Jamestown, Virginia

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Jamestown, Virginia
Historic site
Coordinates:
Country	United States
State	Virginia
Established	May 14, 1607
Founded by	Virginia Company
Named for	James I of England
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
Area code(s)	757

Jamestown was the first permanent English settlement in the Americas, established by the Virginia Company on May 14, 1607. It served as the capital of the Colony of Virginia for 83 years, from 1616 until 1699.

History

Founding

Jamestown was founded by the Virginia Company of London as "James Fort" on May 14, 1607, and was considered permanent after a brief abandonment in 1610. The settlement was located within the territory of the Powhatan Confederacy, and its early years were marked by severe hardships, including starvation, disease, and conflict with the indigenous peoples.

Starving Time

The winter of 1609-1610, known as the Starving Time, was particularly devastating for the settlers. Of the 500 colonists living in Jamestown in the autumn, only 60 survived to the spring. The survivors were on the verge of abandoning the colony when new settlers and supplies arrived from England.

Tobacco Economy

The introduction of tobacco as a cash crop by John Rolfe in 1612 transformed the economy of Jamestown and the surrounding areas. Tobacco cultivation required large tracts of land and a significant labor force, leading to the importation of indentured servants and later, enslaved Africans.

Bacon's Rebellion

In 1676, Jamestown was the site of Bacon's Rebellion, an armed rebellion led by Nathaniel Bacon against the rule of Governor William Berkeley. The rebellion was fueled by grievances over land policies and relations with Native American tribes. The town was burned during the conflict but was later rebuilt.

Relocation of the Capital

In 1699, the capital of the Colony of Virginia was moved from Jamestown to Williamsburg, due to the latter's more central location and healthier environment.

Archaeology and Preservation

The site of Jamestown is now part of the Colonial National Historical Park, which includes the Historic Jamestowne and the Jamestown Settlement living-history museum. Ongoing archaeological work has uncovered numerous artifacts and structures, providing valuable insights into the early years of the colony.

See also

• Colonial Williamsburg
• First Anglo-Powhatan War
• John Smith (explorer)
• Pocahontas
• Virginia Company