Life in Jamestown

Though poverty was a common characteristic of many of the people who entered into contracts to serve in Jamestown, the founders of the colony were gentlemen and skilled laborers. There were many other factors that also significantly shaped the experiences of the men and women living in Jamestown during the seventeenth century. Throughout the century, life in Jamestown was greatly affected by a lack of labor. Also, the lives of the colonists were greatly affected by relations with the Native Americans. Finally, the regulations of the Virginia Company limited the rights of the indentured servants living in Jamestown.

The lack of labor was a problem that would plague the colony throughout the century. Jamestown was founded with one hundred and five men of whom only about forty would survive the first year in the colony. Of these remaining men most were Gentlemen and skilled laborers who had no knowledge of farming or hunting. Between 1609 and 1610 a brutal winte...