The Digital Ark: Early Modern Collections of Curiosities in England and Scotland, 1580-1700

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Chief of the Pamunkey people ( - fl. c. 1694)

Unidentified. Described by John Clayton as King of Pomonkey. Relevant locations: Lived at or near Pomonkey Creek , Maryland
Linked print sources: as Mentioned or referenced by - A Continuation of Mr. John Clayton’s Account of Virginia.
References in Documents:
Selections from Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (1665-1669)
III. A Continuation of Mr. John Clayton’s Account of Virginia.

Of the Beasts of Virginia

THEREThere were neither Horses, Bulls, Cows, Sheep, or Swine, in all the Country, before the coming of the English, as I have heard, and have much reason to believe. But now amongst the English Inhabitants there are good store of Horses, though they are very negligent and careless about the Breed: It is true, there is a Law, that no Horse shall be kept stonedstored under a certain size, but it is not put in Execution. Such as they are, there are good store, and as cheap or cheaper than in England, worth about Five Pounds apiece. They never Shoe them, nor Stable them in general; some few Gentlemen may be something more Curious, but it is very rare; yet they Ride pretty sharply, a Planter’s Pace is a Proverb, which is a good sharp Hand-Gallop. The Indians have not yet learned to Ride, only the King of Pomonkie had got three or four Horses for his own Saddle, and an Attendant, which I think should in no wise be indulged, for I look on the allowing them Horses much more dangerous than even Guns and Powder.

(126)

Snakes about seven several sorts. The Rattle-Snake, so called from certain Rattles at the end of the Tail; these Rattles seem like so many perished Joynts, being a dry Husk over certain Joynts, and the common Opinion is, that there are as many Rattles or Joynts, as the Snake is Years old; I kill’d four or five, and they had each eleven, twelve, or thirteen Joynts each, but the Young ones have no Rattles of a Year or two, but they may be known notwithstanding, being very regularly diced or checker’d, black, and gray on the backs; The Old shake and shiver these Rattles with wonderful nimbleness when they are any ways disturbed; their bite is very deadly, yet not always of the same force, but more or less Mortal, accordingly as the Snake is in (127) force or vigour, and therefore in June or July much worse, and more Mortal, than in March and April. This Snake is a very Majestick sort of Creature, and will scarce meddle with any thing unless provoked, but if any thing offend it, it makes directly at them. I was told a pleasant Story of an Old Gentleman, Col. Cleyborn as I remember was his Name, the same that sent the Rattle-Snakes to the Royal Society some Years since.