Pocahontas
The Native American Peacemaker
_______________________________________
Table of Contents
Introduction…………………………………………pg. 3
Chapter 1 The Early Years………………………….pg. 4-5
Chapter 2 The New Colony………………………...pg. 6-7
Chapter 3 The Starving Time……………………....pg. 8
Chapter 4 The Kidnapped Princess……………......pg. 9-10
Chapter 5 The Last Years……………………….....pg. 11-13
Conclusion………………………………………....pg. 14
Glossary…………………………………………..pg. 15
Introduction
“Tis’ enough that my child liveth.” These were Pocahontas’s
last words. She was a very important part of early American
history. Pocahontas was a peacemaker. She brought peace
between the Native Americans and the Colonists. She helped
the Colonists when they first arrived. She gave reasons why
they should not fight over land and other things. She gave
Jamestown a chance of survival. Because of Pocahontas, John
Smith wasn’t beaten to death. Because of Pocahontas, more
settlers saw why they should come to the New World. If it
weren’t for Pocahontas, America could have been completely
different.
last words. She was a very important part of early American
history. Pocahontas was a peacemaker. She brought peace
between the Native Americans and the Colonists. She helped
the Colonists when they first arrived. She gave reasons why
they should not fight over land and other things. She gave
Jamestown a chance of survival. Because of Pocahontas, John
Smith wasn’t beaten to death. Because of Pocahontas, more
settlers saw why they should come to the New World. If it
weren’t for Pocahontas, America could have been completely
different.
The Early Years
Pocahontas was born in Tidewater, Virginia which is right near
Chesapeake Bay. Historians believe she was born in 1595. She
was born in the Algonquin tribe to her father, Chief Powhatan.
Chief Powhatan favored Pocahontas over his other children.
For this reason, she was considered a princess. Most of the
girls in her tribe had lots of chores to do, but since Pocahontas
was a princess, she had fewer chores to do. She usually spent
her time watching her father’s meetings. I think Pocahontas
was a very lucky Native American girl when she was little.
Chesapeake Bay. Historians believe she was born in 1595. She
was born in the Algonquin tribe to her father, Chief Powhatan.
Chief Powhatan favored Pocahontas over his other children.
For this reason, she was considered a princess. Most of the
girls in her tribe had lots of chores to do, but since Pocahontas
was a princess, she had fewer chores to do. She usually spent
her time watching her father’s meetings. I think Pocahontas
was a very lucky Native American girl when she was little.
This is Pocahontas when she was little. Her real name was actually
Matoaka meaning “fun-loving.” Pocahontas means “playful one.” |
Pocahontas was living the normal Native American life, when, in
1607, 3 ships came and sailed into the river, carrying a total of 144
people. These Colonists came to America because they wanted to
get rich by finding gold. They thought it would be simple and that
they would find gold in no time. I think it was a bit selfish of them
to be thinking about only finding gold. They thought they would be
sending piles of gold back to England in a matter of weeks. But, as
history shows us, they were sorely mistaken.
1607, 3 ships came and sailed into the river, carrying a total of 144
people. These Colonists came to America because they wanted to
get rich by finding gold. They thought it would be simple and that
they would find gold in no time. I think it was a bit selfish of them
to be thinking about only finding gold. They thought they would be
sending piles of gold back to England in a matter of weeks. But, as
history shows us, they were sorely mistaken.
These are the 3 ships that carried the 144 new Colonists into Jamestown.
The New Colony
The Settlers set up a small colony by the James River. The
Settlers called the town Jamestown, after their beloved King
James of England. But, the settlers had made a terrible mistake.
They settled on a marsh, which was terrible for farming and
had mosquitoes that carried diseases like Malaria. They should
have thought about and researched what kind of land is good
for survival. The first year for the Colonists was horrible. The
cold winter took a toll on them. They were also running out of
food. For these reasons, only 38 of the original 144 people
survived.
Settlers called the town Jamestown, after their beloved King
James of England. But, the settlers had made a terrible mistake.
They settled on a marsh, which was terrible for farming and
had mosquitoes that carried diseases like Malaria. They should
have thought about and researched what kind of land is good
for survival. The first year for the Colonists was horrible. The
cold winter took a toll on them. They were also running out of
food. For these reasons, only 38 of the original 144 people
survived.
The colony may not have survived if it weren't for John Smith.
He was the leader of Jamestown. He told the Colonists to work
4 hours per day farming. His motto was “Work hard or starve.”
John Smith gave Jamestown a strong foundation. Thanks to
him, Jamestown had a place to start. Because the Colonists
farmed they had plenty of food for about a year. The number of
deaths dropped considerably. I believe John Smith saved
Jamestown.
He was the leader of Jamestown. He told the Colonists to work
4 hours per day farming. His motto was “Work hard or starve.”
John Smith gave Jamestown a strong foundation. Thanks to
him, Jamestown had a place to start. Because the Colonists
farmed they had plenty of food for about a year. The number of
deaths dropped considerably. I believe John Smith saved
Jamestown.
This is John Smith
Chief Powhatan was upset that the Colonists were on his land,
and that they wanted more of it. This caused the Native
Americans and the Colonists to dislike each other. One day,
John Smith was caught by a Native American called
Opechancanough. He was Pocahontas's brother. He brought
John Smith to Chief Powhatan. Chief Powhatan told his men to
beat John Smith’s head with a club, or at least that’s how Smith
told the story. At the time, Pocahontas was 12 years old. She
jumped in the way and put her head and hands on his chest.
She told her father to let Smith go. Her father agreed to let
Smith go back to Jamestown. After this, Pocahontas and John
became friends. Pocahontas visited Jamestown often. She
brought food for the Colonists. She would play with the
children. Jamestown had grown to like Pocahontas.
and that they wanted more of it. This caused the Native
Americans and the Colonists to dislike each other. One day,
John Smith was caught by a Native American called
Opechancanough. He was Pocahontas's brother. He brought
John Smith to Chief Powhatan. Chief Powhatan told his men to
beat John Smith’s head with a club, or at least that’s how Smith
told the story. At the time, Pocahontas was 12 years old. She
jumped in the way and put her head and hands on his chest.
She told her father to let Smith go. Her father agreed to let
Smith go back to Jamestown. After this, Pocahontas and John
became friends. Pocahontas visited Jamestown often. She
brought food for the Colonists. She would play with the
children. Jamestown had grown to like Pocahontas.
This is a picture of Pocahontas (12) saving John Smith.
The Starving Time
2 years later, in 1609, John Smith had gotten a bad gunpowder
burn. This forced him to go back to England. Pocahontas was
sad, as the Colonists had told her he was dead.
burn. This forced him to go back to England. Pocahontas was
sad, as the Colonists had told her he was dead.
The departure of Smith left the colony to fend for itself. The
colony endured many hardships. The ship that was carrying
more Colonists and supplies sank on its way to Jamestown.
The winter of 1609-10 may have been the worst thing to
happen to the colony.
colony endured many hardships. The ship that was carrying
more Colonists and supplies sank on its way to Jamestown.
The winter of 1609-10 may have been the worst thing to
happen to the colony.
After Smith left the Native Americans and the Colonists fought much
more often than before. For this reason, they had less food and endured hard times. |
Disease and hunger spread across Jamestown. Many died.
People were so desperate for food that some robbed stores. As
punishment they were left to starve. One man was so hungry
that he became cannibalistic, by eating his own wife!
Jamestown seemed to be collapsing. But still, more Colonists
arrived. Historians believe they wanted to give Jamestown a
chance of surviving.
People were so desperate for food that some robbed stores. As
punishment they were left to starve. One man was so hungry
that he became cannibalistic, by eating his own wife!
Jamestown seemed to be collapsing. But still, more Colonists
arrived. Historians believe they wanted to give Jamestown a
chance of surviving.
The Kidnapped Princess
4 years after Smith left Jamestown, Chief Powhatan’s precious
daughter was kidnapped. Captain Sam Argall was the
kidnapper. And worst of all, it was Pocahontas’s friends that
helped to get her kidnapped. Argall was mad that Chief
Powhatan was keeping his Colonists in prison. So, he thought
if he took his daughter, he would get his Colonists back.
Argall told her friends he would give them a copper kettle if
they helped him. To the Native Americans, copper was much
more precious than gold. Pocahontas’s friends agreed.
Pocahontas’s friends took her on a long walk. She got tired and
her legs started to hurt. They lured her onto Argall’s ship,
telling her she could rest there. Pocahontas trusted her friends
and went on the ship. She fell asleep and when she woke up,
she was surrounded by Colonists! Pocahontas begged them to
let her go, but they wouldn’t. Argall was convinced that his
Colonists and their weapons would be making their way back
to Jamestown in just a few hours. But he was wrong.
daughter was kidnapped. Captain Sam Argall was the
kidnapper. And worst of all, it was Pocahontas’s friends that
helped to get her kidnapped. Argall was mad that Chief
Powhatan was keeping his Colonists in prison. So, he thought
if he took his daughter, he would get his Colonists back.
Argall told her friends he would give them a copper kettle if
they helped him. To the Native Americans, copper was much
more precious than gold. Pocahontas’s friends agreed.
Pocahontas’s friends took her on a long walk. She got tired and
her legs started to hurt. They lured her onto Argall’s ship,
telling her she could rest there. Pocahontas trusted her friends
and went on the ship. She fell asleep and when she woke up,
she was surrounded by Colonists! Pocahontas begged them to
let her go, but they wouldn’t. Argall was convinced that his
Colonists and their weapons would be making their way back
to Jamestown in just a few hours. But he was wrong.
This is when Pocahontas was kidnapped by Argall.
When Chief Powhatan learned of his daughter being kidnapped,
he demanded she be let go at once. Argall refused. He said that
he would only let her go if her father let his Colonists out.
Chief Powhatan was furious. He let the prisoners go but not
their weapons. Chief Powhatan told Argall that he could keep
Pocahontas but she was to be treated well. The captain agreed.
he demanded she be let go at once. Argall refused. He said that
he would only let her go if her father let his Colonists out.
Chief Powhatan was furious. He let the prisoners go but not
their weapons. Chief Powhatan told Argall that he could keep
Pocahontas but she was to be treated well. The captain agreed.
While held prisoner, Pocahontas was given good food and
pretty clothes. She lived in a nice, big house, as well. Historians
think Pocahontas was spoiled while she was held prisoner.
pretty clothes. She lived in a nice, big house, as well. Historians
think Pocahontas was spoiled while she was held prisoner.
Pocahontas also learned to speak very good English and read
the Bible. She really liked the Christian religion. She liked it so
much that she became a Christian. She may have been the very
first Native American to become a Christian. She even
changed her name to Rebecca. She was then called Lady
Rebecca.
the Bible. She really liked the Christian religion. She liked it so
much that she became a Christian. She may have been the very
first Native American to become a Christian. She even
changed her name to Rebecca. She was then called Lady
Rebecca.
Pocahontas is getting baptized here.
The Last Years
The Peace of Pocahontas
Pocahontas fell in love with a Christian man. His name was John
Rolfe. He was a tobacco farmer. John Rolfe deeply admired
Pocahontas’s long, shiny black hair. Chief Powhatan let them be
married, but he did not go to the wedding. Instead he sent her uncle
and 2 brothers. They got married on April 5, 1614. After their
marriage, peace lasted for 8 years between the Native Americans
and Jamestown. This was called the Peace of Pocahontas. There was
no fighting or dislike between Jamestown and the Native Americans.
The Rolfes, meanwhile, lived happily together for a year on their
farm.
Rolfe. He was a tobacco farmer. John Rolfe deeply admired
Pocahontas’s long, shiny black hair. Chief Powhatan let them be
married, but he did not go to the wedding. Instead he sent her uncle
and 2 brothers. They got married on April 5, 1614. After their
marriage, peace lasted for 8 years between the Native Americans
and Jamestown. This was called the Peace of Pocahontas. There was
no fighting or dislike between Jamestown and the Native Americans.
The Rolfes, meanwhile, lived happily together for a year on their
farm.
This is a picture of Pocahontas and John Rolfe’s wedding.
Thomas Rolfe
Almost a year later, Pocahontas and John had a child. On
January 30, 1615, Pocahontas gave birth to a boy. They named
him Thomas Rolfe. The family lived happily together for
another year on John’s farm.
January 30, 1615, Pocahontas gave birth to a boy. They named
him Thomas Rolfe. The family lived happily together for
another year on John’s farm.
Pocahontas’s son was supposedly named after the
Governor Sir Thomas Dale. Pocahontas liked
Christianity.
|
This is Pocahontas with Thomas.
An Old Friend
About a year later, in 1616, the family went to England
together. People everywhere admired her in England. She met
John Rolfe’s family. She even met King James and Queen
Anne! Everyone in England enjoyed meeting Pocahontas.
While Pocahontas was living in England, She learned that John
Smith was still alive. Smith came to see her one day in 1617.
But Pocahontas didn’t want anything to do with Smith. She
told him that she was angry at him for not coming to visit her
in the 8 years they were apart. She told him to go away. After
that, she never saw him again.
together. People everywhere admired her in England. She met
John Rolfe’s family. She even met King James and Queen
Anne! Everyone in England enjoyed meeting Pocahontas.
While Pocahontas was living in England, She learned that John
Smith was still alive. Smith came to see her one day in 1617.
But Pocahontas didn’t want anything to do with Smith. She
told him that she was angry at him for not coming to visit her
in the 8 years they were apart. She told him to go away. After
that, she never saw him again.
The Death of Pocahontas
Pocahontas enjoyed living in England, and she wanted to stay
there. But Rolfe said that he wanted to go back to Virginia to
grow more tobacco. So they decided to sail back home on Sam
Argall’s ship. But while preparing for the trip, Pocahontas
became very sick. She was much too sick to make the long
journey back to England. Researchers think that they should
have left earlier. This way, she may have lived a bit longer.
Pocahontas later died in Gravesend, England and was buried
there.
there. But Rolfe said that he wanted to go back to Virginia to
grow more tobacco. So they decided to sail back home on Sam
Argall’s ship. But while preparing for the trip, Pocahontas
became very sick. She was much too sick to make the long
journey back to England. Researchers think that they should
have left earlier. This way, she may have lived a bit longer.
Pocahontas later died in Gravesend, England and was buried
there.
This is Pocahontas’s grave in Gravesend, England.
Conclusion
As you can see, Pocahontas was a very heroic Native
American. She brought peace to many places and people. She
helped many people, too. If it weren’t for Pocahontas, America
may not be what it is today. She helped change the way the
Native Americans saw the Colonists. Historians think she was
one of the many reasons of Jamestown’s survival. Pocahontas
was a very big part of history. She helped America become a
more happy and peaceful place.
American. She brought peace to many places and people. She
helped many people, too. If it weren’t for Pocahontas, America
may not be what it is today. She helped change the way the
Native Americans saw the Colonists. Historians think she was
one of the many reasons of Jamestown’s survival. Pocahontas
was a very big part of history. She helped America become a
more happy and peaceful place.
Glossary
Native American - a member of any of the indigenous group from
North, Central.
North, Central.
Colonist - A settler in or inhabited of a colony.
Colony - A group of people of one nationality or ethnic group living
in a foreign city or country.
in a foreign city or country.
Marsh - An area of low-lying land which is flooded in wet seasons
or at high tide, and typically remains waterlogged at all times.
or at high tide, and typically remains waterlogged at all times.
Hardships - Severe suffering or privation.
Tobacco - A preparation of the nicotine-rich leaves of an American
plant, which are cured by a process of drying and fermentation for
smoking or chewing.
plant, which are cured by a process of drying and fermentation for
smoking or chewing.
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