John Rolfe
John Rolfe was one of the early English settlers of North America. He is credited with the first successful cultivation of tobacco as an export crop in the Colony of Virginia.
Virginia Company
The Virginia Company refers collectively to two joint-stock companies chartered under James I on 10 April 1606 with the goal of establishing settlements on the coast of America. The two companies are referred to as the "Virginia Company of London" and the "Virginia Company …
What did John Rolfe do in Jamestown?
Death of Pocahontas and Aftermath John Rolfe (1585-1622) was an early settler of North America known for being the first person to cultivate tobacco in Virginia and for marrying Pocahontas. Rolfe arrived in Jamestown in 1610 with 150 other settlers as part of a new charter organized by the Virginia Company.
How did William Rolfe start the colony of Virginia?
He began experimenting with growing tobacco, eventually using seeds grown in the West Indies to develop Virginia’s first profitable export. In 1614, Rolfe married the daughter of a local Native American chieftain, Pocahontas. His new bride knew English well; she had been taken captive by previous English settlers and converted to Christianity.
Where did John Rolfe live in his early life?
John Rolfe’s Early Life Not much is known about Rolfe’s early life except that he was born around 1585 and was probably the son of a small landholder in Norfolk, England. In June 1609, Rolfe and his first wife, Sarah Hacker, sailed for North America aboard the Sea Venture as part of a new charter organized by the Virginia Company.
What did the early settlers of Jamestown do to make money?
The early Jamestown settlers made several unsuccessful attempts to develop profitable enterprises, including silk making, glassmaking, lumber and sassafras. By experimenting with growing and curing tobacco from seeds obtained from the Caribbean, John Rolfe developed the colony's first profitable export.
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How did John Rolfe affect the colony?
John Rolfe is best remembered for having introduced tobacco as a commercial crop to Virginia colonists. The production of this valuable commodity shaped the future development of the colony and provided an economic incentive for further expansion and settlement of the New World.
Why was the settlement of Jamestown so important?
But against the odds Jamestown survived, becoming the first successful English colony in North America, from which the English language, laws, and secular and religious institutions in time spread across North America and the globe. At Jamestown the English learned the hard lessons of how to keep a colony going.
How did Captain John Smith help the settlers at Jamestown?
Jamestown was established in 1607. Smith trained the first settlers to work at farming and fishing, thus saving the colony from early devastation. He publicly stated, "He that will not work, shall not eat", alluding to 2 Thessalonians 3:10.
Who established the Jamestown colony?
the Virginia CompanyContents. On May 14, 1607, a group of roughly 100 members of a joint venture called the Virginia Company founded the first permanent English settlement in North America on the banks of the James River.
Who was the leader of Jamestown?
cartographer John SmithExplorer, writer, and cartographer John Smith became the leader of the Jamestown settlement when he assumed the presidency of its governing council on September 10, 1608.
Who helped save the Jamestown colony from destruction?
As the colony's fortunes deteriorated during its first two years, Captain John Smith's leadership saved the colony.
Who saved the Jamestown colony?
John SmithJohn Smith may have saved the settlers of Jamestown from starving to death, but he wasn't exactly everyone's favorite person.
Who helped Jamestown survive?
John SmithIn May 1607, about 100 English colonists settled along the James River in Virginia to found Jamestown. The settlers fared badly because of famine, disease, and Indian attacks, but were aided by the 27-year-old John Smith, who directed survival efforts and mapped the area.
What are 3 facts about Jamestown?
10 Things You May Not Know About the Jamestown ColonyThe original settlers were all men. ... Drinking water likely played a role in the early decimation of the settlement. ... Bodies were buried in unmarked graves to conceal the colony's decline in manpower. ... The settlers resorted to cannibalism during the “starving time.”More items...•
What happened to the Jamestown settlement?
In 1676, Jamestown was deliberately burned during Bacon's Rebellion, though it was quickly rebuilt. In 1699, the colonial capital was moved to what is today Williamsburg, Virginia; Jamestown ceased to exist as a settlement, and remains today only as an archaeological site, Jamestown Rediscovery.
When did Rolfe arrive in Jamestown?
Rolfe arrived in Jamestown in 1610 with 150 other settlers as part of a new charter organized by the Virginia Company. He began experimenting with growing tobacco, eventually using seeds grown in the West Indies to develop Virginia’s first profitable export. In 1614, Rolfe married the daughter of a local Native American chieftain, Pocahontas.
Who was John Rolfe?
Contents. John Rolfe (1585-1622) was an early settler of North America known for being the first person to cultivate tobacco in Virginia and for marrying Pocahontas. Rolfe arrived in Jamestown in 1610 with 150 other settlers as part of a new charter organized by the Virginia Company.
What were the first profitable industries in Jamestown?
The early Jamestown settlers made several unsuccessful attempts to develop profitable enterprises, including silk making, glassmaking, lumber and sassafras. By experimenting with growing and curing tobacco from seeds obtained from the Caribbean, John Rolfe developed the colony's first profitable export. Recommended for you. 1943.
Where was John Rolfe born?
John Rolfe’s Early Life. Not much is known about Rolfe’s early life except that he was born around 1585 and was probably the son of a small landholder in Norfolk, England. In June 1609, Rolfe and his first wife, Sarah Hacker, sailed for North America aboard the Sea Venture as part of a new charter organized by the Virginia Company.
How much tobacco did Virginia export in 1617?
By 1617, the colony was exporting 20,000 pounds of tobacco annually; that figure doubled the following year.
Where did Sarah and the group arrive in Virginia?
The ship was caught in a hurricane in the Caribbean and wrecked on one of the Bermuda islands. The group finally arrived in Virginia, near the Jamestown settlement, in May 1610, and Sarah died soon after their arrival.
Who was Pocahontas' father?
The English settlers at Jamestown had known of Pocahontas since 1607, when Captain John Smith was held captive by her father, Powhatan. Smith later wrote that the young princess rescued him from death when she was around 11 years old. In 1613, the English captured Pocahontas and held her for ransom.
What did Rolfe and his fellow Sea Venture survivors find?
Rolfe and his fellow Sea Venture survivors found a colony struggling to return profits to its sponsors in the Virginia Company. The colonists had tried silk making, glassmaking, lumber, sassafras, pitch and tar, and soap ashes, with no financial success.
Who did Rolfe write to asking for permission to marry Pocahontas?
He composed a long, laborious letter to Governor Dale asking for permission to marry Pocahontas. The letter reflected Rolfe’s dilemma: “ It is Pocahontas to whom my hearty and best thoughts are, and have been a long time so entangled, and enthralled in so intricate a labyrinth that I [could not] unwind myself thereout.
What happened to Pocahontas in 1613?
In 1613 Pocahontas, “dearest daughter ” of Chief Powhatan, was kidnapped and brought to Jamestown to be traded for English prisoners and weapons that Powhatan held. That exchange never took place. Pocahontas learned English and Christianity—and came to the attention of Rolfe, a pious man who agonized for many weeks over his wish to marry a “ heathen .” He composed a long, laborious letter to Governor Dale asking for permission to marry Pocahontas. The letter reflected Rolfe’s dilemma: “ It is Pocahontas to whom my hearty and best thoughts are, and have been a long time so entangled, and enthralled in so intricate a labyrinth that I [could not] unwind myself thereout. ” Pocahontas ultimately converted to Christianity and took the name Rebecca, and the wedding took place in April 1614. It resulted in peace with the Indians long enough for the settlers to develop and expand their colony on the strength of their new cash crop, tobacco.
What were the seeds found in Jamestown?
Among the seeds identified were tobacco seeds, likely the same strain of tobacco that Rolfe had famously introduced to Virginia.
Where did Rolfe get his tobacco seeds?
Ralph Hamor, Secretary of Virginia, said Rolfe used tobacco seeds he obtained from somewhere in the Caribbean, possibly from Trinidad.
How long did the Sea Venture stay on the shore?
All of its 150 people safely reached shore and salvaged much of the ship’s supplies for what would be a 10-month stay.
Where did Pocahontas die?
The couple spent months in the highest circles of London society, but Pocahontas died at Gravesend, England, seven months later on their return to Virginia. Rolfe left his son in the care of a guardian in England and returned to his adopted home.
