[oldvirginian]

The settlers at Jamestown were more middle class adventurers than actual settlers. They expected to stride out into the forests and stumble upon gold, silver and jewels. They didn’t have a clue about what it took to survive away from civilization.
Word was sent back to England that clerks, adventurers and ne’er do wells the colony had an abundance of. What was needed was successful farmers, craftsmen and tradesmen. The next trip to Jamestown consisted of mainly Polish farmers and craftsmen. With their arrival the colony began to prosper.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

They were not middle class as we would understand it now. They were Gentry. Sons of Gentlemen who had never actually worked a day in their life.

If they had brought what we would consider middle class Yeomen or tradesmen it would have done much better.