The Lost Colony of Roanoke - settlement and disappearance

Summary

The script recounts the ill-fated expedition to the New World, where Sir Walter Raleigh and John White attempted to establish a civilian colony on Roanoke Island. Despite initial hopes, the colony faced hostility from local Native Americans, leading to a colonist's murder and the eventual abandonment of the settlement. John White's return to England for supplies was thwarted by the Spanish Armada, leaving the colony isolated. His subsequent return to Roanoke in 1590 found only the word 'Croatoan' carved into a tree, with the colony's fate remaining a mystery. Evidence suggests the colonists may have integrated with local tribes or moved inland, highlighting the impact of small historical events on larger outcomes.

Takeaways

• 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Sir Walter Raleigh and John White decided to send civilians, including families, to establish a settlement in the New World instead of soldiers.
• 🚢 The colonists were supposed to sail to the Chesapeake Bay but were forced to stay at Roanoke Island due to unfavorable weather conditions.
• 🤝 The colonists hoped to live in peace with the Secotans, a Native American tribe, but tensions arose, leading to the murder of an English colonist.
• 🌊 Weather and a silver cup incident were significant factors that hindered the success of the Roanoke Colony.
• 🛳 John White, who had become the governor of the colony, had to return to England for supplies but was delayed by the Spanish Armada.
• 🏡 Upon his return to Roanoke in 1590, White found the colony abandoned with only the word 'Croatoan' carved into a tree as a clue.
• 🤔 The fate of the 'Lost Colony of Roanoke' remains a mystery, but there are theories and evidence suggesting possible outcomes.
• 🔍 Archaeological findings, such as English Border ware near Merry Hill, North Carolina, provide clues that some colonists may have lived there.
• 🔥 Signals of fires along the coast and later accounts of English coins among Native Americans suggest intermarriage and integration with the Croatoans.
• 🗣️ John Smith of the Jamestown Colony learned of white people living peacefully among Native Americans until a massacre by the Powhatans.
• 👶 The colonists included John White's own family, adding a personal and emotional aspect to the story of the Lost Colony.

Q & A

What was the purpose of Sir Walter Raleigh and John White's third expedition to the New World?

The purpose was to establish a colony and settlement in the New World by sending civilians, including families, as opposed to just soldiers.

Why did the English colonists choose to send families to the New World instead of soldiers?

They believed that civilians would be better suited for establishing a long-term settlement and would foster a more peaceful coexistence with the native populations.

What was the original plan for the location of the new English settlement?

The original plan was to sail to the Chesapeake Bay, but due to unfavorable weather conditions, they were unable to go farther than Roanoke Island.

Why did the Native Americans, specifically the Secotans, become distrustful of the English colonists?

The Secotans became distrustful after an English colonist was murdered, possibly by a Secotan, due to tensions over food scarcity and the English colonists' intention to stay permanently.

What was the significance of the silver cup in the narrative of the Roanoke Colony?

The silver cup represents a potential point of conflict between the English colonists and the Native Americans, possibly over its theft, which could have led to a more violent relationship.

Why was John White unable to return to the New World immediately after leaving the Roanoke Colony?

John White was unable to return immediately because all English shipping was cut off due to the threat of the Spanish Armada, preventing any ships from being sent to aid the colonists.

What did John White find upon his return to Roanoke Island in 1590?

Upon his return, John White found the settlement completely abandoned with the word 'Croatoan' carved into a tree, indicating that the colonists may have joined or moved towards the Croatoan tribe.

Why was John White unable to visit the Croatoan tribe to find out what happened to the colonists?

Another storm hit, forcing John White to leave Roanoke Island and return to England without being able to visit the Croatoan tribe or find his family and the other colonists.

What evidence suggests that some of the Roanoke colonists may have intermarried with the Croatoans?

Evidence includes fires seen along the coast by John White, which could have been signals from the colonists, and later accounts of people in the region claiming to have white ancestors with English coins.

What is the archaeological evidence suggesting that some of the Roanoke colonists may have lived in Merry Hill, North Carolina?

An archaeological dig in Merry Hill found English Border ware, which was only made during the time period before the colonists left, indicating that some of them likely lived in that area.

How does the story of the Lost Colony at Roanoke highlight the impact of small historical events on larger outcomes?

The story shows that even minor events, such as the theft of a silver cup, can escalate tensions and lead to significant historical consequences, potentially altering the course of colonization in the New World.