Thomas Gates (governor) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sir Thomas Gates
Born	Unknown Essex, England
Died	1622 Netherlands
Known for	Colonial governor of Virginia
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Sir Thomas Gates (lived until 1622) was an important leader in the early English colony of Virginia. He served as the governor of Jamestown, which is now part of the USA.

Before Gates arrived, the colony faced a very hard time called the Starving Time. Many people died because of poor leadership. When Gates took charge, he worked with deputy governor Sir Thomas Dale. Their strong and organized leadership helped the struggling colony survive. Gates was honored with a knighthood in 1596 for his bravery in a battle in Spain.

Journey to Virginia: The Shipwreck Story

Sir Thomas Gates was chosen by the Virginia Company of London to help lead the new settlement in Jamestown. In 1609, he set sail for Virginia on the Sea Venture. This ship was the main vessel in a group of nine ships called the Third Supply. This fleet was carrying new settlers and much-needed supplies to Jamestown.

Caught in a Hurricane

While at sea, a huge three-day hurricane hit the fleet. The Sea Venture was separated from the other ships. To save everyone on board, Sir George Somers, the fleet's admiral, bravely steered the ship onto some rocks. These rocks were part of a reef near an uninhabited group of islands, which we now call Bermuda. The other ships continued to Jamestown, not knowing what had happened to the Sea Venture.

Life on Bermuda

About 150 people survived the shipwreck. They spent the next ten months on Bermuda. During this time, they built two new ships named the Deliverance and the Patience. These ships would take them the rest of the way to Jamestown.

There was a disagreement between Gates and Somers about who was in charge. Gates believed he was the leader because he was appointed governor for Jamestown. Somers thought he was still in charge until they reached Jamestown.

Reaching Jamestown and Naming Bermuda

In 1610, the two new ships finally sailed for Virginia. They left a few men behind on Bermuda to claim the islands for England. Later, in 1612, the Virginia Company officially added Bermuda to its land claims.

Because of Sir George Somers' actions, Bermuda is also officially known as The Somers Isles. Sir Thomas Gates also left his mark on the islands. The place where the survivors landed is called Gates' Bay. The oldest fort in Bermuda, built between 1612 and 1615, is known as Gates' Fort. Many experts believe that Gates' experiences on Bermuda inspired William Shakespeare's famous play, The Tempest.

Before leaving Bermuda, Sir Thomas Gates put up a cross with a special message. It said they were thankful for surviving the storm and the shipwreck. It also explained that the Sea Venture was a 300-ton English ship heading to Virginia. It carried 150 people, including Sir Thomas Gates and Sir George Somers, who all made it to safety.

Leading the Virginia Colony

When Gates and his group finally reached Jamestown, they found a terrible situation. Only 60 of the 500 settlers who had been there were still alive after the winter of 1609–1610. This period was known as the "Starving Time". The colony was in such bad shape that Gates decided to leave and return to England on June 7, 1610.

A Timely Rescue

However, just as they were leaving, another fleet arrived. This fleet was led by Lord De La Warr, who brought more supplies and people. This arrival saved the colony from being abandoned. Gates' actions as governor were written down by his secretary, William Strachey, in a book called A True Reportory.

Relations with Native Americans

In 1613, Samuel Argall captured Pocahontas, a Native American princess. Gates was worried about what her father, Chief Powhatan, might do. So, he gave Pocahontas to Sir Thomas Dale. While she was held captive, Pocahontas met John Rolfe. She later became a Christian and took the name "Rebecca".

Building and Expanding the Colony

Gates did a lot to improve the colony. He built at least three new forts along the James River. He also oversaw the construction of blockhouses, a dock, and a governor's house. Gates also led his forces against the Powhatan people, defeating them in battle. While he was governor, Sir Thomas Dale established the first permanent English settlement outside of Jamestown, called Henricus.

When Gates returned to England, he was seen as a hero. This was good for the Virginia Company, which needed more investors. Gates strongly supported future trips to the New World. He warned leaders that the colonies needed proper supplies to succeed. In 1619, a new leader of the Virginia Company praised Gates for his "Wisdom, industry, and valour."

Sir Thomas Gates' Later Life and Death

Sir Thomas Gates passed away in the Netherlands sometime before September 7, 1622. A friend described him as "an ancient honest gentleman of this nation." Gates had five children: Thomas, Anthony, Margaret, Mary, and Elizabeth.

Key Moments in Sir Thomas Gates' Life

• 1585–1586: Thomas Gates traveled with Sir Francis Drake's fleet. They attacked Spanish towns and ports in the Caribbean and Florida.
• 1589: Gates edited and published a book about Drake's journey.
• 1591: He joined Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex, in France to support King Henry IV.
• June 1596: Gates participated in the English attack on the Spanish city of Cádiz. He was knighted for his bravery by the Earl of Essex.
• 1597: Sir Thomas Gates took part in an unsuccessful English attack on the Portuguese-held Azores islands.
• 1598: He was admitted to Gray's Inn, a famous law school in London.
• 1599: Gates began public service in Plymouth, England.
• 1606: King James I gave the Virginia Company a special paper to start colonies in North America. Gates met Sir Thomas Dale while serving in the Dutch army.
• 1608: Gates took a break from his army duties to prepare for a trip to Virginia.
• 1609: The King approved a new plan for the Virginia Company. Sir Thomas West, Lord De La Warr, was named governor. Gates was given secret instructions for leading the colony.
• June 2, 1609: Gates led the largest English fleet ever to sail west, heading to Virginia to save the struggling colony.
• July 24, 1609: A hurricane hit the fleet. The Sea Venture, carrying Gates, was badly damaged and separated from the others.
• Late August 1609: The other ships arrived in Jamestown, thinking the Sea Venture was lost. This caused problems in the colony.
• November 1609: Native American tribes surrounded Jamestown, leading to the "Starving Time."
• Winter 1609–1610: The shipwrecked crew of the Sea Venture built two new boats in Bermuda.
• February 28, 1610: Lord De La Warr was named governor, as everyone thought Gates was dead.
• March 1610: Gates had a man executed in Bermuda for trying to steal supplies and escape.
• May 21, 1610: Gates and the Sea Venture survivors arrived in Virginia.
• May 24, 1610: Gates issued the first rules for the Virginia colony. He found only 60 survivors in Jamestown and decided to leave for Newfoundland.
• June 8, 1610: As they were leaving, they met Lord De La Warr's ship, which brought supplies and new hope. They returned to Jamestown.
• June 10, 1610: Lord De La Warr arrived in Jamestown.
• June 12, 1610: Lord De La Warr confirmed Gates's rules and added his own.
• July 9, 1610: After a colonist was killed, Gates attacked a nearby Native American town.
• July 15, 1610: William Strachey finished writing about the Sea Venture shipwreck and the colony's condition.
• July 20, 1610: Sir Thomas Gates left Jamestown for England to encourage more support for the colony.
• November 1610: The Virginia Company published a report to get more investors.
• May 19, 1611: Sir Thomas Dale arrived in Jamestown and became acting governor.
• June 1611: Sir Thomas Dale led soldiers against the Nansemond Native Americans.
• June 22, 1611: Sir Thomas Dale issued military rules for his soldiers.
• August 1611: Sir Thomas Gates returned to Virginia with three ships, many people, and supplies.
• September 1611: Sir Thomas Dale established a new settlement called Henrico.
• December 1611: Gates's daughters returned to England. Their mother had died on the journey.
• April 1613: Samuel Argall captured Pocahontas, which helped end a war.
• March 1614: Sir Thomas Gates returned to England, leaving Sir Thomas Dale in charge.
• 1618: Gates received payment from the Netherlands for his time away in Virginia.
• November 1619: Sir Edwin Sandys praised Gates's "Wisdom, Industry, and Valour."
• 1620: Gates disagreed with the appointment of Sir George Yeardley as governor, thinking his policies were too soft.
• March–June 1620: Gates sold some of his shares in the Virginia Company.
• November 3, 1620: King James I appointed Gates to a council for a new project in New England.
• September 7, 1622: Sir Dudley Carleton wrote a letter announcing Gates's death in the Netherlands.
• June 13, 1623: Gates's son, Thomas, took over his father's estate.

Images for kids

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  Sir Thomas Gates

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  Signature of Thomas Gates