Back to Colonial Home When did the English colonists arrive?
When the English colonists arrive was 1585 which was on North Carolina. But this colony failed so the found another one in North Carolina. In 1607 the English built Jamestown, their very first American settlement which was located in what became known as the Virginia Colony. In 1620 an English group called the Pilgrims came to America aboard  the Mayflower. Pilgrim's built the second English colony called the Plymouth Colony in what is now Massachusetts. Many Pilgrims died during the first year. But Squanto, Massasoit and other Indians helped the pilgrims survive. To thank a god for their survival, the Pilgrims held a celebration in fall of 1621. The Indians were invited to this fest, which became known as the first Thanksgiving.