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Jamestown: America’s First Colony. By Elaine M. Voltz. June 1606. King James I granted charter to the Virginia Company ( a group of London entrepreneurs) They were to settle in the Chesapeake region Charged with settling Virginia, finding gold, and finding a water route to the Orient
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Jamestown:America’s First Colony By Elaine M. Voltz
June 1606 • King James I granted charter to the Virginia Company ( a group of London entrepreneurs) • They were to settle in the Chesapeake region • Charged with settling Virginia, finding gold, and finding a water route to the Orient • Had the power to appoint the Council of VA, the governor and other officials • Had the responsibility of providing the settlers with shelter, supplies, and ships for venture
December 1606 • Close to 200 persons set sail from London • The three ships used were the Susan Constant, the Godspeed, and the Discovery • Majority of travelers were gentlemen • Artisans, craftsmen, and laborers were also on board • Strong trade winds off the coast of England extended the journey
May 14, 1607 • Settlers landed in a marshy area along the James River, about 60 miles from the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay • 45 of the original travelers did not survive the journey • Settlers were immediately attacked by Algonquian natives • Decided to build a triangular-shaped wooden fort for protection • Inside the fort was a storehouse, a church, and many homes • Eventually traded copper and iron implements for food from the natives
December 1607 • John Smith, (leader) was captured by natives • Met with the chief, Powhatan, was treated well at first, then was prepared to be beaten to death • Smith saved by eleven year old Pocahontas, the daughter of Chief Powhatan • They became friends
Background Info • Powhatan’s village was called Werowocomoco • Located just north of Jamestown on the York River
June 1609 • John Smith injured in gunpowder explosion and departed for England • Only 60 of the original settlers still alive • Fierce winters, starvation, diseases from the mosquitoes and unhealthy water, frequent Indian attacks killed off the others • Remaining survivors buried cannons and armor and abandoned the town • Returned when the new governor, Lord De La Ware arrived with supplies
April 1613 • Pocahontas kidnapped and brought to Jamestown for a ransom • Exchange never took place • Pocahontas sent to another settlement where she learned English, converted to Christianity, and was baptized and renamed Rebecca
1614 - 1616 • When told John Smith was dead, Pocahontas’ visits became infrequent • Eventually met and married John Rolfe, a tobacco entrepreneur • Marriage brought about peace and prosperity to Jamestown • Rolfe took Pocahontas and their son Thomas to England in 1616 • Seven months later, an ill Pocahontas died at the age of 22
July 1619 • House of Burgess convened at Jamestown on July 30th • Meeting was held to establish one equal and uniform government for all of Virginia • A Dutch slave trader exchanged a cargo of Africans for food • Africans became indentured servants (an important event in the shaping of America) • Women were brought over from England
1622 • Throughout the years, the Algonquians altered between peace and war with the settlers • A surprise attack left 300 settlers dead
1624 • King James I revoked the charter with Virginia • Made it a Crown colony, the first in the colonies
1698 • Capital was moved to Williamsburg • Jamestown slowly disappeared
Sources • www.apva.org/history/vaco.html • www.historyisfun.org/jamestown/jamestown.cfm • www.u-s-history.com/pages/h519.html • Online activity: www.historyglobe.com/jamestown
