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It took 144 days for the men of the Virginia Company of London to travel from England to North America on three ships called the Susan Constant, the Godspeed and the Discovery. The year was 1607, and their intention of this dangerous endeavor was not religious freedom but rather a business venture. When they arrived in May of that year, only one of the men had died on the journey of heat stroke. The remaining 104 men, including the infamous John Smith, arrived in what would become Jamestown, Virginia.

Jamestown was the first permanent English settlement, after a mysterious failure of the Roanoke Colony in what would become North Carolina. The location made sense as a protected located from passing Spanish ships, but it was a disastrous decision due to the swamp waters, the summer heat and neighboring Powhatan Confederacy. The settlement was also being founded by "gentlemen" who were excellent businessmen, but terrible farmers. Because of the brackish water, poor food supply and an unexpected drought, the men of Jamestown quickly faced famine, disease and death.

By September of 1608, John Smith has established himself as a clear leader with his "no work, no food" policy. Surrounded by over 14,000 Powhatans, Smith soon realized it was necessary to trade with the tribe in order to survive. It is also during these meetings John Smith met Pocahontas, who was approximately 12 years old, and her father Chief Powhatan. Chief Powhatan, also known as Wahunsunacock, was a powerful man in the region amongst the Algonquian-speaking people, which reached from North Carolina to Maine.

In fall of 1609, John Smith was injured in a gunpowder accident and returned to England. He never returned to Jamestown, but published his view of his Jamestown experience in 1631, leaving invaluable information for historians. After his departure, Jamestown struggled during what became known as the "starving time". Between 1609 and 1610, the population of the settlement went from 500 to 60. Without his leadership, tensions between the English and Powhatans became strained. Between warfare, starvation and disease, the settlement was almost abandoned in 1610. It was then another arrival of colonists and supplies arrived. A new government was established, and stability finally arrived at Jamestown.

Since this was a business venture, the settlement desperately needed to make a profit. Glassmaking, wood production and pitch and tar manufacturing were all attempted, but it wasn't until John Rolfe began harvesting tobacco that the community finally began to turn a profit. Rolfe eventually married Pocahontas, who was also known as "Matoaka" (Playful One) in her Native language and "Rebecca" in her Christian faith. She died at a young age in Gravesend, England of what was thought to either tuberculosis, pneumonia or possibly smallpox. Before her death, she gave birth to a son named Thomas. Her descendants still live in England today.

In 2007, Jamestown Settlement celebrated it's 400th anniversary. The celebration included Queen Elizabeth II, as well as members of Virginia's Native tribes, including the Pamunkey, Mattoponi, Chickahominy, Monacan, Rappahonnock and Nansemond.

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