Slavery

In 1607, Jamestown was established as the first permanent English colony in the "New World." The purpose of Jamestown was to make money. In the beginning, the colony wasn’t fulfilling its purpose. However, due to the efforts of John Rolfe in 1611, tobacco became a major crop in the new colony.

Now that they had there cash crop, a better and larger labor force was needed. In 1619 Dutch traders brought a small amount of African slaves to Jamestown (The thought is somewhere around 20 slaves). These first slaves were treated more as indentured servants (they signed a contract and worked for around 7years) and a number of them actually won their freedom either by fulfilling their contract or by converting to Christianity. Some successful Africans even bought slaves or had contracts with indentured servants. However, over time from one law to another, from one colony to another the African indentured servants were soon enslaved and no longer would be free even if they were Christian.

 Even though there were now Africans in the new colony, it wasn’t until the 1680s that African slavery was the dominant labor force. This is because they were no longer treated as indentured students also because tobacco had become more prosperous.

Brook 

Natural Resources and Religion

                              Natural Resources and Religion and  in Early Virginia

         On March 13, 1607, the Virginia Colony was established. (Jamestown)  104 men landed in the “New World” to create their first permanent settlement in North America.

         The colonists heavily depended on their natural resources to survive.  The main natural resources were water, trees, animals, and soil.  The colonists used water for drinking and transportation.  It wasn’t hard to find water; although it wasn’t always clean. The bay was clear and was filled with nutrients and food.  They would gather oysters and fish for food.  Trees were used to build their fort and to make shelter and furniture.  Hunting animals was another food resource.  The colonists hunted animals, like deer and squirrels.  Soil was important because it gave nutrients to crops.  Also, tobacco was grown in their soil, which they made a huge amount of money with. 

         Religion in early Virginia was based on the Anglican Church in England.  This religion came about because people wanted to make their own choices, they didn’t want a Pope to rule over their people.

         The Anglican Church of England was the established church of the colony.  The English believed it was their duty to spread their religion and to convert people to Protestant Christianity.  In the VA Charter, it said that one reason why they wanted to establish a colony in North America was to spread their Christian religion. 

         Attending church everyday was mandatory.  Services were held fourteen times a week.  If a settler failed to attend one service, it would cost him his serving of food for the day.  If a settler rarely went to church, he could be sentenced to death. 

         Later, the colonists assembled a cross and gave thanks to a safe journey on a point they named Cape Henry.  Later on that year, the settler built their first real church building, went it burnt down, they built another one that looked very similar.

        

Jackie

Family Life and Relationship with Native Americans

           The Virginia Colony existed between 1607 and 1776. During that period, the colony went through a series of changes in both denomination and power, but the lifestyle of those living there remain basically the same for those 70 years.

 Life was difficult for everybody living in the Virginia Colony, this was especially true for women, who married young (16 was a popular age for marriage) and had an average of eight children. Childbirth was one of the main causes of death for women as well, as there were no drugs to stop bleeding and most births were attended by midwives or even family members rather than doctors. Once married, women usually spent their lives caring for their families and preparing or storing food for the winter. Medical Care was a big problem in 1607. Doctors started using leeches and herbs for medicine.

Some benefits of the virginia colony are that the living in the colony included folk-music and reading as the main forms of entertainment. Cider and Whiskey are the most common drinks of the colony. The people that lived in the colony did have much to survive. The familes had to go out and catch there own food or either grow it in a garden.

The road systems in the Virginia Colony and its surroundings were poorly developed. When these families needed to travel they would use a horse or walk on there feet. They tried to avoid this during the winter if possible. Most people traveled by boat If the trip was really long.

Basicly ever thing that was used In the daily life was manufactured at there house. For example candles, clothing, all metal and wood artifacts for home and farms and even the school supplies. Silver and iron were used the most in the virginia colony. Silver and Iron were mainly used for making dinner dishes.

When the colonists came to virgina on december 20, 1606 there were thousands of native americans living in a land that they called “Pamahsawuh”. The indians lived with nature and adapted their lifestyles to their surroundings and the seasons. Each tribe spoke a different language . The tribes in the virginia in the 17^th century used natural resources to obtain food, clothing, and shelter throughout the year. Hunting, fishing and gathering were the indians' major sources of food. Each tribe had its own chief who would govern the village and tribe accordingly.

Kyle 

Virginia Colony Class project

   Our 9th grade history class has been assigned a group project to research about a colony. The only instructions were to each pick a subject or two about a colony, research it and each write a paper about our subjects.  Our group picked the Virginia colony and we each researched two subjects. Since there weren't any requirements about how to present this project to the class, we decided to come up with something different. Instead of a skit, a powerpoint or just reciting or knowledge we decided to make a website so that everyone can learn about the Virginia colony. This is the closest thing to that. We plan on posting our papers and adding a few extra things for fun! Enjoy our information of the early americas!
~Green Eyes Group