Comparing/Contrasting New England and Tidewater Colonies Grade Level: 8th Grade Duration: 3-88 minute classes Focus Question: What were some of the hardships that 17th century people faced in the New England and Jamestown Colonies?

John Smith’s Chesapeake Voyages 1607-1609

Indian women cultivated several fields each year, staggering the planting across a three-month period. Most fields were a year or two old while other were newly cleared by the men. The women hd learned, from centuries of trial and error, where the best soils were for producing corn (a non-native plant) in eastern North America’s less-then-perfect climate. Such soils were ideally naturally fertile hough in reality they were confined to the alluvium of the floodplains of the James, york and Rappahannock rivers. Otherwise the favored soils were level or nearly so, fine-grained but easy to till, well drained but not too dry and possessing a low winter water table, a characteristic that allowed them to warm up quickly in the spring.

Abandoned fields, in various stages of regrowth, proveded a great varioety of wild foods. On newly fallow plots grew not only cordage plants but also many deible greens like wild plantains and wil lettece (all of which most people considered weeds today). Some meadows grew grain producing little barley, and ground into flour for bread. The old fields would begin to sprout the low thorny bushes that produce rasperries, blackberries and the like. These fruits would attract berry loving animals such as raccoons and opossums, which could be hunted. Thus, ‘abandoned; fields were not really abandoned by people once they ceased to be cultivated.

Men provied the deer carcasses and carcasses of wild turkeys and other fowl and anmls that yielded meat for the stewpot, hides for clothing and bones for tool making. (pg 47)
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Planting began in the spring. With gratefulness for the gifts from Mother Earth, the Wampanoag caught fish called herring as they ran up the rivers and used them to help fertilize the planting lands. Corn seeds were put into soft earth mounds covering the herring. Around the time the corn plants were the height of a human hand, it was time to plant the beans and squashes (including pumpkins) around the base of the corn. As the corn grew, the beans climbed and wound around the corn stalks. Since the 1600s, we have discovered that beans add nitrogen, an important nutrient the corn uses up, to the soil. It is clear to Wampanoag people that their grandparents followed the Creator’s instructions for growing these plants together. Melons, smaller versions of modern watermelons, were part of the Wampanoag gardens and offered a sweet treat. As the squash and melon leaves grew large enough, they helped to keep the weeds down and the ground moist around the mounds during the warmest time of year.

The colonists at Plymouth called their town a “plantation,” a word that comes from the word “plant.” Farming was a major part of the Pilgrims’ lives. They grew crops in large open fields. Women planted and tended vegetables and herbs in small gardens behind their houses. Because many of them had come from cities or towns in England with markets, many of the colonists had never farmed or gardened before coming to Plymouth. They were learning to feed themselves.

In the minds of English people, the perfect diet was one of meat or fish, bread or grain-based porridges, and beer. Dairy products and vegetables were eaten but were not considered essential for health. In England, however, only wealthy people could afford to eat in this way. Poorer families ate meals of vegetables, dairy products and, when they could afford them, meat. Since hunting and trapping were the privileges of landowners, wildfowl (like turkeys) and game (like deer) were not a major part of the common person’s diet.

In Plymouth Colony, however, the colonists’ diet was more varied. In New England, supplies of fish and shellfish were plentiful. Without hunting restrictions, deer, wild fowl, rabbits and other small animals were available to anyone who wanted to hunt them. The Pilgrims also brought farm animals with them, including pigs, chickens, goats, and later, sheep and cows. These animals provided meat, eggs and dairy products for the colonists

Center #4: Climate/Weather

John Smith’s Chesapeake Voyage 1607-1609

The region’s climate reflected major world patterns. After a “medieval warm period” characterized by somewhat dryer and warmer conditions that the present, with resultant wildfires, the weather reversed itself and turned somewhat colder than modern conditions in the Northern Hemisphere. This “Little Ice Age” extended from the 1400’s through the 1700’s with repercussions on both sides of the Atlantic.

Ironically for both Native Americans and English, the mid-Atlantic region was less hospitable than usual when Europeans came calling Tree Ring Analysis suggests that multiyear droughts were in progress during the first three colonizing efforts: 1570 (Spanish on the York River), 1585-87 (English on the Outer Banks), and 1608-12 (English at Jamestown). When these ill-supplied colonies started trying to secure food from the native people already suffering from the drought, the result was disaster. (page 3)

The Mayflower remained in New England with the colonists throughout the terrible first winter. Although the ship was cold, damp and unheated, it did provide a defense against the rigorous New England winter until houses could be completed ashore. Nevertheless, exposure, malnutrition and illness led to the death of half the group, both passengers and crewmen. There were four deaths (and one birth - Peregrine White) during the month they spent at the tip of Cape Cod. The remainder of the winter saw the deaths of another 40 or 41 colonists. At the lowest ebb, only seven people were healthy enough to tend the sick. On January 14, a fire destroyed the thatched roof on their first structure or "rendezvous" but fortunately none of the sick people that lay within were hurt. A second fire a month later was put out without incident. Despite all of the tragedies and hardships, the Pilgrims persevered in building their new settlement. The Village street was laid out with two rows of plots for their houses and gardens. A platform was erected on the top of the hill above the village, and six cannon installed for defense.

The colonists had observed Native Americans near the settlement in mid-February, but it wasn't until Friday, March 16, that the two peoples actually met. It was then that the famous encounter occurred when Samoset, an Abenaki Sagamore from what is now Maine, and another man entered the little village and said "Welcome, Englishmen." Samoset had learned English from the English fishermen who crossed the North Atlantic each year to fish for cod. He told the Pilgrims of the great plague which had killed all of the Patuxet people who had previously occupied the cleared farmland where the new colony sat, and of the ill-feeling the local Native Americans had towards the English following some kidnapping by Thomas Hunt, an English captain who had visited the area a few years before. During Samoset's visit, the colonists were busy planting their garden seeds.

On March 22nd, Samoset returned with another Native American, Squanto, who was one of the men who had been captured by Hunt. His adventures abroad, from slavery in Spain, escape to London and return to America as a guide in the employ of Sir Ferdinando Gorges, had taught him well about the ways of the Europeans. Squanto, or Tisquantum, became the little colony's chief interpreter and agent in their interaction with the Native Peoples. His arrival paved the way for a visitation by Massasoit, the regional leader among the native people, the Wampanoag. After an exchange of greetings and gifts, the two peoples signed a treaty of peace which would last over fifty years.

North Carolina). On the last voyage, John White could not locate the

“lost” settlers.

1603 Queen Elizabeth I died; James VI of Scotland became James I of

England.
Early Settlement Years

establish colonies in Virginia. The charter named two branches of the

Company, the Virginia Company of London and the Virginia Company

of Plymouth.

London with 105 men and boys to establish a colony in Virginia

between 34 and 41 degrees latitude.

1607, April 26 The three ships sighted the land of Virginia, landed at Cape Henry

(present day Virginia Beach) and were attacked by Indians. Back on

board, Captain Christopher Newport opened the box containing the

names of the seven-man council – Captain Christopher Newport,

Edward Maria Wingfield, Captain Bartholomew Gosnold, Captain John

Ratcliffe, Captain John Martin, Captain George Kendall, and John

Smith. Wingfield was elected president of the council.

A few days later they moved into the James River and stopped at

Kecoughtan (present day Hampton) where the Indians welcomed them.

1607, May 1-14 Exploring parties sailed up the James River in search of a suitable place

to settle, following the instructions given to them by Company officials in

London.

1607, May 13-14 On May 13 the colonists chose Jamestown Island as the site for

settlement, because it met the London Company’s instructions and it

had a deep river channel nearby. On May 14 they stepped ashore and

began fortifying the area against Spaniards and Indians.

group of 23 men, including John Smith, George Percy, and Gabriel

Archer on an exploration up the James River. They discovered rocks

and shoals in the area of present-day Richmond. They met Powhatan

Indians who were eager to trade and enjoyed their hospitality. They

learned of the existence of Chief Powhatan.

experiencing an Indian attack. This second fort has been described as

triangular with a bulwark at each corner containing four or five pieces of

ordinance.

under a sail used for protection.

Constant, loaded with wood and other natural resources for sale in

English markets.

1607, September Charges were brought against Edward Maria Wingfield, president of

the Jamestown council. He was deposed and replaced by John

Ratcliffe.

1607, Fall Over half the colonists died, most from disease and starvation, a few

from wounds caused by Indians.

captured by a Powhatan hunting party and eventually taken before

Chief Powhatan, who by this time had become chief of about 32

Tidewater Virginia tribes. During this encounter, Smith thought

Powhatan threatened his life, and Powhatan’s daughter, Pocahontas,

saved his life. Many historians today believe that Smith was part of test

of superiority.

1608, January 2 John Smith was released by Powhatan and returned to Jamestown.

Captain Christopher Newport arrived with the first Jamestown resupply

including provisions and more men. They found 38 settlers

remaining at Jamestown.

repairs had begun.

Smith took Newport to Werowocomoco on the York River to meet

Powhatan. Chief Powhatan pronounced the English to be his people.

Thirteen-year old Thomas Savage was presented to Powhatan, and in

return, Powhatan gave the English his servant, Namontack. The English

traded copper and tools for corn.

1608, June John Smith left Jamestown to explore the Chesapeake Bay, meeting

Indian groups along the way and mapping the bay and its tributary

rivers.

1608, September 10 Smith was elected to be president of the Virginia Council. He

established a set of rules, one of which required men to work if they

wanted to eat.

1608, September / October Christopher Newport arrived in Virginia with the second re-supply of

goods and settlers, including the first two women, Mistress Forrest and

her maid, Ann Burras.

1608, Fall Ann Burras and John Laydon, laborer, were married. This was the first

English marriage at Jamestown.

dug, the church re-roofed, 20 cabins built, a blockhouse built at the

isthmus, and a new fort erected across the river from Jamestown.

Leadership adopted a more aggressive policy towards the Powhatan

people.

1609, Spring Due to a shortage of food resources, John Smith scattered the settlers

to get oysters and other foods.

women and children arrived tired and hungry. Their flagship, Sea

Venture, carrying acting governor Sir Thomas Gates and other newly

appointed colonial leaders, had shipwrecked in Bermuda.

England in October, never to return to the Chesapeake area of Virginia.

Virginia shrank from about 300 to 90 (60 left at Jamestown). The

Powhatan Indians placed the settlement under siege at this time. The

siege warfare lasted about four years.

Venture arrived at Jamestown from Bermuda. He found the fort in

ruins and the remaining 60 colonists there “famished at the point of

death.” Thirty others at Point Comfort fared much better. Gates

established martial law to maintain order.

1610, June Due to lack of supplies, Gates decided to abandon the settlement at

Jamestown and return to England. While sailing down the James River

he heard that Lord de la Warr was arriving with new settlers and

supplies from England.

code of laws established by Gates. These became known as “Lawes

Divine, Morall, and Martiall.” He rebuilt the triangular palisade, with a

marketplace, storehouse and chapel occupying the interior.

Chickahominy and Paspahegh villages, killing the wife of the Paspahegh

chief and her children.

1610-1611 John Rolfe, who arrived with the group from Bermuda, began

experimenting with tobacco seeds he somehow acquired from the West

Indies. He tried to find a tobacco more pleasing to English tastes than

the bitter native tobacco that the Powhatans grew.

Bohun, who experimented with New World plants and herbs. George

Percy was left in charge in Virginia.

1611, May Sir Thomas Dale arrived in Virginia to assume leadership as deputy

governor. With him were 300 new settlers and soldiers, as well as

provisions, supplies, livestock and seeds to grow garden crops. He

strengthened the rule of martial law.

Dale then went with workmen to build a new settlement at Henrico,

near the fall line (present day Richmond), marking the beginning of

expansion away from Jamestown. A settlement at Kecoughtan (later

Elizabeth City / Hampton) also was established as settlers sought

healthier places to live.

kidnapped Pocahontas and brought her to Jamestown, hoping her

father, Powhatan, would return stolen English settlers, tools and

weapons. When her father did not fully comply, Pocahontas was sent

to Henrico under the care of the Reverend Alexander Whitaker.

1613 The fourth Virginia Company “city” was established at Bermuda

Hundred (later Charles City), following Jamestown, Henrico, and

Kecoughtan.

Pocahontas was baptized and given the Christian name Rebecca. In

April, she married John Rolfe, probably at Jamestown. Peaceful

relations were established temporarily between the Powhatan Indians

and the English.

Plymouth Time Line

from the New England Company