Jamestown - 2

When the first three ships arrived in the spring of 1607, they spent several days scouting a suitable location for their colony. There were written orders from the King that indicated the colony should be established inland to provide better protection from hostile forces. During this time, England was periodically at war with countries who were also trying to establish footholds in the new world. These included the Dutch, France, Portugal, and Spain. There was also an advantage to the site chosen because it was not occupied by the local Indians. The site that was selected was Jamestown Island (actually, it was a peninsula) along the James River. The settlement was named “James His Towne” after King James I. As a side note, it's interesting to note that Captain John Smith arrived in the new world in irons. He was scheduled to be hanged for mutiny upon arrival in the new world, but the same orders that dictated the location criteria of the new colony also named Smith as one of the governing councilors. Captain Newport, the expedition commander, was forced to set Smith free.

It didn't take long to learn why this particular piece of real estate was not occupied by the locals. While affording a deep water port that was also protected from view of the open sea, it was surrounded by a swamp that contained only brackish water. Also, being a small area, there wasn't much in the way of game to hunt. So, having no fresh water, no game, and a large number of mosquitoes from the swampy water, living conditions were not favorable. Colonists needed to rely on trade with local Indians for food, and relations were not always favorable to trade.

In the next few years, several enterprises were attempted, including glass production, timber harvesting, pitch and tar production, and potash manufacture. Nothing was more than marginally successful until colonist John Rolfe began growing tobacco as a cash crop in 1613. Until then, the native American tobacco, Nicotiana rustica, was grown, but not enjoyed by folks in England. When John Rolfe arrived, he had with him some seeds from the more favored variety Nicotania Tobacum, a domesticated hybrid tobacco.

John Rolfe also married Pocahontas, the daughter of  Chief Powhatan, a local Indian Chief. This marriage brought on a period of peace between the colonists and locals. Pocahontas, who embraced Christianity and took the Christian name Lady Rebbecca, traveled to England on a diplomatic mission, but died in 1617 before she could return home. The cause of her death is believed to have been small pox.