<P> William Volday / Wilhelm Waldi, a Swiss German mineral prospector, was also among those who arrived in 1608 . His mission was seeking a silver reservoir that was believed to be within the proximity of Jamestown . Some of the settlers were artisans who built a glass furnace which became the first proto - factory in British North America . Additional craftsmen produced soap, pitch, and wood building supplies . Among all of these were the first made - in - America products to be exported to Europe . However, despite all these efforts, profits from exports were not sufficient to meet the expenses and expectations of the investors back in England, and no silver or gold had been discovered, as earlier hoped . </P> <P> In the months before becoming president of the colony for a year in September 1608, Captain John Smith did considerable exploration up the Chesapeake Bay and along the various rivers . He is credited by legend with naming Stingray Point (near present - day Deltaville in Middlesex County for an incident there). Smith was always seeking a supply of food for the colonists, and he successfully traded for food with the Nansemonds, who were located along the Nansemond River in the modern - day City of Suffolk, and several other groups . However, while leading one food - gathering expedition in December 1607 (before his term as colony president), this time up the Chickahominy River west of Jamestown, his men were set upon by Powhatan Indians . As his party was being slaughtered around him, Smith strapped his Indian guide in front of him as a shield and escaped with his life but was captured by Opechancanough, the Powhatan chief's half - brother . Smith gave him a compass which pleased the warrior and made him decide to let Smith live . </P> <P> Smith was taken before Wahunsunacock, who was commonly referred to as Chief Powhatan, at the Powhatan Confederacy's seat of government at Werowocomoco on the York River . However, 17 years later, in 1624, Smith first related that when the chief decided to execute him, this course of action was stopped by the pleas of Chief Powhatan's young daughter, Pocahontas, who was originally named "Matoaka" but whose nickname meant "Playful Mischief". Many historians today find this account dubious, especially as it was omitted in all his previous versions . Smith returned to Jamestown just in time for the First Supply, in January 1608 . </P> <P> In September 1609, Smith was wounded in an accident . He was walking with his gun in the river, and the powder was in a pouch on his belt . His powder bag exploded . In October, he was sent back to England for medical treatment . While back in England, Smith wrote A True Relation and The Proceedings of the English Colony of Virginia about his experiences in Jamestown . These books, whose accuracy has been questioned by some historians due to some extent by Smith's boastful prose, were to generate public interest and new investment for the colony . </P>

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