Unexplained Events
Sandy
February 22, 2012
In 1587, a group of 117 people travelled from England to America. The goal was to begin the first settlement in America. Three years later, their whereabouts would be completely unknown. The mystery of the Lost Colony of Roanoke Island is one that still plagues America’s history. There are many theories as to what became of these men and women, but we will probably never have a certain answer.
Two explorers were the first to visit the island three years before the Roanoke Colony was established. Philip Amadas and Arthur Barlowe were sent by Sir Walter Raleigh to investigate possible locations to start settlements in America. They returned to England with favorable reports of the island, as well as two Native Americans from the area, Manteo and Wanchese. In 1585, a collective of 100 men, including soldiers and craftsmen, were sent to the island. This expedition was very unsuccessful for many reasons, such as ill-fated agriculture and tensions with the local Native Americans. By 1586, the men had abandoned the settlement. Raleigh proceeded to gather a group of 117 individuals to go to Roanoke Island for a second attempt at a settlement.
John White was the designated governor of this new colony. His then pregnant daughter, Eleanor Dare, as well as her husband, Annanias Dare, accompanied him on this journey. Eleanor gave birth to the first English child born in America, Virginia Dare, on August 18, 1587. Just ten days after Virginia was born, White had to return to England to gather more supplies.
Returning to Roanoke Island would become a more difficult endeavor then he expected, however. No one was willing to spare a ship when the English were prepared for an attack from the Spanish Armada. He was finally able to secure a ship and go back to the island in August of 1590. Though White was undoubtedly looking forward to reunification with his family, that was not what awaited him. White found the colony completely deserted, the only clue being the word “CROATOAN” carved into one of the surrounding trees. “CRO” was also carved into a tree near the settlement. White believed it was a message from the people of the colony, left there to help him find them. However, he was never afforded the chance to look further. The advent of a treacherous hurricane sent him back to England. Though he tried to return many more times, he could not accumulate enough money or resources to journey back to the settlement.
There are many theories regarding the fate of these colonists. Though the outlandish and improbable are numerous, some seem to be valid possibilities. In 1709, an explorer named John Lawson reported that in his time spent with the Hatteras Indians in North Carolina, he noted some who had white ancestors and could speak English. A few even had gray eyes, a feature not found in many Native Americans. The Hatteras Indians were descendants of the Croatoan Indians who resided near Roanoke Colony. This suggests that the colonists may have gone to live with the Croatoan Tribe after White’s departure. Other Native Americans who claimed to be descendent of the Roanoke colonists were the Pembrokes of North Carolina in the 1880s. Some of these Indians also displayed features like light eyes and hair.
Some historians now believe that the Roanoke colonists split up into two groups. They assert that the larger group went to the Chesapeake Bay, maybe even using maps that White made before leaving. John Smith spoke to Chief Powhatan at Jamestown and was given an account that supports this hypothesis. The Chief told him that some white people were living with the Chesapeake Indians nearby. Chief Powhatan did not enjoy the idea of white men encroaching in the area and so had the colonists murdered. He presented certain artifacts to back this account. Though some reports found their way to the Jamestown Colony that some of the Roanoke colonists were still living in surrounding areas, they were never able to find them.
The fate of these colonists remains, and may always remain, a mystery. Whether they were massacred, lived peacefully with neighboring Native Americans, or were the object of some other fate, the one thing that is certain is that scholars and history buffs will continue to search for answers that may never present themselves.
Works Cited:
Coastal Guide <http://www.coastalguide.com/packet/lostcolony-croatan.shtml>
Youtube “In Search Of…” part 1
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