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Before a ship could depart England in the mid-1600s with passengers for "foreign
plantations," it
was customary to require the ships' masters to provide a bond of "one
hundred ponds a piece." The bond was a surety that the ships' masters
would cause to be observed and execute the following requirements:
Each and every person aboard their ships—
"...that
shall blaspheme or profane the Holy name of God be severely punish't."
"That they cause the Prayers contained in the Book of Common Prayers establisht
in the Church of England to be said daily at the usual hours for Morning & Evening
Prayers & that they shall cause all Persons aboard their said Ships to be
present at the same."
"That they do not receive aboard or transport any Person that hath not
Certificate from the Officers of the Port where he is to imbarke that he hath
taken both the Oathes of Alleigeance & Supremacy."
"That upon their return into this Kingdom they Certify to the Board the
names of all such Persons as they shall transport together with their Proceedings
in the Execuc'on (execution) of the aforesaid Articles ...."
The Masters of the ships named below were called
before the Board (Council), notified of the requirements for their
voyages, and were each required to provide a bond of "One Hundred Pounds
a piece". The bond was surety for them to observe, cause to be observed,
and put into execution these requirements.
A Warrant was issued on February 22, 1633/4, to hold the departures of the
following ships(1), which were in the Thames with the intended destination
of New England:
- Clement & Job
-
Elizabeth & Dorcas
-
Elizabeth Bonadventure
-
Hercules (carrying Henry Phelps)
-
Mary & John (carrying William
Phelps)
-
Neptune
-
Planter
-
Reformation
-
Sea Flower
-
True Love
The Masters of the named ships were called before the Board in late February,
1633/4, and notified of thse requirements. Each agreed to observe the requiements
himself, to cause those aboard to do the same, and to execute them. Having
paid the required bond, an Order in Council was issued to Gabriel Marsh, Esquire,
Marshal
of
the Admiralty,
and to all
of His Majesty's
officers to
whom the
Warrant
had been
directed.
On receipt of the Order, they were to allow these ships to depart for New England.
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