The Jamestown Brides

In 1621, fifty-seven women embarked on a challenging three-month journey to Jamestown in response to a Virginia Company advert seeking wives for tobacco planters. While their decision was voluntary, the Company profited from their relocation by setting a bride price in tobacco, raising questions about their true motivations and the risks they faced in a perilous New World. Through historical records and contemporary accounts, Jennifer Potter brings the stories of these Jamestown brides to life, exploring their complex choices and the harsh realities of early colonial life.