Problems in Jamestown There was a certain time period in Jamestown called the starvation period. This was in the winter of 1609 -1610.The Indians killed the English?s livestock. Before that winter there were 500 people but after there were only 60. Other problems included, were diseases, bad water, and the Indians stealing the English?s food. Dysentery was a bad disease that the English got from the swamp water which was mixed with salt water. The English got Malaria because the climate was hot and humid and many settlers were not used to it. Although Jamestown settlers experienced many problems, they survived. Setting sail