1607

1607 - High - Founding of Jamestown

The three ships arrived at the island, chosen for its defensibility and the absence of natives. The 104 colonists aboard were part of the London Company, which had been granted land on the east coast of North America. Many had not paid for their passage, instead accepting indenture based on the cost of transportation and supplies. Once they had worked seven years for the company they would receive their own parcel of land. The river on which the island was found was named the James, after their king. The colony was called Jamestown.

This was not the first attempt by England to colonize the New World, but the previous expeditions had not turned out well. Both of those were to the same location: Roanoke, Virginia. The first group arrived in 1585, but didn't last a year. When the colonists left, Sir Walter Raleigh left behind a detachment of men to guard the fortifications. In 1587, a new group of 115 colonists arrived, to find the guards were all missing - presumably killed by natives.  The colonists were left there, despite their own reasonable concerns for their safety, with assurances of follow up visits. Unfortunately, the attack of the Spanish Armada the following year lead ultimately meant that no ships returned until 1590. The colonists were never found, and only a couple of carvings gave any clue to their fate. 

When ships arrived at Jamestown seventeen years later, though, the new colonists had confidence in their abilities. With the defeat of the Spanish Armada, England was a major power, better able to defend the seaways between the home country and the Americas.The Spanish and French had maintained colonies in the Americas for decades, so the English could surely do as well. King James I, the successor to Elizabeth, set up patent companies specifically for the purpose of establishing settlements in the New World. He chose the seven members of this colony's council, names placed in a sealed box that was opened on arrival. Upon arrival, they would support the goals of the company and the Crown.

Their own confidence - and royal support - was barely enough to keep the colony alive even during that first year. Their chosen location had no natives because it was unsuitable for agriculture, being marshy with brackish water and mosquitos. Two weeks after their arrival they were attacked by natives and had to use manpower to build fortifications. That December, council member John Smith was taken by the local Powhatan tribe while trying to find food. By his account, it was only the intervention of the chief's daughter, Pocahantas, that saved his life. (Although it has been suggested that the protection of a daughter before her father was actually an adoption ceremony, and that his life was not in danger.)

Despite these initial difficulties, Jamestown survived well enough to be noted as the first successful British colony, and so the starting point of the British Empire.