The Three Charters of the Virginia Company of London. With Seven Related Documents; 1606-1621

Giles Fraunces, gentleman [Francis]

George Walker, sadler

John Swinehowe, stacioner [Swinhow]

Edward Bushoppe, stacioner [Bishop]

Leonard White, gentleman

Christopher Barron [Baron]

Peter Benson

Richard Smyth [Smith]

George Prockter, minister [Proctor]

Millicent Ramesden, widowe [Ramsdent]

Joseph Soane

Thomas Hinshawe [Hinshaw]

John Baker

Robert Thorneton [Thornton]

John Davies [Davis]

Edward Facett [Facet]

George Nuce, gentleman [Newce]

John Robinson

Captaine Thomas Wood

William Browne, shoemaker [Brown]

Roberte Barker, shoemaker

Roberte Penington [Pennington]

Francis Burley, minister

William Quick, grocer

Edward Lewes, grocer [Lewis]

Laurence Campe, draper

Aden Perkins, grocer

Richard Shepparde, preacher [Shepherd]

William Sheckley, haberdasher [Sherley]

William Tayler, haberdasher [Taylor]

Edward Lukyn, gentleman [Edwin Lukin]

John Francklyn, haberdasher [Franklyn]

John Southicke [Southwick]

Peter Peate

George Johan, iremonnger

George Yardley, gentleman [Yeardley]

Henrie Shelly [Shelley]

John Pratt [Prat]

Thomas Church, draper

William Powell, gentleman [Powel]

Richard Frithe, gentleman [Frith]

Thomas Wheeler, draper

Franncis Hasilerigg, gentleman [Haselrig]

Hughe Shippley, gentleman [Shipley]

John Andrewes, thelder, [doctor], of Cambridge [Andrews]

Franncis Whistley, gentleman [Whistler]

John Vassall, gentleman

Richard Howle

Edward Barkeley, gentleman [Berkeley]

Richard Knerisborough, gentleman [Keneridgburg]

Nicholas Exton, draper

William Bennett, fishmonger [Bennet]

James Hawood, marchaunt [Haywood]

Nicholas Isaak, merchaunt [Isaac]

William Gibbs, merchannt

[William] Bushopp [Bishop]

Barnard Michell [Mitchel]

Isaake Michell [Isaac Mitchel]

John Streat [Streate]

Edward Gall

John Marten, gentleman [Martin]

Thomas Fox

Luke Lodge

John Woodleefe, gentleman [Woodliffe]

Rice Webb [Richard]

Vincent Lowe [Low]

Samuell Burnam [Burnham]

Edmonde Pears, haberdasher

Josua Goudge [John Googe]

John St. John

Edwarde Vaughan

William Dunn

Thomas Alcock [Alcocke]

John Andrewes, the younger, of Cambridge [Andrews]

Samuell Smithe [Smith]

Thomas Jerrard [Gerrard]

Thomas Whittingham

William Cannynge [Canning]

Paule Caminge [Canning]

George Chaudler [Chandler]

Henrye Vincent

Thomas Ketley

James Skelton

James Montain [Mountaine]

George Webb, gentleman

Josephe Newbroughesmith [Joseph Newbridge, smith]

Josias Mande [Mand]

Raphe Haman, the younger [Hamer]

Edward Brewster, the sonne of William Brewster

Leonard Harwood, mercer

Phillipp Druerdent

William Carpenter

Tristram Hill

Roberte Cock, grocer

Laurence Grene, grocer [Greene]

Daniell Winche, grocer [Samuel Winch]

Humfrey Stile, grocer

Averie Dransfeild, grocer [Dransfield]

Edwarde Hodges, grocer

Edward Beale, grocer10

Raphe Busby, grocer11

John Whittingham, grocer

John Hide, grocer

Mathew Shipperd, grocer [Shepherd]

Thomas Allen, grocer

Richard Hooker, grocer

Laurence Munckas, grocer [Munks]

John Tanner, grocer

Peter Gate, grocer

John Blunt, grocer12

Roberte Berrisford, grocer13

Thomas Wells, gentleman14

John Ellis, grocer

Henrie Colthurst, grocer

John Cranage, grocer [Cavady]

Thomas Jenings, grocer [Jennings]

Edmond Peshall, grocer [Pashall]

Timothie Bathurst, grocer

Gyles Parslowe, grocer15 [Parslow]

Roberte Johnson, grocer [Richard]

William Janson, vintener [Johnson]

Ezechiell Smith

Richard Murrettone [Martin]

William Sharpe

Roberte Ritche [Rich]

William Stannerd, inholder [Stannard]

John Stocken

William Strachey, gentleman

George Farmer, gentleman

Thomas Gypes, clothworker

Abraham Dawes, gentleman [Davies]

Thomas Brockett, gentleman [Brocket]

George Bathe, fishmonger [Bache]

John Dike, fishmonger

Henrie Spranger

Richard Farringdon [Farrington]

Chistopher Vertue, vintener

Thomas Baley, vintener [Bayley]

George Robins, vintener

Tobias Hinson, grocer

Urian Spencer [Vrian]

Clement Chachelley [Chicheley]

John Searpe, gentleman [Scarpe]

James Cambell, iremonnger [Campbell]

Christopher Clitherowe, iremonnger [Clitheroe]

Phillipp Jacobson

Peter Jacobson, of Andwarpe

William Barckley [Berkeley]

Miles Banck, cutler [Banks]

Peter Highley, grocer [Higgons]

Henrie John, gentleman

John Stoakley, merchauntailor [Stokeley]

The companie of mercers

The companie of grocers

The companie of drapers

The company of fishmongers

The companie of gouldsmithes

The companie of skynners

The companie merchauntailors

The companie of haberdashers

The companie of salters

The companie of iremongers

The companie of vintners

The companie of clothworkers

The companie of dyers

The companie of bruers

The companie of lethersellers

The companie of pewterers

The companie of cutlers

The companie of whitebakers

The companie of waxchaundlers

The companie of tallowe chaundlers

The companie of armorers

The companie of girdlers

The companie of butchers

The companie of sadlers

The companie of carpenters

The companie of cordwayners

The companie of barbor chirurgions

The companie of painter stayners

The companie of curriers

The companie of masons

The companie of plumbers

The companie of inholders

The companie of founders

The companie of poulterers

The companie of cookes

The companie of coopers

The companie of tylers and bricklayers

The companie of bowyers

The companie of fletchers

The companie of blacksmithes

The companie of joyners

The companie of weavers

The companie of wollmen

The companie of woodmonngers

The companie of scrivenors

The companie of fruterers

The companie of plasterers

The companie of brownebakers

The companie of stacioners

The companie of imbroderers

The companie of upholsters

The companie of musicions

The companie of turners16

The companie of baskettmakers

The companie of glasiers

John Levett, merchaunt [Levet]

Thomas Nornicott, clothworker [Nornicot]

Richard Venn, haberdasher

Thomas Scott, gentleman [Scot]

Thomas Juxson, merchauntaylor [Juxon]

George Hankinson

Thomas Leeyer, gentleman [Seyer]

Mathew Cooper

George Butler, gentleman

Thomas Lawson, gentleman

Edward Smith, haberdasher

Stephen Sparrowe

John Jones, merchaunt

[John] Reynold, brewer [Reynolds]

Thomas Plummer, merchaunt

James Duppa, bruer

Rowland Coytemore [Coitmore]

William Sotherne [Southerne]

George Whittmoore, haberdasher [Whitmore]

Anthonie Gosoulde, the younger [Gosnold]

John Allen, fishemonger

Symonde Yeomans, fishmonger [Simon]

Launcelot Davis, gentleman

John Hopkins, an alderman of Bristoll

John Kettlebye, gentleman [Kettleby]

Richard Chene, gouldsmithe [Clene]

George Hooker, gentleman

Roberte Shevinge, yeoman [Chening]

And to such and so manie as they doe or shall hereafter admitt to be joyned with them, in forme hereafter in theis presentes expressed, whether they goe in their persons to be planters there in the said plantacion, or whether they goe not, but doe adventure their monyes, goods or chattels, that they shalbe one bodie or communaltie perpetuall and shall have perpetual succession and one common seale to serve for the saide bodie or communaltie; and that they and their successors shalbe knowne, called and incorporated by the name of The Tresorer and Companie of Adventurers and Planters of the Citty of London for the Firste Collonie in Virginia.

And that they and their successors shalbe from hensforth, forever enabled to take, acquire and purchase, by the name aforesaid (licens for the same from us, oure heires or successors first had and obtained) anie manner of lands, tenements and hereditaments, goods and chattels, within oure realme of England and dominion of Wales; and that they and their successors shalbe likewise enabled, by the name aforesaid, to pleade and to be impleaded before anie of oure judges or justices, in anie oure courts, and in anie accions or suits whatsoever.

And wee doe also, of oure said speciall grace, certaine knowledge and mere mocion, give, grannte and confirme unto the said Tresorer and Companie, and their successors, under the reservacions, limittacions and declaracions hereafter expressed, all those lands, countries and territories scituat, lieinge and beinge in that place of America called Virginia, from the pointe of lande called Cape or Pointe Comfort all alonge the seacoste to the northward twoe hundred miles and from the said pointe of Cape Comfort all alonge the sea coast to the southward twoe hundred miles; and all that space and circuit of lande lieinge from the sea coaste of the precinct aforesaid upp unto the lande, throughoute, from sea to sea, west and northwest; and also all the island beinge within one hundred miles alonge the coaste of bothe seas of the precincte aforesaid; togeather with all the soiles, groundes, havens and portes, mynes, aswell royall mynes of golde and silver as other mineralls, pearles and precious stones, quarries, woods, rivers, waters, fishings, comodities, jurisdictions, royalties, priviledges, franchisies and preheminences within the said territorie and the precincts there of whatsoever; and thereto or there abouts, both by sea and lande, beinge or in anie sorte belonginge or appertayninge, and which wee by oure lettres patents maie or cann graunte; and in as ample manner and sorte as wee or anie oure noble progenitors have heretofore graunted to anie companie, bodie pollitique or corporate, or to anie adventurer or adventurers, undertaker or undertakers, of anie discoveries, plantacions or traffique of, in, or into anie forraine parts whatsoever; and in as large and ample manner as if the same were herin particulerly mentioned and expressed: to have, houlde, possesse and enjoye all and singuler the said landes, countries and territories with all and singuler other the premisses heretofore by theis [presents] graunted or mencioned to be grannted, to them, the said Tresorer and Companie, their successors and assignes, forever; to the sole and proper use of them, the said Tresorer and Companie, their successors and assignes [forever], to be holden of us, oure heires and successors, as of oure mannour of Estgreenewich, in free and common socage and not in capite; yeldinge and payinge, therefore, to us, oure heires and successors, the fifte parte onlie of all oare of gould and silver that from tyme to time, and at all times hereafter, shalbe there gotton, had and obtained, for all manner of service.

And, nevertheles, oure will and pleasure is, and wee doe by theis presentes chardge, commannde, warrant and auctorize, that the said Tresorer and Companie and their successors, or the major parte of them which shall be present and assembled for that purpose, shall from time to time under their common seale distribute, convey, assigne and set over such particuler porcions of lands, tenements and hereditaments, by theise presents formerly grannted, unto such oure lovinge subjects naturallie borne of denizens, or others, aswell adventurers as planters, as by the said Companie, upon a commission of survey and distribucion executed and retourned for that purpose, shalbe named, appointed and allowed, wherein oure will and pleasure is, that respect be had as well of the proporcion of the adventure[r] as to the speciall service, hazarde, exploite or meritt of anie person so as to be recompenced, advannced or rewarded.

And for as muche as the good and prosperous successe of the said plantacion cannot but cheiflie depende, next under the blessinge of God and the supporte of oure royall aucthoritie, upon the provident and good direccion of the whole enterprise by a carefull and understandinge Counsell, and that it is not convenient that all the adventurers shalbe so often drawne to meete and assemble as shalbe requisite for them to have metings and conference aboute theire affaires, therefore we doe ordaine, establishe and confirme that there shalbe perpetually one Counsell here resident, accordinge to the tenor of oure former lettres patents, which Counsell shall have a seale for the better governement and administracion of the said plantacion besides the legall seale of the Companie or Corporacion, as in oure former lettres patents is also expressed.

And further wee establishe and ordaine that

Henrie, Earl of Southampton

William, Earl of Pembrooke

Henrie, Earl of Lincoln

Thomas, Earl of Exeter

Roberte, Lord Viscounte Lisle

Lord Theophilus Howard

James, Lord Bishopp of Bathe and Wells

Edward, Lord Zouche

Thomas, Lord Laware

William, Lord Mounteagle

Edmunde, Lord Sheffeilde

Grey, Lord Shanndoys [Chandois]17

John, Lord Stanhope

George, Lord Carew

Sir Humfrey Welde, Lord Mayor of London

Sir Edward Cecil

Sir William Waad [Wade]

Sir Henrie Nevill

Sir Thomas Smith

Sir Oliver Cromwell

Sir Peter Manwood

Sir Thomas Challoner

Sir Henrie Hovarte [Hobart]

Sir Franncis Bacon

Sir George Coppin

Sir John Scott

Sir Henrie Carey

Sir Roberte Drurie [Drury]

Sir Horatio Vere

Sir Eward Conwaye [Conway]

Sir Maurice Berkeley [Barkeley]

Sir Thomas Gates

Sir Michaele Sands [Sandys]

Sir Roberte Mansfeild [Mansel]

Sir John Trevor

Sir Amyas Preston

Sir William Godolphin

Sir Walter Cope

Sir Robert Killigrewe

Sir Henrie Faushawe [Fanshaw]

Sir Edwyn Sandes [Sandys]

Sir John Watts

Sir Henrie Montague

Sir William Romney

Sir Thomas Roe

Sir Baptiste Hicks

Sir Richard Williamson

Sir Stephen Powle [Poole]

Sir Dudley Diggs

Christopher Brooke, [Esq.]

John Eldred, and

John Wolstenholme

shalbe oure Counsell for the said Companie of Adventurers and Planters in Virginia

And the said Sir Thomas Smith wee ordaine to be Tresorer of the said Companie, which Tresorer shall have aucthoritie to give order for the warninge of the Counsell and sommoninge the Companie to their courts and meetings.

And the said Counsell and Tresorer or anie of them shalbe from henceforth nominated, chosen, contynued, displaced, chaunged, altered and supplied, as death or other severall occasions shall require, out of the Companie of the said adventurers by the voice of the greater parte of the said Counsell and adventurers in their assemblie for that purpose; provided alwaies that everie Councellor so newlie elected shalbe presented to the Lord Channcellor of England, or to the Lord Highe Treasurer of England, or the Lord Chambleyne of the housholde of us, oure heires and successors, for the tyme beinge to take his oathe of a Counsellor to us, oure heires and successors, for the said Companie and Collonie in Virginia.

And wee doe by theis presents, of oure especiall grace, certaine knowledge and meere motion, for us, oure heires and successors, grannte unto the said Tresorer and Companie and their successors, that if it happen at anie time or times the Tresorer for the tyme beinge to be sick, or to have anie such cause of absente from the cittie of London as shalbe allowed by the said Counsell or the greater parte of them assembled, so as he cannot attende the affaires of that Companie, in everie such case it shall and maie be lawfull for such Tresorer for the tyme beinge to assigne, constitute and appointe one of the Counsell for Companie to be likewise allowed by the Counsell or the greater parte of them assembled to be the deputie Tresorer for the said Companie; which Deputie shall have power to doe and execute all things which belonge to the said Tresorer duringe such tyme as such Tresorer shalbe sick or otherwise absent, upon cause allowed of by the said Counsell or the major parte of them as aforesaid, so fullie and wholie and in as large and ample manner and forme and to all intents and purposes as the said Tresorer if he were present himselfe maie or might doe and execute the same.

And further of oure especiall grace, certaine knowledge and meere mocion, for us, oure heires and successors, wee doe by theis presents give and grannt full power and aucthoritie to oure said Counsell here resident aswell at this present tyme as hereafter, from time to time, to nominate, make, constitute, ordaine and confirme by such name or names, stile or stiles as to them shall seeme good, and likewise to revoke, dischardge, channge and alter aswell all and singuler governors, oficers and ministers which alreadie hath ben made, as also which hereafter shalbe by them thought fitt and meedefull to be made or used for the government of the said Colonie and plantacion.

And also to make, ordaine and establishe all manner of orders, lawes, directions, instructions, formes and ceremonies of government and magistracie, fitt and necessarie, for and concerninge the government of the said Colonie and plantacion; and the same att all tymes hereafter to abrogate, revoke or chaunge, not onely within the precincts of the said Colonie but also upon the seas in goeing and cominge to and from the said Collonie, as they in their good discrecions shall thinke to be fittest for [the] good of the adventurers and inhabiters there.

And we doe also declare that for divers reasons and consideracions us thereunto especiallie moving, oure will and pleasure is and wee doe hereby ordaine that imediatlie from and after such time as anie such governour or principall officer so to be nominated and appointed by oure said Counsell for the governement of the said Colonie, as aforesaid, shall arive in Virginia and give notice unto the Collonie there resident of oure pleasure in this behalfe, the government, power and aucthority of the President and Counsell, heretofore by oure former lettres patents there established, and all lawes and constitucions by them formerlie made, shall utterly cease and be determined; and all officers, governours and ministers formerly constituted or appointed shalbe dischardged, anie thinge in oure said former lettres patents conserninge the said plantacion contayned in aniewise to the contrarie notwithstandinge; streightlie chardginge and commaundinge the President and Counsell nowe resident in the said Collonie upon their alleadgiance after knowledge given unto them of oure will and pleasure by theis presentes signified and declared, that they forth with be obedient to such governor or governers as by oure said Counsell here resident shalbe named and appointed as aforesaid; and to all direccions, orders and commandements which they shall receive from them, aswell in the present resigninge and giveinge upp of their aucthoritie, offices, chardg and places, as in all other attendannce as shalbe by them from time to time required.

And wee doe further by theis presentes ordaine and establishe that the said Tresorer and Counsell here resident, and their successors or anie fower of them assembled (the Tresorer beinge one), shall from time to time have full power and aucthoritie to admitt and receive anie other person into their companie, corporacion and freedome; and further, in a generall assemblie of the adventurers, with the consent of the greater parte upon good cause, to disfranchise and putt oute anie person or persons oute of the said fredome and Companie.

And wee doe also grannt and confirme for us, oure heires and successors that it shalbe lawfull for the said Tresorer and Companie and their successors, by direccion of the Governors there, to digg and to serche for all manner of mynes of goulde, silver, copper, iron, leade, tinne and other mineralls aswell within the precincts aforesaid as within anie parte of the maine lande not formerly graunted to anie other; and to have and enjoye the gould, silver, copper, iron, leade, and tinn, and all other mineralls to be gotten thereby, to the use and behoofe of the said Companie of Planters and Adventurers, yeldinge therefore and payinge yerelie unto us, oure heires and successors, as aforesaid.

And wee doe further of oure speciall grace, certaine knowledge and meere motion, for us, oure heires and successors, grannt, by theis presents to and withe the said Tresorer and Companie and their successors, that it shalbe lawfull and free for them and their assignes at all and everie time and times here after, oute of oure realme of England and oute of all other [our] dominions, to take and leade into the said voyage, and for and towards the said plantacion, and to travell thitherwards and to abide and inhabite therein the said Colonie and plantacion, all such and so manie of oure lovinge subjects, or anie other straungers that wilbecomme oure lovinge subjects and live under oure allegiance, as shall willinglie accompanie them in the said voyadge and plantation with sufficient shippinge, armour, weapons, ordinannce, municion, powder, shott, victualls, and such merchaundize or wares as are esteemed by the wilde people in those parts, clothinge, implements, furnitures, catle, horses and mares, and all other thinges necessarie for the said plantation and for their use and defence and trade with the people there, and in passinge and retourninge to and from without yeldinge or payinge subsedie, custome, imposicion, or anie other taxe or duties to us, oure heires or successors, for the space of seaven yeares from the date of theis presents; provided, that none of the said persons be such as shalbe hereafter by speciall name restrained by us, oure heires or successors.

And for their further encouragement, of oure speciall grace and favour, wee doe by theis present for us, oure heires and successors, yeild and graunte to and with the said Tresorer and Companie and their successors and everie of them, their factors and assignes, that they and every of them shalbe free and quiett of all subsedies and customes in Virginia for the space of one and twentie yeres, and from all taxes and imposicions for ever, upon anie goods or merchaundizes at anie time or times hereafter, either upon importation thither or exportation from thence into oure realme of England or into anie other of oure [realms or] dominions, by the said Tresorer and Companie and their successors, their deputies, factors [or] assignes or anie of them, except onlie the five pound per centum due for custome upon all such good and merchanndizes as shalbe brought or imported into oure realme of England or anie other of theis oure dominions accordinge to the auncient trade of merchannts, which five poundes per centum onely beinge paid, it shalbe thensforth lawfull and free for the said Adventurers the same goods [and] merchaundizes to export and carrie oute of oure said dominions into forraine partes without anie custome, taxe or other duty to be paide to us, oure heires or successors or to anie other oure officers or deputies; provided, that the saide goods and merchaundizes be shipped out within thirteene monethes after their first landinge within anie parte of those dominions.

And wee doe also confirme and grannt to the said Tresorer and Companie, and their successors, as also to all and everie such governer or other officers and ministers as by oure said Counsell shalbe appointed, to have power and aucthoritie of governement and commannd in or over the said Colonie or plantacion; that they and everie of them shall and lawfullie maie from tyme to tyme and at all tymes forever hereafter, for their severall defence and safetie, enconnter, expulse, repell and resist by force and armes, aswell by sea as by land, and all waies and meanes whatsoever, all and everie such person and persons whatsoever as without the speciall licens of the said Tresorer and Companie and their successors shall attempte to inhabite within the said severall precincts and lymitts of the said Colonie and plantacion; and also, all and everie such person and persons whatsoever as shall enterprise, or attempte at anie time hereafter, destruccion, invasion, hurte, detriment or annoyannce to the said Collonye and plantacion, as is likewise specified in the said former grannte.