Christopher Newport
 

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Christopher Newport was an explorer from Europe. He explored new lands for England. The King of England sent Newport to discover riches and to find a western sea route to Asia. He was also sent to colonize North America.

Christopher Newport arrived at present-day Jamestown to begin a new settlement. Jamestown was named for the King of England, King James I.


Newport set sail from London, England with three ships. The three ships were the Susan Constant, Godspeed, and the Discovery. On these three ships, English settlers set sail for Jamestown. The settlers were not prepared for the "tough" times they were about to face. The settlers were "gentlemen." Although times were hard, Jamestown was founded on May 14, 1607.

After the first colonists arrived at Jamestown in May, Newport returned to England the following month for supplies and more settlers. He left behind the colonists to survive the winter. However, when Newport returned the following year, he found that most of the settlers had died from starvation, Indian attacks, or diseases.

Newport made a total of four voyages bringing more people to Jamestown. Christopher Newport was an important part of Virginia's history. Not only did he bring people to settle the "New World," he was also one of the first me to reach the Fall Line of the James River.

 

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