Jamestown military through the ages12/19/2023 ![]() The island fit the criteria as it had excellent visibility up and down the James River, and it was far enough inland to minimize the potential of contact and conflict with enemy ships. On May 14, 1607, the colonists chose Jamestown Island for their settlement largely because the Virginia Company advised them to select a location that could be easily defended from attacks by other European states that were also establishing New World colonies and were periodically at war with England, notably the Dutch Republic, France, and Spain. Both the James River and the settlement they sought to establish, Jamestown (originally called "James His Towne") were named in honor of King James I. In the following days, seeking a suitable location for their settlement, the ships ventured upstream along the James River. ![]() They landed again at what is now called Old Point Comfort in the City of Hampton. Obedient to their orders, the settlers and crewmembers re-boarded their three ships and proceeded into Chesapeake Bay. The same orders also directed the expedition to seek an inland site for their settlement, which would afford protection from enemy ships. He had been scheduled to be hanged upon arrival, but was freed by Captain Newport after the opening of the orders. Smith had been arrested for mutiny during the voyage and was incarcerated aboard one of the ships. These orders named Captain John Smith as a member of the governing Council. Exploration, seeking a site Īfter the expedition arrived in what is now Virginia, sealed orders from the Virginia Company of London were opened. ![]() This site came to be known as the "first landing." A party of the men explored the area and had a minor conflict with some Virginia Indians. May all who see this Cross, remember what we have done here, and may those who come here to inhabit join us in this Covenant and in this most noble work that the Holy Scriptures may be fulfilled. May this Covenant of Dedication remain to all generations, as long as this earth remains. We do hereby dedicate this Land, and ourselves, to reach the People within these shores with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and to raise up Godly generations after us, and with these generations take the Kingdom of God to all the earth. On April 26, 1607, upon landing at Cape Henry, they set up a cross near the site of the current Cape Henry Memorial and Chaplain Robert Hunt made the following declaration: Īrriving at the entrance to Chesapeake Bay in late April, they named the Virginia capes after the sons of their king, the southern Cape Henry, for Henry Frederick, Prince of Wales, and the northern Cape Charles, for his younger brother, Charles, Duke of York. After an unusually long journey of more than four months, the 104 men and boys (one passenger of the original 105 died during the journey) arrived at their chosen settlement spot in Virginia. In April 1607, the expedition reached the southern edge of the mouth of what is now known as Chesapeake Bay. īy April 6, 1607, Godspeed, Susan Constant, and Discovery arrived at the Spanish colony of Puerto Rico, where they stopped for provisions before continuing their journey. The ships left Blackwall, now part of London, with 105 men and boys and 39 crew-members. The expedition consisted of three ships, Susan Constant (the largest ship, sometimes known as Sarah Constant, Christopher Newport captain and in command of the group), Godspeed ( Bartholomew Gosnold captain), and Discovery (the smallest ship, John Ratcliffe captain). The London Company sent an expedition to establish a settlement in the Virginia Colony in December 1606. See also: European colonization of the Americas and List of Jamestown colonists
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