The Durants were among the first whites to settle what would become Noeth Carolina. In the 1650's, George Durant was a partner in exploring the land with two other Virginias, Ricahrd and Nathaniel Batts. They had originally been partners in trading with the local Indians. Their trading and shipping might have induced them to buy land.Batt's bought land from the Yeopim Indians in 1660's, and Durant bougnt land in 1661.After the failure of the Roanoke colony, the Enlgish waited until 1607 to establish their first permanent base i nthe New World, at Jamestown.A tobacco growing colony of VA grew up around the James /river. The chesapeake Bay was deeper and easier to navigate than the shallow Roanoke Sount.The profits to be made from tobacco eventually spurred interest in the lands beyong the Dismal. Aftter 7 years the field had to be abandoned. In 1622, a Virginia official, John Pory, waded through the swamp and went all the way to the "South River Chawonock some 60 miles" where he found a "Very fruitful and pleasnt Countrie." In 1629, King Charles 1 gave a tract pf ;amd spitj pf tje Dosma; tp jos attprmeu general. By the 1650's the best VA lands had been taken, and tobacoo prices ahd fallen. George Durant came her for a chance to grow more tobacco with less effort and expense. They hoped prices would raise as other farmers needed new areas for their crops.
Carolina "Rogues"
Tobacco was a huge source of revenue for the king. The taxes, colected as customs duties had become a way England could afford teh expense of it's colonies i nthe New World. Virginiasn were contantly watched to make sure that thewy paid their taxes. In this way, someone like George Durant could profit even though he did not live in the richer sections of VA. People could grow his own tobacco , but up the leaf gwon by his neighbors, then arrange to ship the tobacco on small boats (large boats in England across the Chesapeake, the tow masted Yankee sloops could go across the shallow sounds.) They returned with small cargoes of tobacco, corn, and wheat, and found ready markets there. For several yeats they did well and others joined.
Settlers from the North
The Durants were among the first whites to settle what would become Noeth Carolina. In the 1650's, George Durant was a partner in exploring the land with two other Virginias, Ricahrd and Nathaniel Batts. They had originally been partners in trading with the local Indians. Their trading and shipping might have induced them to buy land.Batt's bought land from the Yeopim Indians in 1660's, and Durant bougnt land in 1661.After the failure of the Roanoke colony, the Enlgish waited until 1607 to establish their first permanent base i nthe New World, at Jamestown.A tobacco growing colony of VA grew up around the James /river. The chesapeake Bay was deeper and easier to navigate than the shallow Roanoke Sount.The profits to be made from tobacco eventually spurred interest in the lands beyong the Dismal. Aftter 7 years the field had to be abandoned. In 1622, a Virginia official, John Pory, waded through the swamp and went all the way to the "South River Chawonock some 60 miles" where he found a "Very fruitful and pleasnt Countrie." In 1629, King Charles 1 gave a tract pf ;amd spitj pf tje Dosma; tp jos attprmeu general. By the 1650's the best VA lands had been taken, and tobacoo prices ahd fallen. George Durant came her for a chance to grow more tobacco with less effort and expense. They hoped prices would raise as other farmers needed new areas for their crops.
Carolina "Rogues"
Tobacco was a huge source of revenue for the king. The taxes, colected as customs duties had become a way England could afford teh expense of it's colonies i nthe New World. Virginiasn were contantly watched to make sure that thewy paid their taxes. In this way, someone like George Durant could profit even though he did not live in the richer sections of VA. People could grow his own tobacco , but up the leaf gwon by his neighbors, then arrange to ship the tobacco on small boats (large boats in England across the Chesapeake, the tow masted Yankee sloops could go across the shallow sounds.) They returned with small cargoes of tobacco, corn, and wheat, and found ready markets there. For several yeats they did well and others joined.