4th Grade Informational Jamestown Jamestown, one of the first colonies in America was founded in Virginia in May 14, 1607 by the Virginia Company of London. king James gave them charter. This was the beginning of setting America John smith was the leater. Jamestown gave people a place ot go and a colony. It changed their ways by making them work. jamestown changed the way people got things they needed. They were able to trade food and tools. People who never got along started to have contact. .John smith and Powhaton became friends. The colonists and the Indians worked together. they traded with the Powhatan people. Smith learned their language. The colonists had danger, to work hard, starvation, and a hard winter. Jamestown was important because it was one of the first colonies. It was also the capital of Virginia until 1699.