In the early 1600s, Martin Pring led one of the earliest European trading missions to what would become the NH coast. From New England’s first transatlantic dance party to his fiery departure, Pring found a land full of people, resources, & surprises!
Read the journal:
Pring 01 ~ Quest for Sassafras
Martin Pring details his visit to the New Hampshire seacoast in 1603.
Pring 02 ~ Sassafras Bay
Pring’s crew find what they’re looking for on the New England seacoast …
Pring 03 ~ Meeting the Locals
The native people of NH’s seacoast take some interest in Martin Pring’s sassafras…
Pring 04 ~ Sassafras Dance
Quite possibly the first world-fusion dance party in New England history…
Pring 05 ~ Their Weapons are Bowes
The English visitors inspect their hosts…
Pring 06 ~ Let Loose the Mastives
Martin Pring brings out his pets.
Pring 07 ~ These People in Colour
Native fashions of the 17th century, for men and women …
Pring 08 ~ Birchbarke Boats
Description of native canoes.
Pring 09 ~ We beheld their Gardens
Martin Pring ventures upriver in native canoes for a garden tour…
Pring 10 ~ Rich and Fat Ground
After sailing around the New England coast for many weeks, the English run…
Pring 11 ~ Sassafras Forest
Pring notes some of the many potential applications of the New England forests…
Pring 12 ~ As The Land is Full
Wherein we can perhaps glimpse the little gold “crownes” in Pring’s eyes as…
Pring 13 ~ Sassafras Harvest
Things go quickly awry when Pring’s men exhaust the local supply of sassafras…
Pring 14 ~ Two Shots
Pring’s last ship fires the first warning shots of a coming conflict …
Pring 15 ~ Final Fire
1603: The dogs save the fort, communications break down, and the expedition heads…
Pring 16 ~ “Wee did behold to burne”
1603: The crew of Martin Pring’s last ship watch the New England coast…
SOURCE TEXT:
“The Voyage of Martin Pring, 1603” (American Journeys Collection #AJ-040, online facsimile edition at www.americanjourneys.org/aj-040/summary/index.asp)
