THE
HUSBANDRY AND IMPROVEMENTS
OF
VIRGINIA.

PART II.

CHAPTER XV.

OF THE PEOPLE, INHABITANTS OF VIRGINIA.

Sec. 65. I can easily imagine with Sir Josiah Child, that this, as well as
all the rest of the plantations, was for the most part, at first,
peopled by persons of low circumstances, and by such as were willing to
seek their fortunes in a foreign country. Nor was it hardly possible it
should be otherwise; for 'tis not likely that any man of a plentiful
estate should voluntarily abandon a happy certainty, to roam after
imaginary advantages in a new world. Besides which uncertainty, he must
have proposed to himself to encounter the infinite difficulties and
dangers that attend a new settlement. These discouragements were
sufficient to terrify any man, that could live easily in England, from
going to provoke his fortune in a strange land.

Sec. 66. Those that went over to that country first, were chiefly single
men who had not the incumbrance of wives and children in England; and if
they had, they did not expose them to the fatigue and hazard of so long
a voyage, until they saw how it should fare with themselves. From hence
it came to pass, that when they were settled there in a comfortable way
of subsisting a family, they grew sensible of the misfortune of wanting
wives, and such as had left wives in England sent for them, but the
single men were put to their shifts. They excepted against the Indian
women on account of their being pagans, as well as their complexions,
and for fear they should conspire with those of their own nation to
destroy their husbands. Under this difficulty they had no hopes, but
that the plenty in which they lived might invite modest women, of small
fortunes, to go over thither from England. However, they would not
receive any, but such as could carry sufficient certificate of their
modesty and good behavior. Those, if they were but moderately qualified
in all other respects, might depend upon marrying very well in those
days, without any fortune. Nay, the first planters were so far from
expecting money with a woman, that 'twas a common thing for them to buy
a deserving wife, that carried good testimonials of her character, at
the price of one hundred pounds, and make themselves believe they had a
bargain.

Sec. 67. But this way of peopling the colony was only at first. For after
the advantages of the climate, and the fruitfulness of the soil were
well known, and all the