Supplies for Virginia Colonists, 1622

The first twenty years of the Jamestown colony were difficult; only about 20 percent of the earliest settlers survived. It was not only the problems that faced the colonists in the New World that led to this distressing statistic, but also a lack of preparation by those who chose to travel across the sea to begin life in the Virginia wilderness. Recognizing this as a threat to their hopes of a successful business venture -- more settlers meant more money -- the Virginia Company published this broadside, or poster, to educate settlers about the necessary materials to bring to Virginia. 


The Inconveniences that have happened to some persons which have transported themselves from England to Virginia, without provisions necessary to sustaine themselves, hath greatly hindered the Progresse of that Noble Plantation: For prevention of the like disorders hereafter, that no man suffer either through ignorance or misinformation; it is thought requisite to publish this short Declaration: wherein is contayned a particular of such necessaries, as either private Families or single persons shall have cause to furnish themselves with, for their better support at their first landing in Virginia; whereby also greater numbers may receive in part directions how to provide themselves.

Apparell

Apparell for one man and so after the rate for more

  li. s. d.
One Monmouth CapKnit woolen cap. 00 01 10
Three falling bandsCollars.   01 03
Three shirts   07 06
One Waste-coate   02 02
One sute of Canvase   07 06
One sute of Frize   10 00
One sute of Cloth   15 00
Three paire of Irish stockins   04  
Foure pair of shooes   08 08
One paire of garters   00 10
One doozen of pointsOne dozen pieces of ribbon or cord used to lace up items of clothing.   00 03
One paire of Canvase sheets   08 00
Seven Ells of Canvase, to make a bedIn the colonial period, the word ?bed? would have referred to what we now call the mattress. and boulster, to be filled in Virginia   08 00
One RugIn this usage, most likely a blanket or bed cover. for a bed in 8.S. which with the bed serving for two men, halfe is
Five Ells course Canvase, to make a bed at Sea for two men, to be filled with straw 4.S.   05 00
One coorse Rug at Sea for two men, will cost 6.S. is for one      
  04 00 00

Victuall

For a whole yeere for one man and so for more after the rate.

  li. s. d.
Eight bushels of Meale 02 00 00
Two bushels of Pease at 3.S.   06 00
Two bushels of Oatmeale 4.S. 6.d.   09 00
One gallon of Aquavitae   02 06
One gallon of Oyle   03 06
Two gallons of Vinegar 1.S.   02 00
  03 03 00

Armes

For one man, but if halfe of your men have Armour it is sufficient, so that all have PeecesGuns. and Swords.

  li. s. d.
One Armour compleat, light   17 00
One long Piece, five foot or five and a halfe, neere Musket bore 01 02  
One sword   05  
One Belt   01  
One Bandaleere   01 06
Twentie pound of Powder   18 00
Sixtie pound of shot or lead, Pistoll and Goose shot   05 00
  03 09 06

Tooles

For a Family of sixe persons, and so after the rate for more.

  li. s. d.
Five broad howeshoes. at 2.s. a piece   10  
Five narrow howes at 16.d. a piece   06 08
Two broad Axes at 3.s. 8.d. a piece   07 04
Five felling Axes at 18.d. a piece   07 06
Two Steele Hand-sawes at 16.d. a piece   02 08
Two two-hand-sawes at 5.s. a piece   10  
One whip-saw, set and filed with boxe, file and wrest   10  
Two Hammers 12.d. a piece   02 00
Three shovels 18.d. a piece   04 06
Two Spades at 18.d. a piece   03  
Two Augers 6.d. a piece   01 00
Six Chissels 6.d. a piece   03 00
Two percers stocked 4.d. a piece   00 08
Three gimblets 2.d. a piece   00 06
Two hatchets 21.d. a piece   03 06
Two froves to cleave palePart of a wooden wall or palisade. 18.d.   03 00
Two hand-bills 20. A piece   03 00
One Grindestone 4.s.   04 00
Nailes of all sorts to the value of 02 00  
Two pickaxes   03  
  06 02 08

Household Implements

For a Family of six persons, and so for more or lesse after the rate.

  li. s. d.
One Iron Pot 00 07  
One Kettle   06  
One large frying pan   02 06
One Griddiron   01 06
Two skillets   05  
One SpitA metal rod to hold food as it cooks over a fire.   02  
Platters, dishes, spoons of wood   04  
  01 08 00
  li. s. d.
For Sugar, Spice, and fruit at Sea for six men 00 12 06
So the full charge of apparell victuall, armes, tooles and household- stuffe, and after this rate for each person, will amoung unto about the sum of 12 10  
The passage of each man is 06 00  
The freight of these provisions for a man, will be about halfe a Tun, which is 01 10  
So the whole charge will amount to about 20 00 00

Nets, Hookes, Lines, and a Tent must be added if the number of people be greater, as also some KineCows.. And this is the usuall proportion that the Virginia Company doe bestow upon their Tenants which they send.


Whosoever transports himselfe or any other at his owne charge unto Virginia, shall for each person so transported before Midsummer 1625 have to him and his heires for ever fifty Acres of Land upon a first, and fifty Acres upon a second division.