Introduction

“New-Englands Plantation,” a tract published in London early in 1630, contains the earliest printed account of the colony established by Endecott in 1628, at Neihum-kek, now Salem. A description of the natural conditions surrounding the new settlement is also preserved, the narrative presenting, in the quaint phrase of the original, “a short and true description of the commodities and discommodities of that countrey.” The tract was written by the Reverend Francis Higginson, who came in the emigration following Endecott, and who was eminently fitted, both by education and profession, to prepare for the friends in England a faithful account of the life in the new country, not only to gratify a natural curiosity, but also to attract a further emigration.

Francis Higginson probably was born in Claybrooke Parish, Leicester, England, in 1587-88. He received his degree of M.A. in 1613 at Jesus College, Cambridge, and two years later he was settled over Claybrooke Parish, where he preached with distinction until at last his nonconformity brought him into danger of imprisonment. About that time “The Governor and Company of the Massachusetts-Bay in New England” obtained a charter from Charles I, and Higginson was invited to join the party which was being organized to make the first settlement in the new country. As minister he was to have equal political authority with the members of the governing council. He accepted the invitation, and with his family landed safely at Neihum-kek, now Salem, Massachusetts, on June 30, 1629, and on the 6th of August following, was ordained teacher of the church, with Samuel Skelton as pastor. By virtue of his office he became not only a spiritual guide but a leader among his people, more especially during the trying winter and spring following the arrival of the ships. The exposure and the privations endured during that time proved too severe, and consumption laid hold upon him. He died August 6, 1630, “in the prime of his life and on the threshold of a great career,” leaving a widow and eight children, one of whom also became a minister and served the Salem church for nearly fifty years.

The manuscript of “New-Englands Plantation” probably was sent home to England upon the return of one of the vessels that had brought over the planters. It was received in London before November 20, 1629 (see Young’s “Chronicles of the Colony of the Massachusetts Bay,” pp. 107, 242). Higginson had not expected that it would be printed, as it was written for “the satisfaction of loving friends” who had requested a letter upon his arrival, giving some account of the voyage across the Atlantic and of the newly settled country. Only the latter part of this letter was printed, the earlier portion, describing the voyage, not being deemed of sufficient importance to be thus preserved. Three editions were published, all bearing date of 1630. The author’s name appears on the title-pages of the second and third editions. In 1634 was published William Wood’s “New Englands Prospect,” which gave much detailed information regarding the country and the settlements in the Massachusetts Bay. This superseded the earlier account by Higginson, and the latter dropped out of sight and in time became very rare. In 1792 it was reprinted in the Massachusetts Historical Collections. In 1836 it was included in Force’s “Tracts,” and in 1846 in Young’s “Chronicles of the Colony of the Massachusetts Bay.”

The several editions may be described as follows:

First Edition

Small 4to. 21 unnumbered pages. Collation: Title (1), reverse blank; To the Reader, signed M. S. (1), reverse blank; New-Englands Plantation (17); ends “Finis.” Signatures, B- (D on last page).

Second Edition

Small 4to. 27 unnumbered pages. Collation: Title (1), reverse blank; To the Reader, signed M. S. (1), reverse blank; New-Englands Plantajon (23); ends “Fjnjs.” Signatures, B (beginning with “New-Englands Plantajon”)- D(4)

Third Edition

Small 4to. 23 numbered pages. Collation: Title (1), reverse, To the Reader, signed M. S. (2); New-Englands Plantation (3-17); [Ornament] A Letter sent from New-England, by Master Graues, engynere now there resident (18-19); A Catalogue of such needfull things as euery Planter doth or ought to Prouide to go to New-England, etc. (20-21); The names of the most remarkable places in New-England (22-23); ends “Fjnjs.” Signatures, A7; 1 leaf, B-D in 4s.

Copies of the several editions are preserved in the following libraries:

First Edition.

Harvard University Library.

Essex Institute Library, Salem, Mass. (This copy has title-page and last leaf in fac-simile.)

John Carter Brown Library, Providence, R. I.

New York Public Library (Lenox Library).

New York State Library, Albany, N. Y.

Library of Congress.

Library of E. D. Church, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Library of a Collector, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Library of Frederick R. Halsey, New York City.

Library of Edward E. Ayer, Chicago, Ill.

Second Edition.

Boston Public Library.

New York Public Library (Lenox Library).

Library of E. D. Church, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Library of a Collector, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Library of Henry Huth, London, Eng.

Third Edition.

Boston Public Library.

Massachusetts Historical Society Library.

John Carter Brown Library, Providence, R. I.

New York Public Library (Lenox Library).

Philadelphia Library Company. (This copy has title-page of the first edition bound with text of the third edition.)

British Museum Library.

Library of Edward E. Ayer, Chicago, Ill.

In the following pages the first edition of “New-Englands Plantation” is reproduced in fac-simile from a copy in the John Carter Brown Library, at Providence, R. I., through the courtesy of the Librarian, Mr. George Parker Winship. The third edition also has been reprinted from a copy in the library of the Massachusetts Historical Society for purposes of comparison and to preserve the additional matter that it contains. The account of the voyage to Neihum-kek and other writings of Higginson are from the manuscript formerly in the possession of Governor Hutchinson and now preserved by the Massachusetts Historical Society.