In 1587, an English expedition led by Governor John White aimed to establish a permanent colony on Roanoke island (part of present-day North Carolina). 115 English settlers including men, women, and children began building their settlement. However, due to rocky relations with the neighboring indigenous tribes, White decided to return to England to gather more supplies and assistance for his colony. However, due to the war with Spain, White did not return to the colony until 1590.
When White finally returned back to his colony, he discovered the colony abandoned with absolutely no signs of settlers even being there in the first place. The only clues left were the word “Croatoan” carved into a tree and “Cro” carved into a pot on the fort. White set out with a small party to investigate the disappearance. Sailing up the Roanoke Sound, they found wildfire burning and fresh indigenous footprints but no traces of the colonists. Till this day, no one knows what about the 115 settlers. Some theorize that the colonists traveled to Croaton and settled there in late 1587 while others believe that they assimilated into the local neighboring indigenous tribes.