1612

25. [f.14] 11 March 1612. Philpot Lane [London. Sir] Thomas Smythe [treasurer of the Virginia company] to Trinity House

Trinity House agreed with the Virginia company to contribute for 3 years towards the plantation in Virginia. The instalment for the first year was paid, but the second is now due. It is also requested that 3 members of Trinity House be nominated so that one of them can be chosen to assist on the committees charged with the management of the enterprise and to keep the corporation informed.

26. [11 × 31] March 1612. Certificate by the Virginia company

Certification of second annual payment of £50 by Trinity House [see 25] to Sir Thomas Smith. Shares in lands, mines, minerals of gold, silver and other metals or treasure, pearls, precious stones, and other merchandise will be determined by the proportionate contribution. Sealed in the presence of Edward Maye.

27. [f.14v] 19 June 1612. York House [London]. T. [lord] Ellesmere, lord chancellor, [to Trinity House. See 28–9.]

The enclosed petition of one Adames for himself and some of his crew is referred to them.

28. 1 July 1612. Trinity House [to lord Ellesmere, lord chancellor]

In reply to his letter [27] they have examined Adam Adams, late master of the Greyhound of London, and members of the crew, on the one side, and on the other, the shipowner, and Philip Barnardi on behalf of himself and John Francisco Soprain, the merchants. According to the charter party and his own admission, Barnardi agreed to provide victuals, men, and wages for the voyage from the Thames to the Canaries, the return voyage to London, and for 7 days afterwards. On a number of occasions on the outward voyage the ship was surprised by pirates who took away the victuals and most of the mariners and their goods. The merchants apparently lost none of their goods. Nevertheless the ship reached the Islands where the master hired other men and loaded goods for the return voyage as the factor of the merchants directed [f.15] and then returned safely to London. Barnardi refuses to pay any wages or for the new victuals and also refuses to accept their award but determines 'to abide extremity of law', which the poor men are not able to endure.

29. 28 July 1612. Trinity House [to the same]

Since their last report [28] Addams has informed them that their opinion was required as to what money was due to the mariners of the Greyhownd. Richard Davison, the master, who died in the Islands and those whom he hired should be paid £38 8s 6d by the merchants, Philip Barnardi and John Francisco Soprain, while the 5 whom Adams had to hire in the Islands to bring home the ship should have £25 15s. Such wages and more are usually paid.

William Byam, master; Christopher Newport, Michael Geere, William Goodlard, Robert Kytchen, William Bygate, Nicholas Diggons, Matthew Woodcott, William Ivie.

30. [f.15v] 8 Aug. 1612. Trinity House to the same

Margery Larriman of Ratcliff and her neighbours have asked them to certify to him that her husband, George Larryman, had his ship, the Blessing, freighted with goods by the London merchants, Nicholas Leete and William Towerson, for the London plantation of Coleraine in Ireland. The merchants have certified in writing that the goods were duly delivered. The ship was then freighted in Ireland by William Barret, merchant, with goods for Malaga. On her voyage thither the ship was surprised while lying at anchor at the Southern Cape by the admiral of Spain. Larryman and 12 of his company are held prisoner in a galley of Spain for supposed misdemeanours. He is generally reputed to be a very honest man and his wife and 8 children are wholly dependent upon him. William Byam, William Goodlad, Michael Geere, Robert Kytchen, William Bygate, Hugh Merit, Peter Hills, John Vassall, Nicholas Diggens, Matthew Woodcott, Robert Rickman, William Jurdaine.

31. [f.16] 14 Aug. 1612. Trinity House to the same

David Mychell, mariner of Ratcliff, asked them to certify to the lord chancellor that he was master and part-owner of the Gift of God of London (about 80 tons) which was lost with all her cargo in foul weather in Sept. 1607, and that last March he was captured by pirates in the Frindship. He lost £300 by the loss of the Gift of God and £100 by that of the Frindship and is now impoverished.

William Byam, Christopher Newport, Michael Geare, Robert Kytchin, William Bygate, Hugh Merrit, Nicholas Dygens, Matthew Woodcot, Robert Rickman, William Jurden.

32. 1 Aug. 1612. Award by Trinity House

William Goodlard the elder, master of the Hermet of London, and Samuel Mower, master of the Treasure of London, referred to Trinity House for settlement their dispute over damage done by the Treasure to the Hermet while she lay at anchor within the 'Hound's sand'. The repair of the Hermet will cost £8 15s 11d of which Mower should pay £4 16s. Goodlard is to have the old bowsprit towards the other £4.

William Byam, master; Christopher Newport, Michael Geare, Robert Kitchyn, William Bygatt, Hugh Merrett, Matthew Woodcot, Peter Hills, Robert Rickman, Robert Salmon.

33. [f.16v] 6 Aug. 1612. Award by Trinity House

Certain men of the Greyhounde, recently returned from 'Islande' [? Iceland], ascribe the overthrow of the voyage to the loss of the cables and anchors in foul weather and say that the master was left behind in 'Island' because of the failure of the ground tackle, whereby they were forced away with 1,800 or 1,900 fish. They demand their wages. Mr Bell the owner, says that their waste of victuals and their negligence has caused him damage. Both parties refer the matter to Trinity House who order that Bell should pay half the wages to the mariners including what they have already received; and that the mariners are to give a bond to Bell undertaking to accept a revised award by Trinity House if the master returns or if new evidence of negligence is forthcoming. If no new evidence is available by 27 Sept. 1612, a decision will then be given concerning the balance of the wages due.

William Byam, master; Christopher Newport, Michael Geare, William Goodled, Robert Kitchin, Thomas Milton, Hugh Merrit, Robert Rickman, Matthew Woodcot, Richard Chester, William Jurdaine, Roger Gunstone.

34. 10 Dec. 1612. Award [by Trinity House]

The anchor and cable which Mr Jurden's men let slip is valued at £10. The Scotsman, who was mate, lost his wages having taken other employment, and when a sick man went ashore at [the Isle of] Wight, his replacement enabled a saving of a noble to be made in wages payable by the owner. The wages of the rest of the crew amounted to £35. There should be a deduction of 2s 6d in the £ from the earnings of every man and boy in the crew to pay for the damages. If the anchor and cable are recovered, the proceeds of the sale, after the deduction of charges, should be divided proportionately among those who paid for the damage. Seamen hired since the loss are not to contribute.

William Byam, master; Robert Kitchyn, Roger Gunston, Matthew Woodcott, Robert Rickman, William Ivie, Richard Chester, Robert Salmon, Robert Bradshawe, Andrew Shillinge.