Roger North

Roger North (1585? – 1652?) was an English colonial projector. Life Born about 1585, he was grandson of Roger North, 2nd Baron North, and third child of Sir John North. Raleigh expedition North was one of the captains who sailed with Sir Walter Raleigh in his final voyage to Guiana in 1617; he was connected through his sister-in-law Frances, lady North with the originator of the expedition, Captain Lawrence Kemys. North's ensign, John Howard, died on 6 October after leaving the island of Bravo, as fever ravaged the fleet. On 17 November 1617 the adventurers came in sight of the coast of Guiana, and cast anchor off Cayenne. Raleigh, who was disabled by fever, ordered five small ships to sail into the River Orinoco, led by Kemys and carrying five companies of fifty. Of one company North was in command. After a difficult passage up the river the explorers disembarked, and bivouacked on the left bank, not knowing they were near San Tomé, founded by the Spanish, who made a sudden attack. The English force pursued the enemy into the town, and burnt it.