Jamestown
Table Of Contents
Introduction
The Beginning
Meeting The Powhatans
Take Me To Virginia
Facing Challenge
The End
Conclusion
Timeline
Pictures
Introduction
The year is late 1607. You and 143 other men and boys step off your ship onto the
weedy marsh of present day Virginia. Malaria packed mosquitoes buzz overhead, the air
smells of salt and dirt and on the ground nearby lays an arrow. You see a pair of eyes, as
mean as a bear, staring at you from a nearby bush.
weedy marsh of present day Virginia. Malaria packed mosquitoes buzz overhead, the air
smells of salt and dirt and on the ground nearby lays an arrow. You see a pair of eyes, as
mean as a bear, staring at you from a nearby bush.
Jamestown was one of the first colonial settlements in North America. Historians
believe that Jamestown encouraged settlements like Plymouth which had a big effect on
history. This settlement faced many challenges but in the end it, was home to many
families and was even declared a royal colony.
believe that Jamestown encouraged settlements like Plymouth which had a big effect on
history. This settlement faced many challenges but in the end it, was home to many
families and was even declared a royal colony.
The Beginning
Little is known about the four month trip to Virginia but researchers suspect the ship
was a tight fit, being crammed with 144 people on board. They had little food and water
and they might have had to bathe in salt water like the pilgrims. The young children
must've been happy and relieved to run around outside in the muddy marshes of
Virginia and watch the birds fly overhead, shooting at them with wooden slingshots
after being cooped up for months in a small, dark boat.
was a tight fit, being crammed with 144 people on board. They had little food and water
and they might have had to bathe in salt water like the pilgrims. The young children
must've been happy and relieved to run around outside in the muddy marshes of
Virginia and watch the birds fly overhead, shooting at them with wooden slingshots
after being cooped up for months in a small, dark boat.
Meeting The Powhatans
In late 1607, while the colony was just starting up, something strange happened.
Captain John Smith was captured by a Native American named Powhatan and his tribe.
Smith was ordered to lay between two rocks and as soon as he did several men raised
their clubs over his head. Strangely, Powhatan’s young daughter, Pocahontas ran in and
gently laid her head on John’s. Smith believed that she had saved him from being killed
but researchers say that he may have misunderstood ancient ceremony. Soon after,
Pocahontas began to visit the settlers with woven straw baskets of nuts and berries or
even to play marbles or climb trees with the young boys. The Powhatans even helped
the settlers with farming and hunting. Historians wonder if the settlers were grateful for
all this help or if they were greedy and rude.
Captain John Smith was captured by a Native American named Powhatan and his tribe.
Smith was ordered to lay between two rocks and as soon as he did several men raised
their clubs over his head. Strangely, Powhatan’s young daughter, Pocahontas ran in and
gently laid her head on John’s. Smith believed that she had saved him from being killed
but researchers say that he may have misunderstood ancient ceremony. Soon after,
Pocahontas began to visit the settlers with woven straw baskets of nuts and berries or
even to play marbles or climb trees with the young boys. The Powhatans even helped
the settlers with farming and hunting. Historians wonder if the settlers were grateful for
all this help or if they were greedy and rude.
Take Me To Virginia
People traveled to Jamestown in search of work and riches. The Virginia Company in
England had founded the settlement and expected gold, lumber, and sassafras in return.
Sassafras is a type of plant used to make root beer and a type of tea. There were not
many jobs in England which made investors think people would be happy for the
chance to go to North America for a free home. As you know, the trip took four long,
hard months at sea and another two weeks searching for a spot to land. Settlers probably
wanted to find a perfect spot that would be good for farming and raising families.
England had founded the settlement and expected gold, lumber, and sassafras in return.
Sassafras is a type of plant used to make root beer and a type of tea. There were not
many jobs in England which made investors think people would be happy for the
chance to go to North America for a free home. As you know, the trip took four long,
hard months at sea and another two weeks searching for a spot to land. Settlers probably
wanted to find a perfect spot that would be good for farming and raising families.
Facing Challenges
Jamestown was mid drought when the settlers arrived, the hottest Virginia had been in
800 years. The settlers mostly ate birds, fish, and turtles, according to bones found by
archaeologists. Consequently, historians believe that eating these animals caused many
illnesses for settlers. Sometimes the neighboring Powhatans offered them corn and nuts
although food was scarce for them too.Sometimes settlers even stole food from the
Powhatans which caused conflict later on.The winter of 1609-10 was considered the
starving time. John White was injured by a gunpowder explosion which forced him to
leave the settlement. The drought was at its worst and the Powhatans refused to share
food. Settlers were killed for leaving Jamestown to find food (or to steal it from the
Powhatans) so they ate rats, dogs, horses, and even their boots. People even dug up
dead bodies to eat. A man caused a case of cannibalism by eating his wife. Only 60
settlers survived the starving time. Settlers had to work up to 24 hours to get food so
researchers think that people must've worked really hard to earn enough food for their
families.
800 years. The settlers mostly ate birds, fish, and turtles, according to bones found by
archaeologists. Consequently, historians believe that eating these animals caused many
illnesses for settlers. Sometimes the neighboring Powhatans offered them corn and nuts
although food was scarce for them too.Sometimes settlers even stole food from the
Powhatans which caused conflict later on.The winter of 1609-10 was considered the
starving time. John White was injured by a gunpowder explosion which forced him to
leave the settlement. The drought was at its worst and the Powhatans refused to share
food. Settlers were killed for leaving Jamestown to find food (or to steal it from the
Powhatans) so they ate rats, dogs, horses, and even their boots. People even dug up
dead bodies to eat. A man caused a case of cannibalism by eating his wife. Only 60
settlers survived the starving time. Settlers had to work up to 24 hours to get food so
researchers think that people must've worked really hard to earn enough food for their
families.
The Ending
The colony continued growing and occupying more Powhatan land which eventually
started a war in 1622. The settlers never found the gold they needed to support the
colony. Luckily, a man named John Rolfe discovered how to harvest a sweet tasting
tobacco that they sold to keep the colony going. In 1624 King James l declared Virginia
a royal country. In 1698 a fire burned down the statehouse and Williamsburg became
the capital. By the 1750´s Jamestown was nonexistent and up to today is used for
farming.
started a war in 1622. The settlers never found the gold they needed to support the
colony. Luckily, a man named John Rolfe discovered how to harvest a sweet tasting
tobacco that they sold to keep the colony going. In 1624 King James l declared Virginia
a royal country. In 1698 a fire burned down the statehouse and Williamsburg became
the capital. By the 1750´s Jamestown was nonexistent and up to today is used for
farming.
Conclusion
As you now see, Jamestown was a starting point for colonies in North America. People
died from sickness’ and starvation but some people led to live happy lives there. It is
interesting that these settlers kept trying to make this settlement a success, even if they
were harmed or discouraged they would get right back up and try again. They never
tried to go back to their old lives even if they were dying or scared. They knew it would
work out someday. Let me ask, would you live in early Jamestown?
died from sickness’ and starvation but some people led to live happy lives there. It is
interesting that these settlers kept trying to make this settlement a success, even if they
were harmed or discouraged they would get right back up and try again. They never
tried to go back to their old lives even if they were dying or scared. They knew it would
work out someday. Let me ask, would you live in early Jamestown?
10,000 BC Powhatan ancestors arrived in Virginia
1600 25,000 Powhatans live in Virginia
1606 Drought starts
1607 Shelters arrive
1608 First two woman arrive
1609-10 Starving Time
1622 Powhatans start war
1624 King James l makes Virginia a royal country
1698 Statehouse burns down
1699 Jamestown is no longer the capital
1750s Jamestown no longer exists
Pictures
Captain John Smith 
Farming Sassafras Plant 
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