On, 105 to 108 English men and boys (surviving the voyage from England) established the Jamestown Settlement for the Virginia Company of London, on a slender peninsula on the bank of the James River. It became the first long-term English settlement in North America.[1]
The trips aboard the ships Susan Constant, Discovery, and the Godspeed, and the settlement itself, were sponsored by the London Company, whose "adventurers" (investors) hoped to make a profit from the resources of the New World. The settlers suffered terrible hardships in its early years, including starvation and native attacks. With resupply and additional immigrants, it managed to endure, becoming America's first permanent English colony.[2]
Once the settlement location was chosen, the company members opened sealed instructions containing the list of the previously chosen councillors of the Virginia Governor's Council. The first council president was Edward Maria Wingfield. The other six council members were Bartholomew Gosnold, John Martin, John Ratcliffe, George Kendall, Christopher Newport (ex officio) and John Smith.[3]
Council members in bold.[4] [5] Titles and occupations are from era accounts, but use modern British spellings.
Between 105 to 108 settlers with 39 mariners (non-settlers) sailed aboard three ships.
| Name | Occupation | Alt. names | Death date (YYYY-MM-DD) | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gentleman | Adding, H. | ||||
| Gentleman | Alikok Ancient, Jeremy | 1607–08–04 | Slain by natives[6] | ||
| Captain and Gentleman | Archer, Gabriell | 1609 or 1610 winter | Secretary to the Council | ||
| 1607–08–06 | First death of the colony (dysentery) | ||||
| Captain and Gentleman | Behethland, R. | 1627 | |||
| Gentleman | Beast, B. | 1607–09–05 | |||
| Mason and Soldier | Brinton, E. | ||||
| Gentleman | 1607–04–07 | Died in the West Indies (before arriving to Virginia) | |||
| Gentleman | |||||
| Gentleman | Brown, E. | 1607–08–15 | |||
| Boy | Brunfield, J. | ||||
| Shipmaster[7] | Bucler, A. | 1625 | |||
| Gentleman | Brewster, W. | 1607–08–10 | Died from native wound | ||
| Carpenter | Not listed [as alive] as of June 1607[8] | ||||
| Labourer | Cawson, G. | 1607–12–26 | Killed by natives | ||
| Labourer | |||||
| Labourer | |||||
| Gentleman | Clovill, Eustice | 1607–06–07 | Killed by natives | ||
| Samuel Collier | Boy | Dutch Samuel | 1622 | John Smith's page | |
| Gentleman | |||||
| Barber | Cowper, T. | ||||
| Gentleman | |||||
| Gentleman | |||||
| Labourer and Soldier | "1624 VA muster with wife Jane, 40 at muster, he was 36" | ||||
| Labourer | |||||
| Carpenter | 1607–12–26 | Killed by natives | |||
| Gentleman | |||||
| Gentleman | Flowre, G. | 1607–08–09 | |||
| Gentleman | |||||
| Gentleman | |||||
| Gentleman | Halthrop, S. | 1607–08–10 | Possible mutineer | ||
| Bricklayer | |||||
| Labourer | Goulding, G. | ||||
| Gentleman | Gower, T. | 1607–08–16 | |||
| Gentleman | 1609–01–07 | Possibly two cousins with identical names. Drowned Jan 1609 in James River. Grandson of Robert Gosnold of Earl Soham, Suffolk. | |||
| Councillor and Captain | 1607–08–22 | Captain of the Godspeed | |||
| Gentleman | 1607–08–24 | ||||
| Bricklayer | not listed [as alive] as of June 1607 | ||||
| Gentleman | |||||
| Preacher | before 1609 | ||||
| Sergeant (soldier) | Jacon, T. | 1607–09–04 | |||
| Labourer | |||||
| Councillor and Captain | 1607–12–01 | Executed for treason | |||
| Gentleman | E. Kiniston or Kinnistone | 1607–09–18 | "Starved to death with cold"[9] | ||
| Carpenter and Labourer | |||||
| Carpenter | Laxton, W. | ||||
| Tailor and Soldier | Loue, W. | ||||
| Councillor and Captain | Martine, J[10] | 1632-06-?? | Lower Brandon Plantation owner | ||
| Gentleman | 1607–09–18 | Son of Councillor | |||
| Gentleman | |||||
| Gentleman | Francis Midwinter | 1607–08–14 | Died suddenly | ||
| Corporal and Gentleman | Morris, E. | 1607–08–14 | Died suddenly | ||
| [11] | Labourer | 1607–08–17 | Died suddenly | ||
| Gentleman | 1607–09–19 | ||||
| Boy | |||||
| Boy | Pecock, N. | ||||
| Gentleman | Robert Pennington | 1608-08-18 | |||
| Gentleman | |||||
| Gentleman, Shipmaster | Percie | 1632 | Eventual Governor of Virginia Colony. Son of Henry Percy, 8th Earl of Northumberland. | ||
| Gentleman | Dru Piggas or Peggase | 1607–08–19 | |||
| Carpenter | Posing, E. | ||||
| Captain[12] and Gentleman | Nathaniell | 1622–03–22 | |||
| Councillor and Captain | Sicklemore, J. | 1609-11-?? | Captain of the Discovery, eventual Governor | ||
| Blacksmith and Soldier | 1622–03–13 | ||||
| Gentleman | Jehu | 1607–12–26 | Killed by natives | ||
| Labourer | Roods, W. | 1607–08–27 | not listed [as alive] as of June 1607 | ||
| Gentleman | Sandys, T. | Brother of Edwin Sandys (1561–1629) | |||
| Labourer | 1607-08-?? | ||||
| Gentleman | |||||
| Gentleman | Simmons, R. | 1607–09–18 | |||
| Drummer | Skot, N. | ||||
| Carpenter | |||||
| Councillor and Captain | Smyth, J. | 1631-06-?? | |||
| Gentleman | |||||
| Gentleman | |||||
| Gentleman | |||||
| Gentleman, Cape Merchant (treasurer) | Stoodie, T. | 1607–08–28 | |||
| Gentleman | Tankard, W. | ||||
| Labourer | Tanin, H. | ||||
| Gentleman | Throgmortine, Kenelme | 1607–08–26 | |||
| Carpenter and Soldier | Servant to John Martin | ||||
| Mariner, Gunner[13] | |||||
| Labourer | |||||
| Gentleman | 1607-08-24 | ||||
| Gentleman | Waler | 1607–08–24 | |||
| Gentleman | |||||
| Labourer | |||||
| Surgeon | |||||
| Councillor and Captain | Edward Marie Winfield | 1631 | Captain of Susan Constant | ||
| Surgeon and Barber | 1638–04–28 | ||||
| Commoner |
See also: Jamestown supply missions. Aboard the John and Francis (captained by Christopher Newport) and the Phenix (captained by Francis Nelson)[14], 120 settlers left England in October 1607. Only 100 made it to Virginia to settle. When they arrived at Jamestown, there were only 38 to 40 men that had survived the summer and autumn.[15] [16] [12]
See also: Jamestown supply missions and Jamestown Polish craftsmen. Quickly after the first supply, Captain Newport boarded 70 new colonists to the Mary and Margaret. First women colonists are noted with female sign (♀️).
See also: Sea Venture and Somers Isles Company.
With 500 to 600 persons, a fleet of nine ships set sail in May 1609 led by Thomas Gates and George Somers. The ships were named Sea Venture, Diamond, Faulcon,[17] Blessinge, Unitie, Lion, Swallow, Virginia, and Catch (ketch[18]),.[19] [20]
In July, a tropical storm struck the flotilla. The Catch vanished with all aboard, and the Sea Venture shipwrecked on Bermuda, inadvertently colonizing the island.[21] The seven remaining ships arrived at Jamestown only to bring diseased and hungry passengers to the stressed colony.[22] [23]
Council members in bold.[4] [5] Those who died in Bermuda (or were lost at sea) are indicated with a Latin cross (✝️). Titles and occupations are from era accounts, but use modern British spellings.
| Name | Occupation | Alt. names | Ships | Notes on travel | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Captain and Gentleman | Archer, Gabriell | Blessinge | Secretary to the Council, previously sailed with original colonists | ||
| [24] | Captain | Blessinge | |||
| Sea Venture → Deliverance | Traveled from Bermuda to Virginia on Deliverance, aged 35 | ||||
| Wife of Richard Barrow | Flowerdew Barrow, T. | Faulcon[25] | Uncertain if husband Richard Barrow accompanied to Virginia | ||
| carpenter | Sea Venture | ||||
| Sea Venture | |||||
| ✝️ | Sea Venture | Died in Bermuda, 1609-1610 | |||
| Reverend, Chaplain | Bucke or Bucket, R. | Sea Venture | Uncertain if traveled with wife or children | ||
| Marye Thorowgood | Sea Venture | Died 1620 | |||
| Buck daughter (I) | child, girl | Bucket | Sea Venture | Unknown name, daughter of Richard Buck | |
| Buck daughter (II) | child, girl | Bucket | Sea Venture | Unknown name, daughter of Richard Buck | |
| Saltmaker | William Moss Cappes, Sr. | Sea Venture | |||
| Sea Venture | Plotted to assassinate Sir Thomas Gates, considered a deserter and stayed behind on Bermuda.[26] Settled Smith's Island.[27] | ||||
| Chard, Joshua | Sea Venture | ||||
| Chart, E. | Sea Venture | Sailed back to Bermuda with George Somers, remained on Smith's Island | |||
| Captain, mariner | Davies, J. | Virginia | From Popham Colony | ||
| [28] | Shipmaster | Davies, R. | Virginia | Likely brother to James Davis | |
| Wife of James Davis | Virginia | ||||
| Sea Venture | |||||
| ✝️ | baby boy[29] | -- | Born on Bermuda islands, died on islands | ||
| Sea Venture | Father to Bermudas (boy), husband to Mistress Eason | ||||
| Sea Venture | Mother to Bermudas (boy), wife to Edward Eason | ||||
| ✝️ | Shipmaster | Finch, M. | Catch | Died July 1609 (likely lost at sea) | |
| Shipwright | Frubbusher, Robert[30] | Sea Venture | Builder of the Deliverance on Bermuda[31] | ||
| Governor and Lt. General[32] | Sea Venture | ||||
| Sea Venture → Deliverance | Traveled rom Bermuda to Virginia on Deliverance, aged 36 | ||||
| Graye, G. | Sea Venture | ||||
| Captain | Haman, Raphe | unknown | |||
| Sea Venture | |||||
| ✝️ | Sea Venture | Died on Bermuda, 1609-1610 | |||
| merchant and tanner | Sea Venture | Protested leaving Bermuda, was almost executed for mutiny. Died 1644. | |||
| Girl | Jones, E. | Sea Venture | Probably aged 9 or 10 | ||
| Captain, gentleman | Sea Venture[33] | ||||
| Writer, gentleman | Jordan, Sylvester | Sea Venture | Writer of A Discovery of the Barmudas | ||
| Captain | Diamond | Mariner (did not remain in Virginia) | |||
| Sea Venture | |||||
| ✝️ | Sea Venture | Died in Bermuda, 1609-1610 | |||
| Servant | Lightfoot, J. | Sea Venture → Patience | Servant living with William Peirce in 1624[34] | ||
| Councillor and Captain | Faulcon | Original Jamestown settler, traveled back and forth from England | |||
| Sea Venture | |||||
| Matchumps | Powhatan servant to Namontack | Sea Venture | |||
| Captain | Swallow | Mariner (did not remain in Virginia) | |||
| Carpenter[35] | Sea Venture | Returned to Bermuda as a deputy governor in 1612 | |||
| Namontack ✝️ | Powhatan translator[36] | Namotacke[37] | Sea Venture | Died 1610, slain by Matchumps in Bermuda | |
| Mitchell, F. | Sea Venture | ||||
| Master | Shipmaster | Francys Nelson | Faulcon | Mariner (did not remain in Virginia) | |
| Captain and Councillor (ex officio) | Sea Venture | Mariner (did not remain in Virginia) | |||
| ✝️ | Sea Venture | Executed (by gunshot) for refusing to report for watch patrol in Bermuda | |||
| Sea Venture | |||||
| Maid to Mistress Horton | Sea Venture | Would marry Thomas Powell on Bermuda, aged 30 | |||
| Soldier | Pierce, W. or Pearse | Sea Venture | |||
| (I) | Wife of William Peirce, mother of two Janes (II and III)[38] | Pierce, Jone | Blessinge | ||
| (II) | girl | Jane Pierce | Blessinge | ||
| (III) | girl | Joan | Blessinge [39] | ||
| ✝️ | Captain | Pinnace (ship's boat) in tow by Sea Venture[40] | Died at sea during the tropical storm, July 1609 | ||
| Master | Shipmaster | Arthur Pett | Unitie | Purported member of the Pitt family | |
| Cook | Sea Venture | George Somers' cook. Married Elizabeth Persons in Bermuda | |||
| Gentleman, Yeoman[41] | Sea Venture | ||||
| Councillor | Diamond | Original settler. Died 1609-1610 (tortured by natives) after arriving in Virginia | |||
| ✝️ | master ship's mate | Raven, H. | Sea Venture → pinnace (ship's boat) | Lost at sea (or killed by Native Americans) after sailing a pinnace for help after shipwreck on Bermuda, 1609 | |
| Sea Venture | |||||
| Soldier | Sea Venture | Author of "verse pamphlet", "Newes from Virginia: the lost flocke triumphant". Died in 1630 after returning to Bermuda. | |||
| ✝️ | baby girl | -- | John Rolfe and Sarah Hacker Rolfe's daughter. Born on Bermuda islands, died on islands | ||
| tobacco trader | Sea Venture | ||||
| ✝️ | Wife of John Rolfe | Sea Venture | Either died in Bermuda or soon after reaching Virginia (spring 1610) | ||
| ✝️ | Samuel, E. | Sea Venture | Murdered by shipmate Edward Waters | ||
| Lieutenant (soldier) | Sea Venture | ||||
| Sergeant (soldier) | Sgt Sharp | Sea Venture | |||
| Mister | Sea Venture | ||||
| Admiral of the Fleet, Councillor (ex officio) | Sea Venture → Patience | Died upon return to Bermuda, November 1610 | |||
| Captain | Mathew Somers | Swallow | Nephew of George Somers. Sailed to Bermuda and then back to England at some point in 1610. | ||
| teenaged boy, writer | Unitie | ||||
| Secretary-elect, writer | Sea Venture | Author of True Reportory | |||
| Sea Venture | |||||
| Cockswain | Sea Venture → Patience | Bermuda's Walsingham Bay and region namesakes are due to Robert. Walsingham piloted (and saved) the Patience during launch from Castle Harbour reefs.[42] | |||
| John Want | Sea Venture | Refused to build boats to be rescued or to leave Bermuda | |||
| Lieutenant (soldier) | Robert Waters | Sea Venture | Murdered shipmate Edward Samuell.Taken into custody, then to a tree and left to starve, but escaped by cutting the ropes. Remained in Bermuda afterward, settled Smith's Island. | ||
| Captain, sergeant-major | Lion | ||||
| ✝️ | Cape merchant (treasurer)[43] | Sea Venture → pinnace (ship's boat) | Lost at sea (or killed by Native Americans) after sailing a pinnace (with Henry Ravens) for help after marooning on Bermuda, 1609 | ||
| Wood | Captain | Unitie | |||
| Captain of the guard for Thomas Gates | Sea Venture |
Survivors from Bermuda (137-142 passengers and crew)[44] salvaged the Sea Venture, and built two ships: Deliverance and Patience.[31] The ships made it to Jamestown on May 23rd to find only 60 starving colonists, and chose to abandon the colony.
Patience and Deliverance (castaways from Bermuda and Sea Venture)
At the same time, Thomas West, 3rd Baron De La Warr and Samuel Argall (after hearing of John Smith's adventures), led a humanitarian mission from England with 150 men (including a doctor, some Frenchmen, a Swiss miner[45]) and supplies.[46] Aboard the Hercules (of Rye), Blessinge (of Plymouth, England), and De La Warr ships, they intercepted the weary colonists in Chesapeake Bay departing Virginia and compelled them to return to Jamestown with the new provisions and passengers.[47] [48]
The Hercules of Rye, which had left Virginia in July 1610, returned on April, 1611 with 30 immigrants (captained by Robert Adams).[57]
In September 1610, the Dainty arrived with "twelve men, one woman, three horses, and provisions..."[54] Captained by Nathaniel West, the Mary Ann brought over widow Mistress Francis West.[58] The Mary and Thomas brought over William Tucker.[59]
Both Thomas Dale and Thomas Gates both led flotillas back to Virginia. Thomas Dale headed to the colony with 300 labourers, at the request of the London Company. The Starr, the Elizabeth, and Prosperous (with Vice Admiral Christopher Newport) also carried horses, poultry, goats, and rabbits.[60] [61] Thomas Gates had ships Sarah,[62] Tryall, Swan which arrived just after the Dale flotilla.
Footnotes
References