The White Doe The Fate of Virginia Dare

"The White Doe" by Sallie Southall Cotten is an early 1900’s story of Virginia Dare, the first English child born in America, whose destiny becomes connected to a legend of a white deer. This story presents themes of early colonization, tragic love, and magical change set during the dangerous meeting of English settlers and Native Americans. The story goes into the tough journey of Virginia Dare's family as they try to start a new life in America, only to meet terrible problems that make them vanish. In the story, Virginia is changed into a white deer by magic from her rejected admirer, Chi-co, which drives the tragic events of her doomed love for O-kis-ko. The story blends old folklore with historical happenings to construct a memorable and sad tale of love amidst the setting of early American history, increasing the mystery surrounding Virginia Dare and the Lost Colony of Roanoak Island.