Led by Captain John White, 121 colonists landed on Roanoke Island in July 1587. White returned to England for supplies in the summer of 1589. When he returned to Roanoke around 1590 or 1591, no trace was left of the colonists he had left behind. The only clue was the word "Croatoan" carved into a tree. Did the colonists settle with the friendly Croatoan Native Americans and become part of their tribe? Some believe this occurred and point to the following as evidence: A group of Native Americans now living in North Carolina call themselves Croatoan and have English names.