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Captain Bartholomew Gosnold, Captain Bartholomew Gilbert, Captain Gabriel Archer, and others explore the New England coast with the intention of starting a colony, but occupy Cuttyhunk Island for only a few weeks before returning to England.
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Captain Bartholomew Gilbert voyages to the Chesapeake Bay. He and four others go ashore, likely on the Eastern Shore, and are killed by Native Americans.
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After the death of Queen Elizabeth I, James VI of Scotland ascends the English throne and becomes James I of England.
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Eastern Virginia enters its worst drought in nearly 800 years. We know this from dendrochronology, the study of tree rings, which are affected by changes in the environment.
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James I grants land in North America to two competing branches of the Virginia Company, the Virginia Company of London and the Virginia Company of Plymouth. At this time, “Virginia” referred to most of the North American coast, from what is now North Carolina to northern New England.
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The Virginia Company of London issues instructions for its colonists. Among other things, they are directed to find a safe port 100 miles up a navigable river, from which they can search for the Northwest Passage, and to “have Great Care not to Offend the naturals,” meaning Native Americans.
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104 settlers set sail from London on three ships, the Susan Constant, the Godspeed, and the Discovery. They are captained by Christopher Newport, Bartholomew Gosnold, and John Ratcliffe.
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En route to Virginia, Captain John Smith is arrested and accused of plotting mutiny.
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The ships stop in the West Indies, where Captain Newport intends to execute Smith. Captain Gosnold and the Reverend Robert Hunt intervene, and Smith is spared.
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The settlers open their sealed orders from the Virginia Company, which include the names of the men appointed to the colony’s governing council. Captain Smith is named and is released from imprisonment, but is not permitted to take his place on the council. Edward Maria Wingfield is appointed president.
Note: 30th is random date to keep things in order -
The colonists choose a location for their settlement—a marshy peninsula 50 miles up the James River—which will be easily defensible if the Spanish attack. “James Cittie,” the first permanent English settlement in North America, is established.
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Captain Christopher Newport, Captain John Smith, and others spend six days exploring the James River up to the falls near what is now the city of Richmond. Along the way, they encounter numerous Virginia Indian peoples belonging to the chiefdom led by Chief Powhatan.
Note: Random date -
200 Virginia Indians attack Jamestown, killing at least one settler and wounding 11. Several Powhatan are also killed. In response, the settlers soon begin building a more substantial fort.
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Captain John Smith is finally sworn in as a member of the colony’s governing council.
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James Fort is completed in a triangle shape with three bulwarks sporting artillery. Settlers also plant crops in two areas.
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The Reverend Robert Hunt holds the first Anglican communion service at Jamestown.
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Captain Newport sails back to England with the Susan Constant and the Godspeed, taking with him mineral samples that the colonists hope will indicate the presence of gold in Virginia.
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Captain Bartholomew Gosnold dies and is buried just outside James Fort, where his grave is discovered by archaeologists nearly 400 years later.
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The Virginia Company of Plymouth establishes a short-lived colony, led by George Popham, in what is now Maine, but abandons it the following year.
august 1607–april 1608
Note: Day 31 -
Council President Edward Maria Wingfield is deposed and replaced by John Ratcliffe.
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Half the original settlers die during this period, mostly from disease.
summer early fall 1607 -
Captain Smith and two other men travel up the Chickahominy River in search of food. Smith is captured by Opechancanough, brother of Chief Powhatan. The other members of his party are killed.
Note: 5th is Random -
Smith is brought before Chief Powhatan at his capital, Werowocomoco. He later claims that the chief’s young daughter, Pocahontas, saves him from execution, but most historians now believe the incident was a mock execution, if it took place at all.
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