Story of 144 Passengers to Virginia in 1607
The First Nine Months at Jamestown
Jan 17, 2009 Rosemary E. Bachelor
The Susan Constant, at 120 tons, was the largest of the three ships led by Capt. Christopher Newport. She carried 71 colonists and was about 116 feet long. The Godspeed, led by Capt. Bartholomew Gosnold, carried 39 passengers and 13 sailors. She was a 40 ton brigantine about 68 feet long. The Discovery was a 20-ton “fly boat” which took part in six expeditions in search of the Northwest Passage.
Longer Than Usual Voyage
The voyage to Virginia did not have favorable winds and took five months, with stops enroute at the Canary and Windward Islands. Replicas of these three ships are now moored in the James River adjacent to the Jamestown National Historic Site.
When Capt. Newport left for England and a return trip with more supplies, 105 men and boys remained to build the fort. The Discovery was left with them.
A Problem with Gentlemen
The sealed orders were opened. They revealed the names of who would serve on the council that was to govern the settlement.
Many of those chosen to settle the new country were “gentlemen”. Gentlemen of that era were not necessarily wealthy. Most of them didn’t work with their hands. Many were younger sons not in line to inherit great fortunes or titles.
The gentlemen certainly had little experience in providing for themselves. They were raised to seek fortune and not raised to be laborers. At one point Captain John Smith, a soldier, had to rule that those who did not work could not eat.
Building the Fort
There were several soldiers in the group, five of them captains. The orders said they were to build a fort at a spot which could be defended against the Spanish, who were expected to be the primary enemy. They chose a site 60 miles up river and named it Jamestown. Work had no sooner begun when they were attacked--by Indians! Two Englishmen were killed and 10 injured during the first week.
By June 15, the triangular fort was completed. There were bulwarks at each corner for the cannon and the walls were high palisades. The men settled in, believing the walls would protect them.
Disease and Fire Take Their Toll
Six weeks later, George Percy wrote that John Asbie died of “the bloudie flux” Aug. 6 and George Flowre died of “the swelling” Aug. 9. Another settler died from a wound received when fighting Indians. Health and morale deteriorated and the leaders were accused of libel, conspiracy and sowing discord. Councillor George Kimball was executed and President Edward Wingfield was deposed.
By December the death toll was mounting and food was scarce. John Smith led a disastrous hunting party up the Chickahominy River. Smith was captured by Indians and his companions were killed. When he returned to the fort Jan. 2, 1608, he found only 38 survivors.
That January a fire burned most of the thatch houses, destroying clothes and supplies. Fortunately, Smith had impressed the Indians and they brought enough food and supplies to keep the men alive.
In February, Capt. Newport returned with supplies and 60 new settlers. Much progress was made in 1608 and the first nine months of 1609. The worst, however, was yet to come. The winter of 1609-1610 became known as the “starving time”.
There is a two-part list of the original settlers who came in 1607 aboard the Susan Constant, Discovery and Godspeed.
SOURCE: Judy Cameron, “A New Beginning,“ The Second Boat, Vol. 17, No. 1 (1997)
Replica of the Susan Constant
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Capt. John Smith Statue at Jamestown
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Replicas of Three Ships Moored at Jamestown
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Queen Elizabeth Visited Jamestown in 1957 and 2007
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