RAINES ROOTS IN AMERICA

  THE 16TH CENTURY

In 1587, 117 men, women, and children set foot on a New World. Their benefactor, Sir Walter Raleigh, had long dreamed of a permanent settlement, and finally, despite the threat of war with Spain, Queen Elizabeth I had consented. They crossed the stormy Atlantic, leaving England behind for the promise of a new life. Despite threats of a harsh existence in an unfamiliar wilderness, they came to make a stand on Roanoke Island. And, as their ship anchored in the peaceful waters of Roanoke Sound, the colonists looked landward with a mix of trepidation and anticipation. These brave settlers disappeared into the wilderness, leaving behind no trace of their fate and created a mystery that haunts modern historians as one of America's oldest. Tradition says the first Raines in America was among the remnant of the first colony of Virginia carried away by the Croatian Indians among whom were found blue eyed, blond Indians.

THE 17TH CENTURY

The English colony of Maryland was founded in 1632 by Cecil Colvert, the second Lord Baltimore. Settlers began arriving in 1634. Maryland passed The Religious Tolerance Act, which allowed freedom of religion in America, in 1649. Francis Raines arrived in Maryland in 1665, as part of "A List of Rebbells Transported" from England. This may mean that he was being sent here because of his religious beliefs, as many Christians were at that time who refused to join the Church of England. Barbados is an island nation in the West Indies. The first permanent English settlement there began in 1627. Total control of the island was established in 1652. Robert Raines arrived in Barbados in 1679, according to their "Naturalization Records". Jamaica is also an island nation in the West Indies. The English began settling there in 1655 and controlled the island by 1660. Charles Raines and his wife Mary Raines arrived in Jamaica in 1686 as part of a "List of Emigrants from England to America".
 
 

THE 18TH CENTURY

Jamestown was the first permanent English settlement in North America in 1608. Virginia became a royal colony in 1624. In 1723, another Robert Raines arrived here, according to a resource entitled "Cavaliers & Pioneers: Abstracts of Virginia Land". Nova Scotia is one of the four Atlantic Provinces of Canada. It was first explored by Europeans in 1497. Halifax became the first English settlement in 1749. Richard Raines arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750, according to the "Report: Board of Trustees of Public Affairs".
 
 

THE 19TH CENTURY

Pennsylvania became an English colony in 1681. In 1776, the Declaration of Independence was adopted in the Pennsylvania State House, now called Independence Hall in Philadelphia. John Raines arrived in Philadelphia in 1828, according to the "Index of Aliens' Declarations of Intents & Oaths...". California was first settled by Francis Drake in 1479. It became the 31st state to join the United States in 1850. E. Raines arrived in San Francisco in 1856, according to the "San Francisco Genealogical Bulletin". Indiana became the 19th state to join the United States in 1816. Henry Raines arrived here in 1861, the same year that the American Civil War began, according to the "Index of Indiana Naturalization Records".