The starving time in Jamestown.Jamestown almost did not survive several crises. Perhaps the most difficult period was the winter of 1609-1610. Without food and stricken with disease, hundreds of settlers died in what was known as "the Starving Time." Use words or phrases from the list below to complete the following account, and learn more about this dark chapter in Jamestown's history. The hardship of the Starving Time had several--(1) Poor planning, terrible relations with the (2)__, and bad luck were a deadly combination for Jamestown residents. The leaders of the Virginia Company Virginia Company, name of two English colonizing companies, chartered by King James I in 1606. By the terms of the charter, the Virginia Company of London (see London Company) was given permission to plant a colony 100 mi (160 km) square between lat. 34°N and lat. , back in London, ordered the settlers at Jamestown to look for gold. Days that would have been better spent--(3) food for the oncoming on·com·ing adj. Coming nearer; approaching: an oncoming storm. n. An approach; an advance. winter were wasted in searching for riches that didn't exist. In September 1609, John Smith returned to England, after being forced out as Jamestown's leader. The men who--(4) him did not have Smith's foresight. Smith had set up fishing camps away from Jamestown. The new leaders abandoned the camps, leaving fishing--(5) to rot in the water. Chief Powhatan Chief Powhatan (c. 1547—c. 1618) , whose proper name was Wahunsenacawh or (in seventeenth century English spelling) Wahunsunacock, was the leader of the Powhatan (also spelled Powatan and Powhaten hoped to starve starve v. 1. To suffer or die from extreme or prolonged lack of food. 2. To deprive of food so as to cause suffering or death. out the English, and refused to trade any more corn to them. Indians (6)--a herd of pigs that the colonists were keeping, and attacked settlers who went hunting for food. By winter, settlers were down to eating dogs and cats. Next came their shoes. Some were so--(7) that they dug up fresh graves and resorted to--(8). One man even killed and ate his own wife! Settlers died in alarming numbers. By spring 1610, only 60 people were left alive in Jamestown--down from 500 the previous fall. Although new colonists arrived in May, by June, the settlers had decided to--(9) Jamestown. As they sailed down the James River James River or Dakota River River in the U.S. rising in central North Dakota and flowing southeast across South Dakota. It joins the Missouri River about 5 mi (8 km) below Yankton after a course of 710 mi (1,140 km). , they met a trio of ships bringing in additional settlers and supplies to--(10) the colony. Jamestown was saved once again. 1. causes 2. native people 3. stockpiling stock·pile n. A supply stored for future use, usually carefully accrued and maintained. tr.v. stock·piled, stock·pil·ing, stock·piles To accumulate and maintain a supply of for future use. 4. succeeded 5. nets 6. slaughtered 7. desperate e. cannibalism cannibalism (kăn`ĭbəlĭzəm) [Span. caníbal, referring to the Carib], eating of human flesh by other humans. 9. abandon 10. sustain |
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