Roanoke Colony

When most people think of the beginning of North America they think of the first successful settlement, Jamestown, but this was not the actual first attempt in the New World. The settlement at Roanoke was the first attempt to colonize the New World in 1587. The colony on the island Roanoke is often referred to as the “Lost Colony” because of its unusual disappearance. The disappearance of the colony Roanoke, is one of the most significant events known to archeologist, historians, explorers and enthusiasts as America’s longest ongoing historical mystery. The colony of Roanoke Island had shaped the foundation of North America with the first American born, helped the English learn from their mistakes by successfully creating a settlement and became

The English had come more prepared and well aware of what they were stepping into, they brought provisions and supplies, even though they struggled. It was not until the Jamestown settlement was established in 1607, a full twenty years after John White bade farewell to his colonists, that the next serious attempts where undertaken by the English to find out what happened to the colony in 1587 (Fullam 128). In early 1609, the Royal Council in England received shocking news from Jamestown that Wahunsunacock, Chief Powhatan, had slaughter the 1587 colonist (Fullman 155). Unfortunately, the Powhatan’s cooperation was necessary for the success of the colony (Fullman 157). But 1608, a letter from John Smith was delivered to the Royal Council with evidence that the Powhatan Indians weren’t connected to the Lost Colony. Smith was a very talented leader, but that moment was one of his falls backs, like when his gunpowder mishap caused him to return England in 1609, but his absence demonstrated how important he really was to Jamestown. Following his departure, Jamestown nearly collapsed but when the shipwrecked Sea Venture arrived in May of 1610, Jamestown was back on their feet (Fullam

5). The search began with neighboring Indian reports about Europeans living in various locations, yet no survivors surfaced, making the whereabouts of the colonists one of America’s greatest mysteries. Enthusiasts, archeologists, and other investigators have all given their opinions on the disappearance of the colony; selling hundreds of books and publishing thousands of websites each with their own perspectives. Many believed that the colony had allied with the neighboring Croatoan tribe and used the word Croatoan to signal to returning John White where they had disappeared to, while other’s believed they had moved and settled with the Tuscaroran tribe. Later generations of the tribesmen had gray eyes, thought to be an outcome of genetic exchange between the Englishmen and the Tuscarorans (Fullam 217).
For hundreds of years, the disappearance of the colony of Roanoke Island has been an impactful mystery and controversial issue. Many theories exist that could explain the disappearance of the colony, yet no one knows the true answer. The lost colony of Roanoke is one of the most significant events in American history and one of the most famous historical