Captain John Smith of Jamestown & New England
a listing of friends of John Smith 
A nice image on of Captain John Smith on his Map of New England! (partial map image)
Personal Friends and Admirers
Sir Samuel Saltonstall- Lord Mayor of London and also Collector of the Customs. In 1612 became one of the incorporators of the third patent of the Virginia Company. Smith stayed at the Saltonstall estate. Wrote the inscription under Smith's picture in the map of New England above. Had the Seaman's Grammer Printed for Smith in 1627.
and sons
Captain Charles Saltonstall-
Wye Saltonstall- contributed verses for Smith's Sea Grammar. Thought much of Smith. Included Smith's portrait in his published work, Hondius' History of the World.
Sir Humphry Mildmay- twelve years Smith's junior was a country squire who owned Danbury Place where Smith wrote his last book ( Advertisements for the Un experienced Planters of New England or anywhere, 1631).
Samuel Purchase-Samuel Purchase’s (c. 1575-1626) author of Hakluytus posthumous, or, Purchas his Pilgrimes. Contayning a History of the World, in Sea Voyages, and Lande-Trauells, by Englishmen and others. Printed in London from 1624 to 1626 . Much of Smith's work was incorporated and cited by Samuel Purchase." Samual Purchase accepts Smith as a foremost authority and covers him with praise"(JNp217). Smith, in his Seaman's Grammar , at the death of Samuel Purchase, remember him as "A Gentlemen whose person I loved, and whose memory and virtues i will ever honor,". Purchase had several time referred to Smith with equal respect.
Sir Robert Bruce Cotton "The Library of Sir Robert Cotton (1571-1631) is arguably the most important collection of manuscripts ever assembled in Britain by a private individual. He was and a friend and admirer of Smith ( quote from p94 Did Pocahontas Save Captain John Smith?) and first suggested that John Smith write an account of his early years.
John Tradescant- The only scientist to invest in the Virginia Company . Owner of Tradescant's Ark, one of the first museums of its kind in Britain and unlike other collections
that were only favored to the eyes of the socially elite of Britain, its doors
were open to people of all social persuasion-- at the price of 6 pence a head. Smith left 1/4 of his books to Tradescant upon his death. Tradescant the Elder (1570-1638) and his son of the same name collected curiosities, both cultural and natural history.
As gardeners to royalty, the Tradescants had traveled the continents of the time, in search or rare plants to import back to Britain.
Rev. William Symmonds- Symonds was a preacher at one of London's prominent churches and had a connection with the London Company and was the editor of The Proceedings of the English Colonie of Virginia (second part of book) whose authors are listed as Thomas Studley, Anas Todkill, Walter Russell, Nathaniel Powell, William Phettiplace, Richard Wyffin, Thomas Abby, Thomas Hope and Richard Potts . These men are clearly supporters and state as much of Captain John Smith's good character, decisions and leadership abilities. Thomas Abby said the treatise was first conceived by Richard Potts who had been clerk of the council in 1608 and 1609. This work of Proceedings (with a separate title page) was attached with Smith's A Map Of Virginia with a Description of the Country describing the country and some events.
Duchess of Richmond- younger than Smith by 8 or 10 years, she was the benefactor who paid for the publication of Smith's book General History published in 1624
Robert Norton (artillery expert) - asked Smith to write an introductory verse for his book.
John Taylor (sea poet) -asked Smith to write an introductory verse for his book.
Lord Willoughby , Robert Bertie, 13th Baron** Willoughby de Eresby. (1555-1601). Robert was one of three noblemen to whom the True Travels (1630) were dedicated. He and Captain Smith were neighbors in the County of Lincoln and it was due to Lord Willoughby's help that Smith was able to find a channel for his energy and to realize his ambitions. John's father, George, was a freeman, a Yeoman Farmer who farmed some 300 acres in and around the parish, being the tenant of the Lord Willoughby de Eresby who operated a small farm at Great Carlton and leased other property from Lord Willoughby de Eresby, lord of the manor of Willoughby by Alford.
John Smith was friends with the sons of Lord Willoughby. He probably played with them on ocassion. He heard of stories about Lord Willoughby's exploits directly from Lord Willoughby or by others. A popular ballard of Lord Willoughby would have been well known by John Smith. It is without any doubt that these stories of knighthood influenced John Smith's choices in his life.
This is the popular ballard of Lord Willoughby that Smith would have heard.
from Percy's Reliquairies of English Poetry
| The fifteenth day of July, with glist'ning speare & shield, A famous fight in Flanders was foughten in the field: The most couragious officers were the English captains three, But the bravest in the Battel was brave Lord Willoughby. 2. The next was Captain Norris a valiant man was he; 3. Stand to it, noble Pike-men, and look you round about; 4. And then the bloody enemy they fiercely did assail, 5. For seven hours in all mens view the fight endured sore, 6. And when they fed so freely, they kneeled on the ground, 7. The sharp steel-pointed Arrows and Bullets thick did flye; 8. Then quoth the Spanish general, Come let us march away, 9. And then the fearful enemy was quickly put to flight, 10. This news was brought to England will all the speed might be, 11. For souldiers that were maimed and wounded in the fray, 12. Then courage, noble English men, and never be dismaid, |
Lord Willoughby requested John Smith to attend as a servant to his second son Master Peregrine Bertie, the on his journey into France to complete his nobleman's education encouraged John's study of things martial and gentlemanly, and on John's request gave him permission to camp on one of the Willoughby estates, and to hunt there. He had a horse with him in his little woody pasture, and he acquired some local swain to be his 'Man', not only for hunting and companionship but (which was even more important) to help him play-act his envisioned future role as a gentlemen - adventurer, a Knight to serve his Squire. He received expert tuition on horsemanship from the Riding Master to Henry Clinton, Earl of Tattershall Castle, one of the most disagreeable Nobleman in all England, and it is doubtful if he would have permitted such tuition if his distinguished friend Willoughby had not requested it.
The Rider's name was Theodore Paleolougue, an Italian by birth, and contact with him brought Smith some knowledge of Italian, and even more of those legendary monsters, the Ottoman Turks.
So it was then, that the age of 20 Smith again set out on his travels across France where he met up briefly with the brothers Robert and Peregrine,
**The Lord Great Chamberlain of England is the sixth of the Great Officers of State, ranking beneath the Lord Privy Seal and above the Lord High Constable. the office belonged to the male heir, Robert Bertie, 13th Baron Willoughby de Eresby, who later became Earl of Lindsey. Peregrine Bertie, 13th Baron Willoughby de Eresby (1555-1601), and then his son, Robert Bertie, 1st Earl of Lindsey, 14th Baron Willoughby de Eresby (1582-1642) .
Thomas Parker- the keeper of the Privy Seal in London with who Smith registered his coat of arms. Thomas, his wife Joan, son Thomas, Jr., and daughter, Eleanor were the principal beneficiary's of Smith's will who received all Smith's inherited property in Lincoln and Louth and his coat of arms. To young Thomas went his trunk in the residence hall of Sir Samuel Saltonstall residence and iron-bound trunk at Lambeth with half the book in it.
John Reynolds- assay master at Goldsmith's Hall.
Richard Hinde- recipient of 1/4 of the books at Smith's death kept in the iron-bound trunk stored at his house at Lambeth .
Mistress Tredway-a recipient in the will of Smith of 5 pounds upon Smith's death.
Raleigh Crenshaw wrote a verse in The General History, BK.3, CH12 titled, " IN THE DESERVED HONOR OF MY HONEST AND WORTHY CAPTAIN, JOHN SMITH, AND HIS WORK-
Soldiers and others who served with Captain John Smith
J. Codrinton, now Templar-wrote a verse in The General History, BK.3, CH12 titled, " TO HIS WORTHY CAPTAIN, THE AUTHOR-"
Anas Todkill
Thomas Studley
Anas Todkill
Walter Russell
Nathaniel Powell
William Phettiplace, Michael Phettiplace, Richard Wiffing wrote verse in The General History, BK.3, CH12 titled, "IN HIS DESERVED HONOR FOR HIS WORK AND WORTH-", and lines in the verse " and yet a heart more mild is seldom seen" , and "Who saith of thee this savors of vainglory, Mistakes both thee and us and his true story.
William Phettiplace & Richard Potts wrote, "Thus we lost him that, in all his proceedings, made Justice his first guid, 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 an 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 in The Porceedings of the English Colonie of Virginia
Richard Wyffin
Thomas Abby
Thomas Hope
William Strachey praised Smith
Persons to whom Captain John Smith dedicated his books
These persons would not have allowed such dedication unless they had admiration for Captain John Smith and thought him worthy. Certainly they would not have allowed such if they thought him not truthful or not worthy.
Prince Charles
Lord Pembroke-one of the "pair of breather en" to whom Shakespeare inscribed his first folio. Pembroke became interested in the American colonists.
Henry, Lord Hudson -
Henry Carey-earl of Dover - one of three noblemen to whom the True Travels (1630) were dedicated.
William Herbert was lord chamberlain, a major investor in both the Virginia Company and the Ne England Company. Herbert was one of three noblemen to whom the True Travels (1630) were dedicated.
Author Admirers
Phillip Barbour- highly respected author of reference for Smith's works. Barbour worked for the O.S.S. and in the post-war reconstruction in Germany. He had a great gift for languages. 'The Three Worlds of Captain John Smith' which he published in 1964 was the first major biography of the pioneering son of Willoughby, and he devoted his later years to the study of the early Virginia Pioneers. At the time of his death in 1981 he was finishing an edition of 'The Complete Works of Captain John Smith'.
Barbour admired Smith so much that he contributed beautiful stained glass windows depicting events of Smith life to Smith's church in Willoughby, Lincolnshire. In the Chancel (south side) - are the The Virginia Windows, the John Smith Window and the St. Helena Window were all gifts to this church from Philip L. Barbour
The John Smith's Windows in the church.The center panel shows the baptism of John Smith in the font, which stands before it. The record of the baptism, 9 January 1580, is still held in the church. In the top left-hand panel the boy John is shown studying at Louth Grammar School, and at the top right learning the arts of war in a Willoughby pasture at about the age of 20. In between them is a portrait head of Sigismundus Bathory, Prince of Transylvania, who made Smith captain of 250 soldiers and awarded him the coat of arms seen below the center panel with the emblem of the three Turks Heads in recognition of his having killed three Turkish warriors in single combat. To the left of the center panel is a portrait of Princess Pochohontas, daughter of the Indian 'Emperor' of Tidewater, Virginia, who saved Smith's life in December 1607. She subsequently married an Englishman, John Rolfe. She however pined for her homeland, but died as the ship was sailing down the Thames and was buried at Gravesend.
To the right is the picture of Frances Howard, Duchess of Richmond and Lennox, whose first husband was a patron of John Smith and who herself was responsible for the publication of his major work 'The General Historie of Virginia, New England and the Summer Isles' in 1624.
At the bottom left of the window is the arms of the Virginia Company who made Smith President of the Council of Virginia, and on the right the arms of the New England Company who made him Admiral of New England.
The then Rector of Willoughby, Rev Alan Taylor, was responsible for the fitting of the windows in the Church, donated by Phillip L Barbour. He, with members of the village, arranged a luncheon for His Excellency the Governor of Virginia, Governor Robb and his Lady plus the American party who traveled to England for the launching of the Godspeed and the dedication of the new windows at St Helena.
The Eastern Window
The center panel has as its centerpiece the arms of Robert Bertie, 1st Earl of Lindsey, 13th Baron of Willoughby. He was Lord of the Manor of Willoughby and John Smith's father was his tenant.
Top left - Robert Hunt. This panel depicts the first recorded celebration of Holy Communion on the American Continent in Sunday 21 June 1607. The Rev Robert Hunt was the first minister of the Colony and the Vicar of Heathfield, Sussex. John Smith described the scene as follows:- 'When I first went to Virginia we did hang an awning (which is an old sail) to three or four trees to shadow us from the sun, our walls were rails of wood, our seats unhewed trees till we cut planks, our pulpit a bar of wood nailed to two trees'.
It should be noted that the worshippers were obliged to have their arms at the ready in case of sudden Indian attack.
Bottom Left - William Crashaw. The scene shown here is of William Crashaw preaching to Members of the Council of Virginia, Lord de la Warr, shareholders and colonists. The date was the 21 February 1609 in the Temple Church in London. It has been claimed that there is no nobler sermon of this period expressing colonization in terms of Christian Mission - part of the text is displayed in bottom right panel of the other window. He was born in Yorkshire in 1572, became a Fellow of St. John's College, Cambridge, and ordained in 1597. He was Rector of Barton Agnes in Yorkshire and from 1605 - 1613 served the Temple Church. He was the father of Richard Crashaw, the poet, and died in 1626.
Top Right - Matthew Sutcliffe. He was born c. 1550. He was a Fellow of Trinity College and became Dean of Exeter. He was a wealthy man who helped John Smith with funds for fitting out the New England Venture. Matthew Sutcliffe founded a college at Chelsea for polemical writing against the Roman Church but despite the support of King James it never became permanent.
Bottom Right - William Symonds. He was born c. 1556 and became Curate of Halton Holegate in Lincolnshire with Lord Willoughby as his patron. He was also familiar with John Smith. He became a preacher at St. Saviours, Southwark, and was the editor of the first account of the proceedings of the English Colony in Virginia which was published in 1612. There were six contributors to this volume of whom the most substantial was John Smith. The panel shows William Symonds reading proofs at the printers. He is thought to have died about 1616.
The Western Window
The center panel is the arms of Peregrine Bertie Knight of the Bath. As a youth in 1599 he traveled to France with John Smith as his companion, thus being the occasion of Smith's first venture abroad. Peregrine was on his way to join his brother Robert on a continental tour. Smith only stayed with them for a few weeks. He later met the brothers again near Sienna in Italy where he found them 'cruelly wounded in a desperate fray, yet to their exceeding great honour'.
Top Left - Alexander Whitaker. He was minister at Henrico, a new settlement 55 miles up river from Jamestown. Born in Cambridge in 1585 he was educated at Eton and Trinity College, Cambridge. He answered a call from the Governor of Virginia for 'four honest and learned ministers' and sailed in March 1611.
He prepared the Princess Pochohontas for Baptism and in the panel shown teaching her in his parish. According to Sir Thomas Dale she "renounced publicly her country religion, openly confessed her Christian faith stating she desired to be baptized". Alexander Whitaker was drowned in the James River.
Bottom Left - Samuel Purchas. He was born c. 1577 at Thaxted in Essex. He became Vicar of Eastwood near Southend in 1604. He is shown reading in his study there. Philip Barbour has suggested that his interest in exploration may have been due to meeting George Berkeley, a friend of John Smith, and also Andrew Buttel of Leigh. He obtained many of Hakluyts papers on his death and built upon it to produce 'Purchas his Pilgrims', a massive work which is one of the major sources of our knowledge of the 16th and early 17th century voyages. He died in 1626.
Top Right - Richard Hakluyt. He was born near London about 1552 and from boyhood was fascinated with geography. He was ordained and began writing about voyages of exploration at the age of thirty. He is shown in the panel presenting a copy of his 'Discourse of Western Planting' to Queen Elizabeth 1 in October 1584. He wrote this book during a five year term of office as chaplain to the English Ambassador in Paris. The Queen rewarded him with a canonry in Bristol Cathedral. There is only one remaining copy of that book in the New York Public Library. Hakluyts Voyages was a profound stimulus to the early explorers of America. He died in 1616 and was buried in an unmarked grave in Westminster Abbey.
Bradford Smith- highly respected author of reference for Smith's works. Admired Smith so much that he contributed beautiful stained glass windows depicting events of Smith life in the London Church where Smith is buried - St. Sepulchre-without-Newgate.
The John Smith Window-He is remembered in a handsome window designed by Francis Skeat and given by Bradford Smith in 1968. Captain Smith is shown in the central panel with his navigational instruments around his feet. The outer panels show his patrons, Robert Bertie and Samuel Saltonstall. Above are the three little ships in which the pioneers crossed the Atlantic.
Acquaintances of Captain John Smith
Henry, Lord Hudson -Earl of Dover - Smith says were aquatinted with his writings
Living Author Admirers
A. J. Leo Lemay- A defender of the faith who brilliantly defends Smith against critics. Author of: (The American Dream of Captain John Smith -1992) and (Did Pocahontas Save Captain john Smith -1991 ) . " His achievements were awesome, and his vision of tech possibilities of America were greater." "Captain John Smith was the greatest single founder of the English Colonies in America"
Insight into Smith by others
Rev. Crashaw (JNp703) wrote that Gates told him the year preceeding his arrival was the time of Smith's presidency and had been a year of good government with the colony well supplied , all of which went to ruin due to the meddling of Archer and company (upon the return of Archer and Ratcliff). Rev. Crashaw says (JNp712) of Smith " his pain and service there deserves in my judgement high commendations".
Under Construction
-more to follow soon-
Ambushes attempted on Captain John Smith .
Who Shot JR ?Who was Jr? ----we don't know yet who shot him but JR's idenity is revealed .
Questions about Captain John Smith .