<h2><SPAN name="travel" name="travel"></SPAN>Travel</h2>
<p>During the 17th century, travel in Virginia was mainly by boat. As the
roads leading from Jamestown to the nearby settlements were usually in
deplorable condition, especially after heavy rains, the settlers
preferred to travel by water whenever possible. As the colony grew, and
roads were improved somewhat, travel by horse became more common,
especially for short trips. After 1650 the use of wagons increased, and
records indicate that a few of the more prosperous planters imported
fine carriages from England.</p>
<h3><SPAN name="boats_and_ships" name="boats_and_ships"></SPAN>Boats and Ships</h3>
<p>Boats used by the settlers varied in size from small flat-bottom boats
to fairly large sailing vessels, and included such types as small
rowboats, pinnaces, barks, bilanders, schooners, ketches, and sloops.
Living on a river, and in a tidewater area of innumerable creeks, bays,
and rivers, practically all of the colonists were familiar with
handling boats of one type or another.</p>
<p>However, only a few objects relating to boats and ships have been
unearthed at Jamestown: small anchors, chains, oar locks, ship bolts and
spikes, and tools used by shipwrights and ships’ carpenters.</p>
<div class="illustration" id="box111"><SPAN href="images/111.jpg">
<ANTIMG class="illustration" src="images/111s.jpg" title="Some bits and bridle ornaments in the Jamestown collection. The artistic designs on many bridle bosses are symbolic of beautiful handiwork performed by craftsmen of a bygone day." alt="[Illustration: Some bits and bridle ornaments in the Jamestown collection. The artistic designs on many bridle bosses are symbolic of beautiful handiwork performed by craftsmen of a bygone day.]" width-obs="538" height-obs="437" /></SPAN><div class="caption">Some bits and bridle ornaments in the Jamestown collection. The artistic designs on many bridle bosses are symbolic of beautiful handiwork performed by craftsmen of a bygone day.</div>
</div>
<h3><SPAN name="horses_wagons_and_carriages" name="horses_wagons_and_carriages"></SPAN>Horses, Wagons, and Carriages</h3>
<p>The first English-built road in America (in use by 1608) ran 1 mile from
Jamestown Island to Glasshouse Point. Later, as the colony grew, the
road was extended to Governor Berkeley’s plantation, about 4 miles from
Jamestown, and other nearby settlements. There is some evidence that it
was known as the “Old Road” or “Greate Road.”</p>
<div class="illustration" id="box112"><SPAN href="images/112.jpg">
<ANTIMG class="illustration" src="images/112s.jpg" title="Seventeenth-century spur and stirrup excavated at jamestown." alt="[Illustration: Seventeenth-century spur and stirrup excavated at jamestown.]" width-obs="214" height-obs="418" /></SPAN><div class="caption">Seventeenth-century spur and stirrup excavated at jamestown.</div>
</div>
<div class="illustration" id="box113"><SPAN href="images/113.jpg">
<ANTIMG class="illustration" src="images/113s.jpg" title="This branding iron was used by one of the colonists during the early days of the settlement." alt="[Illustration: This branding iron was used by one of the colonists during the early days of the settlement.]" width-obs="283" height-obs="369" /></SPAN><div class="caption">This branding iron was used by one of the colonists during the early days of the settlement.</div>
</div>
<p>As early as 1609 “six mares and two horses” were brought to Jamestown.
In 1611, 17 horses and mares arrived, and in 1614, Capt. Samuel Argall
brought several more. Six years later in 1620, 20 horses were shipped
from England. It is most surprising, therefore, that the census of 1625
recorded only 1 horse for the entire colony! By 1649, however, it was
estimated that there were 300 horses in Virginia, and most of the
successful farmers and wealthy planters owned them after 1650. During
the following years, the number of horses increased greatly.</p>
<p>Many well-preserved metal objects relating to horse equipment and riding
gear have been unearthed.</p>
<div>
<h4><SPAN name="bits_and_bridle_ornaments" name="bits_and_bridle_ornaments"></SPAN>Bits and Bridle Ornaments.</h4>—Most bits are of the snaffle variety,
although a few curb bits have been recovered. In those days many bits
had brass bosses attached to their cheek bars, and many of these
attractive ornaments have been unearthed. Some bosses are decorated with
raised designs while others are plain. The majority are made of brass,
although a few iron bosses have been excavated.</div>
<div>
<h4><SPAN name="spurs_and_stirrups" name="spurs_and_stirrups"></SPAN>Spurs and Stirrups.</h4>—A few complete spurs have been excavated. While the
majority are plain iron some brass spurs in the collection are
decorated with very attractive incised or embossed designs. Two or three
of the highly decorated brass spurs are probably of Spanish origin. One
of them, in excellent condition, was found near an early brick kiln.</div>
<div class="illustration" id="box114"><SPAN href="images/114.jpg">
<ANTIMG class="illustration" src="images/114s.jpg" title="Wrought-iron horseshoes and currycombs used prior to 1650." alt="[Illustration: Wrought-iron horseshoes and currycombs used prior to 1650.]" width-obs="517" height-obs="366" /></SPAN><div class="caption">Wrought-iron horseshoes and currycombs used prior to 1650.</div>
</div>
<div class="illustration" id="box115"><SPAN href="images/115.jpg">
<ANTIMG class="illustration" src="images/115s.jpg" title="Settlers trading with the Indians—bartering casting counters and other trade goods for furs. (Conjectural sketch by Sidney E. King.)" alt="[Illustration: Settlers trading with the Indians—bartering casting counters and other trade goods for furs. (Conjectural sketch by Sidney E. King.)]" width-obs="457" height-obs="438" /></SPAN><div class="caption">Settlers trading with the Indians—bartering casting counters and other trade goods for furs. <span class="by">(Conjectural sketch by Sidney E. King.)</span></div>
</div>
<p>All stirrups unearthed are made of wrought iron. Some of the steps or
stirrup bars are solid, while others have a single slot.</p>
<div>
<h4><SPAN name="horseshoes_and_currycombs" name="horseshoes_and_currycombs"></SPAN>Horseshoes and Currycombs.</h4>—Horseshoes found vary considerably in size,
although the majority are relatively small. Many shoes have both toe and
heel calks, and in most examples the calks are well worn. The many small
shoes that have been excavated may indicate that the horses used in
Virginia three centuries ago were much smaller than the 20th-century
breeds.</div>
<p>All currycombs found are handwrought, and many have pleasing designs on
the backs, formed by the curved iron strips which extend from the handle
prong to the back of the comb.</p>
<div>
<h4><SPAN name="branding_irons" name="branding_irons"></SPAN>Branding Irons</h4>.—Parts of several branding irons were found including a
complete example with initials “TR.”</div>
<div>
<h4><SPAN name="wagons_and_carriage_parts" name="wagons_and_carriage_parts"></SPAN>Wagon and Carriage Parts.</h4>—Archeologists unearthed only a few metal
parts from wagons and carriages—reminders of a day when horses and oxen
were indispensable animals in the Virginia settlements.</div>
<h2><SPAN name="trade" name="trade"></SPAN>Trade</h2>
<p>Some interesting objects recovered at Jamestown relate to early trade.
These include items used in trade with the Indians, as well as an
excellent assortment of lead bale clips. These clips are decorated discs
which were often attached to bales of goods (especially woolen cloth)
imported from England. One object, the heaviest unearthed at Jamestown,
relates indirectly to trade. It is a 1,300-pound iron piledriver which
was once used to build wharfs and piers.</p>
<h3><SPAN name="indian_trade" name="indian_trade"></SPAN>Indian Trade</h3>
<p>One reason why the colonists selected a site for Jamestown some miles up
the James River was to develop the Indian trade over an extensive area.
During the early years of the colony, trade with the natives was
encouraged. It is clear from the early records that the settlers
bartered such items as beads, cloth, penny knives, shears, bells, glass
toys, whistles, hatchets, pots and pans, brass casting counters, and
similar objects in exchange for Indian corn (and other vegetables),
fish, game, fruits and berries, and furs.</p>
<p>Many examples of English trade goods used for bartering with the Indians
have been found on the island, but these can be described only briefly.</p>
<div>
<h4><SPAN name="beads" name="beads"></SPAN>Beads.</h4>—The majority of glass beads were shipped from England, although
some may have been made in Italy, probably in Venice. As no glass beads
were found at or near the site of the glass factory, it is doubtful
whether any were made there. Most beads in the collection are round or
oval, a few are cylindrical having been cut from colored glass rods. All
beads excavated are of one or more colors, with the exception of 2 or 3
that are colorless. After three centuries the attractive colors still
persist; and looking at the colorful beads today you can understand the
charm they held for the Indians.</div>
<div>
<h4><SPAN name="knives" name="knives"></SPAN>Knives.</h4>—Small, inexpensive knives called penny knives, were often used
for trading purposes during the years at Jamestown. A few folding knives
and blade fragments (which may also have been penny knives) have been
recovered.</div>
<div>
<h4><SPAN name="shears" name="shears"></SPAN>Shears.</h4>—Several shears and scissors, highly prized by the Indians, were
found on the island. A few are almost complete.</div>
<div>
<h4><SPAN name="bells" name="bells"></SPAN>Bells.</h4>—Brass and iron bells of types which were used for bartering with
the Indians have been excavated. A few days after the colonists reached
Jamestown one of them recorded that “our captaine ... presented [to an
Indian chief] gyftes of dyvers sortes, as penny knyves, sheeres, belles,
beades, glass toyes &c. more amply then before.”</div>
<div class="illustration" id="box116"><SPAN href="images/116.jpg">
<ANTIMG class="illustration" src="images/116s.jpg" title="Brass casting counters excavated on Jamestown Island. Many were made in Germany before 1575 for use by merchants on counting boards. In the New World they were used for the Indian trade." alt="[Illustration: Brass casting counters excavated on Jamestown Island. Many were made in Germany before 1575 for use by merchants on counting boards. In the New World they were used for the Indian trade.]" width-obs="541" height-obs="393" /></SPAN><div class="caption">Brass casting counters excavated on Jamestown Island. Many were made in Germany before 1575 for use by merchants on counting boards. In the New World they were used for the Indian trade.</div>
</div>
<div class="illustration" id="box117"><SPAN href="images/117.jpg">
<ANTIMG class="illustration" src="images/117s.jpg" title="A few objects unearthed at Jamestown which were used for trading with the Indians. Shown are glass beads, scissors, iron knives, a hatchet, and bell fragments." alt="[Illustration: A few objects unearthed at Jamestown which were used for trading with the Indians. Shown are glass beads, scissors, iron knives, a hatchet, and bell fragments.]" width-obs="538" height-obs="397" /></SPAN><div class="caption">A few objects unearthed at Jamestown which were used for trading with the Indians. Shown are glass beads, scissors, iron knives, a hatchet, and bell fragments.</div>
</div>
<div>
<h4><SPAN name="hatchets" name="hatchets"></SPAN>Hatchets.</h4>—Many fine specimens of handwrought hatchets have been found.
These were valuable items during the early years of the settlement, and
much sought after by the Indians, so that a large number were used in
trading with them. But hatchets were used primarily by the carpenter,
cooper, and other artisans.</div>
<div>
<h4><SPAN name="pots_and_pans" name="pots_and_pans"></SPAN>Pots and Pans.</h4>—A pot or pan made of brass or copper was almost worth
its weight in gold for trading purposes. A few complete examples,
together with numerous fragments, have been recovered.</div>
<div>
<h4><SPAN name="brass_casting_counters_or_jettons" name="brass_casting_counters_or_jettons"></SPAN>Brass Casting Counters or Jettons.</h4>—Most of these thin brass tokens or
counters (similar in appearance to coins) were made in Germany during
the second half of the 16th century. In Europe they were used on
counting boards for making mathematical calculations, but in the New
World it is believed that they were used in the Indian trade.
Approximately a dozen have been found at Jamestown. Three were also
found on Roanoke Island (site of Raleigh’s ill-fated “Lost Colony”) and
one was recovered in an Indian shell mound near Cape Hatteras, not too
distant from Croatoan Island (known today as Ocracoke Island). Many of
the counters in the Jamestown collection were made by Hans Schultes and
Hans Laufer of Nuremberg, who manufactured such jettons between 1550 and
1574, at which time Nuremberg was a center for the making of casting
counters. Some of the counters have holes punched through them,
indicating that the Indians may have worn them around their necks like
pendants, suspended from leather thongs.</div>
<div>
<h4><SPAN name="miscellaneous_items" name="miscellaneous_items"></SPAN>Miscellaneous Items.</h4>—Other objects which the English used in trade with
the Indians were colored cloth, glass toys, and whistles; but no
examples of these have been recovered during archeological explorations.</div>
<div class="illustration" id="box118"><SPAN href="images/118.jpg">
<ANTIMG class="illustration" src="images/118s.jpg" title="A wharf scene—arrival of a ship from the mother country. (Conjectural sketch by Sidney E. King.)" alt="[Illustration: A wharf scene—arrival of a ship from the mother country. (Conjectural sketch by Sidney E. King.)]" width-obs="895" height-obs="535" /></SPAN><div class="caption">A wharf scene—arrival of a ship from the mother country. <span class="by">(Conjectural sketch by Sidney E. King.)</span></div>
</div>
<h3><SPAN name="english_and_foreign_trade" name="english_and_foreign_trade"></SPAN>English and Foreign Trade</h3>
<p>During the 17th century, active trade was carried on between the
Virginia colony and the mother country. Local commodities of timber,
wood products, soap ashes, iron ore, tobacco, pitch, tar, furs,
minerals, salt, sassafras, and other New World raw materials were
shipped to England. In exchange, English merchants sold to the
colonists, tools, farm implements, seeds, stock and poultry, furniture
and household accessories, clothing, weapons, hardware, kitchen
utensils, pottery, metalware, glassware, and certain foods and drinks.</p>
<p>There is also good evidence that some trade was carried on with Holland,
Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, France, Mexico, and the West Indies.
Many artifacts unearthed (especially pottery) were made in the countries
mentioned. It is believed that certain commodities were acquired by
direct trade with the country where made, in spite of the strict laws by
which the Colonial Powers sought to monopolize the colonial trade for
the benefit of the mother country.</p>
<div>
<h4><SPAN name="lead_bale_clips" name="lead_bale_clips"></SPAN>Lead Bale Clips.</h4>—A series of decorated lead clips which relate to
17th-century trade have been found at several places on Jamestown
Island. As their name implies, these lead clips, or seals, were attached
to bales of English goods, usually woolen cloth, to attest that the
goods were of an approved quality and length, and of a given amount.
Each clip usually consisted of two discs connected by a narrow band, and
when used for marking cloth the name or initials of the maker of the
material was often incised on one of the discs. The clips, too, were
often embossed with a decorative device such as a coat of arms, crest,
crown, name or initials of a king, numerals, king’s head, royal arms,
animal, or flower. Over a dozen of these small lead clips have been
unearthed, and serve as reminders of a past day when majestic English
merchantmen sailed to Jamestown laden with bales of goods from the
mother country.</div>
<div class="illustration" id="box119"><SPAN href="images/119.jpg">
<ANTIMG class="illustration" src="images/119s.jpg" title="Lead bale clips used for sealing bales of woolen cloth and other goods. Once a clip had been attached to a bale it attested that the goods were of an approved quality and length or amount." alt="[Illustration: Lead bale clips used for sealing bales of woolen cloth and other goods. Once a clip had been attached to a bale it attested that the goods were of an approved quality and length or amount.]" width-obs="540" height-obs="367" /></SPAN><div class="caption">Lead bale clips used for sealing bales of woolen cloth and other goods. Once a clip had been attached to a bale it attested that the goods were of an approved quality and length or amount.</div>
</div>
<div class="illustration" id="box120"><SPAN href="images/120.jpg">
<ANTIMG class="illustration" src="images/120s.jpg" title="This 1,300-pound iron piledriver used for driving piles in the building of small wharves was found at Jamestown." alt="[Illustration: This 1,300-pound iron piledriver used for driving piles in the building of small wharves was found at Jamestown.]" width-obs="283" height-obs="302" /></SPAN><div class="caption">This 1,300-pound iron piledriver used for driving piles in the building of small wharves was found at Jamestown.</div>
</div>
<div class="illustration" id="box121"><SPAN href="images/121.jpg">
<ANTIMG class="illustration" src="images/121s.jpg" title="Building a wharf, about 1650. (Conjectural sketch by Sidney E. King.)" alt="[Illustration: Building a wharf, about 1650. (Conjectural sketch by Sidney E. King.)]" width-obs="283" height-obs="395" /></SPAN><div class="caption">Building a wharf, about 1650. <span class="by">(Conjectural sketch by Sidney E. King.)</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<h4><SPAN name="piers_and_wharfs" name="piers_and_wharfs"></SPAN>Piers and Wharfs.</h4>—In order to accommodate such large sailing vessels,
piers and wharfs had to be built at Jamestown. A 1,300-pound iron
piledriver was found in the basement of a 17th-century building in 1955.
It was probably used three centuries ago for driving piles in the James
River during construction of a small wharf.</div>
<h2><SPAN name="worshipping" name="worshipping"></SPAN>Worshipping</h2>
<p>The Jamestown colonists were, for the most part, religious and
God-fearing people. The majority were members of the Church of England.
One of the first settlers, the Rev. Robert Hunt, was an ordained
minister of that church. Whenever possible, services were held every
morning and evening, and sermons delivered twice on Sundays.</p>
<p>A few ornamental brass book clasps excavated near Jamestown may have
been used on early Bibles and Prayer Books. Under the care of Bruton
Parish Episcopal Church in Willamsburg are four pieces of communion
silver which were used in the church at Jamestown. Two pieces, an
exquisite chalice and paten, were donated to the Jamestown church by Lt.
Gov. Francis Morrison (or Moryson) in 1661. Inscribed on both is the
legend: “Mixe not holy thinges with profane.” A second paten, made in
London in 1691-92, was given to the Jamestown Church by Gov. Edmund
Andros in 1694. Another paten, or a collection plate (also made in
London), bears the inscription: “For the use of James City Parish
Church.”</p>
<div class="illustration" id="box122"><SPAN href="images/122.jpg">
<ANTIMG class="illustration" src="images/122s.jpg" title="Decorated brass book clasps found near Jamestown which may have been used on an early Bible or prayer book" alt="[Illustration: Decorated brass book clasps found near Jamestown which may have been used on an early Bible or prayer book]" width-obs="426" height-obs="442" /></SPAN><div class="caption">Decorated brass book clasps found near Jamestown which may have been used on an early Bible or prayer book</div>
</div>
<p>The officials of the Virginia Company of London, admonishing the first
settlers to serve and fear God in order to plant a successful and
prosperous colony, advised:</p>
<blockquote>
<p style="text-indent: 0em">
Lastly and chiefly the way to prosper and achieve good success is
to make yourselves all of one mind for the good of your country and
your own, and to serve and fear God the Giver of all Goodness, for
every plantation which our Heavenly Father hath not planted shall
be rooted out.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Seemingly the advice was carried out, for from the small settlement on a
tiny island in the James River grew a great and mighty nation.</p>
<div class="illustration" id="box123"><SPAN href="images/123.jpg">
<ANTIMG class="illustration" src="images/123s.jpg" title="Communion silver used in the Jamestown church after 1661. Both the chalice and paten were made in London, and donated to the church by Lt. Gov. Francis Morrison (or Moryson) in 1661. On both pieces is the legend: “Mixe not holy thinges with profane.”" alt="[Illustration: Communion silver used in the Jamestown church after 1661. Both the chalice and paten were made in London, and donated to the church by Lt. Gov. Francis Morrison (or Moryson) in 1661. On both pieces is the legend: “Mixe not holy thinges with profane.”]" width-obs="540" height-obs="524" /></SPAN><div class="caption">Communion silver used in the Jamestown church after 1661. Both the chalice and paten were made in London, and donated to the church by Lt. Gov. Francis Morrison (or Moryson) in 1661. On both pieces is the legend: “Mixe not holy thinges with profane.”</div>
</div>
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