Captain John Smith – Settling the First Colony

Captain John Smith, a figure shrouded in both admiration and controversy, stands as a pivotal character in the early history of North American colonization. Born in England in 1580, Smith was a multifaceted individual – a soldier, explorer, admiral, and author – whose actions and writings significantly shaped the course of events in the New World. His most enduring legacy lies in his role in establishing Jamestown, Virginia, in 1607, the first permanent English settlement in North America.

Smith’s life was a tapestry woven with threads of bravery, leadership, and perhaps, a touch of self-aggrandizement. He spearheaded the exploration of Virginia and the Chesapeake Bay, navigated the complexities of settling Jamestown, engaged in both conflict and diplomacy with Native American tribes, and meticulously documented his experiences in books and maps that fueled further exploration and colonization. However, his propensity for self-promotion has led historians to grapple with separating fact from fiction in the accounts of his life.

Born in Willoughby, England, in January 1580, Captain John Smith received a rudimentary education, attending grammar school for three years while also contributing to the family farm. The lure of adventure proved too strong to resist, and following his father’s death at the young age of 16, Smith embarked on a maritime career. He honed his skills as a soldier, serving as a mercenary in the army of King Henry IV of France against the Spanish, and later fighting for Dutch independence from Spanish rule under King Phillip II. His thirst for experience led him to the Mediterranean Sea, where he worked on a merchant ship, further refining his seafaring abilities.

In 1600, Captain John Smith joined the Austrian Forces in their conflict against the Turks, known as the "Long War." His valor and military acumen quickly earned him recognition, and he was promoted to the rank of Captain while serving in Hungary. Two years later, he found himself fighting in Transylvania, where he was wounded in battle, captured, and ultimately sold into slavery to a Turk. This Turk subsequently sent Smith as a gift to his sweetheart in Istanbul. According to Smith’s own accounts, this woman fell in love with him and arranged for him to receive training for the Turkish imperial service from her brother. Smith claimed to have escaped this servitude by murdering the brother and fleeing through Russia and Poland, eventually returning to Transylvania. After his release and the receipt of a substantial reward, he traveled extensively throughout Europe and Northern Africa before returning to England in the winter of 1604-05.

Back in England, Captain John Smith found himself restless and eager for new challenges. He became involved with the Virginia Company, a group of English investors planning to establish a colony in Virginia for profit. The expedition, consisting of three ships, set sail on December 20, 1606. The arduous voyage across the Atlantic lasted over four months, and the ships finally reached Virginia in April 1607. Smith’s behavior during the voyage had caused friction with Captain Christopher Newport, the leader of the expedition, who reportedly planned to execute Smith upon arrival in Virginia. However, Newport first opened a sealed box containing the names of the seven council members designated to govern the colony. Smith’s name was on the list, thus sparing him from execution.

For the next few weeks, the expedition searched for a suitable location to establish their settlement. On May 13, 1607, they landed at Jamestown, ready to face the daunting task of surviving in a new and unfamiliar environment. The early years of the Jamestown colony were fraught with hardship. The settlers faced a multitude of challenges, including a lack of fresh water, disease, a harsh winter, and frequent attacks by the Powhatan Indians, who were angered by the intrusion upon their territory and sought to drive the settlers away. The Indians raided the colonists’ camps and stole their supplies, pushing the settlement to the brink of collapse.

In December 1607, while searching for food along the Chickahominy River, Captain John Smith was captured by a Powhatan chief named Opechancanough. He was taken to the camp of Chief Powhatan, the paramount leader of the Powhatan Confederacy, to determine his fate. Chief Powhatan was reportedly impressed by Smith’s self-assurance and intrigued by the instruments he carried, such as an ivory and glass pocket compass. Smith was questioned about his colony and then subjected to a ritual or trial, after which he was made a subordinate chief within the tribe, according to Indian custom.

Powhatan’s young daughter, Pocahontas, is said to have played a significant role in the ceremony. Smith later claimed that Pocahontas had saved his life, although this account has been debated by historians. After approximately four weeks of captivity, Smith was released in friendship and returned to Jamestown, guided by the Indians.

Upon Smith’s return, he found the colony plagued by internal dissent, stemming from laziness, dwindling supplies, and attempts at desertion. Personal conflicts and disagreements over policy further exacerbated the situation. Smith left Jamestown to explore and map the Chesapeake Bay region, seeking desperately needed food supplies. The poor governance and near-anarchy led to Smith’s appointment as local council president in September 1608. He implemented a policy of strict discipline, strengthened the colony’s defenses, and encouraged farming with the now-famous admonishment: "He who does not work, will not eat." Under his firm leadership, Jamestown managed to survive and even experienced some growth during the following year. Unfortunately, Smith was accidentally injured by a gunpowder explosion and forced to return to England for treatment in October 1609. He never returned to Virginia.

Back in London, Captain John Smith became a tireless advocate for the further colonization of Virginia. He encouraged more Englishmen and women to follow in his footsteps and settle in the New World, famously stating: "Here every man may be master and owner of his own labor and land… If he have nothing but his hands, he may… by industrie quickly grow rich." However, his independent spirit and outspoken nature made him unpopular with the Virginia Company, and he was never asked to return to Jamestown.

Despite being barred from Virginia, Smith remained determined to contribute to the expansion of English influence in North America. In April 1614, he embarked on a successful voyage to the Maine and Massachusetts Bay areas. With the approval of Prince Charles, he named this region New England. He made two more attempts to return to the same coast, but the first attempt was thwarted by a major storm that dismasted his ship. In the second attempt in 1615, he was captured by French pirates off the Azores. Smith managed to escape after weeks of captivity and made his way back to England.

Denied further opportunities to return to America, Captain John Smith spent the remainder of his life writing books, documenting his experiences, and promoting the colonization of the New World. He died in 1631 at the age of 51 and was buried in the church of St. Sepulchre-without-Newgate, the largest Parish Church in the City of London.

Although his writings and promotional efforts attracted millions of people to the United States over the centuries, much of his work has been questioned due to inconsistencies and embellishments. For example, the famous account of Pocahontas saving his life was significantly altered or omitted in earlier writings. These changes, coupled with his boastful manner, have cast a shadow of doubt over many of his recollections. Regardless of the historical debates surrounding his accounts, Captain John Smith remains an important figure in the history of early American colonization.