A Mystery in History The Lost Colony of

A Gift from the Queen Elizabeth I, the Virgin Queen “Virginia” To special friend,

A Haunting Story England’s 1 st colonists vanish without a trace! • Low narrow

The colonists 100 men, women, & children John White, governor His daughter, Eleanor Dare

Tense Situation A previous garrison of 15 soldiers had been murdered by local Native

1 st Englishman born on American Soil She was baptized Named Virginia Dare August

John White Leaves the Colony Governor White had to go back for supplies He

Spanish Navy Limps Home Tries to escape around Ireland

White Finally Returns to Virginia August 18, 1590 Colony deserted Surrounded by Palisade Plundered

Only One Word The word “CROATOAN” was carved in one of the palisades The

Last Instructions If you must leave island, carve destination in a tree. If you

White never saw his family again! Could not explore due to a hurricane Could

Theories? Absorbed by Hatteras Indians? Descendants of the Croatoan Ancestors could “talk in a

Moved to Another Area? �Evidence that colony split into two �One group moved to

Never Found Jamestown leaders tried to find them, no luck! Roanoke is now a

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A Mystery in History The Lost Colony of Roanoake

A Gift from the Queen Elizabeth I, the Virgin Queen “Virginia” To special friend, Sir Walter Raleigh, explored and named Virginia

A Haunting Story England’s 1 st colonists vanish without a trace! • Low narrow island, • Outer banks of NC • Thick marshes • Large oaks • Abundance of wildlife

The colonists 100 men, women, & children John White, governor His daughter, Eleanor Dare was pregnant Indian chief, Manteo, accompanied them from England Unloaded in 1587, under tense circumstances

Tense Situation A previous garrison of 15 soldiers had been murdered by local Native Americans The captain had foolishly murdered the chief of the Roanoke Indians

1 st Englishman born on American Soil She was baptized Named Virginia Dare August 18, 1587

John White Leaves the Colony Governor White had to go back for supplies He got trapped in England Spanish Armada was invading After 2 years, Armada was defeated He finally returned

Fierce Naval Battle in English Channel

Spanish Navy Limps Home Tries to escape around Ireland

White Finally Returns to Virginia August 18, 1590 Colony deserted Surrounded by Palisade Plundered His granddaughter's birthday

Only One Word The word “CROATOAN” was carved in one of the palisades The letters, “CRO” carved in a nearby tree A clue to where they went? The home of Chief Manteo’s people An island to the South

Last Instructions If you must leave island, carve destination in a tree. If you are under duress, carve a “cross” above destination There was no cross He went to find them on Hatteras Island

Roanoke & Croatoan

White never saw his family again! Could not explore due to a hurricane Could never raise enough money to return to America Died without ever knowing what happened

Theories? Absorbed by Hatteras Indians? Descendants of the Croatoan Ancestors could “talk in a book” Grey eyes among them Descendants of Roanoke Indians spoke English Fair eyes, light hair

Moved to Another Area? �Evidence that colony split into two �One group moved to Chesapeake Bay Area, original destination �Lived among “friendlies” on South side of Bay �Attacked by hostile Powhatan & murdered �Chief Powhatan showed John Smith evidence to prove it.

Never Found Jamestown leaders tried to find them, no luck! Roanoke is now a 500 acre park. Search goes on for archeological evidence