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Jamestown is Founded in America
After five months at sea, three ships led by Captain Christopher Newport reach Cape Henry on the Virginia coast. The Susan Constant, the Discovery, and the Godspeed, later move up the James River for forty miles till they stop on Jamestown Island. -
marriage of Pocahontas to John Rolfe
The history of Jamestown continues with the marriage of Pocahontas to John Rolfe, who would bring tobacco seeds to the colony and begin its harvesting this year. Their marriage led to eight years of peace among the colonists and Indians. -
First Tobacco Crop Planted
Tobacco saved the Jamestown colony and opened the door to future British settlement. The struggling colony had been unable to find a means of wealth by which to support themselves. Tobacco was planted by John Rolfe in the colony, and soon became a large-scale export to European countries. The wealth of tobacco also brought more colonists to the area and replenished the population. -
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Smallpox
Smallpox epidemic wipes out 90% of the Native Americans in the Massachusetts Bay area. -
Pequot War begins
Pequot War begins between Pequot tribe and their alliance against the Massachusetts, Plymouth, and Saybrook colonies. -
Harvard College is founded in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Harvard College is founded in Cambridge, Massachusetts. -
Treaty of Hartford (Ending of Pequot war)
War ended on September 21, 1638 with the Treaty of Hartford. Only two hundred Pequot tribe members remained. -
The Bay Psalm Book
The first book is printed in North America, the Bay Psalm Book. -
King Philip's War begins
Beginning of King Philip's War in New England with Metacom Indian forces attacking colonial settlements due to encroachment on the land. Considered the costliest war for European Settlements in relation to population with Indian success during first year halted later when their alliances fell apart. Twelve towns destroyed. -
King Philip's War ends
Plymouth colony troops and allies under Captain Benjamin Church and Captain Josiah Standish track King Philip, Metacomet, and kill the chief at Mount Hope. Pocasset chief Anawan captured and killed, the main captain to Metacomet, on August 28, 1676, effectively ending King Philip's War. -
Bacon's Rebellion begins
Bacon's Rebellion causes the burning of Jamestown. Nathanial Bacon leads the rebellion of planters against Governor Berkeley. Bacon would perish and twenty-three others were executed. -
Jamestown is abandoned after the statehouse is burned in 1698 with the colonial government moving to Middle Plantation, renamed soon after as Williamsburg.
In 1699, a town at Middle Plantation was laid out and renamed Williamsburg. The new capital was built opposite William and Mary College, which had been founded in 1693, down Duke of Gloucester Street. It would remain the capital until 1780 during the American Revolution, when, at the urging of then-Governor Thomas Jefferson, it was moved to Richmond.
