Pocahontas Historical Figures

Ashleigh Cox
Keith Fagan
World History
18 December 2014

Pocahontas: A Native American Figure Throughout history there have been many great historical figures. A historical figure is someone who will forever be remembered for their great achievements or bravery. Many historical figures have faced many obstacles which they have had to overcome. One such figure was Pocahontas. She was a Native American woman who lived an extraordinary life. Pocahontas, the Native American princess, experienced many things in her short life, but those experiences helped her become a major figure in history. Pocahontas’s estimated birth was sometimes around 1596. Her homeland was called Tsenacomoco (Greene 46). When Pocahontas was born, she was given
a secret tribal name, Matoaka, which meant little snow feather. The name Pocahontas, which meant playful one, was a nickname given to her by her father. Pocahontas was the daughter of a powerful Indian leader. Pocahontas was born to Chief Wahunsenaca, of the Indian tribe Powhatan. He is referred to as Chief Powhatan. Powhatan had numerous wives, and Pocahontas had a large number of half-brothers and half-sisters (Stebbins). Pocahontas’ father was the leader of the Powhatan Chiefdom which meant he served as chief to more than 10,000 Native Americans (Adams 10). Her friendship with the English settlers helped ensure the success of Jamestown, which became the first permanent English settlement in America.
Pocahontas was about eleven years old when the English colonists landed on Chesapeake Bay in April 1607. There were three English ships which contained one hundred men and four boys. The Englishmen came to build a settlement and search for gold (Adams 7). The new colony would become known as Jamestown. Over the next several months, the Englishmen would have many run-ins with the Indians. One of the Englishmen who came to the new world was Captain John Smith. During the winter 1607, Captain John Smith was captured by Powhatan's brother Opechancanough while exploring the Chickahominy River. Once captured, Smith was displayed at several Powhatan Indian towns and then was brought to Chief Powhatan (Stebbins). Chief Powhatan asked Smith many questions. Everyone shared in food. After the food, two large stones were placed in front of Smith. He was made to lay his head on the stones and the other Indians raised their clubs. Pocahontas realized they were going to kill Smith (Green 17). Pocahontas rushed in and placed her head upon his and cried “don’t kill him”. Chief Powhatan ordered the warriors to put down their clubs (Green 18). Smith was set free. Pocahontas had saved Smith’s life and had made Smith a special member of the tribe. Smith was allowed to return to Jamestown (Green 19)
When many of the colonists were starving Chief Powhatan sent gifts of food to them.
These visits were usually accompanied by Pocahontas because she had become friends with Smith. She was seen as a sign of peace to the English and they knew she was the favorite daughter of the great Powhatan. Pocahontas was seen as a very important person and was used as a mediator on several occasions. On one such occasion, she was sent to negotiate the release of Powhatan prisoners. Smith indicated if it hadn’t been for Pocahontas, the prisoners would not have been released. As time passed, however, relations between the Powhatan Indians and the English began to deteriorate. In late 1609, Smith returned to England for medical treatment of a wound. The colonists told the Indians that Smith had died. Chief Powhatan moved his tribe further up the river so it was difficult for Pocahontas to continue visiting the colonists. Pocahontas married an Indian warrior called Kocoum; however, not much is known about this marriage.
(Stebbins). In 1613, Pocahontas was kidnapped while visiting the Patawomac Indians on the Potomac River.
She was tricked into boarding a ship where she has held as ransom for English prisoners held by Chief Powhatan and also for the return of guns stolen by the Indians (Green 33). The English leader sent a message to Powhatan saying that he had to give the Englishmen back their weapons and set them free or he would never see his daughter again. Powhatan sent the Englishmen but not their weapons. So the English kept Pocahontas. Thereafter, Pocahontas lived among the English. She was taken up the James River to Henricus to be taught English customs and religion by the Reverend Alexander Whitaker. There she met John Rolfe, a widower who had arrived in Virginia in 1610 and who introduced tobacco as a cash crop in the colony. Rolfe fell in love with her and wrote a letter to Sir Thomas Dale justifying his feelings for her (Stebbins). In 1614, she was baptized with the Christian name Rebecca and married John Rolfe. They lived on Rolfe’s farm for two year. (Adams 9). The following year on January 30, 1615, Pocahontas gave birth to Thomas Rolfe. The marriage created a period of peace between the colonists and the Chief Powhatan
(Stebbins).
In 1616, the Rolfes traveled to England with Sir Thomas Dale, who was hoping to gain financial support for the colony. In England the Rolfes met the Bishop of London and Pocahontas was presented at court where she met King James and Queen Anne. It was while Pocahontas was in England that she became sick. Rolfe moved her to the countryside, and her old friend, John Smith, came to see her. In the spring of 1617 the Rolfes prepared to return to Virginia. However, on the trip down the Thames River, Pocahontas died. Pocahontas was buried at St. George's Church in Gravesend, England on March 21, 1617. She was only 21 years old (Stebbins).
Many films about Pocahontas have been made dating back to a silent film in 1924. Disney made two controversial films depicting a love story between Pocahontas and John Smith (Tilton 174). . She is one of the few Native Americans that appear regularly in history books. Textbooks include Pocahontas’ legendary rescue of Captain John Smith and her relationship with the colonists. (Tilton 175). Pocahontas’ legend and stories of romance have captured the imagination of people of all ages, historians and non-historians alike. The truth of Pocahontas' life is only known through the interpretation of both the oral and written accounts, which can contradict one another. However, the only thing that can be said with certainty is Pocahontas’ story has fascinated people for more than four centuries, but her life was most important to America’s history.