By James Hines
It would be impossible to estimate the loss to the world had the first white English-speaking settlement, founded at Jamestown, Virginia, in 1607, resulted in failure. Had it been abandoned, as was once the intention of the surviving colonists, it would have had a deterrent effect on similar and subsequent expeditions, and would have changed the complexion of American history.
Those who comprised the first settlement encountered almost insurmountable obstacles before reaching these shores. For months they braved the perils of the sea, and were buffeted by storms, but their heroism and tenacity of purpose never faltered. The real test, however, of endurance was manifested after landing and in establishing the settlement that definitely dates the United States.
During December, 1606, this history-making party sailed from England, and on May 16, 1607, they landed on a peninsula which juts into the James River. They named the place Fort James. Subsequently it was called James City, and finally James Town. For nearly two centuries it has been an island, and for more than two hundred years it has been abandoned. Two fires destroyed the town, one during Bacon’s rebellion, in 1676, the other an accident, twenty years later, after which the seat of government was moved to Williamsburg. The ruins of the old church tower remain on the site,—a crumbling monument of the first colonial settlement. The excavations showing where the Governor’s mansion and the House of Burgesses stood; the Ambler mansion, twice destroyed by fire, and the old graveyard, with its historic tombs and inscriptions, are still to be seen.
The work of these hardy pioneers in establishing the colony was often interrupted by savage attacks of Indians, and their energies were greatly impaired by fever and lack of necessary sustenance. Indeed, so greatly had their ranks been depleted that, when Newport arrived from England, a few months later, with men and provisions, but thirty-eight of the original party were alive. It was greatly due to John Smith, the heroic leader, that the settlers held out as long as they did.
An untimely accident deprived the colony of the valuable services of Smith, and caused it to come nearly to an end. Smith’s successor had not the ability, courage or prestige to govern as he had done, and a turbulent element began to assume an aggressive attitude toward the Indians, who resented it. The result of this aggression was that trading parties, bent on peaceful measures, were massacred, and, consequently, in the spring of 1610 famine together with all its accompanying sufferings, stared the colonists in the face.
They were a haggard, disheartened, miserable group of men and women. To continue at James Town appeared impossible, and, by popular vote it was decided, though the bravest could not restrain their emotion at failure, that it must be abandoned. Accordingly, June 7, the dejected aggregation boarded their ships and cleared for home. When they reached Hampton Roads, a sail was observed, which proved to be the Governor’s boat. His ships were in the Roads, and the settlers returned to their village, and there enacted one of the most pitiful, yet dramatic, scenes in the world’s history.
BIRD’S-EYE VIEW OF JAMESTOWN EXPOSITION
Copyright, 1906. Jamestown Official Photograph Corporation, Norfolk