POCAHONTAS
1596 - 1617
 

Pocahontas means Little Wanton. Pocahontas had several Indian names, she was also called Matoaka or Amonute. Pocahontas' father was Chief Powhatan.

In 1607, chief Powhatan might or might not have taken John Smith, a man from the Jamestown Colony in Virginia, prisoner. The story goes that as John was prepared for execution by Powhatan, Pocahontas intervened and thus rescued John Smith's life. Now, remember that this story was related by John Smith himself.

Pocahontas visited the settlers regularly. In 1609, apparently she warned the settlers of an ambush.

In 1613 and with the help of Japazeus, a Native American of the Patawomeck tribe, Sir Samuel Argall took Pocahontas prisoner. His plan was to give Powhatan his daughter back in exchange for some English prisoners Powhatan had taken as well as weapons and food that had disappeared from the colony. Powhatan released seven prisoners but no stolen goods were presented. Not enough to give the kid back, decided Argall, and shipped Pocahontas from Jamestown to Henricus.

Pocahontas was declared a Christian and renamed Rebecca. John Rolfe fancied her, they got married in 1614, and Pocahontas became the mother of a son, Thomas. Pocahontas' previous marriage to fellow Native American Kocoum was forgotten.

Sir Thomas Dale, Governor of Virginia, and agents of the Virginia Company thought this union would make an excellent promotion packet for King James I. And so it did.

In 1616, the family was sailed to England and entertained at royal festivals. Getting ready for their trip back to the Colonies, Pocahontas all of a sudden didn't feel so well and died while still in England.

Dutiful husband John Rolfe buried her at Gravesend and took the next sail back to Virginia, leaving young Thomas in England.

Thomas grew up and 18 years later he went to Virginia himself where he made plenty of money in tobacco.