New Englands Plantation, Letter – List of place names

New Englands Plantation · Letter – List of place names

A Letter sent from New-England, by Master Graues, Engynere now there Resident.

THus much I can affirme in generall, that I neuer came in a more goodly Country in all my life, all things considered: if it hath not at any time beene manured and husbanded, yet it is very beautifull in open Lands, mixed with goodly woods, and againe open plaines, in some places fiue hundred Acres, some places more, some lesse, not much troublesome for to cleere for the Plough to goe in, no place barren, but on the tops of the Hils, the grasse & weedes grow vp to a mans face, in the Lowlands & by fresh Riuers aboundance of grasse and large Meddowes without any Tree or shrubbe to hinder the Sith: I neuer saw except in Hungaria, vntounto which I alwayes paralell this countrie, in all our most respects, for every thing that is heere eyther sowne or planted prospereth farre better then in Old England: the increase of Corne is here farre beyond expectation, as I hauehave seene here by experience in Barly, the which because it is somuch aboue your conception I will not mention: And Cattell doe prosper very well, and those that are bredd heere farr greater then those with you in England. Vines doe grow heere plentifully laden with the biggest Grapes that ever I saw, some I hauehave seene foure inches about, so that I …m bold to say of this countrie, as it is commonly said in Germany of Hungari…, that for Cattel, Corne, and Wine is excelleth. We hauehave many more hopefull commodities here in this countrie, the which time will teach to make good vse of: In the meane time wee abound with such things which next vnderunder God doe make vsus subsist, as Fish, Foule, Deere, and sundrie sorts of fruites, as Musk-millions water-millions, Indian-Pompions, Indian Pease Beanes, & many other odde fruits that I cannot name, all which are made good and pleasant through this maine blessing of God, the healthfulnesse of the countrie which farre exceedeth all parts that euer I hauehave beene in▪ It is obserued that few or none doe heere fall sicke, vnlesse of the Scuruy that they bring from aboard the Shippe with them, whereof I hauehave cured some of my Companie onelyonly by labour. Thus making an end of an imperfect Description, and committing you to God, &c.

A Catalogue of such needfull things as eueryevery Planter doth or ought to prouide to go to New-England; as namely for one man, which being doubled, may serue for as many as you please, viz.

Victuals for a whole yeere for a man, and so after the rate for more.

8 BVshels of meale.

2 Bushels of pease

2 Bushels of Otemeale.

1 Gallon of Aquavitae.

1 Gallon of Oyle.

2 Gallons of Vineger.

1 Firkin of Butter.

Apparell.

1 Monmoth Cap.

3 Falling bands.

3 Shirts.

1 Wast-coat.

1 Suit of Canuase.

1 Suit of Frize.

1 Suit of Cloth.

3 Paire of Stockings.

4 Paire of Shooes.

2 Paire of Sheets.

7 Ells of Canuas to make a bed and boulster.

1 Paire of Blankets.

1 Course Rug.

Armes.

1 Armor compleat.

1 Long peece.

1 Sword.

1 Belt.

1 Bandilier.

20 Pound of powder.

60 Pound of Lead.

1 Pistoll and Goose shot.

Tooles.

1 Broad Howe

1 Narrow Howe.

1 Broad Axe.

1 Felling Axe.

1 Steele Handsawe.

1 Whipsawe

1 Hammer.

1 Shouell.

1 Spade.

2 Aug…es.

4 Chissels.

2 Percers stocked.

1 Gimblet.

1 Hatchet.

2 Frowes.

1 Hand-Bill.

1 Grindstone.

1 Pickaxe.

Nayles of all sorts.

Houshold implements.

1 Iron pot.

1 Kettell.

1 Frying pan.

1 Gridiron.

2 Skellets.

1 Spit.

Woodden Platers.

Dishes.

Spoones.

Trenchers.

Spices.

Sugar.

Pepper.

Cloues.

Mace.

Cinnamon.

Nutmegs.

Fruit.

Also there are diuers other things necessary to be taken ouer to this Plantation, as Bookes, Nets, Hookes and Lines, Cheese, Bacon, Kine, Goats, &c.

The names of the most remarkable places in New-England.

But whosoeuer desireth to know as much as yet can be discouered, I aduise them to buy Captaine Iohn Smiths booke of the description of New England in Folio; and reade from Fol. 203. to the end; and there let the Reader expect to hauehave full content.

FINIS.

End of the text · Francis Higginson, New Englands Plantation (1630)