Thomas Forrest (colonist)

Thomas Forrest was an early English colonist in Jamestown, Virginia. He arrived in 1608 with the Second Supply mission aboard the ship Mary and Margaret, along with his wife, Mistress Forrest, who holds the distinction of being one of the first two English women to arrive in the colony (along with Anne Burras).

His primary role in the colony appears to have been related to his status as a gentleman and likely a person of some means, as he brought supplies and would have been expected to contribute to the overall well-being of the settlement. Details of his activities beyond his arrival are scarce, but he is significant for the historical record because of his wife's presence. The presence of Mistress Forrest and Anne Burras marked a turning point for Jamestown, indicating a shift towards establishing a permanent English society in the New World, rather than solely a trading outpost manned by men. The arrival of women allowed for the possibility of families and a more sustainable community.

The fate of Thomas Forrest after his arrival in Jamestown is not definitively documented. However, given the high mortality rates in the early years of the colony due to disease, starvation, and conflicts with Native Americans, it is presumed that he may have perished within a relatively short period. His legacy primarily resides in the historical significance of his wife's presence in early Jamestown.