THE DOCUMENTS

Trinity House Ms. Transactions. 1609-1625.

(24 October 1611)

   The 9 men turned out of the ship: 
   Henry Hudson, master. 
   John Hudson, his son. 
   Arnold Ladley. 
   John King, quarter master. 
   Michael Butt, married. 
   Thomas Woodhoase, a mathematician, put away in great distress. 
   Adame Moore. 
   Philip Staff, carpenter. 
   Syracke Fanner, married.

   John Williams, died on 9 October. 
   —­Ivet [Juet], died coming home.

   Slain: 
   Henry Greene. 
   William Wilson. 
   John Thomas. 
   Michell Peerce.

   Men that came home: 
   Robart Billet, master. 
   Abecocke Prickett, a land man put in by the Adventurers. 
   Edward Wilson, surgeon. 
   Francis Clemens, boteson. 
   Adrian Motter. 
   Bennet Mathues, a land man. 
   Nicholas Syms, boy. 
   Silvanus Bond, couper.

After Hudson was put out, the company elected Billet as master.

Abacuck Pricket, sworn, says the ship began to return about 12th June, and about the 22d or 23d, they put away the master.  Greene and Wilson were employed to fish for the company, and being at sea combined to steal away the shallope, but at last resolved to take away the ship, and put the master and other important men into the shallope.

He clears the now master of any foreknowledge of this complot, but they relied on Ivett’s judgment and skill.

Edward Wilson, surgeon, knew nothing of the putting of the master out of the ship, till he saw him pinioned down before his cabin door.

Francis Clemens, Adrian Motter and Bennet Mathues say the master was put out of the ship by the consent of all that were in health, in regard that their victualls were much wasted by him; some of those that were put away were directly against the master, and yet for safety of the rest put away with him, and all by those men that were slain principally.

They all charge the master with wasting the victuals by a scuttle made out of his cabin into the hold, and it appears that he fed his favourites, as the surgeon, etc., and kept others at only ordinary allowance.  All say that, to save some from starving, they were content to put away so many, and that to most of them it was utterly unknown who should go, or who tarry, but as affection or rage did guide them in that fury that were authors and executors of that plot.

Instance & Prize Records. (High Court of Admiralty).  Examinations, &c.  Series I. Vol. 42. 1611-12 to 1614.

Die Sabbto XXV’to January 1611.

Edward Willson, of Portesmouth Surgion aged xxij yeares sworne and examined before the Right Wor’ll M’r [Master] Doctor Trevor Judge of His Matyes High Court of the Admiltye concerninge his late beinge at sea in the Discovery of London whereof Henry Hudson was M’r for the Northwest discovery sayth as followeth.