In 1606, James I of England wanted to start a colony in North America. With the help of other men, he created a joint-stock company. This company was the Virginia Company of London. Acting as the president of the company, James I gave the men three orders. He wanted them to find gold, find a route to the South Seas, and find the Lost Colony of Roanoke.

To encourage people to travel with the Virginia Company of London, they began to advertise. The Virginia Company of London tried to tell people about the wealth that they could find in North America.

In December of 1606, three ships left England to sail to North America. Over 150 men and boys started the journey in England. Admiral Christopher Newport was in charge of the three ship; the Susan Constant, Godspeed, and the Discovery. In May of 1607, 101 men and 4 boys landed on a semi-island in North America. They built their colony on the edge of a river. They named this river, the James River, after the King of England. The Native Americans called this river the Powhatan's River or Powhatan's Flu.

The location of Jamestown was picked because the colonists felt that it was easy to defend. Because the island was far up the James River, they felt that it would be out of sight from the Spanish. The semi-island was protected on three sides by the river and marshes. This made it difficult for others to reach Jamestown.

This location was a swamp. Swamps are not healthy locations. Getting fresh water is a major problem in a swamp. Swamps attract mosquitos. These mosquitos often carry many types of diseases. This location that John Smith said was "heaven" actually was a terrible place for a colony.

At first, the climate was great and the Native Americans were friendly. Then, summer came. Blistering heat, swarms of insects, unhealthy water, starvation, and Native American attacks caused the colonists of the Virginia Company to begin to fail.

Most of the colonists were "gentlemen". "Gentlemen" were men who did not work or labor in England. They were rich men who always had otheres do their work. These men were not used to having to work hard. They did not know how to farm or hunt.

John Smith, a leader of the colony of Jamestown, was injured in a gunpowder explosion in 1609. He was shipped back to England for medical attention. While he was gone, a cold winter hit. This winter was so bad that they called it the "Starving Time". The colonists of Jamestown had to eat whatever was available; mice, rats, cats, and dogs.

When John Smith returned on May 24, 1610, he came upon 60 colonists. The rest of the colonists had died during the winter. The "Starving Time" had killed nearly 90% of the colony.

The colonists decided that this was the end of Jamestwon. They packed what they could on the ships, and headed down the river. Jamestown was abandoned.

The ships had traveled 10 miles down the James River when they met a boat. This boat was filled with supplies for Jamestown. The colonists headed back to Jamestown.

The colony of Jamestown was not making any money. They had not found any gold to make money for the Virginia Company of London. The colonists needed to find something that would make them money.

In 1612, John Rolfe began growing tobacco. Two years later, tobacco from North America was introduced to the people of England. The first shipment of Virginia tobacco was sold in London during the year of 1612. Although King James I did not like tobacco, this product began to make the Virginia Company of London lots of money.

During this time, Pocahontas was captured and held captive by the colonists. Pocahontas was the daughter of Chief Powhatan. (Pocahontas' Native American name was Matoaka. Pocahontas is a nickname which means "Frisky," "Mischievous", or "Playful One".) While Pocahontas was kept by the colonists, she was taught their religion. Pocahontas changed her name to "Rebecca" in an attempt to become more like the white colonists. She married John Rolfe in April of 1614. This marriage brought peace between the colonists and the Native Americans.

By 1619, Jamestown had exported 750 tons of tobacco. Tobacco was the American colonies' chief export. Jamestown was becoming a wealthy town. During this time, Jamestown imported two different products that allowed them to continue to be successful. They brought women and slaves into their colonies. The women allowed the colonists to begin families in the new world. The slaves from Africa allowed the colony of Jamestown to produce more tobacco and make more money.

Tobacco was one of the main factors that allowed Jamestown to succeed and become the first permanent English colony in North America.

Website Contacts: Valerie Kruzan

Updated on January 20, 2010