there as big as a man’s Arm.
FlaxandHempflourish gallantly.
OurWheati. e. summerWheatmany [p. 189.] timeschangeth intoRye, and is subject to be blasted, some say with a vapour breaking out of the earth, others, with a wind North-east or North-west, at such time as it flowereth, others again say it is with lightning. I have observed, that when a land ofWheathath been smitten with a blast at one Corner, it hath infected the rest in a weeks time, it begins at the stem (which will be spotted and goes upwards to the ear making it fruitless): in 1669 the pond that lyeth betweenWater-townandCambridge, cast its fish dead upon the shore, forc’t by a mineral vapour as was conjectured.
Our fruit-Trees prosper abundantly,Apple-trees,Pear-trees,Quince-trees,Cherry-trees,Plum-trees,Barberry-trees. I have observed with admiration, that the Kernels sown or the Succors planted produce as fair & good fruit, without graffing, as the Tree from whence they were taken: the Countrey is replenished with fair and large Orchards. It was affirmed by one Mr.Woolcut(a magistrate inConnecticutColony) at the Captains Messe (of which I was) aboard the Ship I came home in, that he made Five hundred Hogsheads ofSyderout of his own Orchard in one year.Syderis very plentiful in the Countrey, ordinarily sold for Ten shillings a Hogshead. At the [p. 190.] Tap-houses inBostonI have had an Ale-quart spic’d and sweetned with Sugar for a groat, but I shall insert a more delicate mixture of it. Take ofMaligo-Raisons, stamp them and put milk to them, and put them in anHippocrasbag and let it drain out of it self, put a quantity of this with a spoonful or two of Syrup ofClove-Gilliflowersinto every bottle, when you bottle yourSyder, and your Planter will have a liquor that exceedspassada, the Nectar of the Countrey.
TheQuinces,Cherries,Damsons, set the Dames a work,Marmaladand preserved Damsons is to be met with in every house. It was not long before I left the Countrey that I madeCherry wine, and so may others, for there are good store of them both red and black.
Their fruit-trees are subject to two diseases, theMeazels, which is when they are burned and scorched with the Sun, and lowsiness, when the wood-peckers job holes in their bark: the way to cure them when they are lowsie is to bore a hole into the main root with an Augur, and pour in a quantity of Brandie or Rhum, and then stop it up with a pin made of the same Tree.
The first Neat carried thither was to [p. 191.]New-PlimouthAnno1624 these thrive and increase exceedingly, but grow less in body than those they are bred of yearly.
Horses there are numerous, and here and there a good one, they let them run all the year abroad, and in the winter seldom provide any fother for them, (except it be Magistrates, great Masters and Troopers Horses) which brings them very low in flesh till the spring, and so crest fallen, that their crests never rise again. Here I first met with that excrescence calledHippomanes, which by some is said to grow on the forehead of a foal new cast, and that the Mare bites it off as soon as foaled; but this is but a fable. A neighbour atBlack-pointhaving a Mare with foal, tyed her up in his Barn, the next day she foaled, and the man standing by spied a thing like a foals tongue to drop out of the foals mouth, which he took up and presented me with it, telling me withall, that he had heard many wonderful things reported of it, and that it wasrank poyson. I accepted of it gladly and brought it home with me, when it was dry, it lookt like Glew, but of a dark brown colour; to omit all other uses for it, this I can assure you that a piece of it soakt in warm water or cold, will take spots out of wollen Clothes being rub’d thereon.
[p. 192.]Goatswere the first small Cattle they had in the Countrey, he was counted no body that had not a Trip or Flock ofGoats: a hee-Goatgelt atMichaelmasand turn’d out to feed will be fat in a moneths time, & is as good meat as a weather. I was taught by aBarbary Negroa medicine which before I proceed any further I will impart unto you, and that was for a swelling under the throat. TakeGoatshair and clay and boil them in fair water to a poultis, and apply it very warm.
Sheepnow they have good store, these andGoatsbring forth two, sometimes threeLambsandKidsat a time.
Hoggsare here innumerable, every planter hath a Heard, when they feed upon shell-fish and the like, as they do that are kept near the Sea and by the fishers stages, they tast fishie and rank; but fed with white Oak-Acorns, orIndian-Corn and Pease there is not better Pork in the whole world: besides they sometimes have theMeazels, which is known when their hinder legs are shorter than ordinary.
CattsandDogsare as common as inEngland, but ourDogsin time degenerate; yet they have gallantDogsboth for fowl & wild Beasts all over the Countrey: theIndiansstore themselves with them, being much [p. 193.] better for their turns, than their breed of wild dogs, which are (as I conceive) like to theTasso-canes or mountain dogs inItaly.
OfEnglishPoultry too there is good store, they have commonly three broods in a year; the hens by that time they are three years old have spurs like the Cock, but not altogether so big, but as long, they use to crow often, which is so rare a thing in other Countries, that they have a proverbGallina recinita Hen crowes. And inEnglandit is accounted ominous; therefore our Farmers wives as soon as they hear a Hen crow wring off her neck, and so they serve their spur’d Hens, because they should not break their Eggs with their spurs when they sit. In the year 1637. which was when I went my first Voyage toNew-Englanda good woman brought aboard with her a lusty Cock and Hen that had horns like spurs growing out on each side of their Combs, but she spoiled the breed, killing of them at Sea, to feed upon, for she loved a fresh bit.
InAnno1647/8. CertainIndianscoming to our house clad inDeere-skincoats, desired leave to lodge all night in our kitchin, it being a very rainie season, some of them lay down in the middle of the Room, and others under the Table, in the morning they [p. 194.] went away before any of the people were up; the poultry had their breakfast usually in cold weather in the kitchin, and because they should not hinder the passing of the people too and again, it was thrown under the Table; in the afternoon they began to hang the wing, in the night the sickest dropt dead from the perch, and the next day most of them dyed; we could not of a sudden ghess at the cause, but thought theIndianshad either bewitched, or poysoned them: it came at last into my head, seeing their Crops very full, or rather much swell’d, to open them, where I found as muchDeershair as Corn, they that pickt up none of the hair lived and did well.
In the year 1667.Octoberthe 7th amongst our poultry we had one white game Cock of theFrenchkind, a bird of high price, when he was three years old he drooped and his spirit was quite gone; one of ourNegromaids finding him in the yard dead brought him into the house and acquainted me with it. I caused her to draw him, when his guts were all drawn out she put in her hand again and felt a lump in his body as big as a half-peny loaf, strongly fastned to his back, and much ado she had to pull it out; I found it to be a tuff bag, containing stuff like liver, and very heavie, at one end [p. 195.] of the bag, another little bag filled with a fatty matter, his gizard, liver, and heart wasted. The Pipe or Roupe is a common disease amongst their poultry infecting one another with it. I conceive it cometh of a cold moisture of the brain, they will be very sleepie with it, the best cure for it isGarlick, and smoaking of them with dryedHysope.
InSeptemberfollowing my Arrivage in theMassachusetsabout the twelfth hour of the eight day, I shipt my self and goods in a Bark bound to the East-ward, meeting as we sailed out theDutchGovernour ofNew-Netherlands, who was received and entertained atBostonby the Governour and Magistrates with great solemnity. About nine of the clock at night we came toSalemand lay aboard all night.
The Ninth day we went ashore to view the Town which is a mile long, and lay that night at a Merchants house.
The Tenth day we came fromSalemabout twelve of the clock back toMarble-head: here we went ashore and recreated our selves with Musick and a cup of Sack and saw the Town, about ten at night we returned to our Bark and lay aboard.
The Eleventh being Saturday, and the wind contrary, we came toCharles-town, [p. 196.] again about twelve of the clock we took store ofMackarel.
The Thirteenth being Monday, we went aboard again about nine of the clock in the morning and out to Sea, about Sun going down we took store ofMackarel. The
wind was scanty all along, and in the night time we durst not bear much sail, because of the Rocks and foaming breakers that lay in our way.
The Fourteenth day we came up withPascataway, orPascatique, where there is a large River and a fair harbour, within here is seated a Colony, properly belonging to the Heirs of CaptainMasonsometime since ofLondon; but taken into the Colony ofMassachusets, by what right I will not here discuss.
The chiefest places of note are theBayorHarbourNorth fromBoston, on the West-side of the Harbour are built many fair houses, and so in another part calledStrawberry-bank.
By the Harbour is an Island which of late days is filled with buildings, besides there are two Towns more seated up higher upon the River, the one calledDover; the River-banks are clothed with stately Timber, and here are two miles meadow land and arable enough; the other town is calledExcester.
[p. 197.] At the RiverPascatawaybegins the Province ofMain: having pleased our selves with the sight ofPascatawayat a distance we sailed on, and came toBlack-point.
The Fifteenth day, about eight of the clock at night, where the next day I was shrewdly pinched with a greatfrost, but having two or three bottles of excellentPassada, and good cheer bestowed upon me I made a shift to bear it out, and now we are in the Province ofMain.
The Province ofMain, (or the Countrey of theTraquoes) heretofore calledLaconiaorNew-Summersetshire, is a Colony belonging to the Grandson of SirFerdinando GorgesofAshton Phillipsin the County ofSommerset, the said SirFerdinando Gorgesdid expend in planting several parts ofNew-Englandabove Twenty thousand poundssterling; and when he was between three and four score years of age did personally engage in our Royal Martyrs service; and particularly in the Seige ofBristow, and was plundered and imprisoned several times, by reason whereof he was discountenanced by the pretended Commissioners for forraign plantations, and his Province incroached upon by theMassachusetsColony, who assumed the Government thereof. His Majestie that now Reigneth sent over his [p. 198.] Commissioners to reduce them within their bounds, and to put Mr.Gorgesagain into possession. But there falling out a contest about it, the Commissioners settled it in the Kings name (until the business should be determined before his Majestie) and gave Commissions to the Judge of their Courts, and the Justices to Govern and Act according to the Laws ofEngland, & by such Laws of their own as were not repugnant to them: But as soon as the Commissioners were returned forEngland, theMassachusetsenter the province in a hostile manner with a Troop of Horse and Foot and turn’d the Judge and his Assistants off the Bench, Imprisoned the Major or Commander of the Militia, threatned the Judge, and some others that were faithful to Mr.Gorgesinterests. I could discover many other foul proceedings, but for some reasons which might be given, I conceive it not convenient to make report thereof to vulgar ears;& quæ supra nos nihil ad nos. Onely this I could wish, that there might be some consideration of the great losses, charge and labour which hath been sustained by the Judge, and some others for above thirty years in upholding the rights of Mr.Gorgeand his Sacred Majesties Dominion against a many stubborn and elusive people.
[p. 199.]Anno Dom.1623. Mr.Robert Gorge, SirFerdinando Gorgesbrother had for his good service granted him by Patent from the Council ofPlimouthall that part of the Land commonly calledMassachusiack, situated on the North-side of the Bay ofMassachusets.
Not long after this SirFerdinando Gorgeshad granted to him by Patent from the middest ofMerrimack-River to the great RiverSagadehock, then calledLaconia.
In 1635. Capt.William Gorge, SirFerdinando’sNephew, was sent over Governour of the Province ofMain, then calledNew-Summersetshire.
SirFerdinando Gorgereceived a Charter-Royal from KingCharlesthe first the third ofAprilin the Fifteenthof his Raign, granting to him all that part and portion ofNew-England, lying and being between the River ofPascataway, that is, beginning at the entrance ofPascataway-harbour, and so to pass up the same into the River ofNewichawanoeorNeqhechewanck, and through the same unto the farthest head thereof aforesaid, North-eastward along the Sea-coasts, for Sixty miles toSagadehoc-River toKenebeck, even as far as the head thereof, and up into the main land North-westward for the space of one hundredand twenty [p. 200.] miles. To these Territories are adjoyned the North half-Isle ofSholes, with several other Islands, it lyeth between 44 degrees and 45 of Northerly latitude. The RiverCanadaon the North-east the Sea coast South, amongst many large Royalties, Jurisdictions and Immunities was also granted to the said SirFerdinando Gorge, the same Royalties, priviledges and franchises as are, or of right ought to be enjoyed by the Bishop ofDurhamin the County Palatine ofDurham; the planters to pay for every hundred Acres of land yearly, two shillings six pence, that is such land as is given to them and their Heirs for ever.
The Officers by Patent are a Deputy Governour, a Chancellor, a Treasurer, a Marshal for Souldiers, an Admiraltie for Sea affairs, and a Judge of the Admiraltie, a Master of Ordinance, a Secretary,&c.
Towns there are not many in this province.Kitterysituated not far fromPascatawayis the most populous.
Next to that Eastward is seated by a River near the SeaGorgiana, a Majoraltie, and the Metropolitan of the province.
Further to the Eastward is the Town ofWells.
Cape-PorpusEastward of that, where there is a Town by the Sea side of the same name, [p. 201.] the houses scatteringly built, all these Towns have store of salt and fresh marsh with arable land, and are well stockt with Cattle.
About eight or nine mile to the East-ward ofCape-Porpus, isWinter harbour, a noted place for Fishers, here they have many stages.
Sacoadjoyns to this, and both make one scatteringTown of large extent, well stored with Cattle, arable land and marshes, and a Saw-mill.
Six mile to the Eastward ofSaco& forty mile fromGorgianais seated the Town ofBlack point, consisting of about fifty dwelling houses, and a Magazine orDoganne, scatteringly built, they have store of neat and horses, of sheep near upon Seven or Eight hundred, much arable and marsh salt and fresh, and a Corn-mill.