P
1607May
English colonists establish Jamestown on
Powhatan land.
In three ships, approximately 100 English arrive on
the coast of what is now Virginia. They are financed
by the Virginia Company, which was chartered by
James I to found a colony there. The crew estab-
lishes Jamestown, named after the English king, on
a site along what is now called the James River, in
the lands of the Powhatan Indians—a confederacy
of some 32 tribes, united by conquest under the
powerful leader Wahunsunacock, also known as
Powhatan.
Although Jamestown will become the first per-
manent English settlement in North America, the
settlement will be nearly abandoned after about
two-thirds of the colonists die during the first win-
ter. The undisciplined settlers will be so distracted
by the discovery of iron pyrite—fool’s gold, which
they take to be the real thing—that they neglect to
plant the crops needed for their survival. The survi-
vors are saved only by the arrival of ships carrying
more settlers and supplies in January 1608.
December
Pocahontas “rescues” John Smith.
While exploring the Chickahominy River, James-
town leader John Smith is taken captive by a band
of warriors. According to Smith’s 1624 account of
the incident, the Indians take him to their village
and treat him to a great feast in the presence of the
warriors’ chief, Powhatan. Powhatan then tells his
men to place two large blocks of stone before him
and force Smith to kneel down with his head on the
stone. As the warriors lift their clubs, Powhatan’s
11-year-old daughter hurls herself over the Eng-
lishman and pleads for his life. Powhatan stops the
execution and frees Smith.
Smith’s story will become one of the most
popular anecdotes in American history. If not
a complete fabrication, the tale is likely colored
by Smith’s lack of knowledge of Indian culture.
Rather than an execution, the event is most likely
an initiation ceremony, during which Pocahontas
symbolically saves Smith so he can be reborn as a
member of the Powhatan Confederacy. (See also en-
tries for APRIL 6, 1808, and for JUNE 1995.)“[I was] taken prisoner by the
power of Powhatan, their chief
King.... After some six weeks
fatting amongst those Saluage
Courtiers, at the minute of my
execution, [Pocahontas] haz-
arded the beating out of her
own brains to saue mine, and
not only that, but so prevailed
with her father, that I was safely
conducted to Jamestowne.”
—John Smith on his “rescue” in
Generall History of Virginia (1624)1608July 3Samuel de Champlain founds Quebec.
Samuel de Champlain (see entry for 1603) and a
crew of 28 Frenchmen sail up the St. Lawrence River
and found a settlement at Stadacona, the site of
present-day Quebec City. The future capital of New
France, the tiny settlement will rely on trade with
area Indians for its survival. Under Champlain, the
French learn to develop relationships with Indians
based on mutual need. In exchange for food, sup-
plies, and knowledge of how to thrive in their new
environment, the French offer the Indians coveted
European goods such as metal tools and guns. (See
also entries for SUMMER 1609, JUNE 1610, AUGUST
1615, and 1629.)