Chronology of Jamestown Events

1580s-1607 Powhatan's empire, through inheritance and conquest, evenually included over 30 tribes and 160 villages.

1585 Sir Walter Raleigh named North American coast "Virginia" and his charter, granted by Queen Elizabeth I, led to the establishment of a colony on Roanoke Island (108 men).

1591 English relief party visited Fort Raleigh on Roanoke Island and found it abandoned.

1606 Charter granted to Virginia Company for establishing colony in Virginia. In December, Susan Constant, Godspeed, Discovery set sail from England, bound for Virginia.

1607 Susan Constant, Godspeed, Discovery explored West Indies and Chesapeake Bay. In May, Captain Christopher Newport selected Jamestown Island as settlement site and a three-sided fort is begun.

1607-1609 Jamestown was governed by President and Council.

1608 Printing of John Smith's True Relation of Virginia in London.

1609 Second charter granted; control of Jamestown taken from Royal control and given to London Company.

1610 After the dreadful winter known as "the Starving Time," an attempt was made to abandon Jamestown.

1611 Construction of Henrico City (near present-day Richmond) began.

1612 Tobacco planting and exporting began at Jamestown.

1618 Charter granted which commissioned the establishing of a General Assembly in Jamestown.

1619 Arrival of first Africans.

1620 Arrival of 100 women to be brides for the settlers.

1622 Indian uprising; killed one third of the English population.

1624 Company charter revoked; Virginia becomes a Royal Colony; General Assembly dissolved.

1635 Council deposed Governor Sir John Harvey.

1639 The King formally approves the restoration of the General Assembly.

1644 Indian uprising killed five hundred Europeans in outlying plantations.

1652-1660 During English Commonwealth, Virginia General Assembly pledged loyalty to King, but was forced to accept the Cromwellian government.

1660 Royal Colony re-established.

1661 Slavery recognized in statutory law.

1676 Bacon's Rebellion.

1677 Peace signed with Powhatan Confederation.

1693 The Reverend James Blair established the College of William and Mary at nearby Middle Plantation (which would later be named "Williamsburg").

1698 Jamestown's statehouse destroyed by fire.

1699 Capital of Virginia moved from Jamestown to Williamsburg.

1750s Through land sales, Jamestown ownership consolidated into two families: Travis and Ambler.

1807 Jamstown's bicentennial celebration.

1831 David Bullock purchased Jamestown from Travis and Ambler families.

1857 250th Anniversary celebration held; Jamestown owned by William Allen.

1861 During the Civil War, earthworks constructed and manned by Confederates.

1892 Jamestown Island purchased by Mr. and Mrs. Edward Barney.

1893 Jamestown churchyard granted to preservation organization APVA (Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities).

1901 Archeology of statehouse complex by Samuel Yonge, who also supervised construction of seawall near Jamestown church.

1907 Jamestown Exposition took place in nearby Norfolk, Virginia. Tercentennary monument and Memorial Church constructed on Jamestown Island.

1934 Jamestown became part of Colonial National Historical Park (or Colonial National Monument).

1957 Jamestown Festival (350th anniversary celebration) took place.

1992-1993 Jamestown Archeological Assessment begun by National Park Service to learn more about the entire history of Jamestown Island.

1994 Jamestown Rediscovery project begun by APVA, which resulted in the excavation and study of the 1607 James Fort.

2007 Jamestown Quatracentennial.