What was the name ship that brought the first Africans to Jamestown in 1619?

Answer 1

According to William Thorndales 1977 article published in the Virginia Quarterly magazine, there were 32 Africans already in Jamestown prior to the arrival of the 20 & so odd Angolans that arrived in Aug. 1619.

source: William Thorndale, "The Virginia Census of 1619," Magazine of Virginia Genealogy, Vol. 33, Summer 1995, No. 3.

The article was based on Virginia Colony records and papers written by Sir Nicolas Ferrar who initiated the first English voyage to America. Mr. Ferrar and his brother John counted 928 souls in Jamestown during the year 1618. That census was released in Mar. 1619.

Of the 928 persons, 17 were African females (non-christian) and 15 were African males (Non-Christians) and 4 Indians. According to Sir Nicolas, many of the first arrivals (date of arrival not given), came onboard a Dutch Frigate.

The Africans that arrived in late 1619 arrived in Jamestown onboard Two ships called the "Treasuror" and "White Lion".

These two ships actually seized the "August 1619 group of Africans" from a Portuguese slave ship called the "San Bautista". The English ships split the cargo, (nearly 300 Africans), then sank the San Bautista. On their return to England they ran out of food and supplies. They sailed into Jamestown harbor on August 1619. It was John Rolfe who traded food for 20 or so odd Africans for much needed labor. These people were NOT slaves; they served 3-7 year indenture contracts like their white counterparts and subsequently freed to live as free persons.

John Rolfe placed these africans in the household of family members and close associates...such as the Staffords & Evans families.

Hope this helps.