It all began on 1587, when Governor White (John White) and 117 men, women, and children went out to start the first permanent nation on the North American continent. However, this is not a happily-ever-after story.
On July 22, 1587, 118 people set sail on 3 ships to what is now parts of North Carolina. Later that year, August 18, 1587 John White’s daughter, Eleanor Dare, gave birth to Virginia Dare. The first newborn in the ‘new world’. They’ve now been living in Roanoke for a few months – years. Food was growing scacre, so the colonists insistied that John White go back to England to fetch more food and other necessities. When White went back, Queen Elizabeth wouldn’t allow him to get the things he needed. It was war times, you see. The Spain were teaming with the French pirates and were attacking England’s army. They needed all the ships and food they could get. So, White waited until the war was over for, 3 years later!
When White arrived on Roanoke’s shores, he came across a surprise. The colonists were not there! There were buildings that were left as if they were put out delicately. We do know that there was no war, there was nothing found except 2 signs carved on trees. One of them wrote ‘CRO.’ The other wrote, ‘Croaton.’ Scientists believe that the colonists could have moved to the Native American tribe, Croaton. However we don’t know for sure. We have other theories that you can choose from.
One other theory that is most likely possible is that the colony died of famine and a disease called influenza. Influenza is a contagious illness that is caused by viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. The colony also died from starvation, they all hoped for White to come back, but it took 3 years. Therefore the colonists possibly died because of the hunger that spread throughout the colony.
Now it’s up to you to decide which theory best supports the colonist’s deaths.
