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Extract from 21 May 1607 from the journal of Gabriel Archer

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, M[aster] Ihon Brookes, Marrhew Fytch, M[aster] Thomas Wotton - Mariners

1. Jonas Poole.
2. Robert Markham.
3. John Crookdeck.
4. Olyver Browne.
5. Beniamyn White.
6. Rych[ard] Genoway
7. Tho[mas] Turnbrydg
8. Tho[mas] Godword
9. Robert Jackson
10. Charles Clarke
11. Stephen
12. Thomas Slymer
13. Jeremy Deale
14. Danyell

Modern english

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, M[aster] Ihon Brookes, Marrhew Fytch
M[aster] Thomas Wotton - Mariners

1. Jonas Poole.
2. Robert Markham.
3. John Crookdeck.
4. Olyver Browne.
5. Beniamyn White.
6. Rych[ard] Genoway
7. Tho[mas] Turnbrydg
8. Tho[mas] Godword
9. Robert Jackson
10. Charles Clarke
11. Stephen
12. Thomas Slymer
13. Jeremy Deale
14. Danyell