The Lost Colony of Roanoke

     July 1587: 117 men, women, and children arrived on an island called Roanoke. A few weeks later, the leader of the colony named John White left to get more supplies from England, but a war with Spain delayed him for 3 years. When he returned, the colonists were missing, the houses were taken down, and the word "Croatoan" was carved into a tree and the letters "CRO" were carved into another tree. The colonists who went missing have never been found and what happened to them remains unknown to this day. While some compelling evidence has come up over the years, no one truly knows what happened to the lost colony of Roanoke.


       To form a theory, you must first look at the facts and evaluate them. Colonists and their captain from Spain (Fernando who refused to take them to their intended spot most likely to plunder Spanish ships.) finally arrived on the island of Roanoke after embarking on a several month ship ride from England. Strong evidence supports the theory that the colonists were allies with the Croatoan tribe. A few weeks later the leader of the colony (John White) left to get supplies but was delayed because of the war between England and Spain. When he returned the colonists were gone, the houses were destroyed, and the word "Croatoan" and the letters "CRO" were carved into trees. Recent evidence was unearthed when scientists found English coins in a Croatoan camp on Hatteras island.


    Most people have their own theories, but this is my theory. The colonist's captain, Fernando, had been captured while trying to attack a Spanish ship and was forced to reveal the colony's location So, they sent a war ship to take over the colony, but someone at the colony saw them before they arrived. So, the colonists (who knew they wouldn't stand a chance against the ship) left to a safer spot with the Croatoans. But before they left they destroyed their houses and wrote "Croatoan" on the tree so that the Spaniards would think they were killed by the Croatoans. However, John White would know that they were with the Croatoans. Over time when John did not return, they officially joined the Croatoans and passed down their old English coins as family heir looms. This theory explains all of the evidence provided, but if you don't agree with this theory I encourage you to explore other theories or make your own.

Comments

  1. John SmithJuly 14, 2025 at 11:20 AM

    Very thought-provoking theory, especially with the conjecture involving the Spanish pilot Fernando. So many theories and suppositions point toward the likelihood that the colonists joined and inter-married with the Croatoan tribe (Manteo's tribe, not Wanchese's), perhaps partially supported by the discovery of the English coins, and yet the colonist's fate still remains an unsolved mystery. Thanks to the author of this blog for presenting his/her thoughts for consideration. I hope these words generate more intellectual and historical debate on this most fascinating subject!!

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