Pocahantas

(1595?-1617)

Pocahontas was born about 1595 in Wicomico, Virginia. She was one of about one hundred children born to the powerful Chief Powhatan. Her tribal name was Matoaka. Matoaka means "Little Snow Feather." Pocahontas was her nickname and means "playful one". She was said to be a favorite of her father and he used her as an ambassador as she grew older.

When Pocahontas was 12 years old, men came to Virginia from England. Other men had come by ships to Virginia before Pocahontas was born, but they did not stay. This time the men from England came to stay in Virginia. Pocahontas had never seen men with light skin and hairy faces before. They had many strange tools and frightening weapons. Pocahontas was curious about the visitors.

Pocahontas was known for her courage and kindness. She was an ambassador to the colonists. She took food to the colonists, carried messages to them, and traded with them. She taught the Indians many things about the colonists and taught the colonists many things about the Indians. She wanted the colonists and the Indians to be friends.  

John Smith was the leader of the colonists. He told a legend that Pocahontas saved his life. Chief Powhatan made him a friend. Chief Powhatan sent Pocahontas to deliver food to John Smith when the colonists had nothing to eat. John Smith was wounded and sailed back to England. The colonists told Pocahontas and Powhatan that John Smith was dead.

With John Smith gone, the Indians and settles began to fight. Pocahontas was captured by the colonists. They wanted Powhatan to give them food in exchange for his favorite daughter. After Powhatan sent the food, refused to return Pocahontas. The colonists asked for more food instead.

Pocahontas was treated kindly and lived with a preacher in Jamestown. She was baptized and took the name Rebecca. Then Pocahontas married a colonist named John Rolfe. They had a son named Thomas.

John Rolfe and Pocahontas were invited to go to England. In England, Pocahontas was called Lady Rebecca. She was entertained at the royal court of King James I. She was greatly admired and made many friends in England.

Pocahontas wanted to return to Virginia. After they got on the ship to return, Pocahontas got sick. She had no resistance to European diseases. Pocahontas became so sick they had to turn the ship around and return to England. Pocahontas died and was buried in England with great honors.

John Rolfe returned to Virginia and became a prosperous tobacco farmer. Thomas stayed with relatives in England where he went to school. He returned to Virginia when he was grown up. John Rolfe died before Thomas returned to Virginia. Thomas claimed his parents' lands and became a government official in Virginia.