August 18, 1587

Today, we turn our attention to a significant and tragic event that began on August 18, 1587, with the birth of Virginia Dare, the first English child born in the Americas. This event marked the beginning of the Roanoke Colony, later known as the "Lost Colony" due to its mysterious disappearance. Let's explore the circumstances surrounding her birth, the establishment of the Roanoke Colony, and the enduring mystery that still captivates historians and enthusiasts alike.

Virginia Dare's birth was a hopeful milestone for the English settlers on Roanoke Island, situated in what is now North Carolina. Her parents, Eleanor and Ananias Dare, were among the approximately 120 colonists led by John White, Eleanor's father and the governor of the colony. On August 18, 1587, Eleanor gave birth to Virginia, bringing a sense of promise to the fledgling colony.

However, this optimism was short-lived. Shortly after Virginia's birth, Governor White returned to England to procure additional supplies for the struggling colony. Unfortunately, his return was delayed by the war with Spain and the pressing need for ships to defend against the Spanish Armada. It wasn't until August 1590, three years later, that White managed to return to Roanoke Island, only to find the settlement deserted and in ruins.

The only clue to the fate of the colonists was the word "Croatoan" carved into a post of the fort and the letters "Cro" carved into a nearby tree. This suggested that the colonists might have relocated to Croatoan Island, now known as Hatteras Island. Despite this hint, White's search for his daughter, granddaughter, and the other settlers yielded no further information. The fate of Virginia Dare and the rest of the "Lost Colony" remains one of America's oldest unsolved mysteries.

There are numerous theories regarding the disappearance of the Roanoke colonists. Some suggest that the settlers sought shelter with local Native American tribes, either integrating with them or falling victim to hostilities. Reports from the Jamestown Colony, established in 1607, indicated that some survivors of the Lost Colony may have been taken in by friendly Chesapeake Indians. However, Chief Powhatan claimed that his tribe had attacked the group and killed most of the colonists. Despite these accounts, no archaeological evidence has been found to confirm any of these theories.

Over the past four centuries, Virginia Dare has become a prominent figure in American myth and folklore. Her story symbolizes different things to various groups of people: innocence and purity, new beginnings, promise and hope, as well as mystery and adventure. She has been featured in books, poems, songs, comic books, television programs, and films, further cementing her place in American cultural history.

Many places in North Carolina and elsewhere in the Southern United States have been named in her honor. Dare County in North Carolina, the Virginia Dare Trail, and the Virginia Dare Memorial Bridge are just a few examples. Her name has also been used to market various products, from vanilla extracts to wines, underscoring her enduring legacy in American commerce.

The story of Virginia Dare and the Lost Colony has inspired countless literary works. One of the earliest was Cornelia Tuthill's 1840 novel "Virginia Dare, or the Colony of Roanoke," which imagines Virginia growing up and marrying a Jamestown settler. Other adaptations include Sallie Southall Cotten's 1901 book "The White Doe: The Fate of Virginia Dare," which portrays her as a tragic heroine transformed into a white doe by an Indian witch doctor.

In modern times, Virginia Dare continues to captivate the imagination of writers and artists. Neil Gaiman's comic book series "1602" features her as a central character, while Margaret Peterson Haddix's "Sabotaged" reimagines her life in a time-travel adventure. These stories reflect the enduring fascination with Virginia Dare and the unresolved mystery of the Lost Colony.

As we reflect on the birth of Virginia Dare and the mystery of the Roanoke Colony, it serves as a reminder of the challenges and uncertainties faced by early settlers in the New World. It also highlights the enduring human spirit and the quest for new beginnings in the face of adversity.