The early settlers who established the Jamestown colony in Virginia were primarily English colonists. Founded in 1607, Jamestown was the first permanent English settlement in North America. The Virginia Company, a joint-stock company, financed the expedition, sending approximately 100 settlers, including gentlemen, laborers, and craftsmen. The colony struggled initially due to harsh conditions, conflicts with Native Americans, and food shortages, leading to what is known as the "Starving Time" in the winter of 1609-1610. However, with the introduction of tobacco cultivation by John Rolfe, Jamestown eventually prospered and became a model for future British colonies in the New World.