Jamestown:
America’s First Colony
By
Elaine M. Voltz
June 1606
• King James I granted charter
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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
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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
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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 triangularshaped 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
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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
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was called
Werowocomoco
Located just north of
Jamestown on the
York River
June 1609
• John Smith injured in gunpowder explosion and
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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
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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
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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
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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,
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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/jamesto
wn.cfm
• www.u-s-history.com/pages/h519.html
• Online activity:
www.historyglobe.com/jamestown