The English established the Jamestown colony in Virginia in 1607 as their third attempt to colonize North America. The colony was founded by the Virginia Company, a joint stock company financed by English merchants seeking resources and new markets. However, Jamestown struggled for its first ten years due to many colonists not wanting to work and instead searching for gold. Disease and attacks from Native Americans also plagued the colony. By 1609-1610, known as the "Starving Time", over 80% of colonists had died due to famine and poor living conditions. The colony was saved by strong leadership from John Smith and an economic shift to tobacco farming for export to Europe.