Pocahontas was a Native American woman notable for her association with the settlers at Jamestown. She was the daughter of a Powhatan chief and is known for saving Captain John Smith's life in 1607 when she was around 9 years old.
Pocahontas was captured and held for ransom by the Colonists during hostilities in 1613. During her captivity, she converted to Christianity and took the name Rebecca.
When the opportunity arose for her to return to her people, she chose to remain with the Colonists. She married tobacco planter John Rolfe on April 1614 at age 17, and she gave birth to their son Thomas Rolfe on January 1615
Early Life
Pocahontas was probably born sometime in 1595. She was truly an Indian princess, being the daughter of Powhatan, the leader of the Powhatan Indian confederacy located in Virginia. Since Powhatan had many wives, it remains unclear who Pocahontas' mother was or the exact number of siblings the young princess had.
She had three names. Powhatan himself gave her the name Pocahontas, meaning "Little Wanton." This name may actually have been given to several of Powhatan's daughters as a term of endearment or an affectionate nickname.
Her tribal name was Mantoax (or Matoaka), which means "Little Snow Feather." As the daughter of a powerful and wealthy leader, Pocahontas undoubtedly enjoyed a position of prominence and privilege within the Indian community.
Pocahontas first enters the historical record in 1607, shortly after the settlers arrived at Jamestown.
In late December 1607, Captain John Smith led a small group of colonists in an expedition outside the fort in search of food. The settlers ran across an Indian hunting party led by Powhatan's brother, Openchancanough.
The Indians quickly overtook the settlers, killing everyone except Smith. Smith was taken back to the Indian village of Werowocomoco, Powhatan's residence, as a prisoner. There, he met Pocahontas, whom he described as:
"a child of tenne years old which in feature, countenance, and proportion much exceedeth any of the rest of her people."
It is difficult to determine the extent of the contact between the European captive and the young girl. Pocahontas did make an effort to learn the English language, and she may have communicated directly with Smith at this early stage. Smith was only held in captivity for a short period in 1607-1608.
He said that the Indians conducted a ritualized trial in which he was declared guilty and sentenced to death. Smith was forced to place his head on a great stone, and just as he was about to be killed, Pocahontas ran forward and blocked his body with her own. The chief then backed off and spared Smith's life.
The likelihood of this story being true is small. Smith has a historical reputation for embellishing his stories, and this was not the first time he was saved by a "princess."
Pocahontas did try to learn the English language, and as a result of her curiosity concerning the English settlers, she eventually traveled to the colony itself.
Beginning in 1608, Pocahontas made frequent trips to Jamestown, delivering messages from her father and arranging for the exchange of food and supplies. She spoke to Smith on many occasions until he left for England in 1609.
Pocahontas was an invaluable friend to the early settlers of Colonial America; she empathized with their desperate conditions and attempted to provide aid in the form of corn and fish.
Her Capture and John Rolfe
Relations between the Indians and the colonists degenerated in 1609 after Smith returned to England. Although trade did continue between the settlers and the Indians, Pocahontas became an infrequent visitor.
In 1610, she married an Indian named Kocoum and went to live among the Potomac Indians.
She may have had children by her Indian husband. The fate of her husband is unknown as well.
In 1613, English settlers led by Captain Samuel Argall abducted her. The young woman was a valuable prize. She was seized in order to exchange her for English prisoners and weapons held by Powhatan. There is a high probability that during this time, she was raped.
She was held briefly at Jamestown and then moved to Henrico.
The governor, Sir Thomas Dale, placed her in the care of Reverend Alexander Whitaker. She began religious instruction and eventually converted to Christianity in 1614, taking the name Rebecca.
During this time in captivity, Pocahontas met John Rolfe. Rolfe had lost his first wife and child on the trip to the New World and became a prominent tobacco planter.
He fell in love with Pocahontas and asked the permission of the governor to marry her. The couple was married on April 5, 1614.
The likelihood of this story being true is small. Smith has a historical reputation for embellishing his stories, and this was not the first time he was saved by a "princess."
Pocahontas did try to learn the English language, and as a result of her curiosity concerning the English settlers, she eventually traveled to the colony itself.
Beginning in 1608, Pocahontas made frequent trips to Jamestown, delivering messages from her father and arranging for the exchange of food and supplies. She spoke to Smith on many occasions until he left for England in 1609.
Pocahontas was an invaluable friend to the early settlers of Colonial America; she empathized with their desperate conditions and attempted to provide aid in the form of corn and fish.
Her Capture and John Rolfe
Relations between the Indians and the colonists degenerated in 1609 after Smith returned to England. Although trade did continue between the settlers and the Indians, Pocahontas became an infrequent visitor. In 1610, she married an Indian named Kocoum and went to live among the Potomac Indians.
She may have had children by her Indian husband. The fate of her husband is unknown as well.
In 1613, English settlers led by Captain Samuel Argall abducted her. The young woman was a valuable prize. She was seized in order to exchange her for English prisoners and weapons held by Powhatan. There is a high probability that during this time, she was raped.
She was held briefly at Jamestown and then moved to Henrico.
The governor, Sir Thomas Dale, placed her in the care of Reverend Alexander Whitaker. She began religious instruction and eventually converted to Christianity in 1614, taking the name Rebecca.
During this time in captivity, Pocahontas met John Rolfe. Rolfe had lost his first wife and child on the trip to the New World and became a prominent tobacco planter. He fell in love with Pocahontas and asked the permission of the governor to marry her. The couple was married on April 5, 1614.
Her uncle and two of her brothers witnessed the marriage. The marriage became a political alliance between the English and natives and lasted until the Powhatan chief's death in 1618.
In 1615, Pocahontas gave birth to a son named Thomas.
Trip to England
In 1616, Pocahontas, her husband and son, and several other Indian men and women all traveled to England. Pocahontas captivated English royalty, and the publicity, in turn, sparked interest in the colonial settlement.
She was introduced as a princess to the King and Queen of England as well as the Bishop of London.
She was also briefly reunited with Captain John Smith. Soon after this encounter, Smith published his account of Pocahontas' rescue.
The Rolfe family toured England for seven months. In March 1617, they boarded a ship to return to Virginia. Onboard ship Pocahontas became very sick.
She was taken ashore and died on March 21, 1617, at Gravesend, England. She is buried at St. George's Parish Church in Gravesend.