April 14, 1614 - Pocahontas Marries John Rolfe

Virginia Planter Marries Powhatan Chief's Daughter

The four-year-old First Anglo–Powhatan War ended when Pocahontas married Englishman John Rolf on April 14, 1614.

Colonial American History Journal – Book 1

Pocahontas (c 1595 - March 1617)

The Amerindian girl Pocahontas enters history with the story of John Smith's rescue from death at the hands of her tribe. Historians dispute the veracity of the story. However, there is no doubt that a friendship formed between Smith and the Amerindian girl named Matoaka. She was the daughter of the powerful chief Powhatan. He was the principal chief of the Tsenacommacah. This was an alliance of about thirty Algonquin tribes that inhabited the area around Jamestown. Like most members of the native tribes, Pocahontas had several names. The name Pocahontas was a childhood nickname that referred to her mischievous nature. Matoaka was not her true birth name. No one knows this name as the natives would not tell the English that one out of fear that they could cause her harm through it.

Bringing Aid to the Colonist

During the first difficult years, Pocahontas visited the colony every few days. She frequently brought food and other supplies needed by the struggling Englishmen. Late in 1609, Smith became injured in a fire and had to return to England for treatment of his injuries. Relations between the tribes and English deteriorated after this time. The English told Pocahontas that Smith had died.

War and Capture

The First Anglo–Powhatan War began later in 1609. During the latter stages of this war, the English captured Pocahontas in 1613. They held her hostage, hoping to end the war. During her captivity, her captor, Sir Thomas Gates, treated her well. She learned English and converted to Christianity during her captivity. It was during this captivity that she fell in love with John Rolfe.

John Rolfe (1585–1622)

Virtually unknown before 1609 when he boarded a ship bound for the Jamestown Colony in May. He had with him some tobacco seeds he somehow obtained of a sweet strain of tobacco grown in Trinidad. How he got them is a mystery, as the Spanish government imposed the death penalty on anyone that sold them to the English. His source remains a mystery. This is important because the settlers were trying to grow the native Virginia form of tobacco. This strain was not desirable to either the colonists or the English market. The flotilla of ships encountered a storm and foundered near Bermuda. The survivors built two small ships and continued their journey to Jamestown, arriving in May 1610. Rolfe's wife had a daughter there, but the infant died in Bermuda. His wife died shortly after their arrival in Jamestown.

Tobacco

Historians credit Rolfe with the introduction of tobacco farming. His seed flourished in the Virginia climate and produced the cash crop needed by the company to become profitable. The success broke the previous Spanish monopoly on tobacco. By 1617 Jamestown colony exported 20,000 pounds of tobacco, a number that would double the following year.

Marriage of Pocahontas and John Rolfe

During her captivity, the First Anglo–Powhatan War ended. Pocahontas had received permission to return to her tribe. However, she and John Rolfe had fallen in love. Rolfe, being a religious man, struggled with his desire to marry a "heathen" woman. But Pocahontas had converted, taking the name "Lady Rebecca" in the process. Rolfe requested permission from Pocahontas' father Powhatan. He acceded and the two married. The marriage produced a son, Thomas, born on January 30, 1615. The marriage encouraged peaceful relations between the colonists and the tribes for many years.

Colonial American History Journal – Book 1

Colonial American History Journal – Book 1

Undertake your own journey into Colonial American history with the Colonial American History Journal - Book 1. Written in a "this day in history," format, the volume includes 366 stories about the historical events and people that made up the building blocks of the United States. The stories included in the Colonial American History Journal is a great beginners introduction to the United States' past.