Dear Elizabeth,

    I am currently waiting in the harbor for my ship. I will be boarding a ship called "The Discovery".  I had assumed that others would also be venturing to Jamestown in search of gold, but I have been proven wrong. What I have heard is that people are also leaving to escape poverty, to gain religious freedom, or to gain land.  The Virginia company recruited me along with many others to travel to the new world in search of gold. I will write to you again once I arrive in Jamestown.

Warmest Regards,

                                                              `              -William

Dear Elizabeth,

I have finally arrived in Jamestown after a long journey. It was quite cold during the winter months, but it got warmer toward the end of the voyage. Many died on the ships, which was quite unsettling, but I am glad to be back on land. We are beginning to build a settlement.  It has been said that there are some Indians near us, but they should be of no trouble as long as we are careful. We are going to continue to search for gold and live off of the food we brought since we won't be here for long. 

I hope you are doing well,

                                                                            -William

Dear Elizabeth,

    I write bearing bad news.  We have had no luck in finding much gold. The Virginia Company will not be pleased. I am afraid we will be staying here longer than expected.  Our food supply is shrinking and people are becoming malnourished.  John Smith took control of the situation and is now forcing us to farm.  

Sincerely,

                                            -William

Dear Elizabeth,

    I have surprisingly become good at farming.  Our farming has been going well and we are slowly producing crops, but, we are building back some of our food supply.  Captain Christopher Newport, Captain John Smith, and some others spent six days exploring the James River up to the falls. Along the way, they encounter numerous Virginia Indian peoples belonging to the chiefdom led by Chief Powhatan.  The Indians are now becoming a bigger threat than we had originally anticipated. 

With love,    

                                                                        -WIlliam

Dear Elizabeth,

    Diseases are beginning to spread throughout the colony.  People are growing worrisome and sick by the day.  We believe that these diseases that are upon us are coming from the swamp we have settled near.  Our bodies are unable to fight off these diseases easily since we have never been exposed to them before.  I hope this will pass, if not, I'm afraid we won't make it through.

Yours truly,

                                                -William

Dear Elizabeth,

     We have been attacked by the Powhatan Indians.  They have killed at least one of our dear friends and wounded 11.  Several of the Indians were wounded as well.  It has been decided that we will be building a more substantial fort in hopes of being protected from future attacks.  We will now be more prepared and will be on guard. 

Best wishes,

                                                -William