Rolfe was a religious man who agonized for weeks over the proposition of marrying a “strange wife,” a non-Christian “heathen.” After Pocahontas converted to Christianity, Rolfe married her “for the good of the plantation, the honor of our country, for the glory of God, for mine own salvation….” She was baptized and took the English name Rebecca, “mother of two peoples.” Powhatan agreed to pay the rest of the ransom, but Pocahontas was destined to stay with the English and marry Rolfe. Pocahontas was finally sent ashore to meet two of her “brothers,” whom she told that she was treated well but also that she was upset that why, if her father loved her, he valued her “lesse then old Swords, Peeces, or Axes.” After almost a year of captivity, Sir Thomas Dale brought 150 armed men and Pocahontas into Powhatan’s territory to obtain her entire ransom.Īttacked by the Indians, the Englishmen responded by burning many houses and killing several Indian men. She also met successful tobacco planter John Rolfe in July 1613. Alexander Whitaker began teaching her the Christian faith.
She eventually moved to a new settlement, Henrico, where the Rev. After some time Powhatan sent part of the ransom and asked that they treat his daughter well.Īrgall returned to Jamestown in April 1613 with Pocahontas. Pocahontas was told she would not be allowed to leave the ship, and she “began to be exceeding pensive and discontented.” Argall sent word to Powhatan that he would return his beloved daughter only when the chief had returned English prisoners he held, the arms and tools that the Indians had stolen, and some corn. A copper kettle was given to the chief’s wife, in recognition of the exchange. Iopassus (Japazaws), lesser chief of the Patowomeck Indians, was involved in helping Argall lure Pocahontas onto his ship in the spring of 1613. When English Captain Samuel Argall learned she was in a village near his trading expedition, he devised a plan to kidnap her and hold her for ransom. She lived in Potomac country among Indians, but her relationship with the English colonists was not over. Pocahontas may have married an Indian “pryvate Captayne” named Kocoum in 1610. The award-winning Archaearium museum houses over 2000 artifacts that bring James Fort’s story to life.Įxplore selected artifacts from Jamestown Rediscovery's collection.įollow the growth of England’s first permanent colony in North America and learn about life in James Fort.įind your connection to the Jamestown story.īring Jamestown to the classroom through our lesson plans and virtual school programs.ĭownload kid-friendly activities and learn more about family fun on the island.Įxplore online resources to learn more about the archaeology and history of Jamestown. Archives cover years of archaeology at James Fort.Ĭlick each James Fort feature to learn more about what archaeologists have learned in 20 years of work. Explore Jamestown Rediscovery’s exciting finds in monthly archaeological updates.