James Davis (settler)

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James Davis (born c. 1575 in England, died February 16, 1623, at James City, Virginia) was one of the most influential settlers of Jamestown, Virginia.

[edit] Biography

Davis was master of the ship Mary & John and was appointed to settle the second colony in Virginia. He is believed to be the author of an account of this voyage entitled, The Relation of a Voyage into New England begun from the Lizard, ye first of June, 1607. He was the commander of the fort built on the Kennebec River, August 19, 1607, by the Sagadahoc New England Colony (the colony was made up of knights and gentlemen from Bristol). After the colony returned to England in October of that same year, he again sailed for Virginia, embarking on June 8, 1609, in command of a ship appropriately named The Virginia. James and his wife Rachel were among the founders of Jamestown on October 3, 1609. In 1610 he was commander of Algernon Fort at Point Comfort. He may have possibly died or been wounded in the Indian attack of 1622 when 350 people (1/3 of the population) were killed. A possible brother, Robert, migrated to north Virginia with James in 1609. James was a councilor for the north Virginia Colony.

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