1. The Lost Colony of Roanoake
A Mystery in History
The Lost Colony of Roanoake

2. A Gift from the Queen Queen Elizabeth I, the Virgin Queen “Virginia”
To special friend, Sir Walter Raleigh, explored and named Virginia

3. A Haunting Story England’s 1st colonists vanish without a trace!
Low narrow island,
Outer banks of NC
Thick marshes
Large oaks
Abundance of wildlife

4. The colonists 100 men, women, & children John White, governor
His daughter, Eleanor Dare was pregnant
Indian chief, Manteo, accompanied them from England
Unloaded in 1587, under tense circumstances

5. Tense Situation
A previous garrison of 15 soldiers had been murdered by local Native Americans
The captain had foolishly murdered the chief of the Roanoke Indians

6. 1st Englishman born on American Soil
She was baptized
Named Virginia Dare
August 18, 1587

7. John White Leaves the Colony
Governor White had to go back for supplies
He got trapped in England
Spanish Armada was invading
After 2 years, Armada was defeated
He finally returned

8. Fierce Naval Battle in English Channel

9. Spanish Navy Limps Home
Tries to escape around Ireland

10. White Finally Returns to Virginia
August 18, 1590
Colony deserted
Surrounded by Palisade
Plundered
His
granddaughter's birthday

11. Only One Word The word “CROATOAN” was carved in one of the palisades
The letters, “CRO” carved in a nearby tree
A clue to where they went?
The home of Chief Manteo’s people
An island to the South

12. Last Instructions
If you must leave island, carve destination in a tree.
If you are under duress, carve a “cross” above destination
There was no cross
He went to find them on Hatteras Island

13. Roanoke & Croatoan

14. White never saw his family again!
Could not explore due to a hurricane
Could never raise enough money to return to America
Died without ever knowing what happened

15. Theories? Absorbed by Hatteras Indians? Descendants of the Croatoan
Ancestors could “talk in a book”
Grey eyes among them
Descendants of Roanoke Indians spoke English
Fair eyes, light hair

16. Moved to Another Area? Evidence that colony split into two
One group moved to Chesapeake Bay Area, original destination
Lived among “friendlies” on South side of Bay
Attacked by hostile Powhatan & murdered
Chief Powhatan showed John Smith evidence to prove it.

17. Never Found Search goes on for archeological evidence
Jamestown leaders tried to find them, no luck!
Roanoke is now a 500 acre park.
Search goes on for archeological evidence