Tragedy + Time = A Haunting 

by Fayeruz Regan 10.2023

The Henricus colony was doomed even before it began. The Arrohatek tribe lived on the land that the English were eyeing for a second colony, and their solution was to slaughter the tribe members indiscriminately.

And who carried out these vicious attacks? None other than the militant commander Sir Thomas Dale. He was hired to restore order and discipline to Jamestown, and was such a tyrant that colonists would sometimes flee to native tribes to start a new life. In 1611, the Virginia Company of London urged him to create another settlement. 

In response, Dale marched 300 colonists from Jamestown to the woods of Chester, Virginia, over 50 miles away. The spot along the James River was to be called the Citie of Henrycus. The journey was treacherous, as the Arrohatek harassed the colonists along their route in retaliation for the murder of their tribe members.

The colonists arrived at the site exhausted, but Sir Thomas Dale was merciless.  He ordered them to start building - around the clock. Within ten days, seven acres of fencing fortified the colony, as well as a church, a hospital, watch towers, and other dwellings. But hard labor weakened the malnourished colonists. When someone was caught stealing food, they were tied to a tree and starved to death. Scholar James Horn quotes Dale in relating the punishments inflicted, writing, "some were hanged, some burned, some broken upon wheels, others staked and shot [and others] bound fast unto trees and so starved to death."

And this was just the beginning. At another point, Pocahontas was kidnapped and held hostage at Henrycus. There were periods of famine and disease. Then there’s the infamous end to the 11-year-old settlement. By 1622, the English had developed friendships with some natives, thanks to Pocahontas marrying colonist John Rolfe. The Peace of Pocahontas, as it was called, saw natives going freely in and out of the colony. Some were even employed by the Englishmen.

This gave natives access for a coordinated attack. Once the tribe members on the inside gave a signal, the others surrounding the site attacked from all sides. Over 300 colonists died that day, and the Citie of Henrycus was burned to the ground.

Given all the horrors that took place on its soil, it is not surprising that many have reported paranormal activity there. Visitors often recount hearing unexplained noises, such as children laughing and footsteps in an otherwise empty dwelling. Others claim to have seen misty apparitions. There have been accounts of objects moving on their own. Outside, people have reported the sounds of cannon blasts and gun fire, despite the fact that no reenactments were being staged at the time.

Like a moth to a flame, I had to visit Henricus Historical Park. This landmark is a replica of the original colony that was burned down, and sits on or near the original site. I was immediately blown away by the detail. The first thing I came upon were two women wearing animal skins, turning a fallen tree into a canoe with a slow, controlled burn. I knew the costumes would be authentic, but the detail in learning how to make a canoe left me gobsmacked.

Men stood in formation, shooting off muskets. For authenticity, even a young boy in full colonial garb participated. I’m sure they were shooting blanks. As we wandered from building to building, we marveled at the real animal hides hanging on the walls, and the men who portrayed Spanish prisoners, suspected by the colonists to be spies. The English officer warned us not to cavort with the “Spaniards” they captured, but while in their presence, one slipped a note to the young boy in our party. It was sealed in wax. The English officers were so convincing, that the boy didn’t dare open the note until we left the building. It was blank, but A+ for the drama of it all.

At one point, we looked up to see that dark clouds had gathered. That greyish-midnight blue that tells you to hurry. We ducked into the church just as thunder cracked. Rain fell in sheets. But the sanctuary was dark and hushed. The pitched wooden ceiling felt gothic, and lit candles were everywhere. We spoke in a whisper with the staff about the alleged hauntings. Though we didn’t personally see or feel anything that felt paranormal, it no longer mattered. The experience was so immersive and educational, it cannot be missed.

https://henricus.org/