History research project
The Story of Pocahontas
Fact vs. Myth
Myth:
- Pocahontas was a young adult with a curvaceous body when she first met John Smith in 1607.
- She was wearing a mini dress made of leather.
- They had a romantic affair.
Fact:
- Pocahontas was born in the year 1595-96 which means that she would be about 11 or 12 years old when she met John Smith. He would have been 28.
- A child of that age in the Powhatan tribe would have been naked.
- They did not have a romantic affair.
Myth:
- John Smith was captured by the Powhatan warriors and sentenced to death.
- Pocahontas saved him by covering him with her body and begged for his life.
- Chief Powhatan released him and made a pact to trade and be friendly with the English.
Fact:
- The capture of John Smith was actually a mock execution and salvation ceremony that was traditional.
- The Powhatan’s intended to be friends with the English.
- Pocahontas was merely playing a role in the ceremony.
Myth:
- Pocahontas and John Smith fell in love like Romeo and Juliet.
- They continued their affair and traveled back to England together.
- They planned to marry.
Fact:
- Pocahontas continued to act as ambassador between the Powhatan’s and the English.
- She brought them food and water in exchange for hatchets and trinkets.
- She was later kidnapped by the English and held for ransom.
Myth:
- While in captivity Pocahontas fell in love with a tobacco planter named John Rolfe and chose him over John Smith.
- She converted to Christianity and married John Rolfe in an effort to make peace between her people and the English.
Fact:
- John Smith was sent back to England to recover from a gun powder accident.
- Pocahontas is told that John Smith is dead.
- She later falls in love with and marries John Rolfe after being converted to Christianity and changes her name to Rebecca.
Myth:
- After her marriage to John Rolfe Pocahontas is arrested and thrown into prison at the tower of London.
- Pocahontas is surprised to find that John Smith is still alive as he and John Rolfe rescue her from prison.
Fact:
- Pocahontas attends a ball in her honor. She has a portrait painted of her by a famous artist.
- John Smith came to visit her and she was shocked to find that he was still alive. She commented that his countrymen were “men that lied”.
More facts:
- Pocahontas and John Rolfe have a son named Thomas.
- While on their way back to Virginia Pocahontas takes ill and they must return to England.
Memorial:
- Pocahontas died on March 21, 1617 from small pox.
- She was buried at Gravesend in England.
- She is remembered for her contribution to the maintenance of peace between the first colonists and the natives.
Bibliography:
- A1259.g.akamai.net
- Altocartoons.com
- Apva.org
- Art.com
- Christiananswers.net
- Co.henrico.va.us
- Incwell.com
- Pbs.org
- Pocahontas.morenus.org
- Powhatan.org
- Thenewworldmovie.com
- Vahistorical.org
- Virtualjamestown.org
- Wroads.virginia.edu