In this section of “Relation of Virginia, 1609” titled “Of ther Tounes & buildinges,” the Jamestown colonist Henry Spelman describes Virginia Indian towns, house types, and hunting practices as he encountered them living with the Algonquian-speaking Powhatan and Patawomeck Indians from 1609 until 1611. His account was probably written in 1613 but not published until 1872.
In this excerpt of “Relation of Virginia, 1609,” probably written in 1613 but not published until 1872, the English colonist Henry Spelman describes sailing from England to Jamestown in 1609, when he was just fourteen years old, and how he came to live first with Powhatan‘s son Parahunt (referred to as “littel Powhatan”) just prior to the start of the First Anglo-Powhatan War (1609–1614). Spelman later lived with Powhatan himself, but when the mamanatowick used Spelman to lure a company of Englishmen led by John Ratcliffe into an ambush, Spelman fled to the Patawomeck Indians. In his account, Spelman also mentions John Smith, Thomas Savage, Sir Thomas Gates, Sir George Somers, and Samuel Argall.
In a section of “Relation of Virginia, 1609” titled “Of ther servis to ther gods,” the Jamestown colonist Henry Spelman describes Virginia Indian religion, including possibly the huskanaw ceremony, as he encountered it living with the Algonquian-speaking Powhatan and Patawomeck Indians from 1609 until 1611. His account was probably written in 1613 but not published until 1872.
In a section of “Relation of Virginia, 1609” titled “Ther maner of mariing,” the Jamestown colonist Henry Spelman describes Virginia Indian marriage and divorce practices as he encountered it living with the Algonquian-speaking Powhatan and Patawomeck Indians from 1609 until 1611. In addition, he recalls one particularly violent confrontation with the wife of a weroance, or chief. Spelman’s account was probably written in 1613 but not published until 1872.
In these two sections of “Relation of Virginia, 1609” titled “The Justis and government” and “The manor of execution,” the Jamestown colonist Henry Spelman describes Virginia Indian law and punishment as he encountered it living with the Algonquian-speaking Powhatan and Patawomeck Indians from 1609 until 1611. His account was probably written in 1613 but not published until 1872.
In a section of “Relation of Virginia, 1609” titled “How the name ther children,” the Jamestown colonist Henry Spelman describes Virginia Indian naming practices as he encountered it living with the Algonquian-speaking Powhatan and Patawomeck Indians from 1609 until 1611. His account was probably written in 1613 but not published until 1872.
In this section of “Relation of Virginia, 1609” titled “Ther maner of visitinge the sicke with the fation of ther buriall if they dye,” the Jamestown colonist Henry Spelman describes how Virginia Indians treat the sick and bury the dead. He encountered those religiously influenced practices living with the Algonquian-speaking Powhatan and Patawomeck Indians from 1609 until 1611. His account was probably written in 1613 but not published until 1872.
