The Chowan River Dare Stone
A mysterious artifact discovered in 1937 that claims to reveal the fate of Virginia Dare, the first English child born in North America, and the Lost Colony of Roanoke. This 21-pound stone remains one of history's most debated and enigmatic objects.
Owned and curated by Stephen Horrillo
The Chowan River Dare Stone, front surface with inscriptions
Discovery and History
The Discovery
On November 8, 1937, Louis E. Hammond, a California tourist, arrived at Emory University in Atlanta with a remarkable discovery. He claimed to have found a 21-pound stone near the east bank of the Chowan River in Chowan County, North Carolina, during a trip in August 1937. The stone bore inscriptions on both sides that appeared to be centuries old.
Hammond's stone would become known as the Chowan River Dare Stone, named after its location and its alleged connection to Eleanor Dare, mother of Virginia Dare. The discovery immediately sparked intense interest from scholars, historians, and the general public, as it seemed to offer a direct message from the Lost Colony itself.
The Context
The stone's discovery came at a time when the fate of the Roanoke Colony remained one of America's greatest unsolved mysteries. The colony had vanished in the early 1590s, leaving behind only the cryptic word "CROATOAN" carved into a tree. Virginia Dare, born in 1587, would have been approximately 3-4 years old when the colony disappeared around 1591.
The Dare Stone appeared to offer a direct answer to centuries of speculation—a message from Eleanor Dare herself, describing what happened to the colonists and Virginia's fate. This made it an extraordinarily significant potential historical document.
Physical Characteristics
Dimensions & Weight
- Weight:21 pounds (9.5 kg)
- Material:Stone (granite or similar)
- Shape:Oval/elliptical, roughly 12-14 inches long
- Surfaces:Two sides with inscriptions
Inscription Details
- Script:Carved letters resembling 16th-century English
- Spelling:Old English with archaic letter forms (V for U)
- Condition:Weathered, with patina suggesting age
- Current Location:Brenau University, Gainesville, Georgia
The Inscriptions
Side One: The Brief Message
Original Inscription (Click words to decode):
Click on highlighted words to see definitions and explanations.
Modern English Translation:
"Ananias Dare and Virginia went hence unto Heaven, 1591. Any Englishman show [this to] John White, Governor of Virginia."
This side of the stone presents the most straightforward message: a declaration that Ananias Dare (Virginia's father) and Virginia Dare (the child) died and went to heaven in 1591. It serves as a memorial and contains instructions to show the stone to John White, Virginia's grandfather and the governor of the colony, presumably to inform him of his family's fate.
Side Two: The Detailed Account
Original Inscription (Click words to decode):
Click on highlighted words to see definitions and explanations.
Modern English Translation:
"Father, soon after you go for England, we came here. Only misery and war for two years. Above half dead these two years, more from sickness, being twenty-four. A Savage with a message of a ship came to us. Within a small space of time, they became frightened of revenge and ran all away. We believe it was not you. Soon after, the savages said spirits were angry. Suddenly they murdered all save seven. My child and Ananias, too, were slain with much misery. Buried all near four miles east of this river, upon a small hill. Names were written all there on a rock. Put this there also. If a Savage shows this to you, we promised you would give them great plenty of presents. EWD."
Signature: EWD
The inscription is signed "EWD," interpreted as Eleanor White Dare, Virginia's mother. This signature is crucial to the stone's claimed authenticity, as it provides a direct attribution to a known historical figure.
What the Stone Claims
The Narrative
According to the stone's inscription, Eleanor Dare describes a harrowing account of the colonists' fate. After John White departed for England, the remaining colonists faced two years of "misery and war." Many died from sickness, and the survivors were reduced to near-starvation.
A Native American messenger arrived with news of a ship, initially giving the colonists hope. However, fear of revenge caused the Native Americans to flee. Subsequently, the colonists were told that the spirits were angry, leading to a sudden massacre that killed all but seven survivors.
Virginia's Fate
The stone explicitly states that Virginia Dare and her father Ananias Dare were among those killed in the massacre. Eleanor Dare describes burying them all near a hill approximately four miles east of the Chowan River, where names were written on a rock.
This would place Virginia's death around 1591, when she would have been approximately 3-4 years old. The stone's message ends with an appeal to whoever finds it to show it to John White and promises rewards (presents) to any Native American who delivers it.
Key Claims Summarized
The Authenticity Question
Arguments for Authenticity
- •The stone's weathering and patina suggest considerable age
- •The inscription uses authentic 16th-century English spelling conventions
- •The carving technique is consistent with period methods
- •The message contains historically plausible details about the colony's fate
- •The signature "EWD" correctly identifies Eleanor White Dare
- •Some scholars believe it could be genuine evidence of the Lost Colony
Arguments Against Authenticity
- •No archaeological evidence supports the stone's discovery location
- •The 47 subsequent stones were proven to be forgeries
- •Suspicious circumstances surrounding its discovery and presentation
- •The stone's narrative is too detailed and convenient
- •Modern scholars have questioned the authenticity of the carving
- •No definitive scientific testing has conclusively proven its age
The Controversy of the 47 Stones
After Hammond's discovery, a Georgia stonecutter named Bill Eberhardt claimed to find 47 additional stones, all allegedly containing messages from Eleanor Dare and other colonists. These stones were presented in response to a reward offer and told a "gothic story of a nightmarish trek" through the wilderness.
By 1941, scholars and the press had conclusively determined that nearly all 47 stones were forgeries. The Saturday Evening Post published a major exposé detailing the evidence of fraud. This discovery significantly damaged the credibility of the entire Dare Stone phenomenon, casting doubt on the authenticity of even the original Chowan River Stone.
The forgery of the 47 stones raised important questions: If Eberhardt could create convincing forgeries, could the original stone also be a hoax? Or was the original stone genuine, with only the subsequent stones being fraudulent? This remains one of the central debates in the stone's authenticity.
Current Status
The authenticity of the Chowan River Dare Stone remains inconclusive. No definitive scientific proof has conclusively proven or disproven its authenticity. The stone is housed at Brenau University in Gainesville, Georgia, where it remains one of the most debated artifacts in American history.
Most mainstream historians remain skeptical, viewing it as likely a hoax. However, some scholars continue to argue that it could be genuine, representing a crucial piece of evidence about the Lost Colony's fate. The truth may never be fully known, but the Dare Stone continues to captivate researchers and history enthusiasts worldwide.
Historical Significance
Whether authentic or forged, the Chowan River Dare Stone represents a pivotal moment in American historical research. Its discovery in 1937 reignited interest in the Lost Colony mystery and sparked decades of scholarly debate about the fate of Virginia Dare and the Roanoke colonists.
The stone embodies the human desire to solve one of history's greatest mysteries. For over 400 years, the question "What happened to Virginia Dare?" has captivated the American imagination. The Dare Stone offered a tantalizing answer—a direct message from the past, allegedly written by Virginia's own mother.
If authentic, the stone would be one of the most important historical documents ever discovered, providing definitive answers about the Lost Colony. If forged, it represents a remarkable piece of historical deception that fooled scholars and the public alike. Either way, it remains a fascinating artifact that continues to challenge our understanding of early American history.
The Chowan River Dare Stone stands as a testament to the enduring mystery of Virginia Dare—a reminder that some of history's greatest questions may never be fully answered, yet continue to inspire curiosity and investigation for generations to come.