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John Smith Timeline

(January 1580 – June 21, 1631)

John Smith (1580–1631) was an English soldier, explorer, and author best known for his role in establishing and leading the Jamestown Colony in Virginia, the first permanent English settlement in North America. His leadership, mapmaking, and writings about the New World were instrumental to the survival of early English colonization efforts. Less

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Early Life

Baptism at Willoughby, Lincolnshire

Jan 6, 1580

John Smith was baptized on 6 January 1580 at Willoughby, near Alford, Lincolnshire, where his parents rented a farm from Lord Willoughby. He claimed descent from the ancient Smith family of Cuerdley, Lancashire.

Image source: John Smith (explorer)

Baptism at Willoughby, Lincolnshire

Educated at King Edward VI Grammar School, Louth

1592 - 1595

Smith was educated at King Edward VI Grammar School in Louth, Lincolnshire, from 1592 to 1595, receiving the schooling that would later support his career as a soldier, explorer, and author.

Military Service

Promoted to cavalry captain in Hungary

1600 - 1601

Smith was promoted to cavalry captain while fighting for the Austrian Habsburgs in Hungary during the campaign of Michael the Brave in 1600 and 1601.

Captured and sold into slavery by Crimean Tatars

1602

In 1602, Smith was wounded in a skirmish with the Crimean Tatars, captured, taken to a slave market, and then sold into slavery.

Return to England after travels through Europe and Africa

1604

After a life as a soldier of fortune and as a slave, Smith traveled through the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, Europe, and Africa, reaching England in 1604.

Jamestown Colony

Joins Virginia Company of London plan to colonize Virginia

1606

In 1606, Smith became involved with the Virginia Company of London's plan to colonize Virginia for profit, and King James had already granted a charter.

Image source: Virginia Company

Joins Virginia Company of London plan to colonize Virginia

Expedition sets sail for Virginia

Dec 20, 1606

The expedition set sail on Discovery, Susan Constant, and Godspeed on 20 December 1606, carrying colonists bound for the New World.

Image source: Susan Constant

Expedition sets sail for Virginia

Landing at Cape Henry and designation as colony leader

Apr 26, 1607

The colonists landed at Cape Henry on 26 April 1607 and unsealed orders from the Virginia Company designating Smith as one of the leaders of the new colony, which spared him from the gallows.

Image source: Cape Henry

Landing at Cape Henry and designation as colony leader

Establishment of Jamestown settlement

May 14, 1607

The search for a suitable site ended on 14 May 1607 when Captain Edward Maria Wingfield, president of the council, chose the Jamestown site as the location for the first permanent English settlement in North America. By the summer of 1607, the colonists were still living in temporary housing.

Image source: Jamestown, Virginia

Establishment of Jamestown settlement

Captured by Opechancanough and taken to Chief Powhatan

Dec 1607

In December 1607, Native Americans led by Opechancanough captured Smith while he was seeking food along the Chickahominy River, and he was taken to meet Chief Powhatan at Werowocomoco, the main village of the Powhatan Confederacy.

Image source: Powhatan

Captured by Opechancanough and taken to Chief Powhatan

Polish craftsmen brought to the colony

1608

Also in 1608, Polish craftsmen were brought to the Jamestown colony to help it develop its industries.

Pocahontas saves Smith a second time

1608

In 1608, Pocahontas saved Smith a second time, according to his accounts of his interactions with the Powhatan people.

Image source: Pocahontas

Pocahontas saves Smith a second time

First Supply brings new settlers; village set on fire

Jan 1608

In early January 1608, nearly 100 new settlers arrived with Captain Newport on the First Supply, but the village was set on fire through carelessness.

Exploration and mapping of the Chesapeake Bay

Jun 1608 - Sep 1608

In the summer of 1608, Smith left Jamestown to explore the Chesapeake Bay region and search for food, covering an estimated 3,000 miles (4,800 km). He became the first English explorer to map the Chesapeake Bay area, producing a map of great value to Virginia explorers for more than a century.

Image source: Chesapeake Bay

Exploration and mapping of the Chesapeake Bay

Elected president of the local council

Sep 1608 - Aug 1609

Smith was elected president of the local council in September 1608 and led the Virginia Colony until August 1609.

Second Supply brings 70 settlers including first women

Oct 1608

In October 1608, Newport brought a second shipment of supplies along with 70 new settlers, including the first women to come to the colony.

Jamestown begins to prosper under Smith's leadership

1609

In the spring of 1609, Jamestown was beginning to prosper, with many dwellings built, acres of land cleared, and much other work done.

Arrival of more than 300 new settlers surprises Smith

Aug 1609

In August 1609, Smith was quite surprised to see more than 300 new settlers arrive, which did not go well for him. Sir Thomas Smith had arranged for about 500 colonists, including women and children, to sail in May 1609.

Severe gunpowder injury and return to England

Oct 1609

Smith was severely injured by a gunpowder explosion in his canoe, and he sailed to England for treatment in mid-October 1609, ending his leadership in the colony.

Somers and Gates arrive at Jamestown with Sea Venture survivors

May 1610

Then in May 1610, Somers and Gates finally arrived with 150 people from the Sea Venture, having built the Deliverance and Patience off Bermuda to take most of the passengers and crew to Jamestown.

Image source: Sea Venture

Somers and Gates arrive at Jamestown with Sea Venture survivors

Writings and Legacy

Publication of A True Relation of Virginia

1608

Smith's earliest text, A True Relation of Virginia, was submitted for publication in 1608, the year after his experiences in Jamestown.

Image source: Pocahontas

Publication of A True Relation of Virginia

Richard Hakluyt's translation of de Soto narrative published

1609

Richard Hakluyt's English translation of A Narrative of the Expedition of Hernando de Soto into Florida by the Lord of Elvas was published in London in 1609, several years before John Smith published his account of being saved by Pocahontas. Some speculate Smith's story was inspired by Juan Ortiz's similar tale.

Image source: Hernando de Soto

Richard Hakluyt's translation of de Soto narrative published

Letter to Queen Anne publicizing Pocahontas rescue story

1616

Smith's earliest surviving account of his rescue by Pocahontas dates from 1616, nearly 10 years after the event, in a letter entreating Queen Anne to treat Pocahontas with dignity. Many who would have known the truth were in London when the story was publicised.

German translation of The Proceedings of the English Colony In Virginia

1617

This volume containing Smith's writings about the Virginia colony was translated into German and published in Frankfurt in 1617.

Expanded second edition printed by William Jones

1622

A new and somewhat expanded 'second edition' of one of Smith's works was printed in 1622, also by William Jones.

Publication of The Generall Historie of Virginia

1624

Smith's second major book, The Generall Historie of Virginia, New-England, and the Summer Isles, was published in 1624. It was twice republished in Smith's life (in 1726 and 1727) and immediately after his death (in 1732).

Image source: The Generall Historie of Virginia, New-England, and the Summer Isles

Publication of The Generall Historie of Virginia

Publication of The True Travels autobiography

1630

Smith published The True Travels, Adventures, and Observations of Captaine Iohn Smith in 1630, recounting his service against the Turks and Tatars, his capture in 1602, and his enslavement and escape. A shorter version appeared in Purchas 1625.

Death of John Smith in London

Jun 21, 1631

John Smith died on 21 June 1631 in London, at the age of 51, closing a remarkable life as soldier, explorer, admiral of New England, and author.

Burial at Saint Sepulchre-without-Newgate Church

1633

Smith was buried in 1633 in the south aisle of Saint Sepulchre-without-Newgate Church, Holborn Viaduct, London, the largest parish church in the City of London, dating from 1137.

Image source: St Sepulchre-without-Newgate

Burial at Saint Sepulchre-without-Newgate Church

Charles Deane questions details of Smith's writings

1860

In 1860, Boston businessman and historian Charles Deane was the first scholar to question specific details of Smith's writings, launching scholarly debate over the veracity of his accounts.

Original monument to Smith built

1864

The original monument was built in 1864 to commemorate the 250th anniversary of Smith's visit to what he named Smith's Isles.

Honored on Jamestown Exposition Issue stamps

Apr 26, 1907 - Dec 1, 1907

John Smith was honoured on two of the three stamps of the Jamestown Exposition Issue held 26 April – 1 December 1907 at Norfolk, Virginia, commemorating the founding of the Jamestown settlement.

Image source: Jamestown Exposition

Honored on Jamestown Exposition Issue stamps

Monument restored for 300th anniversary celebration

1914

In 1914, the New Hampshire Society of Colonial Wars partially restored and rededicated the monument for the 300th anniversary celebration of Smith's visit.

Portrayed by Anthony Dexter in film Captain John Smith and Pocahontas

1953

Smith was portrayed by Anthony Dexter in the 1953 independent low-budget film Captain John Smith and Pocahontas, one of several popular media depictions of his life.

Image source: Captain John Smith and Pocahontas

Portrayed by Anthony Dexter in film Captain John Smith and Pocahontas

Featured in Michener's novel Chesapeake

1978

Smith featured as a character in James Michener's 1978 novel Chesapeake, reflecting his enduring place in popular culture.

Disney's animated Pocahontas features Smith as main character

1995

Smith is one of the main characters in Disney's 1995 animated film Pocahontas and its 1998 straight-to-video sequel Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World.

Image source: Pocahontas (1995 film)

Disney's animated Pocahontas features Smith as main character

Portrayed by Colin Farrell in The New World

2005

Smith and Pocahontas are central characters in the 2005 Terrence Malick film The New World, in which Smith was portrayed by Colin Farrell.

Image source: The New World (2005 film)

Portrayed by Colin Farrell in The New World

Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail established

2006

Smith's explorations are commemorated in the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail, established in 2006 to honor his mapping and exploration of the Chesapeake Bay.

Image source: Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail

Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail established

New monument dedicated at Rye Harbor State Park

2014

In 2014, a new monument honouring Smith was dedicated at Rye Harbor State Park — an 18-ton obelisk measuring 17 feet 2 inches (5.23 m) in height, in commemoration of the year 1614.

Image source: Rye Harbor State Park

New monument dedicated at Rye Harbor State Park

Later Explorations

Voyage to coasts of Maine and Massachusetts Bay

1614

In 1614, Smith returned to America in a voyage to the coasts of Maine and Massachusetts Bay, exploring and mapping the coastline he would later name New England.

Image source: New England

Voyage to coasts of Maine and Massachusetts Bay

Failed attempts to return to New England coast

1614 - 1615

Smith made two attempts in 1614 and 1615 to return to the same coast, though these expeditions did not achieve his aims.

Publication of map first bearing the label 'New England'

1616

Smith published a map in 1616 based on his expedition which was the first to bear the label 'New England', though Indian place names were replaced by names of English cities at the request of Prince Charles.

Key Facts

  1. John Smith was baptized in January 1580 in Willoughby, Lincolnshire, England, and had a colorful past as a soldier and mercenary in Europe before joining the Virginia expedition.
  2. He was one of the original leaders of the 1607 Jamestown expedition and played a crucial role in organizing the struggling colony, famously enforcing the rule that those who did not work would not eat.
  3. According to his own account, Smith was captured by Powhatan warriors in 1607 and saved from execution by Pocahontas, the daughter of Chief Powhatan, though historians debate the accuracy of this story.
  4. After being injured in a gunpowder explosion in 1609, Smith returned to England but later explored and mapped the New England coast in 1614, naming the region 'New England.'
  5. Smith died on June 21, 1631, in London, never returning to America, but his detailed maps and written accounts remained vital resources for future colonization efforts.

Source

This John Smith timeline was generated with the help of AI, using information found on the internet.

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