Death at Jamestown

		Organizer for Culminating Activity Record your research on a separate piece of paper. Point 1 Are the list of colonist's symptoms best explained by the presence of typhoid, dysentery or arsenic poisoning? Dr. Hancock doesn't believe that all symptoms mentioned by the settlers can be explained by typhoid and dysentery. He thinks that arsenic poisoning would explain more of the symptoms recorded by the colonists. (John Smith's records show that arsenic in the form of rat's bane was present in the colony.) Research the symptoms of typhoid, dysentery and arsenic poisoning and compare them with the list of the colonists' symptoms described in colonists' writings (diarrhea, fever, delusions, swellings, bruises and skin pealing). Record your findings on your information sheet. The following site contains some of the symptoms of arsenic poisoning: http://phys4.harvard.edu/~wilson/arsenic_project_health_effects.html Point 2 Was arsenic ever used to poison people in the 1600's? Investigate the occurrences of arsenic poisoning in the 1600's to find out if it was common. (Hint- In 1623 the colonists served poisoned wine to the Chesapeake Indians, killing the chief and over 200 Indians.) Point 3 What was happening between Protestants and Catholics in England during this time period? Dr. Hancock doesn't believe that all symptoms mentioned by the settlers can be explained by typhoid and dysentery. He thinks that arsenic poisoning would explain more of the symptoms recorded by the colonists. (John Smith's records show that arsenic in the form of rat's bane was present in the colony.) Investigate the conflict between the Protestant and Catholic factions in England in the early 1600's. Who was Baron Thomas Arundell, and why would he have liked to see Jamestown fail? This site could be helpful in your research http://campus.northpark.edu/history/WebChron/WestEurope/GunPowder.html. Point 4 What were England's and Spain's positions in the new world? Catholic Spain controlled most of the new world. The Jamestown colony was of great importance in North America. Hancock believes that the poisoning of the Jamestown colonists would impede the British expansion in the new world without the cost of a war. Research the international conflict between England and Spain to control the new world. Point 5 Was there internal fighting at Jamestown? The skeletal remains of a body with a British musket ball lodged in his thigh was unearthed at Jamestown. Information about the skeleton named JR102C can be found on the following websites: http://www.apva.org/ngex/jr102c.html http://www.apva.org/finding/grave.html Point 6 Could one of the settlers been a Catholic and part of an English or Spanish scheme to destroy the colony? The following are areas to investigate: George Kendall, a leader at Jamestown, was accused of being a Spanish spy and was executed. During the excavation of Jamestown, Catholic religious medallions, rosary beads and crucifixes are discovered.