Wolstenholme Towne facts for kids

Wolstenholme Towne was an early English settlement in the Colony of Virginia. It was located about 7 miles (11 km) east of Jamestown, which was the main colonial capital. This town was one of the first English settlements in the New World.

Wolstenholme Towne existed for about four years. It was destroyed in 1622 during a major conflict with Native Americans. Later, in 1750, the Carter's Grove plantation was built on the same site. Today, the area is part of the Grove community in Virginia, United States.

Founding of Wolstenholme Towne

Wolstenholme Towne was started around 1618. It was part of a larger area called Martin's Hundred. This "hundred" was a type of large farm or settlement. The Virginia Company of London organized it.

The town began with about 40 settlers. It was named after Sir John Wolstenholme (1562-1639). He was one of the people who invested money to create the settlement. The homes were simple cabins. They were made from woven branches and mud, called wattle and daub, built on wooden posts. William Harwood was the governor of Wolstenholme Towne.

The 1622 Conflict and Destruction

On March 22, 1622, the Powhatan people, who were Native Americans, launched a series of attacks. These events are often called the "Indian massacre of 1622." However, some historians now believe these attacks were a response to earlier violent actions by the English colonists.

The Powhatan attacked English settlements along the James River all the way to Hampton Roads. They surprised the colonists in their homes and fields. They burned and looted the settlements. About 347 colonists were killed. This was about a quarter of Virginia's population at the time.

Martin's Hundred, where Wolstenholme Towne was located, was hit the hardest. More than 50 residents were recorded as dead. The exact number for Wolstenholme Towne alone is not known. Jamestown was saved because it received a warning at the last minute. After the attacks, most surviving settlers were moved to Jamestown. Wolstenholme Towne, like many other English settlements in the area, was completely abandoned.

Archaeological Discoveries Today

In the 20th century, archaeologists found the remains of Wolstenholme Towne. They also found Henricus, another settlement that was destroyed in the 1622 conflict. Wolstenholme Towne is located on the land of the Carter's Grove plantation. This area is in the Grove community of James City County.

A historian and author named Ivor Noel Hume wrote about the discoveries at Wolstenholme Towne. His work helped us understand more about this early English settlement.

In 2007, Halsey Minor, who founded CNET, bought Carter's Grove. He planned to live there and use the land for horse breeding. However, he faced financial problems and never lived in the mansion. The property later went into bankruptcy. Since then, efforts have been made to repair and restore Carter's Grove to its previous good condition.