Biography of Pocahontas (rough draft)

Alex Soto
5/8/11
3/4

Pocahontas

“She certainly brought the two sides closer together…” (http://www.pbs.org/saf/1203/features/pocahontas3.htm) Known as the “Playful One”, Pocahontas impacted America by giving a hope that Native Americans and colonists could co-exist in peace. She was born around 1595 in Jamestown, Virginia. She died at the young age of twenty-two of an illness (possibly tuberculosis) on March 21, 1617 and was buried in St. George’s Parish in Gravesend, England. Pocahontas spent her childhood and teen years being the daughter of the chief of the Powhatan Native American tribe, she later married a colonist and became a princess, and her choice to marry her husband impacted the lives of Natives and whites across America.

Pocahontas was the daughter of Chief Powhatan and his wife (one of the dozens he had) whose name remains unknown. Her true name was Matoaka, but it was only used within the tribe. Her childhood was probably no different from any other girl who lived in her tribe. "Pocahontas" was her childhood nickname, translated as "little wanton," meaning she was playful and hard to control.“ (http://pocahontas.morenus.org/).“She learned how to perform what was considered to be women’s work.” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pocahontas).She searched for food and firewood, farmed, looked for plant materials that were used to build thatch houses. Pocahontas certainly was involved in her tribe but, she did have a life of her own.

Is the myth that Pocahontas was an ambassador for the English people true? In the beginning of the colony, she worked as courier for traded goods, and as a negotiator between the Natives and whites. By 1609, the relationship between the tribe and the English had been destroyed. In 1613, Pocahontas was captured by English men in Jamestown. While she was held captive, she met John Rofle, one of the first tobacco farmers. Later in 1614 they got married and tidewater Virginia was overwhelmed with peace. " ‘Marrying the chief's daughter is a way of forming alliances,’ says Thomas D. Hall, a professor of sociology at DePauw University” (http://www.pbs.org/saf/1203/features/pocahontas3.htm)

Her marriage to John Rolfe was a significant event in Jamestown because they were the first couple to be of different races. “ ‘She had an enormous affect in England,’ agrees Bill Rasmussen, Curator of Art at the Virginia Historical Society in Richmond.” (http://www.pbs.org/saf/1203/features/pocahontas3.htm)
Pocahontas’s decision to wed John Rolfe had not only impacted the U.S., but also England. Known as Lady Rebecca Rolfe, she was seen as foreign royalty, and Indian princess. In 1616, Along with their son, Thomas, they journeyed off to England. The “royal family” received a warm welcome and attended social functions while there. “It was thought that her visit to England was done in part to encourage new investment and settlers for the colony of Virginia.” (http://www.biography.com/articles/Pocahontas-9443116) Pocahontas certainly had an effect on the American society. She built a bridge between Native Americans and whites, not only was she brave but, a very open-minded woman.

Pocahontas’ marriage impacted Native Americans and colonists of the seventeenth century by improving relations between the two previous mentioned groups. Jamestown, at the time, was struggling to exist because the settlers weren’t working together and Pocahontas helped it during a state of vulnerability. Jamestown eventually flourished, but only because Pocahontas helped it survive.