Table of Contents
What did Jamestown live in?
When the first men and boys arrived at Jamestown, most of them lived together in the barracks, while after 1611 were built “two fair rows of houses, all of framed timber, two stories, and an upper garret, or corn loft.” The governor of the colony likely lived in one of those row homes.
How were the living conditions in Jamestown?
An unfamiliar climate, as well as brackish water supply and lack of food, conditions possibly aggravated by a prolonged drought, led to disease and death. Many of the original colonists were upper-class Englishmen, and the colony lacked sufficient laborers and skilled farmers.
Did anyone from Jamestown survive?
Only 60 of 500 colonists survived the period, now known as “the starving time.” Historians have never determined exactly why so many perished, although disease, famine (spurred by the worst drought in 800 years, as climate records indicate), and Indian attacks took their toll.
Who lived in Jamestown?
In 1607, 104 English men and boys arrived in North America to start a settlement. On May 13 they picked Jamestown, Virginia for their settlement, which was named after their King, James I. The settlement became the first permanent English settlement in North America.
Was Jamestown a good place to settle?
One advantage of Jamestown was that its location was far enough up the James River that it was easily defended from attack from Spanish ships. Spanish attacks had ravaged English settlements before, and Jamestown was intended in part to serve as a strategic barrier to Spanish expansion up the east coast.
What was family life like in Colonial America?
Colonial families often had several children and sometimes had aunts, uncles and grandparents living together. Colonist’s time was mainly spent doing work. The females both young and old did household chores, including cooking, cleaning, milking cows and mending clothes.