Tobacco brides facts for kids

In 1619, a special group of young women traveled from England to Jamestown, Virginia. Their goal was to become wives for the men living in the new colony. These women are often called "tobacco brides." This was because the men who wanted to marry them paid for their travel to America using tobacco. Each woman's journey cost about 150 pounds of tobacco.

The first group included 90 young women. All of them found husbands in Jamestown. The youngest, Jane Dier, was only 15 or 16 years old when she left England. One of the older women, Alice Burges, was 28. Many of these women had lost their fathers. While they could usually say no to a marriage proposal, some were sent to America when they were very young. They were promised free travel and a special collection of clothes and household items called a trousseau. Many of these women hoped to escape difficulties in England. However, life in America was also very challenging. Between 1619 and 1622, the Virginia Company brought 144 tobacco brides to Jamestown. Sadly, only 35 of them survived their first six years in the new land.

Who Were the Tobacco Brides?

The women who came to Jamestown in the early 1600s were known by several names. They were called "tobacco brides" because tobacco was used to pay for their journey. They were also sometimes known as "King's daughters," "Casket girls," or "Jamestown brides." These names all refer to the same brave women who traveled across the ocean.

Why Did They Go to Jamestown?

Jamestown was one of the first English settlements in America. It was mostly made up of men. The leaders of the colony realized that for Jamestown to grow and become a real home, more women were needed. They wanted to create families and build a stable community. So, they arranged for young women to travel from England to become wives. This was seen as a way to help the colony thrive.

The Cost of a New Life

The journey from England to America was long and expensive. The Virginia Company, which organized the trips, needed to cover these costs. Instead of money, the men in Jamestown paid for the women's passage with tobacco. Tobacco was a very valuable crop in the colony. It was like a form of currency. The 150 pounds of tobacco covered the ship fare and other expenses for each woman.

Challenges in the New World

Life in early Jamestown was very difficult. The colonists faced many dangers. These included new diseases, harsh weather, and struggles to find enough food. The tobacco brides, like all settlers, had to adapt to these tough conditions. They worked hard to build new lives and families in a wild and unfamiliar land. Their courage helped Jamestown grow into a lasting settlement.