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Captain John Smith landing in Jamestown
Painting of John Smith and colonists landing in Jamestown

On 4 May [O.S. 14 May] 1607, 105 English men and boys (surviving the voyage from England) established the Jamestown Settlement for the Virginia Company of London, on a slender peninsula on the bank of the James River. It became the first long-term English settlement in North America.

The trips aboard the ships Susan Constant, Discovery, and the Godspeed, and the settlement itself, were sponsored by the Virginia Company of London, whose stockholders hoped to make a profit from the resources of the New World. The community suffered terrible hardships in its early years, including starvation and native attacks. With resupply and additional immigrants, it managed to endure, becoming America's first permanent English colony.

Once the settlement location was chosen, the company members opened sealed instructions containing the list of the previously chosen members of the Virginia Governor's Council. The first council president was Edward Maria Wingfield. The other six council members were Bartholomew Gosnold, John Martin, John Ratcliffe, George Kendall, Christopher Newport (ex officio) and John Smith.

Original settlers (May 1607)

Council members in bold. Titles and occupations are from era accounts, but use modern British spellings.
Original Jamestown settlers (May 1607)
Name Occupation Alt. names Death date (YYYY-MM-DD) Notes
Adling, HenryHenry Adling Gentleman Adding, H.
Alicock, JeromeJerome Alicock Gentleman Alikok Ancient, Jeremy 1607–08–04
Archer, GabrielGabriel Archer Captain and Gentleman Archer, Gabriell 1609 or 1610 winter Secretary to the Council
Asbie, JohnJohn Asbie 1607–08–06 Dysentery
Beheathland, RobertRobert Beheathland Gentleman Behethland, R. 1627
Best, BenjaminBenjamin Best Gentleman Beast, B. 1607–09–05
Brinto, EdwardEdward Brinto Mason and Soldier Brinton, E.
Brookes, EdwardEdward Brookes Gentleman 1607–04–07
Brookes, JohnJohn Brookes Gentleman
Browne, EdwardEdward Browne Gentleman Brown, E. 1607–08–15
Brumfield, JamesJames Brumfield Boy Brunfield, J.
Bruster, WilliamWilliam Bruster Gentleman Brewster, W. 1607–08–10 Died from native wound
Capper, JohnJohn Capper Carpenter Not listed [as alive] as of June 1607
Cassen, GeorgeGeorge Cassen Labourer Cawson, G. 1607–12–26 Killed by natives
Cassen, ThomasThomas Cassen Labourer
Cassen, WilliamWilliam Cassen Labourer
Clovill, UstisUstis Clovill Gentleman Clovill, Eustice 1607–06–07 Killed by natives
Collier, SamuellSamuell Collier Boy Dutch Samuel 1622 John Smith's page
Cooke, RogerRoger Cooke Gentleman
Couper, ThomasThomas Couper Barber Cowper, T.
Crofts, RichardRichard Crofts Gentleman
Dixon, RichardRichard Dixon Gentleman
Dods, JohnJohn Dods Labourer and Soldier "1624 VA muster with wife Jane, 40 at muster, he was 36"
Edward, OuldOuld Edward Labourer
Emry, ThomasThomas Emry Carpenter 1607–12–26 Killed by natives
Fenton, RobertRobert Fenton Gentleman
Flowre, GeorgeGeorge Flowre Gentleman Flower, G. 1607–08–09
Ford, RobertRobert Ford Gentleman
Frith, RichardRichard Frith Gentleman
Galithrope, StephenStephen Galithrope Gentleman Halthrop, S. 1607–08–10 Possible mutineer
Garrett, WilliamWilliam Garrett Bricklayer
Golding, GeorgeGeorge Golding Labourer Goulding, G.
Gore, ThomasThomas Gore Gentleman Gower, T. 1607–08–16
Gosnold, AnthonyAnthony Gosnold Gentleman 1609–01–07 Possibly two cousins with identical names. Drowned Jan 1609 in James River. Grandson of Robert Gosnold of Earl Soham, Suffolk.
Gosnold, BartholomewBartholomew Gosnold Councilor and Captain 1607–08–22 Captain of the Godspeed
Harrington, EdwardEdward Harrington Gentleman 1607–08–24
Herd, JohnJohn Herd Bricklayer not listed [as alive] as of June 1607
Houlgrave, NicholasNicholas Houlgrave Gentleman
Hunt, RobertRobert Hunt Preacher before 1609
Jacon, ThomasThomas Jacon Sergeant 1607–09–18
Johnson, WilliamWilliam Johnson Labourer
Kendall, GeorgeGeorge Kendall Councilor and Captain 1607–12–01 Executed for treason
Kingston, EllisEllis Kingston Gentleman E. Kiniston 1607–09–18
Laydon, JohnJohn Laydon Carpenter and Labourer
Laxon, WilliamWilliam Laxon Carpenter Laxton, W.
Love, WilliamWilliam Love Tailor and Soldier Loue, W.
Martin, JohnJohn Martin Councilor and Captain Martine, J 1632-06-?? Lower Brandon Plantation owner
Martin, Jr., JohnJohn Martin, Jr. Gentleman 1607–09–18 Son of Councilor
Martin, GeorgeGeorge Martin Gentleman
Midwinter, FrancisFrancis Midwinter Gentleman 1607–08–14
Morish, EdwardEdward Morish Corporal and Gentleman Morris, E. 1607–08–14
Mounslie, ThomasThomas Mounslie Labourer 1607–08–17
Mouton, ThomasThomas Mouton Gentleman 1607–09–19
Mutton, RichardRichard Mutton Boy
Peacock, NathanielNathaniel Peacock Boy Pecock, N.
Penington, JohnJohn Penington Gentleman
Penington, RobertRobert Penington Gentleman
Percy, GeorgeGeorge Percy Gentleman Percie 1632 Eventual Governour of Virginia Colony. Son of Henry Percy, 8th Earl of Northumberland.
Pickhouse, DrueDrue Pickhouse Gentleman Piggas, Dru 1607–08–19
Pising, EdwardEdward Pising Carpenter Posing, E.
Powell, NathanielNathaniel Powell Captain and Gentleman Nathaniell 1622–03–22
Profit, JonasJonas Profit Fisherman and Sailor
Ratcliffe, JohnJohn Ratcliffe Councilor and Captain Sicklemore, J. 1609-11-?? Captain of the Discovery, eventual Governour
Read, JamesJames Read Blacksmith and Soldier 1622–03–13
Robinson, JohnJohn Robinson Gentleman Jehu 1607–12–26 Killed by natives
Rods, WilliamWilliam Rods Labourer Roods, W. 1607–08–27 not [as alive] listed as of June 1607
Sands, ThomasThomas Sands Gentleman
Short, EdwardEdward Short Labourer 1607-08-??
Short, JohnJohn Short Gentleman
Simons, RichardRichard Simons Gentleman 1607–09–18
Scot, NicholasNicholas Scot Drummer Skot, N.
Small, RobertRobert Small Carpenter
Smith, JohnJohn Smith Councilor and Captain Smyth, J. 1631-06-??
Smethes, WilliamWilliam Smethes Gentleman
Snarsbrough, FrancisFrancis Snarsbrough Gentleman
Stevenson, JohnJohn Stevenson Gentleman
Studley, ThomasThomas Studley Gentleman Stoodie, T. 1607–08–28
Tanker, WilliamWilliam Tanker Gentleman Tankard, W.
Tavin, HenryHenry Tavin Labourer Tanin, H.
Throgmorton, KellamKellam Throgmorton Gentleman Throgmortine, Kenelme 1607–08–26
Todkill, AnasAnas Todkill Carpenter and Soldier
Unger, WilliamWilliam Unger Labourer
Walker, GeorgeGeorge Walker Gentleman
Walker, ThomasThomas Walker
Waller, JohnJohn Waller Gentleman Waler 1607–08–24
Webbe, ThomasThomas Webbe Gentleman
White, WilliamWilliam White Labourer
Wilkinson, WilliamWilliam Wilkinson Surgeon
Wingfield, Edward MariaEdward Maria Wingfield Councilor and Captain 1631 Captain of Susan Constant
Wotton, ThomasThomas Wotton Surgeon and Barber 1638–04–28
, RichardRichard Commoner
Mariners and others known to have been with the expedition (but did not remain at the colony)
  1. Bragg, Thomas - Teenaged Deckhand of Christopher Newport
  2. Bragg, George - Teenaged Deckhand of Christopher Newport
  3. Browne, Oliver - Mariner
  4. Clarke, Charles - Mariner
  5. Collson (or Cotson), John - Mariner
  6. Crookdeck, John - Mariner
  7. Deale, Jeremy - Mariner
  8. Fitch, Mathew - Mariner (d. July 1609)
  9. Genoway, Richard - Mariner
  10. Godword, Thomas - Mariner
  11. Jackson, Robert - Mariner
  12. Markham, Robert - Mariner
  13. Morton, Matthew - Sailor
  14. Nelson, Francys (Francis) - Captain (d. winter 1612-1613)
  15. Poole, Jonas - Mariner (d. 1612)
  16. Skynner, Thomas - Mariner
  17. Turnbrydge (or Turbridge), Thomas - Mariner
  18. Newport, Christopher - Captain, Councilor ex officio (d. 1617)
  19. Tyndall, Robert - Mariner, Gunner
  20. White, Benjamyn - Mariner
  21. Danynell
  22. Stephen


Settlers from First Supply (January 1608)

See also: Jamestown supply missions

Aboard the John and Francis (captained by Christopher Newport) and the Phoenix (captained by Francis Nelson), 120 settlers left England in October 1607. Only 100 made it to Virginia to settle. When they arrived at Jamestown, there were only 38 to 40 men that had survived the summer and autumn.

  1. Jefrey Abots, Gentleman
  2. Robert Alberton, Perfumer
  3. Robert Barnes, Gentleman
  4. William Bayley, Gentleman
  5. William Beckwith, Tailor
  6. Richard Belfield, Refiner
  7. William Bentley, Labourer
  8. John Bouth, Labourer
  9. Richard Brislow, Labourer
  10. William Burket, Labourer
  11. James Burne
  12. William Cantril, Gentleman
  13. William Causey, Gentleman
  14. Thomas Coo, Gentleman
  15. Robert Cotton, Tobacco-pipe-maker
  16. Robert Cutler, Gentleman
  17. William Dawson, Refiner
  18. Richard Dole, Blacksmith
  19. Thomas Feld, Apothecary
  20. Richard Fetherstone
  21. George Forest, Gentleman
  22. Post Gittnat, Surgeon
  23. Raymond Goodyson, Labourer
  24. Richard Gradon, Labourer
  25. William Gryvill, Gentleman
  26. Edward Gurganay, Gentleman
  27. John Harford, Apothecary
  28. John Harper, Gentleman
  29. George Hill, Gentleman
  30. Thomas Hope, Tailor
  31. William Johnson, Refiner
  32. Peter Keffer, Gunner
  33. Richard Killingbeck, Gentleman
  34. Timothy Leeds, Gentleman
  35. John Lewes, Cooper
  36. William May, Labourer
  37. Michaell
  38. Richard Miler, Labourer
  39. Richard Molynex, Gentleman
  40. Ralfe Morton, Gentleman
  41. Rowland Nelstrop, Labourer
  42. John Nickoles, Gentleman
  43. William Perce, Labourer
  44. Francis Perkins, Labourer
  45. Michaell Phetyplace, Gentleman
  46. Captain William Phetyplace (Phettiplace), Gentleman
  47. Peter Pory, Gentleman
  48. Richard Pots, Gentleman
  49. John Powell, Tailor
  50. George Pretty, Gentleman
  51. Richard Prodger, Gentleman
  52. Abraham Ransacke, Refiner
  53. Christopher Rodes
  54. Walter Russell, Gentleman and Doctor
  55. Richard Salvage, Labourer
  56. Thomas Savage (Salvage), boy, Labourer
  57. Matthew Scrivener, secretary, appointed to be of the Council (d. January 7, 1609)
  58. Michaell Sickelmore, Gentleman
  59. William Simons, Labourer
  60. John Speareman, Labourer
  61. William Spence, Labourer and Treasurer
  62. Daniell Stalling, Jeweller
  63. John Taverner, Gentleman
  64. Laurence Towtales, Tailor
  65. Nicholas Ven, Labourer
  66. William Ward, Tailor
  67. James Watkings
  68. Vere
  69. Richard Worley, Gentleman
  70. Richard Wyffin, Gentleman
  71. Bishop Wyles, Labourer
  72. William Yonge, Tailor
  73. "...with diverse others"

Settlers from Second Supply (autumn 1608)

See also: Jamestown supply missions and Jamestown Polish craftsmen

Quickly after the first supply, Captain Newport boarded 70 new colonists to the Mary and Margaret. First women colonists are noted with female sign (♀️).

  1. Thomas Abbey, Gentleman
  2. Gabriell Bedle (Bedell), Gentleman and Lumberjack
  3. John Bedle (Bedell), Gentleman
  4. Henry Bell, Tradesman
  5. Thomas Bradley, Tradesman
  6. ♀️Anne Burras, maid to Mistress Forrest
  7. John Burras, Tradesman
  8. George Burton, Gentleman
  9. Captain Raleigh Croshaw, Gentleman
  10. John Clarke, Tradesman
  11. Henry Collings, Gentleman
  12. John Dauxe, Gentleman
  13. Thomas Dowse, Labourer
  14. William Dowman, Gentleman
  15. David Ellis, Tradesman
  16. Thomas Forrest, Gentleman
  17. ♀️Mistress Margaret Fox Forrest
  18. Thomas Fox, Labourer
  19. Thomas Gipson, Tradesman
  20. Thomas Graves, Gentleman
  21. John Gudderington, Gentleman
  22. Nicholas Hancock, Labourer
  23. Hardwin, Labourer
  24. Harmon Haryson, Gentleman
  25. Hellyard, Boy
  26. John Hoult, Gentleman
  27. David ap Hugh, Tradesman
  28. Master Hunt, Gentleman
  29. Thomas Lavander, Tradesman
  30. Henry Ley, Gentleman
  31. Michaell Lowicke, Gentleman
  32. Thomas Mallard, Labourer
  33. Thomas Maxes, Gentleman
  34. Milman, Boy
  35. Morrell, Labourer
  36. Thomas Norton, Gentleman
  37. Dionis Oconor, Tradesman
  38. Thomas Phelps, Tradesman
  39. Henry Philpot, Gentleman
  40. Master William Powell, Tradesman
  41. John Prat, Tradesman
  42. Rose, Labourer
  43. John Chief Russell, Gentleman and Lumberjack (d. c. 1625)
  44. William Russell, Gentleman
  45. William Sambage, Gentleman
  46. Scot, Labourer
  47. Jefry Shortridge, Tradesman
  48. William Taler, Labourer
  49. Daniel Tucker, gentleman, cape merchant (treasurer), and supply officer
  50. Captain Richard Waldo, appointed to the Council (d. Jan 1609)
  51. Williams, Labourer
  52. Captain Peter Winne, appointed to the Council (d. April 1609)
  53. Walker, Labourer
  54. Master Francis West, Gentleman
  55. Hugh Wollystone, Gentleman
  56. Hugh Wynne, Tradesman
  57. George Yarington, Gentleman
  58. ...Eight Dutch men, Poles (known as the Jamestown Polish craftsmen), with some others
    1. Wilhelm Volday (William Waldi), Swiss-German general prospector

Settlers from Third Supply (August 1609)

See also: Sea Venture and Somers Isles Company

With 500 to 600 persons, a fleet of nine ships set sail in May 1609 led by Thomas Gates and George Somers. The ships were named Sea Venture, Catch, Diamond, Falcon, Blessing, Unitie [sic], Lion, Swallow, and Virginia. In July, a tropical storm struck the flotilla. The Catch vanished with all aboard, and the Sea Venture shipwrecked on Bermuda, inadvertently colonizing the island. The seven remaining ships arrived at Jamestown only to bring diseased and hungry passengers to the stressed colony.

Governours and Council members in bold.

  1. Gabriel Archer, on the Blessinge
  2. Temperance Flowerdew Barrow (d. 1628)
  3. John Martin, on the Falcon
  4. Joan Pierce, wife of William Pierce
  5. John Ratcliffe, on the Diamond
  6. Henry Spelman, boy, writer (d. 1623)

Mariners and natives

  1. Captain James Davis of the Virginia
  2. Captain Matthew Fitch (or Finch), lost at sea in the Catch
  3. Captain Ralph Hamor (returned to England)
  4. Captain William King, of the Diamond
  5. Captain Moon, on the Swallow
  6. Captain Matthew Somers, nephew of George Somers, on the Swallow
  7. Captain Webb, of the Lion
  8. Captain Wood, on the Unitie
  9. Namontack, a Powhatan (d. 1610)
  10. Matchumps, a Powhatan

Sea Venture passengers and mariners (Bermuda castaways)

  1. Henry Bagwell
  2. Nicolas Bennit, carpenter
  3. William Brian
  4. Jeffrey Briars (d. c. 1609-1610)
  5. Reverend Richard Buck (or Bucket), chaplain (d. 1623)
  6. Mistress Maria Thorowgood Buck
  7. Richard and Maria Buck's daughter (I)
  8. Richard and Maria Buck's daughter (II)
  9. William Capps
  10. Christopher Carter
  11. Josuah (Joshua) Chard
  12. Edward Chart (Chard)
  13. Bermudas Eason, baby boy (d. c. 1609-1610)
  14. Edward Eason
  15. Mistress Eason
  16. Robert (Richard) Frobisher, shipwright
  17. Thomas Gates, Governour and Lt. General (d. 1622)
  18. Thomas Godby
  19. George Grave (Graye)
  20. Mistress Horton
  21. William Hitchman (d. c. 1609-1610)
  22. Stephen Hopkins, merchant and tanner (d. 1644)
  23. Elizabeth Joons, servant
  24. Captain Samuel Jordan, gentleman
  25. Silvester Jourdain, writer (d. 1650)
  26. Richard Knowles
  27. Richard Lewis (d. c. 1609-1610)
  28. John Lytefoote
  29. William Martin
  30. Francis Michell
  31. Captain Christopher Newport
  32. Henry Paine
  33. Francis Pearepoint
  34. Elizabeth Persons, maid to Mistress Horton
  35. William Pierce
  36. Jane Pierce, girl
  37. Thomas Powell, cook
  38. John Graye Proctor
  39. Henry Ravens, master ship's mate (d. c. 1609)
  40. Humfrey Reede
  41. Robert Rich, soldier (d. 1630)
  42. Bermuda Rolfe, baby girl (d. 1610)
  43. John Rolfe, tobacco trader
  44. Mistress Sarah Hacker Rolfe (d. spring 1610)
  45. Edward Samuel
  46. Samuel Sharpe
  47. William Sharpe
  48. Mister Henry Shelly
  49. George Somers, admiral (d. November 1610)
  50. William Strachey, secretary-elect (d. June 1621)
  51. James Swift
  52. Robert Walsingham, cockswain
  53. John Want
  54. Lieutenant Edward Waters
  55. Robert Waters
  56. Thomas Whittingham (d. c. 1609)
  57. George Yeardley, Captain of the Guard for Thomas Gates (d. 1627)

Settlers from Fourth Supply (June 1610)

Survivors from Bermuda (137-142 passengers and crew) salvaged the Sea Venture, and built two ships: Deliverance and Patience. The ships made it to Jamestown on May 23rd to find only 60 starving colonists, and chose to abandon the colony.


Patience and Deliverance (from Bermuda)

  1. Henry Bagwell, 35, arrived on the Deliverance
  2. Edward Eason
  3. Mistress Eason
  4. Bermudas Eason, baby boy
  5. Thomas Godby
  6. John Rolfe
  7. Edward Waters

Thomas West, 3rd Baron De La Warr and Samuel Argall (after hearing of John Smith's adventures) led a humanitarian mission from England with 150 men (including a doctor) and supplies. Aboard the Hercules of Rye, Blessing of Plymouth, and De La Warr ships, they intercepted the weary colonists departing Virginia and compelled them to return to Jamestown with the new provisions and passengers.

  1. Captain Samuel Argall (d. 1626)
  2. Captain Ralph Hamor, secretary (d. c. 1626)
  3. Thomas West, 3rd Baron De La Warr, "Lord Governour and Captain General" (d. 1618)

Settlers from Fifth Supply (May and August 1611)

Both Thomas Dale and Thomas Gates both led flotillas to Virginia. Thomas Dale headed to the colony with 300 labourers, at the request of the London Company. The Starr, the Elizabeth, and Prosperous also carried horses, poultry, goats, and rabbits. Thomas Gates had ships Sarah, Tryall [sic], Swan which arrived just after the Dale flotilla.

  1. Thomas Dale, "Marshall of Virginia" (d. 1619)
  2. Cecily Jordan Farrar, girl (d. c. 1631)
  3. William Spencer, yeoman and ancient planter
  4. Thomas Sully

See also

Additional reading

  • Bernard Bailyn, The Barbarous Years: The Peopling of British North America: The Conflict of Civilizations, 1600-1675 (Vintage, 2012)
  • Warren M. Billings (Editor), The Old Dominion in the Seventeenth Century: A Documentary History of Virginia, 1606-1700 (University of North Carolina Press, 2007)
  • James Horn, A Land as God Made It (Perseus Books, 2005)
  • Margaret Huber, Powhatan Lords of Life and Death: Command and Consent in Seventeenth-Century Virginia (University of Nebraska Press, 2008)
  • William M. Kelso, Jamestown, The Buried Truth (University of Virginia Press, 2006)
  • David A. Price, Love and Hate in Jamestown (Alfred A. Knopf, 2003)
  • Helen C. Rountree, The Powhatan Indians of Virginia: Their Traditional Culture (University of Oklahoma Press, 2013)
  • Ed Southern (Editor), Jamestown Adventure, The: Accounts of the Virginia Colony, 1605-1614 (Blair, 2011)
  • Tony Williams, "The Jamestown Experiment: The Remarkable Story of the Enterprising Colony and the Unexpected Results that Shaped America" (Sourcebooks Inc, 2011)
  • Jocelyn R. Wingfield, Virginia's True Founder: Edward Maria Wingfield and His Times (Booksurge, 2007)
  • Benjamin Woolley, Savage Kingdom: The True Story of Jamestown, 1607, and the Settlement of America (Harper Perennial, 2008)
  • William M. Kelso, Nicholas M. Luccketti, Beverly A. Straube, The Jamestown Rediscovery Archaeology Project
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