Pocahontas

In 1595 Pocahontas, the daughter of the chief of the Powhatan native American tribe, was born in what later became the American state of Virginia. She was one of 20 children.

In 1607 the Virginia company in England sent colonists to settle the land that later became the United States of America. They named the new colony Jamestown and did not know that the area already was settled by Indians.

John Smith, English explorer, soldier and a leader of the Jamestown colony, was captured in 1607 by followers of Powhatan. People believe Pocahontas saved him from being executed by Powhatan. Most historians, however, do not believe that she saved his life as he wasn't threatened.

After Captain Smith's capture, the Indians and the colonists agreed to a truce. Pocahontas visited Jamestown more often. She helped the colonists and brought them corn when they were starving.

In 1613 an English soldier kidnapped Pocahontas. She was about eighteen years old. The colonists kidnapped her because they wanted to prevent attacks by the Indians.

Pocahontas lived as a hostage in the Jamestown settlement for more than a year. A colonist, John Rolfe, taught her English. He also taught her the Christian religion. Pocahontas was the first Native American to become Christian.

In 1614 she married John Rolfe in the church in Jamestown. She was the first Indian woman to marry a white man.

In 1615, Pocahontas and John Rolfe had a son. They named him Thomas. The next year Pocahontas and her family sailed to England for a visit. In London, she was treated like a famous person.

In March 1617 in the town of Gravesend, Pocahontas died of an unspecified illness. Many historians believe she suffered from pneumonia.

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