Pocahontas
Pocahontas (born around 1595 – buried on March 21, 1617) was a Native American woman who married an Englishman, John Rolfe, and became a celebrity in London right before she died. She was a daughter of Wahunsunacock (also known as Chief or Emperor Powhatan). He was the king of an area called the Tidewater region in Virginia (called Tenakomakah at the time) for a while. Her real names were Matoaka and Amonute. 'Pocahontas' was a childhood nickname referring to her playful nature. Some people think she saved John Smith's life. After her marriage she became officially Rebecca Rolfe. A movie was made about her in 1995 by Disney.
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[change] Pocahontas's Name
The name Pocahontas was a nickname given to her because she was always fun and happy. She was very happy. Her real name was either Matoaka or Amonute. The Indians did not want the English settlers to know her real name. After Pocahontas was baptized, she was given the English name Rebecca. She was called Rebecca Rolfe after she was married.
[change] Pocahontas's Life
[change] Pocahontas and John Smith
Pocahontas was born around 1595. She was the daughter of Powhatan, the chief Powhatan tribes that had over 14,000 Indians. John Smith said that he was captured by a group of Powhatan hunters. He was about to be executed but Pocahontas saved him.
After this, the Indians and English became friends. Pocahontas would go to the settlement to play games with the boys there. When the colonists were starving, Pocahontas brought them food.
In 1609, John Smith was hurt by a gunpowder explosion. He had to go back to England to get better. Pocahontas thought that John Smith was dead until she went to England. By then, she had already married John Rolfe.
Pocahontas and John Smith most likely did not love each other. People got the idea that they might have loved each other from movies and other stories.
[change] Pocahontas's Capture
Two English settlers met Pocahontas when they were trading with the Indians. With the help of an Indian named Japazaws, they tricked Pocahontas. They said that they would give her back only if Chief Powhatan gave the English prisoners who he had captured and weapons.
Chief Powhatan did not give the English settlers enough weapons. So, they continued to keep Pocahontas for about a year. During this time, they treated Pocahontas very well. They told her about Christianity and taught her English. After she was baptized, Pocahontas took the English name "Rebecca". Later, Pocahontas was allowed to go back to the Indians, but she chose to stay with the English.
[change] Pocahontas's Marriage to John Rolfe
When Pocahontas was living with the English, she met John Rolfe. John Rolfe loved Pocahontas, and they were married. The English and Indians became friends again.
[change] Pocahontas's Trip to England and Death
In 1616, Pocahontas and her husband, John Rolfe, went to England. About eleven other Indians went with them. John Smith was living in London at the time Pocahontas was in Plymouth she learned that he was still alive. John Smith did not meet Pocahontas when she was in England.
In March 1617, John Rolfe and Pocahontas got on a ship to return to Virginia, but Pocahontas became very sick and died.
[change] Other websites
- Virginia Historical Society. 'Contact and Conflict'. The Story of Virginia: An American Experience.
- David Morenus. 'The Real Pocahontas'. David's Townhouse. Compares the historical Pocahontas to the Disney version. Pictures and many links.
