History of Virginia :: :: University of Virginia Library

history of Virginia, and will always be
read with interest by English people.
She first appeared at Jamestown during
the winter of 1607-8, bringing food
to the colonists, who were in great need.
After this she made frequent visits, attended
by a train of Indians bringing
baskets laden with corn and venison.
In 1609, when John Smith was in her
father's country trying to secure corn,
she came at night and warned him of
a plot the Indians had formed to kill
him and his party; and when Ratcliffe and his men were
slain, she saved one man and a boy from death. Many
other acts of kindness are related of her, which show that
she had a woman's tender heart, though she was an untutored
savage.

Her Capture. — In 1612, Captain Samuel Argall went to
the Potomac country to trade for corn. While on this
mission, he learned from an old chief named Japazaws,
that Pocahontas was in the neighborhood, and he conceived
the idea of capturing her. So he bribed Japazaws
to induce her to come on board of his sloop, which lay in

Marriage of Pocahontas

the Potomac River, and carried her off to Jamestown a
prisoner, sending a messenger to Powhatan to demand, as
a ransom for her release, the restoration of all English
prisoners held by him, and the return of all arms and
tools that had been stolen from Jamestown by the Indians.

Her Marriage. — Powhatan was not disposed to accede
to these terms, and threatened war. But while negotiations
were going on in regard to the occurrence, the
matter was settled in a most unexpected manner. While
Pocahontas was at Jamestown, John Rolfe, a young Englishman,
fell deeply in love with her, and she reciprocated
his passion. She professed faith in Christ, and was baptized
under the name of Rebecca in the little church at
Jamestown, from a font made of the trunk of a tree. Then
she was married to Rolfe with the approval of her father.

The Cause of Peace. — To the colony, the marriage
brought peace; for after it had taken place, Powhatan and
the various tribes over which he had influence became
friendly to the English. Even the Chickahominies, who
were fierce fighters, were led by it to enter into an alliance,
by which they acknowledged themselves subjects of King
James, calling themselves New Englishmen.

Visits England. — Pocahontas lived happily with her
husband, and with him visited England in 1616, when Sir
Thomas Dale returned. Her arrival in London created
a sensation, and all classes did her honor on account of
her romantic history and the services she had rendered to
the colony. She was presented at court by Lady Delaware,
and was accorded the rank of a royal princess.

Her Death. — In March, 1617, she died at Gravesend,
England, just as she was getting ready to embark for her
native land, being only about twenty-two years of age
when her eventful life came to an end. She left one son,
Thomas, who was brought up in England. He married in
London, but settled in Virginia, where he became a man
of prominence, and where a number of his descendants
are to be found among the honored citizens of the commonwealth.

QUESTIONS

1. What is said of the story of Pocahontas?
2. How did she show her friendship for the English?
3. Describe her capture by Argall.
4. What ransom was demanded of Powhatan for her release?
5. What unexpected settlement of the matter took place?
6. Give an account of the marriage of Pocahontas.
7. What benefit did it bring to the colony?
8. How was Pocahontas treated when she visited England?
9. When and at what age did she die?
10. Has she any descendants in Virginia?