Screenshot 2026 01 13 11.33.31 am

Colonies Timeline

By BasilJ
  • Period: 1500 to

    Colonial Events

  • Roanoke Island

    Roanoke Island

    In 1585, Walter Raleigh sent over 100 men to Roanoke Island, which is off the coast of North Carolina. Two of his men found it to be a perfect place for a settlement. Unfortunately, they arrived to late to harvest crops and their supplies were low. They went back home a year later.
  • John White's Arrival

    John White's Arrival

    Upon arrival, John White and his men found out that their men were killed by the natives. Simon Fernandez demanded that they settle in Roanoke Island.
  • The Lost Colony

    The Lost Colony

    John White, the leader of a settlement in Chesapeake Bay, left to get more supplies. He got back two years later due to a war with Spain. When he found the settlement, all he saw was the word "CROATOAN" on a tree.
  • The Banks of the James River

    The Banks of the James River

    Over 100 men were on the edge of the James River. They were attacked by the natives but stayed.
  • Captain Smith's Return

    Captain Smith's Return

    Captain Smith returned to England in 1609 due to an injury. Because of this, Pocahontas stopped visiting the settlement, weakening the relationship between the Powhatan Nation and the settlers. Later, she was kidnapped. She was accused of ransom because her father had captured some of the settlers and weapons. She was forced to convert to Christianity.
  • Pocahontas's Marriage

    Pocahontas's Marriage

    When Pocahontas was moved to a new settlement, she met John Rolfe. They were married in 1614.
  • A Big Year in Jamestown

    A Big Year in Jamestown

    1619 was an important year in Jamestown. The first elected assembly was established. It was called the House of Burgesses.
  • The Mayflower

    The Mayflower

    The passengers of the Mayflower were coming to the New World for religious freedom. They had to eat dried biscuits, salted beef, and other dried vegetables
    before they were able to cook.
  • Thanksgiving

    Thanksgiving

    Governor William Bradford invited Chief Massasoit, Squanto, and 90 Wampanoag people to a feast. He wanted to thank them and negotiate a treaty to secure land.
  • New York

    New York

    Dutch settlers in the 1600's founded New Amsterdam. Later, the English captured it and renamed it after the duke of York.