400th Anniversary of the Poles' arrival in America
Date of Issue : 30 September 2008
The first Poles in America
The year 1620 is generally established as the foundation date of the first American colony, when the so called "founding fathers" stepped off their ship, the Mayflower, and started the Plymouth settlement. However attempts to settle the land had been made as early as 20 years before that. It isn't common knowledge, though, that some of the earliest settles in America were Poles! In 1607 the British Virginia Company established the Jamestown colony, which served as a trade centre. It needed qualified workforce, who were recruited not only England. Among the new settlers to reach Jamestown on 1 October 1608 on board "Mary and Margaret" there were such new settlers. The group included Dutchmen, Germans, and also Poles (probably five). Their work included manufacturing tar, potash, wood tar, lye and glass. They were also employed in carpentry.
The Jamestown settlement was administered by captain John Smith, whose exciting adventures have survived in stories such as that of Pocahontas. It is likely that he had come in contact with the Polish people many years ago, e.g. when battling Turks in Transylvania. The surviving records and testimonies of captain Smith imply that the Poles were outstanding craftsmen, renown for their commitment. Apart from manufacturing the first export goods, the Poles were responsible for the first industrial action in the history of America. When in 1619 Jamestown announced its first local election, foreigners were left out. As a sign of protest, the Poles abandoned their workstations, which convinced the London central to accede to their demands - the Poles received rights equal to the ones held by the other settlers. Additionally, they were instructed to train journeymen in order to pass on their priceless skills.Within the following decades the colony was devastated as a result of war with Indians and very harsh living conditions. Many of the settlers died, while others moved away in search of more peaceful places to live.
Courtesy - Polish Post
From Collection of Shrikant Parikh
Political and Social Leaders - 15 August 2000
Madhubani & Mithila Paintings - 15 October 2000
