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Settlement is Chartered
The Virginia Company of London sponsors a colony composed of 105 people and three ships (the Susan Constant, Godspeed, and Discovery).
The fleet sets out in December of 1606. -
Ships reach James River
Having reached the Virginian coast in late April, the colonists reach the James River and decide to settle there, chosen for its deep water anchorage and easily defended position. However, it also came with a whole host of problems; brackish water, diseased insects, and hostile natives, to name a few. -
The First Supply
Christopher Newport sails to Jamestown from England, carrying around 100 colonists and insufficient supplies. -
John Smith becomes the colony's leader
Captain John Smith, a man who'd been instrumental in trading with the local Native Americans for food, becomes the colony's leader in September 1608. He establishes a 'no work, no food' policy that is important in helping the colony survive. -
The Second Supply
A company of settlers arrive aboard the ship named 'Mary and Margaret'. This company included the first two known women to join Jamestown colony, as well as the first non-English settlers. -
Smith leaves for England
In the fall of 1609, John Smith was injured by burning gunpowder and had to leave for England. -
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Starving Time
With John Smith gone, the colony faltered. During the winter of 1609-1610, they underwent a period of starvation. Only a few dozen of hundreds of colonists survived. To do so, they had to resort to eating anything they could find; from dogs to horses to human bodies. -
The Third Supply
Governor James West arrives with new colonists, a doctor, and very necessary food and supplies. He came in just as the survivors of the surviving time had decided to leave, ordering them back to the settlement.
