Lucas--Jamestown

Four hundred years ago, the first settlers came to America. The settlers made up camp and called it Jamestown. One hundred and eight people came in 3 ships. It is located on a marshy damp swamp. The winters were harsh and the summers were scolding. The settlement of the first white Englishmen is the birthplace of what we call America. (“Jamestown, 1607”)
 * Jamestown**

Jamestown is the first white settlement in America that was to be permanent. The English settlers that came there fared very badly. They have settled where it was the least convenient. They faced disease, fires, and lack of food, but the Indians helped them. The Indians also terrorized them but the acts of the leaders Newport and Smith kept the new colony together. (“Jamestown, 1607”) The Indians first welcomed them badly when they attacked the colonists. The Indians had never seen guns but Newport wrote “… they retreated when they felt the sharpness of our guns.” The Indians then were cautious of the colonists. There were some Indians that helped the colonists and traded with them and some who attacked them. Some of the Indians learned their ways and in return the Americans obtained friends. (“Jamestown, 1607”)

From the beginning, in 1606 the king made a charter to the Virginia Company of London for the first settlers to come. They set sail and got to Jamestown on May 14 of 1607. An expedition of about 100 men set sail on the Susan Constant, Discovery, and the Godspeed. The settlers were instructed to choose the site with care. They did the exact opposite and found a low, marshy, damp, swamp. 35 of the 105 had died of either famine, attacked by Indians, or disease. (“Jamestown, 1607”)

A fire in 1608 swept Jamestown and affected it greatly. This fire came right after the first supply ships had came. More ships had also tried to come but wrecked on the rocks near them. The winter of 1609 killed many also. Disheartened after the disastrous turn of events, the settlers wanted to go back to England. A few miles downriver they found a supply ship coming for them with their new governor, Lord De la Warr. In 1612 the colonists started to grow tobacco and did better. (“Jamestown, 1607”)

In 1619 the first legislative assembly was formed in Jamestown. Also that year they imported the first slaves to Jamestown. In 1624 the Virginia Company charter was revoked and Virginia became a royal colony; controlled by the king. Jamestown remained the capital but declined in importance as agriculture became a need in Virginia (America). A rebellion started in 1676 led by Nathaniel Bacon (Bacons Rebellion). Bacon burned Jamestown to the ground. The legislative assembly then was moved to Williamsburg. Another fire in 1696 burned the statehouse down again. (“Jamestown, 1607”)

Since 1893 the Preservation of Virginia Antiques has worked to preserve Jamestown. From 1934 to present archeologists have been researching Jamestown. They own a 20 acre tract to collect artifacts. The site has been part of the Colonial National park. Recently in 1996 archeologists believe they have found the actual Jamestown fort. They have since found many skeletal remains of citizens of Jamestown. Perhaps one of the most interesting artifacts they have found is a whole European male remnant. (“Jamestown, 1607”)

Even though Jamestown has been not as important it is still important as part of a park. The Colonial National Park holds the first settlement of whites in America. Hopefully it will always be a national landmark. Maybe archeologists will study it longer to find if even more unloved facts still are hiding. Jamestown will always have some value in America.(“Jamestown, 1607”)

Works Cited Cooper, Michael. //Jamestown, 1607. New York,// // Holiday House, 2007 // **Jamestown ** ." //Compton's// // by Britannica //. //Encyclopædia Britannica Online School Edition//. Encyclopædia Britannica, 2010. Web . 3 Nov . 2010  < [] >.