America and West Indies: December 1631

Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 1, 1574-1660. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1860.

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'America and West Indies: December 1631', in Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 1, 1574-1660, (London, 1860) pp. 137-138. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol1/pp137-138 [accessed 25 March 2024]

December 1631

Dec. 1.
Warwick House.
Minutes of the Council for New England. A general form for patents for petty plantations as tenants or freeholders, and for those who undertake to erect towns and plant a great number of people agreed on. Several petitions for patents for private plantations to be considered. [Colonial Corresp., 1631, Nov. 4, pp. 2, 3.]
Dec. 1. Grant of the Council for New England to John Stratton of Shotley, co. Suffolk, and to his associates, of 2,000 acres of land upon the south side of Cape Porpus. [Minute. Colonial Corresp., 1620, Nov. 3.]
Dec. 1.
London.
Grant of arms to Capt. David Kirke, Lewis Kirke, Governor of Canada, Capt. Thos. Kirke, and Jas. Kirke, for valour in vanquishing the French fleet under the command of Mons. de Rockmond, admiral, bringing him prisoner to England, and in the following year taking Canada and bringing Mons. Champlain prisoner to England. The coat armour of Mons. Rockmond is granted to Capt. David Kirke, and to his brothers and their issue for ever. [Certified copy. DOMESTIC Corresp. Car. I.]
December. 2.
Warwick House.
Minutes of the Council for New England. Patents to Walter Bagnall for a small island, caled Richmond, with 1,500 acres of land, and to John Stratton for 2,000 acres, upon the south side of the river or creek called Cape Porpus, agreed on. Considerations for which they are granted. Also patents granted to [Sir] Ferd. Gorges, son and heir of John Gorges, of London, Walter Norton, Lieut. Col. Thos. Coppyn, Samuel Maverick, Thos. Graves [?] Ralph Glover, Wil. Jeffreys, John Busley, Joel Woolsey, all of New England; Robert, Richard, and George Norton, of Sharpenho, co. Bedford, and Robt. Rainsford, of London, who have undertaken to build a town in New England, of 100 acres of land for every person, transported by them within seven years, who remains three years, with an additional grant of 12,000 acres to themselves on the east side of the river of Aquamentiquos, and of 12,000 acres to Ferd. Gorges on the opposite side of the river. To Robert Trelawny and Moses Goodyeare of all lands along the sea coast eastward between the land limited to Capt. Thos. Cammock, and Cascoe bay and river, for having expended great sums in the discovery of those parts, and for their encouragement in settling a plantation there. [Colonial Corresp., 1631, Nov. 4, pp. 3–7.]
Dec. 3.
Brooke House.
Minutes of a Court for Providence Island. Letters received from the island "by a stranger's ship" are read, and all directed to private persons ordered to be delivered, the Company to be acquainted with what related to the public affairs of the colony. Deputy Dike's request for more money on account of the Seaflower, referred to Treasurer Pym. Questions moved touching the preparation of another ship for Providence about March next; encouragements for ministers to go over, but not to be of the Council; inducements for able tradesmen to transport themselves; also against whole families going by the next ship, as it is necessary to send mostly men at present, with some few women; charge of their transportation and division of the profits of their labour. Every adventurer to "harken out" for honest men fit for their service, and to report upon their quality and number. The gunner's wages, who was hired by Capt. Bell from the Seaflower at 40l. per annum, thought too much. To the objections of some of the planters to work by halves it was answered that in other plantations it was also done, and that half profits were thought a rich recompence. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. III., pp. 41–43.]
Dec. 20.
James City. [Virginia.]
34. Accord between the Governor and Council of Virginia; concluding and silencing by a peaceable period all those "unhappy differences which have interrupted all good proceedings" for the benefit of the plantation. Signed by Sir John Harvey, Fras. West, Sam. Mathews, Wil. Claybourne, Wil. Tucker, Wil. Ferrar, Hen. Finch, Nath. Basse, John Utie, Thos. Purvisse, Hugh Bullock, and Wil. Peirce. [Copy.]
Dec. 31.
Warwick House.
Minutes of a meeting for Providence Island. Mr. Hart ordered to receive 6,000 weight of tobacco brought by the planters from the Isle of Association, and with the first sale to discharge the customs. Necessity of sending another ship presently after the return of the Seaflower, with a plentiful supply of men and provisions considered, and the Company requested to meet on 1st Feb. next, to conclude upon some way to raise money for that purpose. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. III., p. 44.]
1631? 35. Petition of Sidrack Miller, of London, Cooper, to the Privy Council. By a contract made with Capt. John Mason, John Cotton, and Henry Gardiner, on behalf of the Company of Adventurers for the Province of Laconia, in New England, the petitioner and two servants were transported to Piscataqua, where they worked 18 months for the Company. Miller being sent to England, left his servants behind, who have since been suddenly discharged, and the Company will not pay what is due to them. Prays that the Company may be ordered to pay the money due to him and his two servants for the work done according to contract.
1631? 36. Petition of George Sandys to the King. Understands His Majesty's resolution to govern the plantations by a commission directed to certain of the Privy Council. Has spent the ripest of his years in the public employment in Virginia, and received a favourable answer to a petition to be nominated secretary, when the King heretofore appointed a President and Council for the affairs of that colony. Prays for the appointment of Secretary to the Commission.