The Legendary Princess Pocahontas

King Powhatan had children one of whom was Matoka, later the English called Princess Pocahontas and "Lady Rebecca." She was born in the year 1594, at Werawocomoco (present day Wicomico, Gloucester County, Virginia) on the north side of the York River area. The York River was once called the Pamaunkee River.

In 1610, she married a Native tribal leader, Kocoum but the marriage was brief after three years Kocoum passed away. Little is known about the first marriage of Pocahontas.

In 1614, the English Captain Samuel Argall captured Pocahontas. He planned to exchange her for concessions from her father, King Powhatan. While a captive, she stayed in the home of a minister and was treated kindly. Pocahontas converted into a Christian and was given the name Rebecca at her baptism.

Pocahontas married a second time to John Rolfe, an Englishman born in Heacham, Norfolk, England in 1585. They were married on April 5, 1614. Virginia governor Sir Thomas Dale and her father King Powhatan blessed the marriage. The marriage brought several years of peace between the Powhatans and the colonists at Jamestown. When they married some objections were expressed in London against the union of a commoner with an Indian princess. Nowadays several of the "first families of Virginia" proudly trace their descent from the marriage of John and Pocahontas.

Ever since the colonial days great numbers of Indians have been assimilated into America life and millions of Americans have some Indian blood.

During her brief existence on earth, Pocahontas became a representative for the Powhatan people. In 1616, John Rolfe and Pocahontas went to England in search of sponsors to seek funds for the development of tobacco plantations at Jamestown. "Lady Rebecca" was presented as a Christian Indian Princess and was dressed in the finest European fashions. She became the center of attention and attended many banquets given in her honor. King James I and the London Society received "Lady Rebecca" with royal honor. Her diplomacy strengthened the alliance between the English and the Powhatans.

After seven-months of touring, in March 1617, the Indian Princess Pocahontas along with her son and husband, embarked on the ship "George" to return to Virginia. But, she became gravely ill with an Old World illness. Pocahontas, the peacemaker, "Lady Rebecca" died at Gravesend, England at age twenty-one. She was buried in a burial chamber beneath the chancel chapel of the St. George parish.

The couple had one son Thomas Rolfe; he was born in 1615 at Smith’s Fort Plantation in Virginia. Thomas was sent to England for his education. He returned to Virginia in 1640 when he was about the age of twenty-five. He became a militia officer and commanded a frontier fort in western Henrico on the James River. He became a wealthy landowner. Several Virginia families clam decent from his descendants. Thomas died 1675 in Virginia.