Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Courthopp, Nathaniel
COURTHOPP, NATHANIEL (d. 1620), sea-captain in the service of the East India Company, enlisted in the company's service in November 1609, and left England in the Darling, one of Sir H. Middleton's fleet. With his commander and others he was taken prisoner by the Turks and kept in captivity at Aden and Mocha. On regaining his freedom he was appointed agent to the company's factory at Succedana (Borneo). In 1616 he was placed in command of two ships which were sent from Bantam to the islands of Banda. After two months' sail he arrived at Pulo Roon, where the natives readily agreed to surrender themselves as subjects of the king. Courthopp, however, was unable to Carry on his expedition further, being compelled to fortify the island on account of the hostility of the Dutch, who seized one of his ships, and rendered his position one of great difficulty. With the exception of one or two flying visits to neighbouring islands, he remained at Pulo Roon for four years, undergoing great privations, till at last, in October 1620, he sailed to Lantore in pursuit of two Dutch ships which, as he was informed, had entered the harbour of that place. In an engagement which followed Courthopp received a shot in the breast, and leaping overboard was never seen again. The same year the Dutch expelled the English from both Pulo Roon and Lantore. In the preceding January the directors of the company had agreed that in recognition of his distinguished services Courthopp should receive 100l. per annum, and be recommended for preferment. In addition to Courthopp's journal, which has been preserved by Purchas, and some papers of his now in the Record Office, there are two letters written by him among the ‘Egerton MSS.’ at the British Museum (Eg. 2086, ff. 26, 44). One, dated from Neylacky, 29 June 1618, was addressed to Cassarian David, who occupied much the same uncomfortable position at Pulo Way as did Courthopp at Pulo Roon; and the other is a despatch to the president of the East India Company detailing the adventures of the expedition up to the date of writing, 15 April 1617.
[Purchas's Pilgrimes, vol. i. bk. v. pp. 664–79; Cal. State Papers, Col. Ser. vol. 1513–1616, vol. 1617–1621, passim.]