The Starving Time

The Starving Time at Jamestown in the Colony of Virginia was a period of starvation during the winter of 1609–1610. During this time, all but 60 of the 400 colonists died. Lack of rain and access to water had crippled the agricultural production during the summer. Also, the water that the colonists drank was brackish and only drinkable half the year. Because of the drought, the local Powhatan Indians stopped sharing food with the settlers.  Relations worsened between the two groups when settlers attempted to steal food from the tribe.  That winter, colonists were forced to remain in the fort, or be killed by Powhatan tribesmen.

Letter written by George Percy, a member of the Jamestown settlement:  We are starved...

 "And now famine beginning to look ghastly and pale in every face that nothing was spared to maintain life and to do those things which seem incredible . . .”

What were these incredible things that George Percy wrote about? National Geographic

Time Video


Click on the Google Doc, copy it, and answer the questions- share with me:  The Starving Time