Jamestown, Virginia

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

[[File:_or_Image:namespace)_-->|thumb|_or_Image:namespace)_-->]]

Jamestown_Island_(1958_base_map)
Marsh_-_Colonial_National_Historical_Park_(Robin_Baranowski,_NPS_Photo)_(8426448355)
Page_445
Graveyard_at_Jamestowne_Historic_National_Park_-_Sarah_Stierch
Jamestown_Virginia_ruin
Detroit_Photographic_Company_(0845)

Historic site in Virginia, USA


Jamestown, Virginia
General Information
Name Jamestown, Virginia
Native Name
Other Names
Settlement Type Historic site
Transliteration
Language 1
Type 1
Info 1
Location
Coordinates
   
       37°12 
       35°N
   
Map 250px
Population
Total
Density per km²
Area
Total km²
Land km²
Water km²
Government
Type
Leader
Time Zone
Standard UTC-5
DST UTC-4


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[edit | edit source]

Founding[edit | edit source]

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[edit | edit source]

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[edit | edit source]

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[edit | edit source]

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[edit | edit source]

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[edit | edit source]

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[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

External links[edit | edit source]

WikiMD
Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD

Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Let Food Be Thy Medicine
Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates

Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD