Virginia: Presidents of the Council: 1607-1610
| President of the Council | |
| 14/24 May 1607 - 10/20 Sep 1607 | Edward Maria Wingfield [1] |
| 10/20 Sep 1607 - Jul/Aug 1608 | John Ratcliffe |
| Jul/Aug 1608 - 10/20 Sep 1608 | Matthew Scrivener [2] |
| 10/20 Sep 1608 - c. 4/14 Oct 1609 | John Smith [3] |
| c. 4/14 Oct 1609 - 23 May/2 Jun 1610 | George Percy [4] |
- The arrival of settlers at the site of the future Jamestown is described in accounts attributed to Council of Virginia members John Smith and George Percy, both recording the party's arrival on 13/23 May 1607. Smith reports that "the Councell was sworne, Mr Wingfield was chosen President, and an Oration made," without specifying whether this occurred upon arrival or later. Percy, who does not mention these proceedings, states that on 14/24 May 1607 they "landed all our men," suggesting that Smith's reported events may have taken place on that date and in the presence of the assembled company.
- Ratcliffe was deposed shortly after the arrival of an explorers' party led by John Smith to Jamestown on 21/31 Jul 1608.
- A one-year term of Smith as president expired in August or September 1609, and John Martin was elected to succeed him but "within 3 houres, resigned it againe to Captane Smith." According to a report, a dissenting faction of colonists elected Francis West as their "Governour, or president de bene esse" between 11/21 Aug 1609 and 31 Aug/10 Sep 1609, but he was apparently replaced by George Percy, whose election is mentioned in two accounts and who is recorded as the President who handed the seal and patents to the Lieutenant General, Sir Thomas Gates, on 23 May/2 Jun 1610.
- A letter from John Ratcliffe to the Earl of Salisbury dated 4 Oct 1609 (Old Style) implies that Smith was deposed and "sent home to answere some misdeamenors."