Source 1

Extract from 21 May 1607 from a journal of one of the settlers, likely Gabriel Archer, who is starting out on a journey of discovery with Captain Newport. (CO 1/1)

Transcript

A relatyon of the Discovery of our River, from James Forte into the Maine: made by Capt. Christopher Newport: and sincerely written and observed by a gent of ye colony.

 

Thursday the xxith of May, Capt[ain] Newport (having fitted our shallup with provision and all neccessaryes belonging to a discovery) tooke 5 . gentleme[n]. 4 Maryners . and 14 Sal[ours], with whome he [proc]eded with a [per]fect resolutyon not to returne, but either to find ye head of this Ryver, the Laake mentyoned by others heretofore, the Sea againe, the Mountaynes Apalatsi, or some issue

 

The names of the Dyscoverers are thes : Capt[ain] Christopher Newport

 

George Percye esq.                 Francys Nellson
Capt[ain] Gabriell Archer         John Collson.
Capt[ain] Ihon Smyth             Robert Tyndall             Mariners
M[aster] Ihon Brookes             Marrhew Fytch
M[aster] Thomas Wotton

Jonas Poole.
Robert Markham.
John Crookdeck.
Olyver Browne.
Beniamyn White.
Rych[ard] Genoway
Tho[mas] Turnbrydg
Tho[mas] Godword
Robert Jackson
Charles Clarke
Stephen
Thomas Slymer
Jeremy Deale
Danyell

Simplified transcript

A relation of the discovery of our river, from James Fort into the Maine: made by Capt. Christopher Newport and sincerely written and observed by a gentleman of the colony.

 

On Thursday the 20th of May, Captain Newport (having fitted our shallop [small ship] with provisions [supplies] and all necessary supplies for an expedition, took with him 5 gentlemen, 4 mariners, and 14 sailors and proceeded with the aim to find the head of this river, the lake previously mentioned by others, the sea [coastline], the Apalatsi [Appalachian] Mountains…

 

The names of the discoverers are these: Captain Christopher Newport

 

George Percye esq.                 Francys Nellson
Capt[ain] Gabriell Archer         John Collson.
Capt[ain] Ihon Smyth             Robert Tyndall             Mariners
M[aster] Ihon Brookes             Marrhew Fytch
M[aster] Thomas Wotton

Jonas Poole.
Robert Markham.
John Crookdeck.
Olyver Browne.
Beniamyn White.
Rych[ard] Genoway
Tho[mas] Turnbrydg
Tho[mas] Godword
Robert Jackson
Charles Clarke
Stephen
Thomas Slymer
Jeremy Deale
Danyell

 

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1. Extract from 21 May 1607 from a journal of one of the settlers, likely Gabriel Archer, who is starting out on a journey of discovery with Captain Newport.

  • What did the ‘Dyscoverers’ (explorers) take with them?
  • Why might we today question the use of the term ‘Dyscoverers’ to describe the English settlers?
  • How many people went on the exploration?
  • Why do you think this journey of exploration was taking place?