The Ransom Forgery of the Roanoke Colony
Eilish O'Neill
Dr. O'Brien
HIST 455
April 21, 2016
O'Neill 1
On August 18, 1590 Governor John White stepped onto the Colony of Roanoke after
three hard years away from the colony and his family to find it completely abandoned. Three
years earlier, one hundred and seventeen colonists arrived to populate Roanoke after the patent
granted to Sir Walter Raleigh by Queen Elizabeth I of England. Three of these colonists were
Governor John White, his daughter Eleanor Dare, and her husband Ananias Dare. On August 18,
1587 Eleanor Dare gave birth to a daughter who would become the first English child born in
North America. 1 Only nine days later, John White boarded a return vessel to England that was
expected to return in three months with supplies for the colonists. The amount of mystery
surrounding the Lost Colony is astounding including the unknown reasons for abandoning the
colony, to the colonists whereabouts, to the figure of John White himself. So little is known
about him that his records are thought to be incomplete or missing altogether. Historian Lee
Miller explains in his book Roanoke: Solving the Mystery of the Lost Colony that
Very little is known about John White: not his place of birth; nor his age; not his
family connections. Nor how he came to be associated with Raleigh, nor why he
was a member of the Roanoke expeditions...nor indeed, why he appears to have
vanished completely after the bombshell announcement of his colony's
disappearance.2
Some of the mystery behind who even a prominent enough character such as Governor
John White was explains the vast amount of confusion over what happened to the Roanoke
Colony. The written records simply did not exist, until now. A written letter by a lost colonist
1
Lee Miller, Roanoke: Solving the Mystery of the Lost Colony (New York: Arcade
Publishing, 2000), 3.
2
Ibid, 21.
O'Neill 2
Morris Allen and his accomplices to Governor John White gives insight into where the colonists
disappeared to and why.
The document in question is a resurfaced letter written by a man named Morris Allen.
He, along with two accomplices that he names as James Hynde and William Clemens, have
written a ransom letter to the Governor. The men have convinced the colonists to split and
abandon Roanoke so that Morris can lead White's family to the Native American town of
Mettaquem where he will hold them with the protection of the Natives until he receives the
ransom of ₤500. Only speculation can guess what happened to the letter between Morris' hand
and the finding of it today. All that can be guessed is that Morris handed the letter to someone on
the return ship to England to give to Governor John White, and the letter never reached its
recipient.
The ransom letter from Morris Allen to Governor John White was found among a filing
cabinet labeled "Roanoke: Miscellaneous" in the Plymouth Public Library in Devon, England.
The public library was built in 1920 3 and was forced to relocate after the bombing of the Blitz in
WWII.4 Because of the impending closing of the library5, many of the records were being sorted
3
Hilly Cirencester, "Central Library to close permanently in Spring 2016: Review of
Plymouth Central Library," Trip Advisor, last modified 2016, accessed April 16, 2016,
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g186258-d2336671-r338197647Plymouth_Central_Library-Plymouth_Devon_England.html
4
William S. Powell, "Roanoke Colonists and Explorers: An Attempt at Identification,"
The Colonial Records Project: North Carolina Office of Archives & History, 1957, last modified
May 21, 2001, accessed April 15, 2016,
http://www.ncpublications.com/colonial/nchr/subjects/powell.htm.
5
Hilly Cirencester, "Central Library to close permanently in Spring 2016: Review of
Plymouth Central Library," Trip Advisor, last modified 2016, accessed April 16, 2016,
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g186258-d2336671-r338197647Plymouth_Central_Library-Plymouth_Devon_England.html
O'Neill 3
and moved. Upon sorting the miscellaneous file, this letter was found. Librarians and historians
determine that the letter was most likely lost among the chaotic move after the Blitz bombings
and was never resurfaced until recently. Other evidence containing more information on the
letter could have very likely been burned along with other Roanoke collections such as the
collection in the Devonshire Records Office that was destroyed by the Nazis.6 These records
could have contained more personal information of Morris Allen and his companions that would
link them to this letter.
6
Ibid.
O'Neill 4
Letter Transcribed:
Gov. John White
August 9, 1587
Know that your daughter, her husband, and your grand-daughter will not be at Roanoke Colony
upon your return. I will have led them unknowingly to Mettaquem after my accomplices
convince the rest of the colony to relocate themselves to Croatoa Island. I request my payment
for the exploratory services done for your maps in return for their lives. I have the alliance and
protection of the natives if our quarrel should come to a fight. We request ₤500.
Morris Allen
James Hynde (X)
William Clement (X)
When inspecting the paleography of this letter, the type of handwriting matches
respectively to handwriting styles of the late sixteenth century. Relative dating of this letter has
been determined by deduction of earlier and later writing styles such as Gothic and true Italian or
Secretary hand. Research has shown that handwriting styles during the 1580s and the 1590's
were in a transitional period. Therefore, determining the exact date can be difficult, especially
since the social status of the author can only be guessed. Previous to Ralph Lane's exploration,
the most common hand style in Great Britain was Gothic bastarda. Although the handwriting
style known simply as Secretary hand was beginning to gain favor, handwriting popularity was a
trickle-down effect that began with royalty and the nobles. In particular, Queen Elizabeth I began
to use Secretary hand in her reign with some blending of her original italic (italic gothic).
Historian Joe Nickell explains in his book Detecting Forgery: Forensic Investigation of
Documents that:
O'Neill 5
From a cursive form of Gothic bastarda evolved one of the two major hands used
during the English Renaissance, the 'secretary' hand. Its more legible rival, the
'Italian' hand, evolved from a
cursive form of Caroline
script. The two hands were
used literally side by side: for
example, a letter Elizabeth I
wrote in 1570 is written in the
more everyday secretary
hand, but she penned the closing and her signature in italic...7
Elizabeth I's penmanship is an example of how handwriting during the 1580s and 1590s
was most likely a mix of gothic italic and secretary hand since secretary hand would take time to
reach someone in lower social status such as Morris Allen. Further evidence that the letter should
not be written in true Italic is found again in Nickell's book: "These groups of writers, first, social
elites (both male and female), and then rapidly growing corps of merchants, discarded an older
Gothic hand, known generically as secretary in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, in favor
of a completely new set of hands that had
Figure 2 Joseph Daggett Estate Inventory 17th Century 1718
arrived from Italy."
8
With the knowledge that gothic italic would not vanish from handwriting until the
7
Figure 1 Petition by Sarah (Queen) Ninigret to General Assembly
at Rhode Island and Providence 1747
Joe Nickell, Detecting Forgery: Forensic Investigation of Documents (Lexington,
Kentucky: The University Press of Kentucky, 1996), 11.
8
Tamara P. Thornton, Handwriting in America: A Cultural History (New Haven and
London: Yale University Press, 1996), 18.
O'Neill 6
beginning of the seventeenth century, the handwriting styles appropriate to the time of writing
for Morris Allen would either be the gothic bastarda (italic gothic) or secretary. Considering
Morris Allen is mentioned no more than possibly as a "Master Allen," his social status can be
speculated as low enough for secretary hand to not be a dominant hand for him. The figure to
the right (Figure 1) is an example of gothic italic with minimal flourished that would be
considered similar to Morris' hand. Morris' lack of flourishes would indicate his lack of mastery
over the style of writing, further implicating a lower social status. Whereas a later rendition of
the newer Italian hand with some gothic (Figure 2) depicts more flourishes, and therefore, more
mastery and money. 9 The hand looks much more like modern day cursive than the older gothic
italic. A comparison of handwriting slightly after the Roanoke dates reveals another change in
hand. Joe Nickell explains that "From the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth Rock in 1620
until the end of the century, the dominant hand was one that has been called 'the Mayflower
Century' Style of American Writing, showing both secretary and italic features that blended into
round-hand by century's end."10 Nickell's statement shows how by 1620, the gothic remnants to
italic had faded and been replaced by the more secretary italic as depicted in Figure 2. Upon final
reflection of the handwriting, the relative mixing of gothic italic and secretary hand as well as
minimal flourishes date the document to the late sixteenth century.
Looking at the materials behind the document, the letter is constructed upon paper, which
while still relatively expensive for the time period, does match the usual choice for constructing a
letter during the late sixteenth century. The penmanship does also indicate the use of an edged
9
Ibid, 15.
10
Joe Nickell, Detecting Forgery: Forensic Investigation of Documents, (Lexington,
Kentucky: The University Press of Kentucky, 1996), 12.
O'Neill 7
pen of some sort, most likely a quill that has been cut in a diagonal line so that the hand has
variations in thickness with the turning of the pen. Joe Nickell explains that "Penmanship up to
this time has been produced by the 'broad pen'- a reed or quill with the point cut off to make a
chisel-edge pen. This produced thick or thin strokes depending on how the pen was held and
moved."11 In the document, variations of tin and thick lines can be seen that indicate this type of
pen. The letters are also formed in a liquid ink, which can be seen especially with ink spots on
the page and varying thickness of the ink throughout the letter.
The next concern of this letter is the probability that Morris Allen was literate enough to
even write. John White's literacy is known because of his maps and descriptions of the Roanoke
area. Ralph Lane, the Lieutenant Governor of the 1585-86 explorations literacy is known
because of his accounts of Roanoke Island that can be found in David B. Quinn's The Roanoke
Voyages 1584-1590.12 The biggest question is: is it possible that Morris Allen was even capable
of being literate? And how would we know? Historian Jennifer E. Monaghan explains that the
easiest way to determine basic literacy is by signatures. As can be seen in the letter, Morris signs
the letter with his own name whereas his two accomplices have marked an "X" next to where
Morris has written their name. This "X" indicates that Morris' two accomplices, James Hynde
and William Clement, are not literate enough to even know how to write their own name. Morris,
however, has written the entire letter. The possibility of him being capable of writing is
substantially higher than expected. Monagham explains through detailed graphs that in New
England in urban locales in 1670, 75% of men signed their names and in rural areas it was
11
Joe Nickell, Detecting Forgery: Forensic Investigation of Documents, (Lexington,
Kentucky: The University Press of Kentucky, 1996), 11.
12
David B. Quinn, The Roanoke Voyages 1584-1590 (London: University Press,
Cambridge, 1955), 244.
O'Neill 8
slightly lower at 55% in 1670.13 Although slightly later than the dating of our letter, Monagham's
data does give insight into the possibility of Morris being literate. Therefore, the truth of his
literacy is undeterminable since his true identity is unknown.
Further research into who the men of this ransom letter where indicates that all three were
part of the "Lost Colony." Morris Allen arrived first among the three in the spring of 1585 under
the leadership of Ralph Lane, lieutenant governor. William S. Powell explains that "Ralph Lane
was present as 'lieutenant governor' and Philip Amadas as 'Admiral of the country.' The colony
consisted of 108 men, all of whose names are known to us— the artist, John White, and the
scientist, Thomas Hariot, being among them."14 Morris, arriving with Ralph Lane, would have
been part of the exploratory effort of the Roanoke region. John White, creating his maps, could
have been in correspondence with men such as Morris for survey information of the land. Further
evidence of Allen's arrival in Roanoke are in the National Park Service directory of Roanoke
colonists. He is dated as arrived in 1585 with Ralph Lane's expedition. 15 While William S.
Powell has found that Lane's men remained with him for a year after 1585, he does admit that
there is some confusion over the name of Morris Allen. A separate directory shows a "Master
Allen." Powell admits that "Inadequate identification in the records can be blamed for some of
the confusion over names. For example, among the men who remained a year with Ralph Lane
13
E. Jennifer Monaghan, Learning to Read and Write in Colonial America (Boston:
University of Massachusetts Press, 2005), 384.
14
William S. Powell, "Roanoke Colonists and Explorers: An Attempt at Identification,"
The Colonial Records Project: North Carolina Office of Archives & History, 1957, last modified
May 21, 2001, accessed April 15, 2016,
http://www.ncpublications.com/colonial/nchr/subjects/powell.htm.
15
William S. Powell, Wynne Dough and Deanna Potts, "A List of Participants in the
Roanoke Voyage," National Park Service, last modified 2016, accessed April 16, 2016,
https://www.nps.gov/fora/learn/education/a-list-of-participants-in-the-roanoke-voyages.htm
O'Neill 9
was a Master Allen; later one Morris Allen was a Lost Colonist."16 Therefore, the truth of Master
Allen and Morris Allen being the same man is difficult to discern. One possibility is that Master
Allen returned after 1586 to England and Morris Allen arrived to disappear with the Lost
Colony. However, this would leave a lot up to coincidence. The second possibility is that the
records label Allen both as a Morris and a Master, inconsistently. In conclusion, the possibility of
Morris Allen arriving in 1585, having a previous correspondence with Governor John White, and
becoming one of the Lost Colonists is feasible.
Morris' two accomplices, James Hynde and William Clement both are also listed in
Powell's directory of Roanoke colonists. They are listed as arriving in 1587, the year Governor
John White left Roanoke for a return trip to England and the Roanoke Colony was doomed. The
two men are also listed as two of the missing colonists. Interesting enough, the two men are also
listed as "Two other Lost Colonists, James Hynde and William Clement, according to
contemporary manuscripts now in the Essex Records Office, had been in prison together in
Colchester Castle near London, a general jail, for stealing."17 Not only do these two men match
up with existence and their being two of the lost-colonists themselves, they have a prior
reputation for criminal action. Therefore, it would not be above their character to suggest such a
plot to Morris Allen after hearing his complaints over poor compensation. They also illustrate
their need of Morris as a conspirator with their "X" marked signatures, indicating that they
needed someone literate to write the ransom letter. Again, previous knowledge of who these men
where outside of the prison statement is difficult to discern.
16
William S. Powell, "Roanoke Colonists and Explorers: An Attempt at Identification,"
The Colonial Records Project: North Carolina Office of Archives & History, 1957, last modified
May 21, 2001, accessed April 15, 2016,
http://www.ncpublications.com/colonial/nchr/subjects/powell.htm.
17
Ibid.
O'Neill 10
Similar to the research done on the people behind the ransom letter, research has been
done on the places mentioned in the letter. In particular, the locations of Roanoke Island and
Mettaquem. While archeological evidence has found few signs of European presence at Roanoke
Island itself, archeologists have found European presence in the nearby location of modern-day
Cape Creek. Andrew Lawler from National Geographic explains that "Hidden in a live oak forest
close to Pamlico Sound, Cape Creek was the site of a major Croatoan town and trade hub." 18
With this knowledge and the iconic "Croatoa" etched into the tree at Roanoke, the possibility of
some of the colonists going to Cape Creek is feasible. Although the letter claims the other
colonists left for Roanoke Island instead of Cape Creek, James Hynde and William Clement
were previously prisoners, and could have misled the colony. The colony could have also
changed their mind, especially when encountering a bustling trade town that could support them.
The location of Mettaquem has also been excavated by archaeologists in 2006. During
the dig, Lawler explains that "There they found a massive quantity of Indian pottery.
Archaeologists suspect the site is a small Native American town named Mettaquem."19 The town
of Mettaquem lies in the Albemarle Sound region. This region was previously explored by Ralph
Lane and Morris Allen. David B. Quinn writes that Ralph's "first move, in March, was to the
Chowan River, when he brought his pinnace at least to the head of Albemarle Sound, going
further, most probably, by boat."20 This evidence of Ralph Lane exploring up into the Albemarle
18
Andrew Lawler, "We Finally Have Clues as to How America's Lost Colony Vanished,"
National Geographic, last modified 2015, accessed April 15, 2016,
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2015/08/150807-lost-colony-roanoke-hatteras-outer-banksarchaeology/.
19
Ibid.
20
David B. Quinn, The Roanoke Voyages 1584-1590 (London: University Press,
Cambridge, 1955), 246.
O'Neill 11
Sound gives evidence to Morris Allen travelling to the location, and therefore, being familiar
enough with the area to lead Eleanor Dare, her husband, her daughter, and a few other colonists
to Mettaquem. John White's maps are also evidence that not only did he have knowledge of the
area, but so did the explorers in Lane's company. Although little to no European presence is
found at the exact site of Mettaquem, a massive quantity of Native American pottery suggests
that as the site of Mettaquem. Despite the lack of European findings at that particular site, in a
village adjacent to Mettaquem, archeologists have found "uncovered English pottery similar to
that dug up on Roanoke Island and common at Jamestown—but not typical in the second half of
the 17th century, when English settlers filtered south from Virginia to settle North Carolina.
Other pottery typical of the later 17th century is absent."21 These findings indicate colonists
living in this village before the 17th century, possibly indicating that some of the Lost Colonists
made their way up to the Albemarle Sound. In addition, there is no official record of another
English settlement making its way up to that region until 1655. 22 The absence of the party at
Mettaquem and their presence at an adjacent village could have been a result of tensions that
forced the colonists to keep distance, or possibly a ruse for Governor John White just in case he
came to retrieve his family from the site given to him without the ransom. The mere distance
from the location in the letter and the location of archeological evidence is not enough without
further documentation of what the colonists were doing after Roanoke to discern a forgery.
21
Andrew Lawler, "We Finally Have Clues as to How America's Lost Colony Vanished,"
National Geographic, last modified 2015, accessed April 15, 2016,
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2015/08/150807-lost-colony-roanoke-hatteras-outer-banksarchaeology/.
22
Ibid.
O'Neill 12
If this letter proves authentic, it would drastically enlighten historians and archeologists
to the mystery of what happened to the Roanoke Colony during White's three years away and
where they went after abandonment of the colony. The letter would explain that abandonment
was not a direct cause of Native tensions or food scarcity, but a cause of the direct goading of
Allen, Hynde, and Clement. The letter would also back up archeological findings that suggest the
colonists relocated separately at Cape Creek and at an adjacent village to the Native American
town of Mettaquem. More than anything, this letter would open up a world of conspiracy and
deceit tied into the world of Roanoke. If Morris and his companions were the cause for the
mystery behind the disappearance of Roanoke, why not the cause for the disappearance of John
White? The letter would give authenticity to several conspiracy theories behind Governor John
White and possibly even Sir Walter Raleigh and the reasons for his correspondence with White.
Since there is no evidence for their relationship or where John White disappeared to, this letter
would allow further discussion for the possibility of conspiracy and deceit from the beginning of
the colony. The largest problem with not only the entire sphere of the Roanoke Colony, but this
letter in particular, is the confusion of documentation, handwriting, and archeology. Despite this
confusion, the letter relatively matches hard evidence that places colonists in both Cape Creek
and near Mettaquem as well as the handwriting being acceptable for its date.
O'Neill 13
Bibliography
Cirencester, Hilly. "Central Library to close permanently in Spring 2016: Review of Plymouth
Central Library." Trip Advisor. Last modified 2016. Accessed April 16, 2016.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g186258-d2336671-r338197647Plymouth_Central_Library-Plymouth_Devon_England.html
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http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2015/08/150807-lost-colony-roanoke-hatteras-outerbanks-archaeology/
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http://www.ncpublications.com/colonial/nchr/subjects/powell.htm
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https://www.nps.gov/fora/learn/education/a-list-of-participants-in-the-roanokevoyages.htm.
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