|
No one is quite sure
when Pocahontas was born but the best estimates are in the
year 1595. She was born in southeastern Virginia, probably
in Gloucester County. Her true name was Matoaka, but only
the members of her tribe called her by that name. Many
Native Americans believed that if outsiders knew your tribal
name, you might be harmed. Pocahontas's father was a
powerful chief named Powhatan, who ruled more than 25
tribes.
In 1607, three ships
sailed into the Chesapeake Bay area and set up a colony
which they named Jamestown. Pocahontas watched as the
English colonists built a fort and went searching for food.
The very next year, Opechancanough, Pocahontas's brother
captured one of the settlers named John Smith. Smith was
brought to Powhatan, Pocahontas's father. Powhatan decided
that Smith would be put to death for killing several
Indians. According to legend, Pocahontas saved Smith's life
by rushing to him right before he was clubbed to death.
Smith promised to send guns to Powhatan and was allowed to
return to Jamestown. He never sent the guns but sent many
other presents. Pocahontas and other women visited the fort
that winter and brought food and supplies. After a while,
Powhatan told Pocahontas that she was not allowed to visit
the fort anymore because many settlers were coming to
Jamestown and taking over his villages. He planned to attack
the settlers that were trading with him. Pocahontas warned
John Smith and he was able to escape before being
attacked.
Several years later,
Pocahontas was taken hostage by the colonists. While she was
in their fort, she learned the English language and became
known as Rebecca. She met and fell in love with John Rolfe.
They were married and had a son named Thomas. This brought
peace between the Indians and the English
settlers.
The following year,
John Rolfe and Pocahontas were invited to England. They
traveled there and went to many banquets and dances in her
honor. She even met the King and Queen of
England.
Before returning to
Virginia, Pocahontas became sick with smallpox and died in
England in 1617, at the age of 21.
|
Famous Biographies
