Did pocahontas marry john smith

Pocahontas

Native American woman (c. 1596 – 1617)

This article is about the historical person. For the Disney film, see Pocahontas (1995 film). For the Disney character, see Pocahontas (character). For other uses, see Pocahontas (disambiguation).

"Matoaka", "Princess Matoika", and "Rebecca Rolfe" redirect here. For the American towns, see Matoaca, Virginia and Matoaka, West Virginia. For the transport ship, see USS Princess Matoika. For the Irish cricketer, see Rebecca Rolfe (cricketer).

Pocahontas

Pocahontas depicted in a 1616 portrait engraving by Simon de Passe

Born

Amonute


c. 1596[1]

Werowocomoco, Tsenacommacah
(near present-day Gloucester Courthouse, Virginia, U.S.)

DiedMarch 1617 (aged 20–21)

Gravesend, Kent, England

Resting placeSt George's Church, Gravesend in Gravesham, England
Other namesMatoaka, Rebecca Rolfe
Known forAssociation with Jamestown colony, inclusion in writings by John Smith, and as a Powhatan convert to Christianity
TitlePrincess Matoaka
Spouse
ChildrenThoma

Pocahontas Matoaka

Pocahontas was named Amonute at birth and went by the name Matoaka. She supposedly earned the nickname Pocahontas, which means “playful one,” because of her happy, inquisitive nature.

As the daughter of Chief Powhatan, Pocahontas may have had more luxuries than many of her peers, but she still had to learn so-called women’s work such as farming, cooking, collecting herbs, building a house, making clothes, butchering meat and tanning hides.

Pocahontas and John Smith

The first English settlers arrived in Jamestown colony in May 1607. That winter, Pocahontas’ brother kidnapped colonist Captain John Smith and made a spectacle of him in front of several Powhatan tribes before taking him to meet Chief Powhatan.

According to Smith, his head was placed on two stones and a warrior prepared to smash his head and kill him. But before the warrior could strike, Pocahontas rushed to Smith’s side and placed her head on his, preventing the attack. Chief Powhatan then bartered with Smith, referred to him as his son and sent him on his way.

Smith’s account of Pocahontas’

Not much is known about this memorable woman. What we do know was written by others, as none of her thoughts or feelings were ever recorded. Specifically, her story has been told through written historical accounts and, most recently, through the sacred oral history of the Mattaponi. Most notably, Pocahontas has left an indelible impression that has endured for more than 400 years. And yet, many people who know her name do not know much about her.

The Written History

Pocahontas was born about 1596 and named "Amonute," though she also had a more private name of Matoaka. She was called "Pocahontas" as a nickname, which meant "playful one," because of her frolicsome and curious nature. She was the daughter of Wahunsenaca (Chief Powhatan), the mamanatowick (paramount chief) of the Powhatan Chiefdom. At its height, the Powhatan Chiefdom had a population of about 25,000 and included more than 30 Algonquian speaking tribes - each with its own werowance (chief). The Powhatan Indians called their homeland "Tsenacomoco."

As the daughter of the paramount chief Powhatan, custom dic

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