Armenian Colonists to America 1650

In 1650, Edward Digges, son of Sir Dudley Digges (Ambassador to Russia) brought two Armenian silk growers to begin raising silkworms in anticipation of producing silk in the colonies. The Armenian silk experts, despite being renowned for their trade, failed in the production of silk despite their best efforts. The government of Virginia, as a means to entice the two Armenians (one of which was named Gevork), offered them the hefty sum of 4,000 pounds of tobacco. The first-ever silk produced in America was thus produced by two Armenians. 

Armenian Americans, silk production in America, Virginia mulberry tree, Virginia silk