Mariner and colonist. His family name appears to have originally been Sicklemore, and why he chose to call himself Ratcliffe remains a riddle. He was captain of the 'Discovery', one of three ships that sailed to found the Jamestown Settlement in Virginia, and later became the second president of the colony. He was killed by the Pamunkey native Americans when he was going to trade with them in 1609.
Credit for this entry to: Alan Patient of www.plaquesoflondon.co.uk
This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
John Ratcliffe
This voyage took place 16 years before the Mayflower. The memorial has a his...
Role on the lost expedition: Petty officer on SS Erebus. See John Franklin.
Role on the lost expedition: Petty officer on SS Terror. See John Franklin.
Explorer and journalist, born as John Rowlands at Denbigh, Wales. Illegitimate and brought up in a workhouse, he sailed to America as a cabin boy in 1859. He befriended a trader called Henry Hope S...
Person, Exploring, Journalism / Publishing, Race Issues, Seriously Famous, Africa, USA, Wales
Role on the lost expedition: Able seaman on SS Erebus. See John Franklin.
Role on the lost expedition: Officer on SS Terror. See John Franklin.
