Pocahontas was born about
1595 in Virginia, the daughter of the Native American chief Powhatan. Her
real name was Matoaka; the name Pocahontas meaning ‘playful one’. According
to legend, Pocahontas saved the life of Captain John Smith by holding his
head in her powerful arms as her father’s warriors were about to club him
to death. Pocahontas was captured by the English in 1612 and taken to Jonestown
where she converted to Christianity and took the name Rebecca. In 1614,
she married John Rolfe, one of the colonists, with the blessings of both
her father and the English governor. Eight years of peace followed between
the English and the Native Americans.
She had her first child, Thomas, in 1615
and the following year went to England with her husband. She was received
by the king and queen of England with royal honors. However, before she
could return to Virginia, Pocahontas died of small pox and buried in the
chapel of the parish church in Gravesend, England. Thomas was educated
in England and later returned to America to become an important settler.
Many prominent Virginians claim to be his descendants. With her naturally
ripped physique Pocahontas undoubtedly won more than a few armwrestling
matches and her powerful quads made her a natural long distance runner! |
