Captain John Smith claims in his autobiography that Pocahontas saved his life, a story that historians still debate. Even if Captain Smith's story is a legend, Pocahontas is famous for saving the lives of many English colonists and representing her people at the court of King James I in England.

Captain John Smith

Pocahontas, born about 1596, was the daughter of the powerful Algonquian chief Powhatan. The Powhatan tribe lived near Jamestown, Virginia, where English colonists settled in 1607. According to Captain John Smith, when Pocahontas's father ordered him killed, she cradled his head in her arms to keep warriors from clubbing him to death.

Gifts of Food

Pocahontas and other native women visited the fort at Jamestown and brought food to the colonists. Her gifts of food and her diplomacy strengthened the alliance between the English colonists and the Powhatan Indians.

New Name

Eventually Captain John Smith returned to England. Pocahontas converted to Christianity and adopted the name Rebecca. She married Jamestown colonist John Rolfe, and in 1615 they had a son named Thomas.

Visit to England

In 1616, King James I, who wanted to convert the Indians to Christianity, invited Rebecca and her family to visit his court in England. Rebecca reunited with John Smith, and English society honored her with balls and parties.

Death

In March 1617, Rebecca and her husband and son boarded the ship "George" to return to Virginia, but she became ill and died at Gravesend, England, when she was just 21 years old. She is buried beneath the chancel chapel in St. George parish.

Source:

America's Story: Pocahontas

Pocahontas: Icon at the Crossroads of Race and Sex

Virtual Jamestown: Pocahontas

More Information:

The legendary Princess Pocahontas