The English Establish 13 Colonies Big question for Chapter 3 ? How did the experience of the early colonists shape America?s political and social ideas? The First English Colonies Envious of Spanish wealth, the English decided to settle their own colonies in America? 1585: Sir Walter Raleigh established a colony at Roanoke Island, but it was unsuccessful. New Bern is located right here. The Lost Colony of Roanoke 1587: Raleigh tried once more to establish a colony at Roanoke, but all of the colonists disappeared by 1590 ? ?The Lost Colony.? Raleigh?s failures lost him his investment ($), and he was unable to try a 3rd time. Where were the early colonies located? Financing a Colony? Step-by-step The First English Colonies