by Shelly Barclay

Created on: May 09, 2009   Last Updated: September 30, 2010

The Roanoke Colony was the first English settlement in America and it vanished along with everyone in it. The mystery of the lost colony of Roanoke Island has baffled society for hundreds of years. A group of settlers disappeared into North America with hardly a trace and no one has seen concrete evidence of their existence in centuries. Many theories have arisen over the years as to the fate of these settlers, but nothing is certain.

After hearing news of a lush, beautiful area in the Americas, Queen Elizabeth I, of England, decides to name this new place Virginia. Subsequently, she gives Sir Walter Raleigh permission to establish a colony in the area. He was to finance and plan the expedition to what is now North Carolina. Raleigh has 10 years to complete this mission.

In 1585, an expedition comprised only of around 77 men was sent to start the colony. They were led by Sir Richard Grenville. Shortly after their arrival, the men begin to suspect that local Indians have stolen a silver cup from them. In retaliation, they destroy their village and burn the chief alive. Despite the obvious discourse with the natives, Grenville decides to leave the men there to build the proposed colony. He vows to return in April of 1586.

When April passes and there is no sign of Grenville the men decide to hitch a ride home with Sir Francis Drake. Drake had stopped at the colony on his way back from a successful voyage to the Caribbean. Ironically, Grenville arrived shortly thereafter. After finding the settlement empty, he decides to leave 15 men there to protect England's claim.

The second group of settlers is charged with finding the 15 men left by Grenville and then they are to move further north to settle at Roanoke Island. They find no trace of the 15 men. It is believed that these men were killed by natives, but a local tribe informs them that nine have survived. They supposedly went up-shore in their boat. Whatever the case, they were never heard from again. The settlers arrive at Roanoke Island on July 22, 1587. This group contains 117 people, both men and women. They are led by John White. John White's daughter would give birth to the first English child born in America on August 18, 1587. The child's name was Virginia Dare. These people would later become known as "The Lost Colony of Roanoke Island."

The settlers built their colony and tried to make peace with the natives. They were successful in befriending the Croatoan tribe, but other tribes were openly hostile

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