Who were those investors involved in so risky an adventure? There were two types of investors in the Virginia Company of London, adventurers, and planters or settlers. Adventurers were willing to risk their fortunes in shares of the company, but not their persons. Planters, or settlers were those who were either adverturous by nature, or desperate to find a better way of life. They worked for the Virginia Company for a predetermined period of years (seven years in the case of the earliest planters) in exchange for housing, clothing, food, and one share in the Virginia Company. But, what would make either the adventurers or the planters willing to risk either their money or their lives?

At the time of the initial investments made in the Virginia Company, English law allowed for only the firstborn son to inherit the family’s properties. Therefore, other sons had to make their own way in the world, many of whom were thirsting to become wealthy landowners like their older brothers. Although a risky venture, the leaders of the colonial expeditions promised the possibility of such riches being acquired. After all, hadn’t the Spanish found gold in their American settlements?

Then, of course, there were the merchants and traders. These individuals also wanted to acquire even greater wealth. They were certain that America offered a northwest passage to China. If so, their investments would pay off handsomely. They would have access to a route that would make them as wealthy as the other great trading companies.

Riches were not the only reason people invested in the Virginia Company project. There were both the religious and political aspects of colonization. The need and desire to convert the naturals (Indians) to Protestantism seems to be more a politcal move than a religious one in 1606. By claiming this territory of Virginia for Protestantism, the English were denying it to the Catholics, and therefore, to their greatest enemy, the Spaniards.

There was also over population in both London, and in the nation as a whole, by 1606. By sending the less fortunates to another land to live, England stood to preserve its land resources for its remaining population. Virginia offered a way to eliminate the idle population, and at the same time, hopefully provide England with commodities it otherwise must import from other countries: timber, iron, soap ashes, and copper.

Whatever the reasons for the investments made in both money or lives, the list of members was considerable, as you can see by the following roster: