On May 14, 1607, 104 English men and boys established the Jamestown Settlement for the Virginia Company, on a slender peninsula on the bank of the Jamestown River. It became the first long-term English settlement in

North America North America is a continent in the Northern Hemisphere and almost entirely within the Western Hemisphere. It is bordered to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the east by the Atlantic Ocean, to the southeast by South America and the Car ...

. The settlement was built on the banks of Virginia's

James River The James River is a river in the U.S. state of Virginia that begins in the Appalachian Mountains and flows U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline dataThe National Map , accessed April 1, 2011 to Chesapea ...

. The trips aboard the ships '' Susan Constant'', ''

Discovery Discovery may refer to: * Discovery (observation), observing or finding something unknown * Discovery (fiction), a character's learning something unknown * Discovery (law), a process in courts of law relating to evidence Discovery, The Discovery ...

'', and the ''

Godspeed Godspeed, a statement wishing someone a prosperous journey or success, may refer to: Literature * ''Godspeed'' (Sheffield novel), a 1993 science fiction novel by Charles Sheffield * ''Godspeed'', an unpublished novel by Will Christopher Baer * ...

'', and the settlement itself, were sponsored by the Virginia Company of London, whose stockholders hoped to make a profit from the resources of the New World. The community suffered terrible hardships in its early years, including starvation leading to cannibalism and Indian attacks, and many hundreds died. With resupply and additional immigrants, it managed to endure, becoming America's first permanent

English colony The English overseas possessions, also known as the English colonial empire, comprised a variety of overseas territories that were colonised, conquered, or otherwise acquired by the former Kingdom of England during the centuries before the Ac ...

. The site for Jamestown was picked based on criteria set by the Virginia Company. The site was surrounded by water on three sides (it later became an island) and was distant from the sea, making it more easily defensible against possible Spanish attacks. The water was also deep enough that the English could tie their ships at the shoreline. The site was also not inhabited by the native population. Once the settlement location was chosen, the company members opened the Virginia Company's sealed instructions containing the list of the previously chosen council members. Each ship had sailed with a box containing the same set of instructions. The first president was Edward Maria Winfield. The other six council members were Bartholomew Gosnold, Christopher Newport, John Martin, John Ratcliffe, George Kendall, a The settlers arrived on three ships, the ''Susan Constant'', the ''Godspeed'', and the ''Discovery''. * Jeremy Alicock, Gentleman, (d. August 14, 1607) * Captain Gabriell Archer, Gentleman, died Winter 1609-1610 * John Asbie, (d. August 6, 1607) * Robert Behethland, Gentleman, (d. 1689) * Benjamin Best, Gentleman, (d. September 5, 1607) * Thomas Bragg, Teenaged Deckhand to Christopher Newport * George Bragg, Teenaged Deckhand to Christopher Newport * Edward Brinto, Mason, Soldier * James Brumfield, Boy * Edward Brookes, Gentleman, (d. April 7, 1607) * John Brookes, Gentleman * Edward Browne, Gentleman, (d. August 15, 1607) * William Bruster, Gentleman, (d. August 10, 1607) * John Capper, Carpenter * George Cassen, Labourer, (d. December 1607) * Thomas Cassen, Labourer * William Cassen, Labourer * Ustis Clovill, Gentleman, (alternate Eustice) (d. June 7, 1607) * Samuell Collier, Boy, (d. 1622) * Roger Cooke, Gentleman * Thomas Couper, Barber * Richard Crofts, Gentleman * Richard Dixon, Gentleman * John Dods, Labourer, Soldier * Ould Edward, Labourer * Thomas Emry, Carpenter, (d. December 1607) * Robert Fenton, Gentleman * George Flowre, Gentleman, (d. August 9, 1607) * Robert Ford, Gentleman * Richard Frith, Gentleman * Stephen Galthrope (or Halthrop), Gentleman, (d. August 15, 1607) * William Garrett, Bricklayer * George Golding, Labourer * Thomas Gore, Gentleman, (d. August 16, 1607) * Anthony Gosnold, Gentleman, (d. January 7, 1609) * Captain Bartholomew Gosnold, Captain of the ''Godspeed'', Council Member, (d. August 22, 1607) * Edward Harrington, Gentleman (d. August 24, 1607) * John Herd, Bricklayer * Nicholas Houlgrave, Gentleman * Master

Robert Hunt (chaplain) Robert Hunt ( 1568x1570 – 1608), a vicar in the Church of England, was chaplain of the expedition that founded the first successful English colony in the New World, at Jamestown, Virginia, in 1607. Career in England Hunt was born in Ho ...

, Preacher, (d. before 1609) * Thomas Jacob, Sergeant, (d. September 4, 1607) * William Johnson, Labourer * Captain George Kendall, Council Member, (d. December 1, 1607) * Ellis Kingston (or Kiniston), Gentleman, (d. September 18, 1607) * John Laydon, Carpenter * William Laxon, Carpenter * William Love, Tailor, Soldier * John Martin, Jr, Gentleman, (d. August 18, 1607) * Captain

John Martin, Sr John is a common English name and surname: * John (given name) * John (surname) John may also refer to: New Testament Works * Gospel of John, a title often shortened to John * First Epistle of John, often shortened to 1 John * Second ...

, Gentleman, Council Member (d. June 1632) * George Martin, Gentleman * Francis Midwinter, Gentleman, (d. August 14, 1607) * Edward Morish (Morris), Gentleman, Corporal, (d. August 14, 1607) * Matthew Morton, Sailor * Thomas Mounslie, Laborer,(d. August 17, 1607) * Thomas Mouton, Gentleman,(d. September 19, 1607) * Richard Mutton, Boy * Nathaniel Peacock, Boy * Penington, Robert - Gentleman, (d. August 18, 1607) * Master George Percy, Gentleman,(d. 1632) * Dru Pickhouse, Gentleman,(d. August 19, 1607) * Edward Pising, Carpenter * Nathaniel Powell, Gentleman (d. March 22, 1622) * Jonas Profit, Sailor, Fisherman * Captain John Ratliffe, Captain of the Discovery, Council Member, (d. November 1609) * James Read, Blacksmith, Soldier, (d. March 13, 1622) * John Robinson, Gentleman, (d. December 1607) * William Rods, Labourer, (d. August 27, 1607) * Thomas Sands, Gentleman * Edward Short, Labourer, (d. August 1607) * John Short, Gentleman * Richard Simons, Gentleman, (d. September 18, 1607) * Nicholas Scot (or Skot), Drummer * Robert Small, Carpenter * Captain

John Smith John Smith is a common personal name. It is also commonly used as a placeholder name and pseudonym, and is sometimes used in the United States and the United Kingdom as a term for an average person. It may refer to: People :''In chronological ...

, Council Member, (d. June 1631) * William Smethes, Gentleman * Francis Snarsbrough, Gentleman * John Stevenson, Gentleman * Thomas Studley, Gentleman, (d. August 28, 1607) * William Tanker, Gentleman * Henry Tavin, Labourer * Kellam Throgmorton, Gentleman, (d. August 26, 1607) * Anas Todkill, Carpenter, Soldier * William Unger, Labourer * George Walker, Gentleman * Thomas Walker, listed under "Virginia, Compiled Census and Census Substitutes Index, 1607-1890" * John Waller (or Waler), Gentleman, (d. August 24, 1607) * Thomas Webbe, Gentleman * William White, Laborer * William Wilkinson, Surgeon * Master Edward Maria Wingfield, Captain of the Susan Constant, Council President, (d. 1631) * Thomas Wotton, Surgeon, (d. April 28, 1638) * Richard (commoner) Mariners and others known to have been with the expedition: * Browne, Oliver - Mariner * Clarke, Charles - Mariner * (or Cotson), John - Mariner * Crookdeck, John - Mariner * Deale, Jeremy - Mariner * Fitch, Mathew - Mariner - died July 1609 * Genoway, Richard - Mariner * Godword, Thomas - Mariner * Jackson, Robert - Mariner * Markham, Robert - Mariner * Nelson, Francys - Captain - died Winter 1612-1613 * Poole, Jonas - Mariner - died 1612 * Skynner, Thomas - Mariner * Turnbrydge (or Turbridge), Thomas - Mariner * Newport, Christopher - Captain, Councilor - died 1617 * Tyndall, Robert - Mariner, Gunner * White, Benjamyn - Mariner * Danynell * Stephen

First Supply -- January 1608

* Jefrey Abots, Gentleman * Robert Alberton, Perfumer * Robert Barnes, Gentleman * William Bayley, Gentleman * William Beckwith, Tailer * Richard Belfield, Refiner * William Bentley, Labourer * John Bouth, Labourer * Richard Brislow, Labourer * William Burket, Labourer * James Burne * William Cantril, Gentleman * William Causey, Gentleman * Thomas Coo, Gentleman * Robert Cotton, Tobacco-pipe-maker * Robert Cutler, Gentleman * William Dawson, Refiner * Richard Dole, Blacksmith * Thomas Feld, Apothecary * Richard Fetherstone * George Forest, Gentleman * Post Gittnat, Surgeon * Raymond Goodyson, Labourer * Richard Gradon, Labourer * William Gryvill, Gentleman * Edward Gurganay, Gentleman * John Harford, Apothecary * John Harper, Gentleman * George Hill, Gentleman * Thomas Hope, Tailer * William Johnson, Refiner * Peter Keffer, Gunner * Richard Killingbeck, Gentleman * Timothy Leds, Gentleman * John Lewes, Cooper * William May, Labourer * Michaell * Richard Miler, Labourer * Richard Molynex, Gentleman * Ralfe Morton, Gentleman * Rowland Nelstrop, Labourer * John Nickoles, Gentleman * William Perce, Labourer * Francis Perkins, Labourer * Michaell Phetyplace, Gentleman * William Phetyplace, Gentleman * Peter Pory, Gentleman * Richard Pots, Gentleman * John Powell, Tailer * George Pretty, Gentleman * Richard Prodger, Gentleman * Abraham Ransacke, Refiner * Christopher Rode * Doctor Russell, Gentleman * Richard Salvage, Labourer * Thomas Salvage, Labourer * Matthew Scrivner, appointed to be of the Council * Michaell Sickelmore, Gentleman * William Simons, Labourer * John Speareman, Labourer * William Spence, Labourer * Daniell Stalling, Jeweller * John Taverner, Gentleman * Laurence Towtales, Tailer * Nicholas Ven, Labourer * William Ward, Tailer * James Watkins * Vere * Richard Worley, Gentleman * Richard Wyffin, Gentleman * Bishop Wyles, Labourer * William Yonge, Tailer * With divers others

Second Supply -- Fall 1608

* Thomas Abbey, Gentleman * Gabriell Bedle, Gentleman * John Bedle, Gentleman * Henry Bell, Tradesmen * Thomas Bradley, Tradesmen * Anne Burras, maid to Mistress Forrest * John Burras, Tradesmen * George Burton, Gentleman * Rawley Chroshaw, Gentleman * John Clarke, Tradesmen * Henry Collings, Gentleman * John Dauxe, Gentleman *

Thomas Dowse Thomas Dowse, also known as Thomas Dawse and Thomas Dawles ( will read, June 4, 1683) was an English-American immigrant who represented City of Henricus in the first meeting of the House of Burgesses on July 30, 1619 at Jamestown, Virginia. Bio ...

, Laborer * William Dowman, Gentleman * David Ellis, Tradesmen * Thomas Forrest, Gentleman * Mistress Forrest * Thomas Fox, Laborer * Thomas Gipson, Tradesmen * Thomas Graves, Gentleman * John Gudderington, Gentleman * Nicholas Hancock, Laborer * Hardwin, Laborer * Harmon Haryson, Gentleman * Hellyard, Boy * John Hoult, Gentleman * David ap Hugh, Tradesmen * Master Hunt, Gentleman * Thomas Lavander, Tradesmen * Henry Ley, Gentleman * Michaell Lowicke, Gentleman * Thomas Mallard, Laborer * Thomas Maxes, Gentleman * Milman, Boy * Morrell, Laborer * Thomas Norton, Gentleman * Dionis Oconor, Tradesmen * Thomas Phelps, Tradesmen * Henry Philpot, Gentleman * Master Powell, Tradesmen * John Prat, Tradesmen * Rose, Laborer * John Russell, Gentleman * William Russell, Gentleman * William Sambage, Gentleman * Scot, Laborer * Jefry Shortridge, Tradesmen * William Taler, Laborer * Daniell Tucker, Gentleman * Williams, Laborer * Captain Peter Winne, appointed to the Council * Captain Richard Waldo, appointed to the Council * Walker, Laborer * Master Francis West, Gentleman * Hugh Wollystone, Gentleman * Hugh Wynne, Tradesmen * George Yarington, Gentleman * Eight Dutch men and Poles, known as the

Jamestown Polish craftsmen The Polish craftsmen in the Jamestown Colony first arrived in 1608 with Captain John Smith to serve in essential industries in the New World. They are generally considered the first Polish Americans. History The first Polish immigrants came to the ...

, with some others

Additional reading

* Bernard powatancock ''The Barbarous Years: The Peopling of British North America: The Conflict of Civilizations, 1600-1675'' (Vintage, 2012) * Warren M. Billings (Editor), ''The Old Dominion in the Seventeenth Century: A Documentary History of Virginia, 1606-1700'' (University of North Carolina Press, 2007) * James Horn, ''A Land as God Made It'' (Perseus Books, 2005) * Margaret Huber, ''Powhatan Lords of Life and Death: Command and Consent in Seventeenth-Century Virginia'' (University of Nebraska Press, 2008) * William M. Kelso, ''Jamestown, The Buried Truth'' (University of Virginia Press, 2006) * David A. Price, ''Love and Hate in Jamestown'' (Alfred A. Knopf, 2003) * Helen C. Rountree, ''The Powhatan Indians of Virginia: Their Traditional Culture'' (University of Oklahoma Press, 2013) * Ed Southern (Editor), ''Jamestown Adventure, The: Accounts of the Virginia Colony, 1605-1614'' (Blair, 2011) * Tony Williams, "The Jamestown Experiment: The Remarkable Story of the Enterprising Colony and the Unexpected Results that Shaped America" (Sourcebooks Inc, 2011) * Jocelyn R. Wingfield, ''Virginia's True Founder: Edward Maria Wingfield and His Times'' (Booksurge, 2007) * Benjamin Woolley, ''Savage Kingdom: The True Story of Jamestown, 1607, and the Settlement of America'' (Harper Perennial, 2008) * William M. Kelso, Nicholas M. Luccketti, Beverly A. Straube, The Jamestown Rediscovery Archaeology Project

References

{{NPS, title=A Short History of Jamestown, url=https://www.nps.gov/jame/learn/historyculture/a-short-history-of-jamestown.htm Pre-statehood history of Virginia

First Supply -- January 1608

Second Supply -- Fall 1608

Additional reading

See also

References