the english tried to settle at roanoke island in 1585. the settlement did not last, and no one knows what happened to the people. in 1607, the first lasting english settlement was made at jamestown, virginia, by john smith, john rolfe and other englishmen interested in gold and adventure. in its early years, many people in virginia died of disease and starvation. the colony in virginia lasted because it made money by planting tobacco, rice and cotton.