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KF5JRV > TODAY 05.04.19 12:29l 76 Lines 3989 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 33927_KF5JRV
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Subj: Today in History - Apr 05
Path: IZ3LSV<IK6ZDE<VE2PKT<LU3DVN<N3HYM<KF5JRV
Sent: 190405/1125Z 33927@KF5JRV.#NWAR.AR.USA.NA BPQ6.0.18
Pocahontas, daughter of the chief of the Powhatan Indian confederacy,
marries English tobacco planter John Rolfe in Jamestown, Virginia. The
marriage ensured peace between the Jamestown settlers and the Powhatan
Indians for several years.
In May 1607, about 100 English colonists settled along the James River
in Virginia to found Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement
in America. The settlers fared badly because of famine, disease, and
Indian attacks, but were aided by 27-year-old English adventurer John
Smith, who directed survival efforts and mapped the area. While
exploring the Chickahominy River in December 1607, Smith and two
colonists were captured by Powhatan warriors. At the time, the Powhatan
confederacy consisted of around 30 Tidewater-area tribes led by Chief
Wahunsonacock, known as Chief Powhatan to the English. Smith’s
companions were killed, but he was spared and released, (according to a
1624 account by Smith) because of the dramatic intercession of
Pocahontas, Chief Powhatan’s 13-year-old daughter. Her real name was
Matoaka, and Pocahontas was a pet name that has been translated
variously as “playful oneö and “my favorite daughter.ö
In 1608, Smith became president of the Jamestown colony, but the
settlement continued to suffer. An accidental fire destroyed much of the
town, and hunger, disease, and Indian attacks continued. During this
time, Pocahontas often came to Jamestown as an emissary of her father,
sometimes bearing gifts of food to help the hard-pressed settlers. She
befriended the settlers and became acquainted with English ways. In
1609, Smith was injured from a fire in his gunpowder bag and was forced
to return to England.
After Smith’s departure, relations with the Powhatan deteriorated and
many settlers died from famine and disease in the winter of 1609-10.
Jamestown was about to be abandoned by its inhabitants when Baron De La
Warr (also known as Delaware) arrived in June 1610 with new supplies and
rebuilt the settlement–the Delaware River and the colony of Delaware
were later named after him. John Rolfe also arrived in Jamestown in 1610
and two years later cultivated the first tobacco there, introducing a
successful source of livelihood that would have far-reaching importance
for Virginia.
In the spring of 1613, English Captain Samuel Argall took Pocahontas
hostage, hoping to use her to negotiate a permanent peace with her
father. Brought to Jamestown, she was put under the custody of Sir
Thomas Gates, the marshal of Virginia. Gates treated her as a guest
rather than a prisoner and encouraged her to learn English customs. She
converted to Christianity and was baptized Lady Rebecca. Powhatan
eventually agreed to the terms for her release, but by then she had
fallen in love with John Rolfe, who was about 10 years her senior. On
April 5, 1614, Pocahontas and John Rolfe married with the blessing of
Chief Powhatan and the governor of Virginia.
Their marriage brought a peace between the English colonists and the
Powhatans, and in 1615 Pocahontas gave birth to their first child,
Thomas. In 1616, the couple sailed to England. The so-called Indian
Princess proved popular with the English gentry, and she was presented
at the court of King James I. In March 1617, Pocahontas and Rolfe
prepared to sail back to Virginia. However, the day before they were to
leave, Pocahontas died, probably of smallpox, and was buried at the
parish church of St. George in Gravesend, England.
John Rolfe returned to Virginia and was killed in an Indian massacre in
1622. After an education in England, their son Thomas Rolfe returned to
Virginia and became a prominent citizen. John Smith returned to the New
World in 1614 to explore the New England coast. On another voyage of
exploration in 1614, he was captured by pirates but escaped after three
months of captivity. He then returned to England, where he died in 1631.
73 de Scott KF5JRV
Pmail: KF5JRV@KF5JRV.#NWAR.AR.USA.NA
email: KF5JRV@GMAIL.COM
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