With all due respect to the subscribers to this listserv who are
inclined to accept at face value some undocumented assertions about
events that occurred more than 400 years ago because they seem plausible
and are part of the oral traditions of those making the assertions, I
would like to suggest that, in matters such as this, having relevant
documents as a guide is much better than not having them. Oral
traditions have much to tell us, but they can also lead us astray.
Documents have their own problems, of course, but one advantage they
possess is not changing over time, as oral traditions do.

In the case of the Roanoke colonists, Jim Horn of CW has made some real
progress in getting some documentary clues as to their fate, which he
outlines (an entire book on the subject is under way) in his recent book
on early Jamestown. The bottom line conclusion is that they wandered
west from the coast into the interior (50 miles or so?) and resided with
tribes in that area until all or most were killed on the orders of
Wahunsonacock (Powhatan).

Doug Deal

To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions
at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html