Pocahontas became of symbol of Indian religious conversion, one of the stated goals of the Virginia Company. According to Ralph Hamor, the marriage created a period of peace between the colonists and Powhatan. On January 30, 1615, Pocahontas gave birth to Thomas Rolfe. Rolfe and Pocahontas married on April 5, 1614, and lived for two years on Rolfe's farm. Pocahontas' feelings about Rolfe and the marriage are unknown. In a long letter to the governor requesting permission to wed Pocahontas, he expressed both his love for her and his belief he would be saving her soul through the institution of Christian marriage. Rolfe, a pious farmer, had lost his wife and child on the journey over to Virginia. Pocahontas met John Rolfe during her year in captivity. When the colonists were starving, "every once in four or five days, Pocahontas with her attendants brought him so much provision that saved many of their lives that else for all this had starved with hunger." Despite this connection, there is little in the historical record to suggest a romantic link between John Smith and Pocahontas. It is possible that Powhatan had political motivations for bringing Smith into his chiefdom.Įarly histories establish that Pocahontas befriended Smith and assisted the Jamestown colony. Rather than the near victim of execution, he may have been subject to a tribal ritual intended to symbolize his death and rebirth as a member of the tribe. Another theory suggests that Smith may have misunderstood what had happened to him in Powhatan's longhouse. Smith may have exaggerated or invented the account to enhance Pocahontas's standing. Historians have long expressed doubts that the story of Pocahontas saving Smith occurred as told in these later accounts. She also earned the nickname "Pocahontas," which means " playful one," because of her cheery and inquisitive nature. She was named Amonute at birth and went by the name Matoaka. Her mother’s identity is unknown. Like many Algonquian-speaking Virginia Indians of the period, Pocahontas probably had several names, to be used in various contexts. Pocahontas was the daughter of Powhatan, the leader of an alliance of about 30 Algonquian-speaking groups and petty chiefdoms in Tidewater Virginia known as Tsenacommacah. Pocahontas later married a colonist, changed her name to Rebecca Rolfe and died while visiting England in 1617.
In a well-known historical anecdote, she saved the life of Englishman, by placing her head upon his own at the moment of his execution. Pocahontas was a Powhatan Native American woman known for her involvement with English colonial settlement at Jamestown, Virginia. Pocahontas, later known as Rebecca Rolfe, was a Native American who assisted English colonists during their first years in Virginia. so much provision, that saved many of their lives, that else for all this had starved with hunger.” 'Tis enough that the child liveth."” “In the utmost of many extremities that blessed Pocahontas, the great king's daughter of Virginia oft saved my life.” “Pocahontas, the king's dearest daughter, got head into her arms, and laid her own upon to save from death.” “ the instrument to preserve this colony from death, famine and utter confusion.” “A messenger forthwith was sent to her father, that his daughter Pocahontas he loved so dearly, he must ransom with our men, swords, pieces, tools, etc., he treacherously had stolen.” “Master John Rolfe, an honest gentleman, and of good behavior, had been in love with Pocahontas, and she with him.” “Pocahontas, the king's most dear and well-beloved daughter.gave me much cause to respect her.” “Pocahontas with her attendants brought. “Were you not afraid to come into my father's country, and caused fear in him and all of his people and fear you here I should call you father: I tell you I will, and you shall call me child, and so I will be for ever and ever your countryman."” “Your countrymen will lie much."” “All must die.