The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-05-14

But for the plantation at jamestown
there would have been no virginia, no
New England. and 40 United STATES
within the narrow limits Of the country
between the James and York rivers, IN
II Iding this island. have occurred the
most Important events affecting the des-
tiny OF the United States, viz. The set
tement itself at this place introducing
the institutions OF marriage, the right OF
trial by jury the Protestant religion, ana
all the principles OF English ciYillza-
ton. the birth OF the first white child;
the conversion Of the first heather, the
arrival Of the first cargo Of negroes, the
establishment OF the first free school
(that of Benjamin Syms AT Hampton);
and the first uprising against the Eng
lish authority. I refer 10 the act or the
Virginia people, denounced by Charles /.
as an assumption Of regal power OF
sending Sir John Harvey close prisoner 20
England. IN 1885. jamestown was never
anything more than "A mere village with
some considerable buildings OF "A metro
polltan character. but as The first inyen-
tCn, the first plantation the first crea-
tOn IL is. in the language OF Bacon. 'of
more dignity and merit than the impe-
rial cities Of New York New Orlt ans Phil
adelphia, Washington, or Chicago. It's
first log cabin is Of more consequence 10
the Union al large than the proud man
a character in the place iustihes the par
tcular, even il tedious narrative 1 intend
to-day.
SLY or IHE ISLAND.
jamestown Island contains, according
to the survey made IN recent times, 100
acres, and it averages L. miles IN
length by - mile in breadth. At the
time a the arrival of the settlers on May
l3th. 1901. a. lay ln the land of the Pas
beheagh Indians. one az The tribes which
owed subsection 10 the chief. powhatan.
AT this time. and for many years later,
10 was connected on the west with the
mainland by a neck about ~ feet wide
called the SANDY Bay" Against this
neck beat the waters of PoWhatan creek,
which came out of the main woods at
right angles but which. rcpulsol by the
sandy barrier found am easier access 90
Tie river by long deviation to the cast.
This part of the creek was called Back
river. but is called more frequently now
the ThOrJaghfare.
More than 1O years ago. the ceafeless
action OF the water, making inr0ads ON
both sides. consumed the passage-Way -
the ma.n and taereupou Ar. John Am
bier. then owning The greater part OF the
Island. and residing on it at Che place
We are now holding our celebration. made
a causeway. where the neck was SUBJ
| merged. and when this boz The course or
time was overwhelmed Col. Zach Durfcv
made bridge from the main % the ISL
and very near the causeway dl A. an
but few OF the piles OF this bridge
have disappeared. no one contemplating
FOR the first time the waste OF inter
veuing waters. perhaps half mile I'm
width, would suspect the course of ma
ture but. deep cut ON The other side.
where the Pasbehcash Indians had an
ancient town. and whero in 1921. % acres
were laid for "A glass house, the first in
America. is stiu 10 De- seen the ola road
| by which the toomiug lifc of the little
capital was connected with the world M
large.
The island itself. a fact which has not
been generally noticed. was divided into
two natural parts by "a swamp stretching
from Back river 20 the James. and II
was az the eastern side that tho settlers
/ 0iscmbarked. The land OF ,his portion
was furr3wel with ridges and swainps.
running north and south for Che most
part. and thanked on the south by
ridge along the river side named Goose
| HILL" The extreme eastern point was
called Black Point The extensive lahors
OF Mr Barney. the present proprietor OF
the island has in the last year or two
hled up the most OF these swamps once
500 injurious 20 health. and none would
suspect in the beautiful AND level fields
the existence of any ridges whatever
jamestown Island NOW is as healthy as
any portion of NiIguia. This eastern
! rcrtion Of the plantation was called
James lsland'. the part 0n the west sile
Of the dividing swamp standing high and
firm. the "Man Island and beyond fho
neck Of the Sandy Bay stretched the
mainland-'the main. as 90 was called
The first houses N fhc settlers who
numbered about l0i We're little cabins
matched with reeds and grass. or holes
Do the ground. the whole enclosed hy
palisade of bushes and triangular f0rt
TUE FIRST CHURCH.
Tho church was first am OLD sail hung
10 The great trees that then donsely cove
cred the landscape. Tho pulpit was
bar Of wood nailed 10 two ufiehhor.ug
trees, and the audience sat upon unhewn
logs during service. Set down in the
rank woods and marshes supported IS
the scantiest and meancst Of supplies.
prevented from attending 20 The pressing
need OF better lodging or of providing
proper crops for their sustenance. cone
fined by order Of the London Company
and their own commanders 20 gathering
shiD-loads OF mas-s. cedar. black walnut.
capboard. and gold ore, the poor settlers.
| among whom were many heroic SOUS.
died like sheep tin only forty remained.
In larIarv lG0s. arrived "the INST SUPP
ply consisting of 20 men. worse provl led
in every way than the first Corners. A
! hre breaking out en- the 7th OF January.
1908, Immediately afterwards. destroyed
! the crazy shantics $50 far erected together
| with the litrafy Of tac gentle minister.
Rev. Robert Hunt who never complained.
/ A log church was thercupon erected and
some few poor houses of similar char
| acfer.
As spring came on four acres or trees
| were cut down and the ground prepared
| for corn hunger. sickness ami assaults
! from the Indians preventing anyfAius nr-
Their being done.
Then came the Second supply" cone
! sistng OF sixty cmigrants. principally
men of gentle birth. and some .ew Poles,
/ sent over 10 make pitch, tar potash. and
glass. This crowd We're also SO meanly
provided by The company that. vifh the
| exception of "a few who remained guard
on James Island, they We're dispersed
abroad al various places 20 live ON cys-
ters or by begging from the Indians.
Then follow ed the "third supply" con-
sistng of 100 persons. who. coming With
out commander Sir Thomas Gates.
Sir Thomas Dale. ana Sir q scrge SCmors
! being wrecked on the Bermuda Islands
proved Of very unruly disposition. quar-
/ tered on the island without any prOvls-
! ions except a little rotten beer and mOui-
( is bread they fell like lOcusts upon the
! small acreage OF corn which had been
/ planted. and in three days. al the most
deyoured the whole. When ON the 10Th
/ 81 Nav 1910 Sir Thomas Gates arrived