List of colonists at Roanoke facts for kids
The Roanoke Colony was an early English settlement in North America. It was set up in the late 1500s by Sir Walter Raleigh. His goal was to create a lasting English home in what was then called the Virginia Colony. This colony is famous for its mysterious disappearance.
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First Try: The 1585 Roanoke Colony
The first Roanoke Colony was started in 1585. It was meant to be a military base, led by Ralph Lane. The colonists stayed for about a year. They left in 1586.
Historians have studied a list of the 1585 colonists. This list was published by Richard Hakluyt. It names 107 men who served under Lane. This makes a total of 108 colonists.
One interesting point for historians is that John White is not on this list. White is known to have arrived with the colonists. But it's not clear if he stayed through the winter. It's also not known if he returned to England with the fleet. Some historians think his name might have been left out by mistake. Others believe he left the colony earlier. This shows that the exact number of colonists might not be perfect.
The Lost Colony: 1587 Settlement
After the first colony left, Walter Raleigh tried again. He asked John White to lead a second group of colonists in 1587. This new colony was supposed to settle in Chesapeake Bay. But instead, they were dropped off on Roanoke Island.
The colonists asked John White to go back to England. They expected him to return with fresh supplies in 1588. However, White could not come back right away. When he finally returned in 1590, the colony site was empty. This group of people became known as the "Lost Colony."
The exact number of people in the "Lost Colony" is still debated. A list from Hakluyt's book names 119 people. These people "safely arrived in Virginia" in August 1587. This list was likely made by John White. However, White himself is on the list, even though he returned to England. Also, two men on the list had died before White left. These issues make it hard to know the exact number of people left behind.
Historians have tried to figure out the true number. One count suggests about 114 people were left on the island. This includes two children born there. Another idea is that the list might not be complete. The total number could have been higher. The mystery of what happened to these colonists remains unsolved.
Children Born at the Colony
Two children were born in the colony. One was Virginia Dare. She was the first English child born in the Americas. The other child's last name was Harvie.
- Virginia Dare
- Harvie
Native American Friends
Two Native Americans returned to the colony with the English. They were important links between the colonists and local tribes.
- Manteo
- Towaye
See also
- English colonial empire
- List of people who disappeared
- List of English immigrants to America
