Pocahontas was born circa 1595. She was the daughter of Chief Powhatan and one of his wives. Her real names were Matoaka and Amonute.
She was 12 when the English settlers came to Virginia. She became friend with Captain John Smith and saved him a few times. It was said that they were lovers but nothing can prove it. When he had to go back to England because he was hurt during an explosive powder, the settlers told Pocahontas that he was dead and she believed it. In 1613, she was taken by Japazeus with the help of Chief Patawomec. First, the English settlers asked her father for prisoners and stolen weapons and tools. Chief Powhatan released the prisoners but he never satisfied their request about weapons and tools. Pocahontas was kept in Henricus during one year where she learned about manners and courtesy. A priest taught her English and Christianity. She was baptized and changed her name into Rebecca. During a battle in March 1614, she met with her compatriots without her father. Then, she told them that she was frustrated by the absence of her father and she preferred to live with the English men.
During her captivity she met John Rolfe who fell in love with her. They married in April 1614 and lived some years in Virginia where he farmed tobacco. They had a son called Thomas Rolfe. In 1616, the whole family came to England where Pocahontas learned that John Smith was still alive. They went to London in June 1616. They lived in Brentford where she met again with her old friend. In 1617 they decided to come back to Virginia but she was ill during the trip and died some time after. She was buried on March, 21th 1617 at Gravesend. John Rolfe came back to Virginia with his son where he died widower in 1622.
We don’t know anything about Pocahontas’ feelings because she never learned how to write. There aren’t a lot of written things about this story, only letters. That’s why it’s told more like a fairytale than a true story.
Jennifer
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