Historical Documents & Research

The North End of Roanoke Island in the 17th Century
By Phillip Evans

A Selection of Watercolors
By John White
John White was an explorer, artist, and later, governor of the Roanoke Colony. He was a keen observer of the local Indians and the flora and fauna of the Outer Banks region, the likeness of which he recorded in a series of watercolors painted between 1585 and 1593. The British Museum kindly allowed First Colony Foundation access to their collection of John White’s paintings, a few of which can be viewed below.

“The manner of their attire and painting them selves when they goe to their generall huntings or at theire Solemne feasts” by John White. 1585-1593. Image courtesy of the British Museum.
The Manner of their Fishing by John White. 1585-1593. Image courtesy of the British Museum.
Map of the E coast of N America from Chesapeake bay to Cape Lookout; with royal arms, English vessels, Indian canoes by John White. 1585-1593. Image courtesy of the British Museum.
An Indian Woman by John White. 1585-1593. Image courtesy of the British Museum.
“The towne of Pomeiock and true forme of their howses, covered and enclosed some with matts, and some with barcks of trees. All compassed about with smale poles stock thick together in stedd of a wall.” by John White. 1585-1593. Image courtesy of the British Museum.
Swallow-tail butterfly by John White. 1585-1593. Image courtesy of the British Museum.
“A land Tort which the Savages esteeme above all other Torts” by John White. 1585-1593. Image courtesy of the British Museum.
Map of the E coast of N America: Chesapeake bay to the Florida Keys; with arms of Sir Walter Raleigh, English vessels, dolphins, fish, whales and sea-monsters by John White. 1585-1593. Image courtesy of the British Museum.

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