Virginia's Founding Fathers

In December 1606, the 'Sarah Constant', 'Godspeed' and 'Discovery' sailed with 105 emigrants, 12 labourers, 4 carpenters and 48 gentlemen for North America. They had orders to sail to the Azores and the Canaries and then on 'until such time as they shall fortune to land upon the said coast of Virginia'.

Lead by Captain Christopher Newport, the Stepney vestryman, and Captain John Smith they landed in Virginia on 26 April 1607 with those who had survived the journey They settled on the James River and Captain Smith, while trying to trade with the Indians, was captured. It was only the intervention of Princess Pocohontas, the chief's daughter, that saved him. She later married John Rolfe who was to become the founder of the tobacco industry in America. The colony settled on both sides of the James River and the settlements on the south side were referred to in letters to families at home as 'the Surrey side'.

By 1616 hungry and abandoned children were being shipped to Virginia under the Poor Law. Many Irish arrived having been evicted from their lands in Ireland. They often had no crafts, unlike the weavers, and had to earn their living by their quick wits and strength.

See also Maurice Thomson and his brother Robert Thomson

Godspeed House in Simpson's Road and Constant House in Harrow Lane, Poplar High Street were named after two of these ships in the 1930's.