Pocahontas was an Indian princess, the daughter of Powhatan, thepowerful chief of the Algonquian Indians in the Tidewater region ofVirginia. She was born around 1595 to one of Powhatan's many wives.They named her Matoaka, though she is better known as Pocahontas,which means "Little Wanton", playful, frolicsome little girl.
Pocahontas probably saw white men for the first time in May 1607when Englishmen landed at Jamestown. The one she found most likablewas Captain John Smith. The first meeting of Pocahontas and JohnSmith is a legendary story, romanticized (if not entirely invented) bySmith. According to Smith, he was first welcomed by the great chiefPowhatan at Werowocomoco (12 miles from Jamestown) and offered afeast. Then he was grabbed and forced to stretch out on two large,flat stones. Indians stood over him with clubs as though ready tobeat him to death if ordered. Suddenly a little girl rushed in andtook Smith's "head in her arms and laid her owne upon his to save himfrom death." The girl, Pocahontas, then pulled him to his feet.Powhatan said that they were now friends, and he adopted Smith as hisson, or a subordinate Chief.
In October 1609, John Smith was badly injured by a gunpowderexplosion and was forced to return to England. When Pocahontas nextcame to visit the fort, she was told that her friend Smith was dead.Pocahontas apparently married an Indian "pryvate Captayne" namedKocoum in 1610. She lived in Potomac county among Indians, but herrelationship with the Englishmen was not over.
When an energetic and resourceful member of the Jamestownsettlement, Captain Samuel Argall, learned where she was, he devised aplan to kidnap her and hold her for ransom. He lured Pocahontas ontohis ship, and sent word to Powhatan that he would return his beloveddaughter only when the chief had returned to him the English prisonershe held. Argall returned to Jamestown in April 1613 with Pocahontas.She eventually moved to a new settlement, Henrico, which was under theleadership of Sir Thomas Dale. It was here that she began hereducation in the Christian Faith, and that she met a successfultobacco planter named John Rolfe in July 1613, and they later married.
Sir Thomas Dale made an important voyage back to London in thespring of 1616. His purpose was to seek further financial support forthe Virginia Company and, to insure spectacular publicity, he broughtwith him about a dozen Algonquian Indians, including Pocahontas. Herhusband and their young son, Thomas accompanied her. The arrival ofPocahontas in London was well publicized. She was presented to KingJames I, the royal family, and the rest of the best of London society.Also in London at this time was Captain Smith at their meeting, shewas first too overcome with emotion to speak.
After seven months Rolfe decided to return his family toVirginia, in March 1617 they set sail. It was soon apparent, however,that Pocahontas would not survive the voyage home. She was deathlyill from pneumonia or possibly tuberculosis. She was taken ashore,and, as she lay dying, she comforted her husband, saying, "all mustdie. 'Tis enough that the child liveth". She was buried in achurchyard in Gravesend, England. She was 22 years old.