JOHN SMITH

 While Puritan settlers were motivated by a quest for religious freedom and community, many other early settlers were part of a corporate model that sought to profit from exploring the New World.  John Smith was a member (and eventual leader) of the Virginia Company of London, which founded the first permanent English settlement in North American in 1607

 Though he trained as a shopkeeper, after his father’s death, John Smith joined the Dutch army to fight in their war of independence.  Then fought as a hired soldier in the Mediterranean, and later joined the Austrian army in their war against the Turks.  Was given a coat of arms after beheading three Turkish officers.  Was captured, imprisoned, and enslaved in Romania, but escaped after murdering his master on the Black Sea.

 While military background made him a good fit for leader of expedition to the New World, his personality was also a liability.  Short temper, used force unnecessarily, general stubbornness  Was placed under arrest (and almost executed) by the company on trip to the New World, though freed when they arrived when it was revealed he was to be on the governing council