My name is Josiah Higgins. I have had such bad luck living in England. I was gambling and lost all of my money. I cannot pay my bills or feed my family. The constable came and put me in the horrible debtor’s prison. Then, James Oglethorpe offered the debtors in this prison a chance for a new life. We could stay in this dark prison or go to the a colony in the New World and make a new beginning. I want to change my life and have money.

My name is Sarah Cottenspee. I am a member of a religious group called Quakers. We are living in England in an unfair situation. The King wants us to only belong to his church, The Church of England. We have to worship in secret to avoid being punished by his spies. We are good people and know how to take care of our families and farm. We want to live in a place where we do not need to hide our religious beliefs. We want to worship in our own way. We want our lives to be in peace and nonviolence. Where can we go?

3. My name is Samuel Hayton. I live in England and belong to a religious group called Puritans. We are a responsible and faithful group of people. We live in a country where we cannot worship in our own way. The King will punish us for our beliefs. We believe in a strict way of living life being an industrious, pure and faithful people. We need to find a place where we can live that will permit us to have religious and political freedom. Our strict code of ethics and behavior seems strange to some people. We stay far away from the wicked things in life. Where can we go?

4. My name is Samuel Smith. The year is 1619. I live in England in a poor section of a small village. There is not enough work here and we will never be able to own our own land. We always have to work for the owner of a manor. Our children are often in need as most of the other villagers are here. We need to find a place to live where we can find happiness for our families. But, more than anything, we need to find a place to live where we can own land. Maybe we could even find gold or other riches in this new place. We are willing to take a chance in this new colony where John Smith went. We would rather die of disease than die poor.

5. My name is Samuel Eddison. I loive in England under the rule of King James. He said that all of the people in England mush belong to one church, the Church of England. I belong to a group of people here that refuse to obey this King. We are called Separatists because we wanted our own separate church. Some people call us Pilgrims. I heard that there is a ship leaving England for a colony in the New World called the Mayflower. We want to make a plan for our own government in this colony. In this new life we will be able to worship in our own way and have freedom from the Church of England. We would rather take this risk on this journey than die or be punished by an unfair king. Where should we go?

6. My name is Jeramiah Goody. I am a single young man living in England. Due to my station in life as a tradesman, I have little hope of being a land owner or part of the upper class here. Since I do not have a family to take care of, I am ready to take a risk to change and better my life. I heard about a new colony forming in the New World. The Virginia Company is sponsoring this venture. I know many of the "gentlemen" of England want to go on this journey. I also know that people like me, the workers, will have to do most of the work for these gentlemen. They are very lazy. But, I want a chance to find gold and riches even though the last group who went disappeared.

7. My name is Sir Walter Raleigh. I am from England. I believe that the colonies in North America can make England the richest country in the world. In this year, 1587, I will send 115 new settlers to this colony.  This will be my second try at establishing a colony. Our trip will enable us to find new life and gold for England.. For our trip I will take some farmers and supplies to help us be successful as we start the new colony. I am sure we will be able to enjoy owning a lot of land and find wealth for ourselves and the King. If Spain can do this, we can to. Where shall we go?