Captain John Smith Jamestown New England

from an inscription below Smith's picture on the Map of New England (sentiment believed written by Sir Samuel Saltonstall)

Captain John Smith's coat of arms
"How he did divide from Pagans three, Their heads and lives, Types of his Chivalry"

Challenge: do some research and find out how this farmer's son earned this coat of arms and why his coat of arms has three heads on it.

Captain John Smith said that his "greatest error was a desire to do good", which disease hath ever haunted him since his childhood. And that all the miseries and ingratitude's he endured did not divert him from that resolution" J. Smith 1606

"Thus we lost him* that, in all his proceedings, made Justice his first guide, and experience his second; ever hating basenesse, sloth, pride, and indignitie more than any dangers; that never allowed more for himselfe than his souldiers with him; that upon no danger would send them where he would not lead them himselfe; that would never see us want what either had, or could by any means get for us; that would rather want than borrow, or starve than not pay; that loved actions more than words, and hated falsehood and cousnage worse than death; whose adventures were our lives, and whose losse our deaths*** ." written by Richard Potts & William Phettiplace fellow soldiers and colonists who wrote this and other fine tributes to Smith in the 1612 book, The Porceedings of the English Colonie of Virginia.

* (" lost him" refers to when Smith was hurt in a gunpowder accident and had to go back to England)

***(" whose losse our deaths" refers to the loss of life of the colonists after Smith he had to return to England due to his accident. There were about 500 colonists when Smith left, at the begriming of October 1609 due to his injuries, but 7 months later there were less than 60 colonists. The deaths occurred during the starving time, the Winter of 1609-1610 when colonists were prevented from leaving the fort to gather food. The Indians hid in the woods surrounding the fort so they could kill them as they ventured out. The Indians had turned on the colonists after Percy, who took Smith's place as President and others committed atrocities; something Smith never did.

An adventurer, discoverer, writer, and the best founding father of this country.

Captain John Smith risked his life, his reputation and property to establish a colony in America. He contributed a great deal to the creation and survival of the English Colony in America which is the birthplace of the United States.

It is great to have someone with such good character as Smith as a founder of this great country.

No other governor treated the Indians as well as Smith. Smith tourted no Indians, executed none, and actually saved Indians when others wanted to slay them.

Traits Of Character of Founding Fathers (Page XIV The Spirit of "Seventy Six" 2002 )

The authors of "The Spirit of "Seventy Six" list traits they identify with the founding fathers of America such as " a founding father would be independent, he is impatient of discipline, equalitarian, have had little patience with those who claim to be his superior, would have been ambitious and avaricious, and much given to speculation and getting ahead. A founding father was literate, took an active part in politics and carried into camp the habits of self-government. He does not like fighting for it's own sake, but fights well when he had to; he has little use of military hierarchy and bucks like a colt against taking orders. He is ingenious and practical, prefers a stone wall to an open field, and a timely retreat to a foolhardy advance. He is young and tough and survives hardships and diseases that would wipe out his more vulnerable descendents; he lives simply and unaffectedly. He is on the whole cheerful and good humored, decent and honest, and commits few crimes against persons (unless they are Indians) .

How Captain John Smith is alike and how he differs from the traits described above.

I identify all of these good traits above in Captain John Smith, But John Smith has exceptionally outstanding traits not exhibited by other American Forefathers. Smith was fair with the Indians and he gained their respect to the extent they brought members of their tribe who comitted crimes in their villages to the fort to Smith for him to determine their fate. Smith hated slavery and would never have stood for it. Smith was not avaricious (will do anything for money) but exhibited the most kindness in every way. When he was awarded a giant amount of money from a case of false accusation, Smith donated this to the colony. That Smith bucked the system when he received poor orders is a certainty. He wrote back to the investors of the London company that there was no Gold, that more laborers were needed, etc. The investors who were trying to sell the stock did not want to hear this. The London Company investors would eventually act and follow all of Smith's recommendations.

Smith, better than any other leader, followed the Instructions for Virginia prepared by the London Company

Captain John Smith led the most interesting and productive life of adventure and discovery of anyone in recorded history.

An example of Smith's Character is found in a pep talk delivered by Captain John Smith to his men when 12 days into exploring the Chesapeake bay in an open boat, when their bread was spoiled, the men tired and wished to turn back.

"Gentlemen", " what shame would it be for you to force me to returned with a months provision, scarce able to say where we have been, nor yet heard of that wee were sent to seeke. You cannot say but I have shared wit you of the worst that is past; and for what is to come, of lodging, diet, or whatsoever, I am contented you allot the worst part to myself. As for your fears that I will lose myself in these unknowne large warters, or be swallowed up in some stormie gust: abandon those childish fears, for worse then is past cannot happen, and there is as much danger to returne, as to proceed forward. Regaine therefore your old spirits : for return I will not (if God assist me) til I have seene the Massawomeekes, found Patowomeck, or the head of this great water you conceit to be endlesse." written by Dr. Walter Russell and Anas Todkill

The name of captain John Smith will ever be associated with the founding of Virginia.

"Captain John Smith was the greatest single founder of the English Colonies in America" A. J. Leo Lemay 1991

I wish to make you aware of this great man. As a figure in the history of this country and it's creation, he should be known and admired. He practiced the highest morals of personal character throughout his life. His decision making in difficult situations is inspirational.

John Smith was a self-made man. A farmers son who was a tenant of Lord Willoughby. John Smith knew Lord Willoughby's sons. He undoubtedly heard the ballard of Lord Willoughby's exploits and was influenced by it. After the death of his father when he was 16, left his English homeland to seek a life of adventure with honor. The life he led in his latter teens and early adulthood was nothing less that awesome. If you would indulge me to present a colorful analogy, Captain John Smith's life of adventure in Europe reminds me of Russell Crow's character (Maximus Decimus Meridius) in the movie Gladiator, but on steroids.

Captain John Smith led an amazing life of adventure in Europe before becoming a participant in helping assemble the venture that would later become Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement, the birthplace of our country.

Below, Captain John Smith gets to play Knight as he defeats the first of three Turks in single combat in front of tens of thousands of fellow soldiers and Turks who were watching his single combat.

Captain John Smith deserves better than to be maligned as he has by some authors, who have incompletely read the writings of his life, or simply formed an opinion that none could have lived such an adventurous life. Others picking up on these negative writings have perpetuated these erroneous conclusions.

When Captain John Smith was horribly injured aboard a ship at Jamestown, some of the factional element who feared what Captain John Smith might say about them on his return to England, made a plan to kill him. One entered his cabin aboard ship with a gun but did not complete the plan ("their heart did fail them" as Captain John Smith recounted later). Captain John Smith's soldiers offered to kill those who made the attempt, but Captain John Smith would not have it so.

Smith had amazing thoughts on slavery in America before there was any slavery. Smith had been a slave to the Turks after being wounded on the field of battle, captured and sold into slavery.

Smith's forbearance not to retaliate against the Indians after the many attempts on his life is unprecedented in American history.

Of those leaders in charge, before or after Smith at Jamestown, Captain John Smith would be the best friend the Indians ever had.

He treated the Indians better than any other leader to follow. There were several reason for his forbearance. First, he was charged to keep the peace. Second, he realized that retaliation to the ambushes would escalate into war, loss of life on both sides and loss of trade food from the Indians. Smith had self-confidence in his ability to prevent ambushes. To prevent a war, he would accept the apology and the presents the Indians would deliver after their failed ambush upon him. "We maie thought verie patient to endure all thise injuries. Yet onlie with fearing them, we got what they had: whereas if we had taken revenge, thn by their losss, we whou,d have lost our selves." Smith

John Smith saved the Jamestown Colony. In the early days of Virginia, that colony depended for its life and preservation on his firmness and courage.

Not only was he, in his own person, an adventurer, explorer and settler, as well as a writer and recorder, but he had an intense belief in the necessity to this country of possessing a powerful navy.

Reading Captain John Smith's works gives one insight into his highly moral character and desire to do good. Please read some of my favorite of Smith's thoughts, his philosophy of life which I have recorded some for you.

Smith apologized for his ability as a writer on many occasions but his writing was among the best of the times.

John Smith, this farmers son, would make amazing maps. He obviously was a quick study of things of interest which was almost everything he encountered.

From his base at jamestown, Smith would map this the Chesapeake Bay making an amazingly accurate map under difficult and harrowing circumstances. After the maping expedition, Smith would become the colony's president, service a great year sustaining the colonists and keeping them alive. But near the end of his year as president, Smith would be horribly injured by ignition of gunpowder on his abdomen while sleeping. He would have to to return home. After recovering back in England, Smith would later map the Northern coast of Virginia naming it New England. He would become a writer of books.

This is the first map of the part of Virginia under control of the London charters who planted the Jamestown settlement.

It was created by Captain John Smith from surveys of local rivers and features related to him by Indians during his captivity.

Smith sent this map back to England June 2nd 1608 (12 months and 2 weeks after he arrived at Jamestown) He sent it in the care of Captain Francis Nelson, captain of the ship Phoenix. Smith also sent along a letter to a friend (probably this friend was Captain Henry Hudson). What is so interesting about this map is that it shows the route where Captain John Smith was led from village to village (about a dozen villages) during his captivity. It shows Powhatan's village where he was saved by Pocahontas. Smith also indicates the reported location of survivors of the lost colony. A close up of a section of this map can be viewed by clicking here.

A beautiful colorized version of his 1612 map of Virginia's Chesapeake Bay area is below

"...a country that may have the prerogative over the most pleasant places known, for large and pleasant navigable rivers, heaven and earth never agreed better to frame a place for man's habitation..." Captain John Smith, 1612

This map of Smith's of Virginia was first published in 1612. It designates the locations of over 200 American Indian villages. The map was produced from notes made by Smith when he surveyed the Chesapeake during his 1608 voyage of exploration June thru August and from his earlier explorations of nearby rivers. His map is a remarkably accurate considering that he was using just a compass and visual sightings from a 30-foot open boat, a shallop as pictured below.

Below are statements regarding Smith's map by E. M. Sanchez-Saavedra in "A Description of the Country, Virginia Cartographers and Their Maps 1607-1881, published by the Virginia State Library Richmond 1975.

Smith's map was perhaps the most influential piece of cartography in Virginia history. For the first three quarters of the seventeenth century, the topography of Virginia was known to the outside world only through maps based on Smith's work. Smith's map stands apart as a relatively scientific document. (as late as 1873 it was used as a primary source in the Virginia-Maryland boundary dispute).Smith's map is an amazingly accurate depiction of Virginia's coastlines, watercourses and landmarks.

"The modern reader may wonder why Smith drew his map sideways. Prior to the 18th century, maps were customarily drawn from the point of view of a sailor approaching land from the sea."

Perhaps it's most amazing feature is it's forthright distinction made between those areas based on Smith's personal observation and those derived from hearsay accounts from the Indians. Smith, a true man of the Renaissance, was aware of the difference between legend and reality, and he was serious enough in his scientific observations to indicate ---was a row of Maltese crosses on his map---the limits of his explorations. By stating that "to the crosses hath bin discover'd what beyond is by relation," he elevated his work well above that of many contemporaries, who placed mythical lads and waters at random throughout their creations.

This map is available for purchase at Jamestown Settlement, Historic Jamestown or from me(email me).

These maps are very clear (guaranteed) . The maps are 17"x22" and are attractive

Smith's map of Virginia's northern coast which he himself would name New England.

1616 – John Smith published A Description of New England (with map), which he so named, based on his voyage in 1614

a version of Captain John Smith's map of "New England", made after his detailed exploration of those northern coastal parts of Virginia in 1613

Smith's map was made based on his detailed exploration of the northern coast of Virginia in 1613. On this map was the use of the name 'New England'. Smith is credited with naming this northern coast of Virginia "New England". And it was on this map that a harbor was named Plymouth, which would be the 1620 settlement site of the Pilgrim Fathers'. Captain Christopher Jones (captain of the Mayflower) could rely on the accurate geographic features of the map made by Captain John Smith. Smith had his map published with his book A Description of New England in 1616. Smith sent a copy of his map to Prince Charles for him to rename points of land at his desire. This map would be republished many times and each time there were slight differences.

John Smith's writings of Virginia and New England are written in a very remarkable, straightforward, and a direct narrative style. It is presumed he recorded events in a diary as he lived them. This we do know he did when captured by pirates. Unfortunately his diaries are lost.

"The Generall Historie," etc., London, 1624. Reissued, with date of title-page altered, in 1626, 1627, and twice in 1632.

"Smith's sea experiences deserve a place in the literature of the sea above most men".

1608 1608	A True Relation of such occurrences and accidents of note as hath happened in Virginia since the first planting of that Colony. From this letter/pamphlet, we are provided an early account of the 1st year of the Virginia settlement. This is a "pamphlet of news" published from a letter Smith sent (June 1607) back to his friend Henry Hudson- just 14 months after arrival. The person who had it published, who is unidentified and obviously did not know Smith personally, said he got the letter "second or third hand". There was also a map sent to Hudson in which Smith drew the rivers and other features of the country, showed where he himself was captured and included notes of related locations of the lost colonists). Smith was still in Virginia when this letter was published. This Relation had another author listed as it's author in error during it's fur st publication . The inscription on the first publication read on the title page read "Written by a Gentleman of the said Colony, to a worshipfull friend of his in England". The inscription was corrected to list Captain John Smith as the author in a second run of the booklet to say "Written by Captain John Smith, Coronell of the said Colony, to a worshipfull friend of his in England". Notice the person who had Smith's letter published titled him Coronell. This could possibly be rank (corresponds to the European rank of Colonel) but this word Coronell could have been a printers misspelling error. The publisher of the work most likely meant to say that Smith was one of the Counsell of the said Colony (Council) in Virginia. This "phamphlet of news" did not mention Smith's rescue by the Indian princess Pocahontas. It may have been edited out before publication.The publisher said that since the author (Smith) was not present "absent from the presse" to see it published that some" faults have escaped in the printing" . The publisher also stated that "somewhat more was written by him (Smith) , (which as I thought fit to be private) I would not adventure to make it publicke". * *Mappe of the Bay and Rivers with an annexed Relation of the Countries and Nations that inhabit them* Smiths letter he sent back to the Virginia Company in London (fall of 1608) and carried thus by Captain Newport . This Mappe and Relation are mentioned as attached in his letter sent to the Treasurer and Councell of Virginia from Captaine Smith, then President in Virginia in the fall of 1608. " I have sent you this Mappe of the Bay and Rivers, with an annexed Relation of the Countries and Nations that inhabit them, as you may see at large". It included a map ( lost) that most probably became Smith's 1612 map. The map shows all his explorations of rivers and the letter is said to tell about the trip. This is said to be the basis his finished work in 1612 titled A Map Of Virginia with a Description of the Country ***
1612	Captain John Smith published a two part book. Part I- is Smith's writings and Part II- is the writings of other colonists. Part I Observations of Indian life by Smith titled A Map Of Virginia with a Description of the Country The part that contains a map from his explorations and writings of Smith's observations of the Indians is titled A Map Of Virginia with a Description of the Country. These observations by Smith did not include events of himself, the colony or colonists, so did not mention being captured or Pocahontas. Part II Writing by fellow colonists of events that occurred . The second part/sections is a treatise written by various colonists who write chapters describing the early experiences of the Jamestown settlement titled The Porceedings of the English Colonie of Virginia The authors are listed as Thomas Studley, Anas Todkill, Walter Russell, Nathaniel Powell, William Phettiplace, Richard Wyffin, Thomas Abby, Thomas Hope and Richard Potts . Thomas Abby said the treatise was first conceived by Richard Potts who had been clerk of the council in 1608 and 1609. This whole work was reviewed by Reverend William Symonds (Simmonds) who interviewed the authors and vouches for their voracity. Click here to read it now ***
1616	A Description of New England: or the Observations and Discoveries of Captain John Smith. Smith offers an account of his second exploration in North America during which he mapped the coastline of New England. Smith sent a copy of his map to Prince Charles I to request that he name places. Charles I. did so. Smith named this coastline of northern Virginia NEW ENGLAND. Click here to read it now ***
1620	New England's Trials. Smith recommends New England as a site for colonization. In an expanded edition in 1622 he would describe the Pilgrims' doubtful prospects and how they might better succeed if they would take instruction from him. Smith said in 1624 that he had caused two or three thousand to be printed. Click here to read it now ***
1624	The General Historie of Virginia, New England, and the Summer Isles. - In Six Books - Smith chronicles the colonization of Virginia, going into more detail than in his earlier, shorter history of 1608. Included is an extensive treatment of the Pocahontas story. There are may contributing authors in this work. Captain John Smith's illustrated autobiography of experiences in Virginia and events at Jamestown . Smith includes a sampling of Powhatan language words. In Book III Chapter II, This chapter includes for the first time the story of Smith being saved by Pocahontas. This Chapter is authored by Thomas Studley, Robert Fenton, Edward Harrington and John Smith Click here to read it now ***
1626 1927	An Accidence, or The Pathway to Experience Necessary for all Young Seamen. Smith's manual of seamanship is illustrated with incidents from his own experiences. It would be enlarged as A Sea Grammar in 1627. It would be so popular that it would be brought out in repeated editions for the next 65 years. Smith's name was still used on the title page of it's 1691 edition. He describes the duties of all the officers of the ship, as well as her timbers and sails, and adds many quaint illustrations of the use of sea terms, and the manner of working the ship and giving battle. A Sea Grammar, with the Plain Exposition of Smith's Accidence for Young Sea-men, Enlarged. Smith's book on seamanship is generally considered the first English language book of it's kind ever produced. I found my copy - a reprint- for sale on Ebay ***
1630	Captain John Smith's illustrated autobiography of his early life prior to Jamestown The True Travels, Adventures, and Observations of Captaine John Smith in Europe, Asia, Africa, and America... from 1593 to 1629. Smith provides an account of his early life and his subsequent adventures in a fascinating illustrated autobiography. find a copy for the best price at http://www.buy.com/prod/the-true-travels-adventures-and-observations-of-captain-john-smith-v1/q/loc/106/205098788.html ***
1631	Advertisements for the Unexperienced Planters of New England. Written shortly before Smith's death, this work offers practical advice to the Massachusetts settlers and includes an autobiographical poem, "The Sea-Mark."

A Timeline of early events at Jamestown

Historians agree Captain John Smith was the savior of the colony. It is logical to deduce that since Pocahontas saved Captain John Smith's life, that makes her the savior of the colony. \We owe our country to a woman.

the most realistic painting of Pocahontas (& her son Thomas) now in the Kings Lynn Museum

This is the famous Sedgeford portrait of Pocahontas and her son, Thomas Rolfe, carefully preserved through the centuries

Many authors are in agreement that the famous episode in which Pocahontas saved John Smith's life actually did occur substantially as Smith said. There is no evidence that Captain John Smith's account of this event or any others in his autobiography were never disputed by anyone in his lifetime.

Pocahontas statue at Jamestown Island (copy is in St. Georges Church yard, England)

Captain John Smith: a reference guide / Kevin J. Haynes 1991, G.K. Hall & Co. MA

The American Dream of Captain John Smith/ J.A. Leo Lemay 1991, The University press of Virginia

John Smith the farmer's son, grew up playing with the sons of Lord Willoughby who lived near by. He certain would have been awed as a youth by tales of adventure of his friends father. Below is a poem that was circulating in England about the exploits of Lord Willoughby that John Smith as a youth would have heard many times. It is my opinion that the Willoughby's would have the greats influence on John Smith's character and life.

My Lord Willoughbies Welcome Home

My Lord Willoughbies Welcome Home

Below I have printed the Instructions of the London Company for the Virginia Company for 1606 and a portion of their instruction for 1609.Notice how the Instructions from the Virginia Colony change in how they instruct the colonists to deal with the natives.