Lost
to History : Samuel Argall, saviour of Virginia?
2007 is the 400th anniversary of the founding of the
first permanent English settlement in America and is
being celebrated on both sides of the Atlantic under
the signature, Jamestown 2007. There are a range of
events being held in the UK, most of them in London
and in the East and Southeast of England.
The great great grandson of Lawrence the builder, John
Washington is the man who is normally credited with
being the first Washington to be involved in American
history, settling in Virginia in 1657 and beginning
the American line with the birth of his son Lawrence
in 1659. But John was not the first man associated with
the Washington family who took the challenging opportunities
offered by the new colony.
Samuel Argall was the step-grandson of Lawrence the
builder and he played a key role in the early years
of Virginia:
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Discovering the short route to Virginia
via Bermuda, |
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Arriving in 1609 and 1610 with provisions
in the nick of time, |
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Negotiating treaties with the Native
Americans, |
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Charting the coast, |
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Discouraging the French from encroaching
on Virginian territory, |
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Kidnapping Pocohantas, |
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Being involved with the arrival of
the first black indentured servants. |
Was there a man who had more fingers in more early colonial
pies? Known, from biased sources, as a tyrannical governor
but exonerated in official enquiries, Samuel Argall's
role in helping the colony to survive the difficult first
decade from 1609 to 1619 is little appreciated.
Sulgrave Manor will be trying to redress the balance with
an display on Samuel's life, 'Lost to History : Samuel
Argall, saviour of the Colony?'. The display will be on
show from April to October during Sulgrave Manor's normal
opening hours.
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