A true & exact history of the island of Barbados

by Richard Ligon

Being now come in sight of this happy Iland, the neerer we came, the more beautifull it appeared to our eyes; for that being in it selfe extreamly beautifull, was best discern’d, and best judg’d of, when our eyes became full Masters of the object. There we saw the high, large, and lofty Trees, with their spreading Branches, and flourishing tops, seem’d to be beholding to the earth and roots, that gave them such plenty of sap for their nourishment, as to grow to that perfection of beauty and largenesse. Whilst they, in gratitude, return their cool shade, to secure and shelter them from the Suns heat, which, without it, would scorch and drie away. So that bounty and goodnesse in the one, and gratefulnesse in the other, serve to make up this beauty, which otherwise would lie empty & waste. And truly these vegetatives, may teach both the sensible and reasonable Creatures, what it is that makes up wealth, beauty, and all harmony in that Leviathan, a well governed Common-wealth: Where the Mighty men, and Rulers of the earth, by their prudent and carefull protection, secure them from harmes; whilst they retribute their paynes, and faithfull obedience, to serve them in all just Commands. And both these, interchangeably and mutually in love, which is the Cord that bindes up all in perfect Harmonie. And where these are wanting, the roots dry, and leaves fall away, and a generall decay, and devastation ensues. Witnesse the woefull experience of these sad times we live in.

Being now come to the distance of two or three leagues, my first observation was, the forme of the Iland in generall, which is highest in the middle; by which commodity of situation, the inhabitants within, have these advantages; a free prospect to sea, and a reception of pure refreshing ayer, and breezes that come from thence: the plantations overlooking one another so, as the most inland parts, are not bar’d nor restrained the liberties of their view to sea, by those that dwell between them and it. For as we past along neer the shoare, the plantations appear’d to us one above another: like severall stories in stately buildings, which afforded us a large proportion of delight. So that we begg’d of the Master, to take down those of his sayles, that gave the ship the greatest motion, that we might not be depriv’d on a sudden, of a sight we all were so much pleased with. But our Cattle and Horses (who were under hatches; and therefore no partners of this object,) having devoured all their fodder, and were now ready to come to that necessity, as the next thing to be thought on, was to plane deale boards, and feed them with the shavings; Which deadly hunger, caused such lowing and bellowing of the poor Cattle, as their cry stopped the Masters eares, so as the smoothest, and most perswasive language, we could use: could not force a passage, but with all the haste he could, put into Carlile Bay; which is the best in the Iland, where we found riding at Anchor, 22 good ships, with boates plying to and fro, with Sayles and Oares, which carried commodities from place to place: so quick stirring, and numerous, as I have seen it below the bridge at London.

Yet notwithstanding all this appearance of trade, the Inhabitants of the Ilands, and shipping too, were so grieviously visited with the plague, (or as killing a disease,) that before a month was expired, after our Arivall, the living were hardly able to bury the dead. Whether it were brought thither in shipping: (for in long voyages, diseases grow at Sea, and takes away many passengers, and those diseases prove contagious,) or by the distempers of the people of the Iland: who by the ill dyet they keep, and drinking strong waters, bring diseases upon themselves, was not certainly known. But I have this reason to beleeve the latter: because for one woman that dyed, there were ten men; and the men were the greater deboystes.

In this sad time, we arriv’d in this Iland; and it was a doubt whether this disease, or famine threatned most; There being a generall scarcity of Victuals throughout the whole Iland.

Our intention at first, was not to stay long there, but onely to sell our goods, Cattle, and Horses; and so away to Antigoa; where we intended to plant: but the ships being (for the most part) infected with this disease, and our selves being unprovided of handes for a new plantation (by reason of the miscarying of a ship, which set out before us from Plimouth, a month before, with men, victuals, and all utensill’s fitted for a plantation, we were compelled to stay longer in the Iland than we attended). Besides, the ship we came in, was consigned to another part in Africa, called Cutchew, to trade for Negroes.

But during the time of our stay there, we made enquires of some small plantation to rest us on, til the times became better, and fitter for our remove; with intent to make use of those few hands we had, to settle that, till we had supplies, and new directions from England.

And so upon discourse with some of the most knowing men of the Iland, we found that it was farre better, for a man that had money, goods, or Credit, to purchase a plantation there ready furnisht, and stockt with Servants, Slaves, Horses, Cattle, Assinigoes, Camels, &c. with a sugar worke, and an Ingenio: than to begin upon a place, where land is to be had for nothing, but a triviall Rent, and to indure all hardships, and a tedious expectation, of what profit or pleasure may arise, in many yeers patience: and that, not to be expected, without large and frequent supplies from England; and yet fare, and labour hard. This knowledge, was a spurre to set on Colonel Modiford, who had both goods and credit, to make enquiry for such a purchase, which in very few dayes he lighted on; making a visit to the Governour Mr. Phillip Bell, met there with Major William Hilliard, an eminent planter of the Iland, and a Councellor, who had been long there, and was now desirous to sucke in some of the sweet ayre of England: And glad to find a man likely to performe with him, took him home to his house, and began to treate with him, for halfe the plantation upon which he lived; which had in it 500 Acres of Land, with a faire dwelling house, an Ingenio plac’t in a roome of 400 foot square; a boyling house, filling roome, Cisterns, and Still-house; with a Carding house, of 100 foot long, and 40 foot broad; with stables, Smiths forge, and rooms to lay provisions, of Corne, and Bonavist; Houses for Negroes and Indian slaves, with 96 Negroes, and three Indian women, with their Children; 28 Christians, 45 Cattle for worke, 8 Milch Cowes, a dosen Horses and Mares, 16 Assinigoes.

After a Months treaty, the bargaine was concluded, and Colonel Modiford was to pay for the Moity of this plantation, 7000 l; to be payed, 1000 l. in hand, the rest 2000 l. a time, at sixe and sixe months, and Colonel Modiford to receive the profit of halfe the plantation as it rose, keeping the account together, both of the expence and profit.

In this plantation of 500 acres of land, there was imployed for sugar somewhat more then 200 acres; above 80 acres for pasture, 120 for wood, 30 for Tobacco, 5 for Ginger, as many for Cotton wool, and 70 acres for provisions; viz. Corne, Potatoes, Plantines, Cassavie, and Bonavist; some few acres of which for fruite; viz. Pines, Plantines, Milons, Bonanoes, Guavers, Water Milons, Oranges; Limons, Limes, &c. most of these onely for the table.

Upon this plantation I lived with these two partners a while, but with Colonel Modiford three years; for the other went for England, and left Colonel Modiford to manage the imployment alone; and I to give what assistance I could for the benefit of both: which I did, partly at their requests, and partly at the instance of Mr. Thomas Kendall, who reposed much confidence in me, in case Colonel Modiford should miscarry in the Voyage.