John White established a settlement in Roanoke Island, North Carolina. 150 settlers moved to the settlement. Supply shortages prompted White to go back to England for additional support. White was stranded in England for a few years without hearing from the colony. When White returned he found the settlement abandoned and everyone gone. He found the word "Croatan" written on the tree which was the name of a nearby island and also an Indian people. Some people believe either the Natives slaughtered the settlers or the settlers moved with the Natives in an effort to find food.
