Ajacán Mission facts for kids

The Ajacán Mission was a Spanish attempt in 1570 to bring Christianity to the Native American tribes in Virginia. It was started by a group of Jesuit priests. This effort to create "St. Mary's Mission" happened about 36 years before the English built their settlement at Jamestown, Virginia. Sadly, in February 1571, almost everyone in the mission was killed by Native Americans. Only a young Spanish boy named Alonso de Olmos survived. The next year, a Spanish group from Florida rescued Alonso. They also killed about 20 Native Americans in return.

Spanish Explorers Arrive

Early in the 1500s, Spanish explorers were the first Europeans to see the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. They called it Bahía de Madre de Dios or Bahía de Santa Maria. The Spanish were looking for a Northwest Passage to India. They named the land Ajacán.

In 1565, the Spanish successfully built a lasting settlement at St. Augustine, Florida. This was the first European settlement in what is now the United States. They also set up small outposts along the eastern coast. These went into Georgia and the Carolinas. The farthest north was Santa Elena in South Carolina.

In 1561, an expedition led by Ángel de Villafañe captured a Native American boy from the Chesapeake Bay area. They took him to Mexico. The boy learned about the Catholic religion. He was baptized Don Luis, named after the Viceroy of New Spain. He then went to Madrid, Spain, and met the King. He also received a good Jesuit education.

Starting the Mission

In 1570, Father Juan Bautista de Segura was a Jesuit leader in Havana, Cuba. He wanted to start a mission in Ajacán. This mission would be unusual because it would not have soldiers protecting it. His leaders were worried but allowed him to start "St. Mary's Mission."

In August, Father Segura set out with Father Luis de Quirós and six other Jesuit brothers. A young Spanish boy named Alonso de Olmos, also called Aloncito, went with them. Don Luis joined them to help as a guide and interpreter. They stopped at Santa Elena to get supplies.

On September 10, the group landed in Ajacán. This was on the north shore of one of the lower Chesapeake peninsulas. They built a small wooden hut. It had a room next to it where they could hold Mass.

Where Was the Mission?

Historians have tried to find the exact spot of the Ajacán Mission. But they have not found enough proof to be sure. Some think it was at Queen's Creek near the York River. Others believe it might have been in a village called Axacam. This village was on the New Kent side of Diascund Creek. Another idea is that St. Mary's Mission was near the Occoquan River in Stafford County, Virginia.

In 1935, a bronze plaque was put up at the Aquia Catholic cemetery. It honored the Jesuits and listed the names of those who died. This spot was chosen because it had a nearby Native American village. It also had a river flowing from the north and white cliffs.

Trouble and Tragedy

Don Luis tried to find his native village of Chiskiack. He had not seen it in ten years. He seemed to recognize some relatives among the Native Americans on the shore. So, the missionaries went ashore. Don Luis soon left the Jesuits. He went to live with his own people, more than a day's journey away.

When Don Luis did not come back, the Jesuits thought he had left them. They were scared because they had no one who knew the local language. They could only trade for some food. At that time, the mid-Atlantic region was going through a long period of dry weather. This caused a famine, meaning there was not enough food.

Around February 1571, three missionaries went to the village where they thought Don Luis was staying. Don Luis killed them. Then, he took other warriors to the main mission station. They killed the priests and the remaining six brothers. They also stole their clothes and church supplies. Only the young servant boy, Alonso de Olmos, was saved. He was put under the care of a chief.

What Happened Next?

A Spanish supply ship went to the mission in 1572. Men in canoes, dressed in church clothes, came out to meet them. They tried to get the Spaniards to land, then attacked. The Spaniards fought back and killed several people. Their captives told them about the young Spanish boy who had survived. The Spaniards traded some of their captives for Alonso. Alonso then told them about the massacre of the mission brothers.

That month, the Governor of Florida, Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, arrived with soldiers. He wanted to get revenge for the massacre and hoped to capture Don Luis. His soldiers never found Don Luis. But they captured and punished several other people. They killed about 20 Native Americans in their attack.

After this, the Spanish stopped their plans for more activity in the region. The remaining Jesuits were called back to St. Augustine, Florida. In 1573, another Spanish governor explored the Chesapeake Bay. But he did not try to build any more settlements.

In 1587, English settlers tried to start a colony on Roanoke Island. But supplies were delayed for almost three years. This was because Philip II of Spain tried to invade England. All available ships were used to fight the Spanish Armada. When a supply ship finally arrived, the Roanoke colonists had disappeared. The English did not successfully build Jamestown until 1607.

The Catholic Church has honored the people who died at Ajacán. They have been called Servants of God.

See also

In Spanish: Misión de Ajacán para niños