"Lastly and chiefly the way to prosper and achieve good success is to make yourselves all of one mind for the good of your Country and your own, and to serve and fear God the Giver of all Goodiness, for every plantation which our Heavenly Father hath not planted shall be rooted out."

FROM: "Instructions given by way of advice . . . for the intended voyoge to Virginia" [1606]

INTRODUCTION

JAMESTOWN today is an island—the site of the first permanent English settlement in America and Capital of the Colony of Virginia for almost a century, 1607—98. It grew from the first settlement in 1607 into a town and then declined as the plantation system developed, scattering the population of the colony far and wide along the shores of the deep rivers. Jamestown was abandoned as the capital over two centuries ago, with the burning of the fourth statehouse in 1698. All attempts to force its development and to continue it as the chief town in Virginia had failed. Eventually, the town site became farm land and little remained above ground to show later generations that "James Citty" was once the principal town and center of government for Virginia.

This account of Jamestown is not an attempt to present a short history of the town. It is a presentation of excerpts and selections from records, laws, accounts, and descriptions made by men who lived in, or were associated with, "James Towne." Jamestown was a life and blood development; it was human, normal, and natural, with emergencies that tested the calibre of its men and leaders. Nothing makes this clearer than the documents themselves.

EDWARD M. RILEY
CHARLES E. HATCH, JR.

Colonial National Historical Park,
Yorktown, Virginia.
November 29, 1941.

Last Modified: Thurs, Sep 11 2003 10:00:00 pm PST source/5/sb5a.htm