Avatar feed
Responses: 2
LTC Stephen F.
4
4
0
Edited 6 y ago
64c0f895
65fdfb24
Thank you TSgt Joe C. for reminding us that on May 13, 1607 100 English colonists arrived along the west bank of the James River in Virginia to found Jamestown, after leaving from and sailing across the Atlantic aboard the London Company's ships Susan Constant, Godspeed, and Discovery.
Most of the original settlers died of disease, starvation or Indian attack.
The London Company kept sending over more colonists to replace those killed. The new arrivals knew that many of them would not survive.
Image: April 5, 1614, John Rolfe married Pocahontas, thus assuring a temporary peace with Chief Powhatan.; Burning of Jamestown


Background from politibrew.com/culture/6515-may-13-1607-jamestown-settlers-arrive-susan-constant-godspeed-and-discovery
"Upon landing at Jamestown, the first colonial council was held by seven settlers whose names had been chosen and placed in a sealed box by King James I. The council, which included Captain John Smith, an English adventurer, chose Edward Wingfield as its first president. After only two weeks, Jamestown came under attack from warriors from the local Algonquian Native American confederacy, but the Indians were repulsed by the armed settlers. In December of the same year, John Smith and two other colonists were captured by Algonquians while searching for provisions in the Virginia wilderness. His companions were killed, but he was spared, according to a later account by Smith, because of the intercession of Pocahontas, Chief Powhatan’s daughter.
During the next two years, disease, starvation, and more Native American attacks wiped out most of the colony, but the London Company continually sent more settlers and supplies. The severe winter of 1609 to 1610, which the colonists referred to as the "starving time," killed most of the Jamestown colonists, leading the survivors to plan a return to England in the spring. However, on June 10, Thomas West De La Warr, the newly appointed governor of Virginia, arrived with supplies and convinced the settlers to remain at Jamestown. In 1612, John Rolfe cultivated the first tobacco at Jamestown, introducing a successful source of livelihood. On April 5, 1614, Rolfe married Pocahontas, thus assuring a temporary peace with Chief Powhatan.
The death of Powhatan in 1618 brought about a resumption of conflict with the Algonquians, including an attack led by Chief Opechancanough in 1622 that nearly wiped out the settlement. The English engaged in violent reprisals against the Algonquians, but there was no further large-scale fighting until 1644, when Opechancanough led his last uprising and was captured and executed at Jamestown. In 1646, the Algonquian Confederacy agreed to give up much of its territory to the rapidly expanding colony, and, beginning in 1665, its chiefs were appointed by the governor of Virginia." (quoted from History.com)
The dates seem to vary. This History.com piece above speaks about today, May 13 as the Jamestown landing. Other sources use the dates of April 29 and May 14. Nevertheless, those three dates are close together. One may refer to the actual landing, and other two to the official establishment and naming of the "town".
Here is a short video of what is called "The Dark Winter" or "Starving Time" as well as a second longer one. Both describe the severe hardships these settlers faced. The last two pictures above depict better times in Jamestown as it began to prosper."



Life in Jamestown | History
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssS6UoBoiuc

FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC (Join to see) Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Lt Col Charlie Brown Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj William W. 'Bill' Price Maj Marty Hogan SCPO Morris Ramsey SSG John Ross SGT Mark Halmrast Sgt Randy Wilber Sgt John H. SGT Gregory Lawritson CPL Dave Hoover SPC Margaret Higgins SrA Christopher Wright Cpl Gabriel F. Cpl Scott McCarroll
(4)
Comment
(0)
Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen
Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen
6 y
Great share, know Jamestown and neighboring Williamsburg area well.
(2)
Reply
(0)
LTC Stephen F.
LTC Stephen F.
6 y
My wife and I have spent time in Williamsburg and we enjoyed visiting the Plantations north and south of the James River Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen -
(2)
Reply
(0)
Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen
Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen
6 y
I dated a girl from Williamsburg area so she showed me all over the area. She was a history major so was always picking my brain on New England where she had never been.
(2)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small

Join nearly 2 million former and current members of the US military, just like you.

close