10/31/2026
As cold winds rise and leaves turn and fall, we know Autumn is approaching. In autumn, it’s worth reflecting on the traditions that the colonists in 1587 would have recognized.
Long before modern Halloween emerged, many English customs came from ancient Celtic beliefs. One such observance was Samhain (Sow-ain), marking the Autumnal equinox. Ancient Celts believed that the boundary between the living and the dead grew thinner in winter. This was a time associated with the end of the harvest and the transition from summer to winter.
By the late 16th century, these older traditions had blended with Christian practices. The Roanoke colonists would have observed All Hallows’ Eve on October 31. The evening before All Saints’ Day, communities honored the saints as well as their departed loved ones. In some parts of England, “souling,” or offering prayers for the dead in exchange for small cakes or food, occurred. This custom is one of the many historical influences on modern trick-or-treating.
Autumn was also a season of practical importance. This was the time when winter food stores had to be prepared. Harvest celebrations brought communities together, strengthening social bonds before the colder months ahead.
When the settlers arrived on Roanoke Island, they brought with them these traditions and beliefs from England. These customs connected them to centuries of history and to the rhythms of the agricultural year. Consider how today’s traditions would have been recognizable, in one form or another, to the men and women of the Lost Colony.
Painting: "Harvest" by Sebastiaan Vrancx from WikiMedia Commons
Image Description: A painting of men and women in 16th century clothing, harvesting grain in a field. A gentleman standing is on a path in the middle of the image dressed entirely in black.
