Jamestown Fort and Colony

The settlers had strict instructions from the Virginia Company to locate a site that allowed access to deep water for shipping, provided a secure location against Spanish attack, and was not already occupied by the natives. The men chose a spot on a small peninsula between the York and James rivers that allowed excellent visibility to the sea and was defensible against native attacks as well. The site was not perfect, however, and was located on the fringe of a large swamp and was swarmed by disease carrying insects and poisonous snakes.

The men immediately set to erecting shelters and mapping the surrounding area. A church was the priority, both for services, and to hold meetings of the ruling council of 7. The English had no desire to run afoul of the natives so they left their weapons stacked on the ships and did not build a fort or wall around the colony. After a major attack by the natives that was only driven away because of cannon fire from the ships, the men set about building a triangular fort to defend the town. The men were not lazy and tried very hard to cultivate English wheat and some corn that had been bartered from the natives for beads and metal.

Most attempts failed and the first few years were exceedingly difficult for the colony. It is likely that the colony might have been completely abandoned if not for the successful cultivation of tobacco by John Rolfe. Tobacco cultivation will lead to the introduction of slavery to the colony. Jamestown will also serve as the colonial capitol of Virginia until a better and safer town could be constructed further inland at Williamsburg in the 18th century.

~Daily drill for soldiers at Jamestown

~Swampy ground that surrounds Jamestown

~Recreated church at Jamestown

~Artist rendering of the original fort at Jamestown

Farming was a difficult ordeal in the Jamestown area