FOREWORD When I am old and feeble, And cannot work any more, Then carry me back to Old Virginia, To Old Virginia's shore. This sentiment doubtless was most forcibly expressed in the year 1907, during which there was witnessed an international celebration of the first permanent settlement of the English speaking people upon the American continent. In aid of this event the Congress of the United States passed an Act approved March 3, 1905, entitled "An Act to provide for celebrating the birth of the American Nation, the first permanent settlement of English speaking people on the Western hemisphere, by the holding of an international naval, marine and military celebration in the vicinity of Jamestown in the waters of Hampton Roads, in the State of Virginia, to provide for the suitable and permanent Commemoration of said event and to authorize an appropriation in aid thereof and for other purposes." The Act authorized the President of the United States to make public proclamation of this celebration, “inviting foreign nations to participate by the sending of their naval and such representatives of their military organizations as may be proper." The proclamation fixed the time of the beginning of the celebration on May 13, and ending not later than November 1, 1907. The purpose of this book is to give a brief history of the efforts of the English to establish permanent settlements in Virginia, and to follow with interesting stories of the life and customs of the people inhabiting particularly that part of |