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Jamestown, Va
Jamestown, Va
On April 26, 1607, approximately 125 settlers reached the Chesapeake Bay and founded the first permanent English colony in North America. It was named Jamestown, after King James I, and it was built on the banks of the James River.
From the first, Jamestown faced many problems
One of the first problems was the settlers themselves. The settlers were men and young boys. They were made up of businessmen, craftsmen, artisans, and "gentlemen." Gentlemen refused to do any manual labor and the others, while they may have been good at their jobs in England, they weren't farmers. These people were solely focused on searching for gold (of which there was very little) instead of building houses or planting food. Eight months later, when another ship of colonists arrived from London, only 38 of the original Jamestown settlers still survived.
"There was no talk, no hope, no work but dig gold, wash gold, refine gold, load gold ---"-John Smith
Another problem Jamestown faced was its location. Jamestown was settled on an island near the James River. This location was picked because they thought it would be easy to defend against attack by the Spanish or Native Americans. But building the fort in a low-lying area was a disaster. When the spring rains came, the area was swampy. The water was undrinkable most of the year. It was bitterly cold in the winter, humid in the summer. Having built their fort in a swampy location, the Englishmen were unprepared for the disease-carrying mosquitos. Diseases such as malaria were common and caused many deaths.
Along with that, they had built Jamestown in the middle of the Powhatan (Native American tribe) land. The Powhatan considered the Jamestown colonists a threat and attacked often.
Can Jamestown Be Saved?
Captain John Smith, based on an engraving done in 1616.
John Smith Map of 1616 (colorized by Preservation Virginia).
John Smith Saves the day!
John Smith Saves the day!
In 1608, Captain John Smith was selected to take charge of the failing colony. He implemented common sense regulations for the colony such as, "… he that will not work shall not eat…." He, with the help of Pocahontas, the Powhatan Chief's daughter, brought a tentative peace between the natives and the colonists.
Under Smith's leadership the death toll dropped dramatically, the fort was repaired, crops planted, a well dug, trees cut into clapboards, and products such as pitch, tar, and soap ash were produced for shipment back to England. Even during times of food shortages, Smith sent colonists to live with the Powhatan Indians confident no harm would befall them as he believed Chief Powhatan and his people feared him and English weapons.
Not everyone was happy about John Smith's rules, despite the success Jamestown was seeing. In 1609, about 500 more settlers arrived, including women and children. Then, one night as Smith slept in a boat in the river, he was badly injured by a mysterious gunpowder explosion. He returned to England for treatment in October 1609 and never set foot in Virginia again.
The STarving time
The STarving time
The _Starving Time_ -excerpt.pdfWhen John Smith returned to England, the people of Jamestown disregarded the rules he had set and returned to their previous behavior. Disease and starvation began to take over. Over the winter of 1609-1610, a time known as The Starving Time, only 60 people survived out of the 500 settlers.
In their desperation and hunger, people ate anything they could think of -- even each other.
Read more about The Starving Time in their own words!
John Rolfe, one of the successful settlers at Jamestown, was the first colonist to cultivate tobacco for export. Tobacco became a hugely successful and profitable cash crop, bringing with it success for Jamestown. "Virginia Gold," as it was called, was soon grown by almost every settler in Jamestown.
John Rolfe, one of the successful settlers at Jamestown, was the first colonist to cultivate tobacco for export. Tobacco became a hugely successful and profitable cash crop, bringing with it success for Jamestown. "Virginia Gold," as it was called, was soon grown by almost every settler in Jamestown.
Tobacco, however, was a labor intensive crop. As the demand for tobacco increased, the demand for cheap labor also increased. In 1619, the first Africans were brought to Jamestown by a Dutch trade ship. While initially these 17 Africans were treated as indentured servants, slavery eventually became accepted and expected in Jamestown.
Tobacco, however, was a labor intensive crop. As the demand for tobacco increased, the demand for cheap labor also increased. In 1619, the first Africans were brought to Jamestown by a Dutch trade ship. While initially these 17 Africans were treated as indentured servants, slavery eventually became accepted and expected in Jamestown.
In 1614, John Rolfe married Pocahontas, the daughter of Chief Powhatan, the neighboring native tribe. This marriage improved the relationship between the English and the Native Americans...but only temporarily.
In 1614, John Rolfe married Pocahontas, the daughter of Chief Powhatan, the neighboring native tribe. This marriage improved the relationship between the English and the Native Americans...but only temporarily.
tHE HOUSE OF BURGESSES
tHE HOUSE OF BURGESSES
In 1619, the House of Burgesses, a Legislative body, held its first annual assembly. Under the overall control of the Virginia company, the people elected settlers of Jamestown to represent them. This elected legislative body made the laws, set punishments, and placed taxes on the colonies. The Virginia House of Burgesses was the first elected representative legislature in the colonies.
Jamestown became...
Jamestown became...
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