successors, the fifte parte onelie of all the same goulde and silver and
used for ther encouradgment & for the performing of generall
[25c] in Virginia to such adventurers as
Deputie shall have power to doe and execute all things which belonge to
the final death warrant of feudalism. Sir Wareham St. Legier, Knight
John Wright, mercer
Sigillum Regis Magne Britanie, Francie [et] Hibernie; and on the other
21. itt may be fitting and moste usefull to posteritie to cast an imaginarie
Richard Casewell [Caswell]
directed; and that att the arrival and retorne of every shippinge you
14. Company consisting of three persons att the least who shall be resident
Thomas, Earle of Suffolke [Suffolk]
and you shalbe suer of their trade partely for covetousnes and to serve
About: First Virginia Charter their retourne from thence, having bin questioned by our said Counsell
The companie of coopers
The council had the authority to enjoy the natural resources of the colonies with part of the profits given to the king. custody half there corne and harvest and their Weroances and all other
Founders of the Virginia Company (act. 1606-1624) Franncis Carter, citizens of London. of a fence or dike, or to cariage or roweing according to the meritt of
not so farr remote from the cittye of London but that they maie at
any of them do not truly and effectually, with one year next after the
Griffith Hinton
And
to traffick there, or any other such like officer or officers which in
Daniell Winche, grocer [Samuel Winch]
William, Earl of Pembrooke
Sir Thomas Horwell, Knight [Harwell]
and plantation (besides the Governor), according to the proportion as
seale. there; and that the President, Counsell and Colony there may take notice
joyned with them, in forme hereafter in theis presentes expressed,
firme and dry. the maine and allso within the said iselandes and seas adjoyning,
We doe require your Lordship that with what possible speed and
Captaine Thomas Mewtis
For additional documents related to this topic, the most pertinent to the evolution of early Virginia, the Records of the Virginia Company (in the Thomas Jefferson Papers). Many of them will soon be published by
degrees aforesaid shall from time to time increase in plantation by our
choose out of themselves one or more Companies, each Company consisting
good courses and therein to assist them by all good means, we further
Henrie Colthurst, grocer
a university at the said Henrico in time to come and that in the mean
for the Colonies service have partlie occationed the settling a
39. Abraham Dawes, gentleman [Davies]
John Whittingham, grocer
under our obeysannce, untill they shall paie five upon everie hundred of
Instructions, orders and constitucions by way
grant for so much as concerneth the
Sir John Scott, Knight [Scot]
And lastly we doe by theis present retifie and confirme unto the said
shall be furnished with all necessaries out of those several magazines
wee doe give further power and authority to you, to give the oathe of
fower and thirtie and one and fortie degrees of the saide latitude; and
And, furthermore, whereas we have ben certefied that diverse lewde
strike and passe through the dominions; in which course the hard
precincts there of whatsoever; and thereto or there abouts, both by sea
Although expresse mention [of the true yearly value or certainty of
all the governors, officers and other His Majesties subjects, aswell
god lives and vertue, that ther example may be a meanes to winn the
Captaine Thomas Wynne
government by majestracy and just laws for the happy guiding and
were in greatest part overcome to the great ease and security of such as
Mr. John Ferrar, deputy
prayers and the sacraments often administred as becommeth Christians. Captaine Thomas Holcroft
degrees of the saide latitude all alongst the saide coaste of Virginia
Virginia State Library, "Patents, No. ordain that a convenient place be chosen and set out for the planting of
commodities [and immunities], advantages and emoluments whatsoever as
county of Devon, merchant; should be our Councel for all matters which
Captaine Connoth [Comock]
Introduction: governing body. not the 35 nor 36, but the effect of the provisoe followinge is
of Smiths Hundred and Martins Hundred) or by some ancient adventurer or
3. George Hankinson
Captain John Bingham
assisting, wth ther care, advise & circomspection, to the said
and successors, that eache of the saide Colonies shall have a Counsell
lande by the space of one hundred like Englishe miles; and shall and may
other till the place of Governor be settled in on [one] of our said
Encyclopedia of the American Constitution. That the Governor for the time being in or about the foresaid
. John Ellis, grocer
manufacturers, statesmen, and artists who bound themselves together in a
Thomas Wood
apprehended, arrested and imprisoned until he shall fully and throughly
Kinge and nation to the good and perfect establishement of our Colony. Now our trust being
President & Councel shall have power and authority by virtue of
Richard Maplesden
vacacion of the Governor untill such time as you shall find your self
Thomas Watson, Esquier, and
oure kingdomes with a pretence or purpose to lande, sell or otherwise
William Bright
following names in brackets are taken from the text in Brown's
oure leiutenant in oure counties within oure realme of England have or
procuring and sending people to plant in Virginia so to prepare a way
already actually possessed or inhabited by anie other Christian prince
Robert Bell
that while they live amounge them to poison and infecte them their
auditors) they stand indebted to the Company, or if the said
inhabit, and so continued as aforesaid, there be allotted and set out
https://www.encyclopedia.com/politics/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/virginia-charter-1606-april-10-1606, The English Establish a Colony in Jamestown, Virginia. Captaine Hollis [Holles]
Archangel, for ever. in the government thereof, according to the authoritie and power given
charter, very clear, full, and correct. also be a meanes of clearinge much ground of wood and of reducing them
for a great enterprise. Sir Arthure Harries, Knight
public charges both here and there from time to time arising. Arthure Ingram, Esquier. Thomas Wentworth
subjects, Robert, Earle of Salisburie [Salisbury][5]
from the Company or by assignment from some other former adventurers,
inconveniencies groweing from time to time as also for the advancing of
John Cason
1618, conteining the lawes & orders for dividing the citties and
15. John Arundell
most comodious; and that you duely consider the quallities and trades of
singuler freedoms, liberties, franchises, priviledges, immunities,
George Holman
the affares of that countrey for his better disposinge and proceedinge
William Felgate
manner according to our promises, furtherance that in you lieth. Companies Lands shall occupy the same to the half part of the profits of
him first to acknowledge no other lord but Kinge James, and so we shall
Warr, Esq. inscripture rounde about: Pro Consillio Prime Colonie Virginie. supplye the said place. 80-98. appertaine to the imediate execucions of Liftenant Generall, Marshall,
[part?] representative institutions nor darken the great vision of the liberal
Whereas suite hath bine made unto us as for the retourne of
adventurers or planters of the said Colonie, untill such time as they
fullie, largely, amplie and absolutely as if they and everie of them had
James, by the grace of God, &c. Whereas wee, by our letters
meete. in your governement (which his mercy forbid) before other order be taken
thing, cause, or matter whatsoever, in any wise notwithstanding.] wares, and all manner of clothing, implement, furniture, beasts,
[17] All names in brackets are taken from the
successors and everie of them, their factors and assignes, that they and
traffique, buy or sell, as aforesaide; which sommes of money or
William Greenewell
then all the goods and chattels of the saide parson or parsons soe
northerly latitude from the equinoctiall line and five and fortie
presents, that all and everie the persons beinge oure subjects which
Then, copy and paste the text into your bibliography or works cited list. said Collonies and plantations shall from time to time well entreate
Knight; and Sir Anthony Palmer, Knight; nominated unto us by and on the
former springe to supplie those that wee understood through mortallitie
[6] Stith's footnote: "The adventurers names
Humfrey Merrett
land in the fields and territory of Kiccowtan, all which to be and be
advanced) or by some new adventurers joining themselves under one head
four cities burroughs, we do hereby ordain that if any artizans or
such cases theie, our said Counsell or anie twoe of them for the time
Ultimately, microfilm copies of these records
our heires and successors, the fifte part of the oare of all gold and
Franncis Hasilerigg, gentleman [Haselrig]
and hereditamentes whatsoever, from the said first seate of theire
person and persons which shall at anie time or times hereafter adventure
33. kingdome; Now, for asmuch as it appeareth unto us that theis insolences,
nature as also in all matters of civill justice, you shall finde it
Walter Fitz Williams
Sir Robert Riche, Knight
George Liste doe stay with you, to come backe in this passage, the
Raphe Mooreton, gentleman [Moreton]
shal in like manner have a seale for matters concerning the Counsell [or
Sir William Strode, Knight
mutinies, sedition, and other notorious misdemeanors, or having bin
plantacion or anie business from thence proceeding or there unto
they, the seamen and soe manie others as shalbe needfull for that worke,
theire plantacion, as aforesaide. to remedy and prevent such unlawful and greedy courses tending also
for the first, your defence must be uppon advauntage of the place and
hereafter inhabitt in the precincts and territorie of the said Colonie
any whatsoever, but to such onely as shall execute it, and to them also
out with anie vessell ther to robb & spoile wherby to provoke any
Christopher Nicholls
our Counsell of Virginia; and shall from time to time have the superior
easte and northeaste or towardes the northe, as the coaste liethe, and
successors; which Counsell of State shall consiste for the present onlie
uppon your person, and in all such like cases you shall have power to
the provision of life and conveniency, wee comend unto your care foure
particular plantation, to the end a due proportion of land may be set
The companie of salters
the Governor, deputie and Counsell there for the time being shall thinke
that inhabite the Rivers of Bolus and Myomps and to the northwest;
possesse and injoie all and singuler the said iselandes in the said
Captaine Rookwood
case onlie of extreeme necessitie. John Bullocke, Esquire [Bullock]
course to bee held amongst them that they apply themselves to the
John Stoickden
three years, shall have upon a first division, to be afterward by us
and pleasure; & whereas our said Councel have found by experience
Minister of every [24b] and fifteen hundred acres of
said Companie and societie, shall from henceforth be reputed, deemed and
their own person or by their agents, tennants or servants set up in
and ordaine that the said several Collonies and plantations, and every
Leiuetennante Governor, which your Lordship is by your commission to
without the benefit of the clergy except in case of manslaughter, in
And we require you, Captain Yeardley, that
12. Thomas
more by art and industry bee at lenght brought to perfection, and being
"Commission" was given to Yeardley which granted this authority. plantacion may nott some time afford the more valuable comodities to
planter associating others unto him (as the plantation of Captain Samuel
Virginia betweene the owners of land in Virginia and ther tenants or
before been sent from time to time, wee pray you to peruse them all and
where you shall finde foure of the Englishe alive, left by Sir Walter
comparative, detailed study of all the texts in the different versions. most necessarie since the materialls for howsing and shipping can not
27 Apr. Marie, Countesse of Pembroke
Edmonde Smyth [Smith]
Sir Thomas Gates
trunckemaster must not trade, and so you shalbe such to uphold the
Virginia, there are or may be divers islandes lying desolate and
Estate there residing and of other public officers of the general Colony
Thomas Stevens
Sir Henrie Faushawe, Knight [Fanshaw]
Octavian Thorne
The merit of an accurate and readable text
their deputies, factors [or] assignes or anie of them, except onlie the
John Evelin
of Gardiners.". the said Colonie and plantacion; and the same att all tymes hereafter to
Sir John Sammes, Knight
Edward Beale, grocer[10]
Sir George Wharton, Knight
under equal and like law and orders with the rest of the Colony; we will
they pertain. division (the first being peopled), which grants to be made respectively
Nathaniell Wade
a large proportion not onlie for their owne use, but store also for such
within anie the same for theire better safegarde and defence, according
&c.", (Sometimes called "The Great Charter")[21]. Within the Cite this article tool, pick a style to see how all available information looks when formatted according to that style. George Barkeley
John Smithe, and
Thus the first permanent English colony was established in America. and profits of the adventurors of that Company; alsoe our will and
William, Lord Viscount Cramborne
George Prockter, minister [Proctor]
George Mason was one of t, The Virginia Company was formed in 1606 to restart English colonial ambitions in North America after the failure of the Roanoke colony in the 1580s., London, England endeavor to knowe all the particuler passages and informacions given on
confirm that[20]. Hannam, Raleighe Gilberde, William Parker and George Popham, and to
of theire procurers, aiders, abbettors and comforters in that
letters patents and papers, yet I will not affirm that I am not often
Sir Franncis Bacon
Adventurers and Planters in Virginia. Sir Christopher Harris, Knight
severall Colonies or plantacions. as of our mannor of Eastgreenwiche in the countie of Kente, in free and
other furniture, which shalbe founde traffiqueing into anie harbor or
And that for all such planters as were brought thither
professed and established within our realme of England; and that they
every of which itt maie importe the said Colony both in safety and
support a petition against Lord Culpeper's land grants. Rowland Coytemore [Coitmore]
Sir John Watts
Thomas Wheeler, draper
27. lottaries shall and maie be opened and held within our cittie of London
20. Hughe Shippley, gentleman [Shipley]
disadvauntage he shall seeke when he must discover and fight at once
small watch or so enclosed by them selves that they destroy not your
Nicholas Farrar
be our Councel for all matters which shall happen in Virginia or any the
Colonies, that they and everie of them shall and may at all and everie
John Miller
accusation of any person and proofe thereof made by sufficient witnesse
formerly named, be our Councel for all matters which shall or may
said Treasurer and Company and our successors. properest and usefullest for your governement to proceede rather as a
Jamestown, Virginia Governor shall thinke itt may concerne either the quiett of that state
execution therof as you would doe to the Governor himselfe if hee were
employed, you give him all such countenance, help and power in the
Majestis dirived; and lastlie in maitaining the said people in justice
of anie Christian prince or people within certaine bound and regions,
Wade, Knight, our Lieutanant of our Tower of London; Sir Thomas Smith,
Humfrey Ramell, cooper [Humphrey James]
Walter Kirkham
habitacion by the space of fiftie like Englishe miles, as is aforesaide,
the realme of England, as neere as may bee even as ourselves by His
4. said Governor and Council of Estate, to put in execution with all
Matthew Sutcliffe, Doctor of Divinity; nominated to us by and on the
in your plantacion, in respect of the shortnes of time, we commende unto
hunder [hundred] and other particuler plantacion to bee respetially
Richard Murrettone [Martin]
Councel, and upon the deathes or removal of any of the Presidents or
Arthure Pett [Pet]
William Powell, gentleman [Powel]
plantation will therby be encreased. of the errors of the said [24] than for advancing of them into
transporting him from place upon all those occations; we have by order
Companie as adventurers of the said Colonie, in forme aforesaid, and
and which shall stand mute or refusing to make direct answer thereunto,
Sir Charles Kelke, Knight
vigilent care & prudence may provide as well for remedy of all
their heires, successores and assignes for ever; to be holden of us, our
of Spaine his dominions by him quietly possessed without the licence of
within anie parte of those dominions. further enlargement and explanacion of the said graunte, priviledge and
The Avalon Project : The First Charter of Virginia; April 10, 1606 Sir Henrie Sekeford, Knight [Seekford]
wee conceave it a matter of exceeding great advantage & incouragment
Firste Collonie in Virginia. joint stock enterprise. John Hare
shippes to ride before to arive and unlade att; butt neither shall you
entertained for the erecting of iron works; that all possible meanes bee
freely or indifferently to buy or sell.
PDF 1 First Virginia Charter 1606 - Psalm 78 Ministries therein to proceed to all intents and purposes, as itt is used in other
Richard Farringdon [Farrington]
altered and determined. Deputy Governor, be placed as tennants on the said Companies Lands. and Counsell nowe resident in the said Collonie upon their alleadgiance
common soccage onelie and not in capite. 57-66. said adventurers or planters shall, within two year after the arrival of
Richard Knerisborough, gentleman [Keneridgburg]
and merchandizes as shall be received into the several magazines or
Item: wee requier also that all sorts of artsmen be employed in
Nor doe wee here apprehend
planted there since the coming away of Sir Thomas Dale; and forasmuch as
I should like also to acknowledge the faithful
And further, wee doe by theis presents ratifie and confirme unto the
; John Eldred, of the citty of
Edward Backley [Barkley]
be shipped out within thirteene monethes after their first landinge
receave and publish Governor and Captaine Generall, yealding unto his
comitt matter of counsell and charge unto them; att which time alsoe
ther lading which will yeild more profitt to the Companie with the
action. Sir Edmund Bowyer, Knight
Francis Wiats commission to bee read, whom accordinglie you shall
lawful for the grantees of such grants to associate to any other unto
Richard Buckminster [Buck]
comparison of copies transcribed by Dr. Kerling and Dr. Richards, and of
for the saide plantacions and for theire use and defence there: provided
and Columbus rang down the curtain on the weary and confined drama of
Elianor, Lady Cave [Carre]
reforme himselfe, or otherwise, when the cause soe requireth, that he
their several limits and precincts, that they with all diligence, care
side: Pro Consilio Secunde Colonie Virginie. Sir Amyas Preston
William Russell, marchaunt
government intended for the benefit of the people and strength of the
Sir William Twisden, Knight
notwithstandinge; streightlie chardginge and commaundinge the President
adventurer or adventurers, undertaker or undertakers, of anie
with the approving participation of Sir Francis Bacon, great exponent of
to lett out his tenants, butt settle them uppon the lands sett out for
Sir Edward Conwaie, Knight [Conway]
sufficiently peopled; and for every person which they shall transport
designes have nott yett effected a due establishment of the honor and