Roanoke A Mystery

The following images all have something in common Try to identify what it is. Hold your answer until the end of the story.

This story begins with Queen Elizabeth, seen here in “Darnley Portrait” (1575)

Sir Walter Raleigh. In 1584 he was granted a patent by Queen Elizabeth to explore the new world.

He sent Captains Amadas and Barlowe to the coast of America in 1585 He sent Captains Amadas and Barlowe to the coast of America in 1585. They returned to England with two Native Americans, Manteo and Wanchese, who learned English and also taught their Algonquian language to a man named Thomas Harriot.

Manteo and Wanchese returned with the next group that Sir Walter Raleigh sent to the new world. Richard Grenville pictured here was the admiral of the ships. Ralph Lane was the leader. Thomas Harriot, who had learned the Algonquian language from Manteo, was also on the expedition. The expedition was placed on the island of Roanoke.

Another man who was on the expedition was named John White Another man who was on the expedition was named John White. He was an artist and created drawings documenting the life of the people living on the coast.

Some of his drawings were maps. This one was re-drawn by Theodor de Bry

Ralph Lane’s colony only lasted ten months Ralph Lane’s colony only lasted ten months. When Sir Francis Drake’s ship came by, the entire group of colonists chose to return to England.

The next journey to the new world was lead by the painter John White and was a different group of people. Instead of military men, the members of this colony were men and women who wanted to start a new life in the new world.

The colonists were mainly farmers who had a plan to be dropped off by the ship further up the Chesapeake Bay. But the captain of the ship refused to go any farther than Roanoke. The colony did not do well during their first year and their supplies ran low. When another ship from England came, John White made the decision to go back to England to ask for more supplies. He left his daughter and granddaughter – Virginia – at the colony.

John White’s plan was to return to the colony with the needed supplies as soon as he could convince Queen Elizabeth to give him supplies and passage on another ship. But she had other concerns.

Including a war with Spain.

It would be three years before he could return. When he did, the colonists were no longer there.

There are several theories… And many clues…

Task Discuss possible theories with your group. Choose one theory to evaluate with your group. Create a chart that helps you evaluate your theory with the evidence. You will be given twelve evidence cards. Each card can be placed in one of the five columns. There will be room for you to include other pieces of evidence as well. Is your theory strongly supported by the evidence?

Theory: