Pocahontas,  the Real American Princess

The real Pocahontas was a Native American who became the wife of an Englishman. The people who lived in England thought she was strikingly exotic and unusual with her coppery skin, ebony eyes and long black hair. Many considered her a princess and a curiosity. Of course Pocahontas must have thought that the people in England were equally exotic and curious.

As a girl she had roamed the woods and had gone swimming in the rivers and streams. She was familiar with nature, the sun and the seasons.  Tall, majestic trees and brilliant starlit nights were what she preferred. Now she was in a different world and sometimes it must have seemed that she was living in a different time.

Matoaka was the original name for the spirited and fun loving daughter of Chief Powhatan. He was the Native American leader who ruled the lands that the English settlers were to name Virginia.

The name Pocahontas actually was a nickname that was given to the daughter of the chief by others in the village. It referred to her stubborn and headstrong nature. Pocahontas was known for lively tricks and a spirited, exuberant nature. She did not take criticism and control very well.

Pocahontas loved to live among the wild with the animals and nature. The chief’s daughter was well known to be his favorite, even though she had brothers and sisters. This may have been due in some part to the fact that Powhatan appreciated the rebellious and fiery nature of his youngest child.

For most people their understanding of Pocahontas comes from the tale of how she saved John Smith’s life by intervening when her father was about to have him killed. This story often disagrees about what really happened, but John Smith did have his life spared, and during the cold winter it was Pocahontas who helped keep him and the other starving settlers alive with food and assistance. When Captain Smith returned to England Pocahontas quit making the trips to see the colonists, having been told that her friend had died.

A few years passed and when trouble was stirring among the settlers and the Indians, she was captured by Argyle to be used as a hostage to keep the Indians from attacking the colonists. Her father would only make enough concessions to guarantee the safety of his beloved daughter. During this time many colonists were determined to convert Pocahontas to Christianity, one of these was.

One of her captors was John Rolfe who married her in 1614. Pocahontas was baptized in the church, learned English and took the name of Lady Rebecca Rolfe. She and her husband had a son who was named Thomas and for 6 years time there was peace between the Powhatan Indians and the settlers which was dubbed “The Peace of Pocahontas”.

Pocahontas had taken a new name to go with her new life and identity and was now known as Rebecca, but she could not just blend in with the rest of society during these years. When the family returned to her husband’s native England, just her looks were enough to make her stand out. You can still see evidence of the playful and independent nature of this woman by pictures of her that depict with two beloved accessories, the man’s hat she wore and her pipe.

This is an original news article © The Kids Window

For further reading for children check out these Pocahontas web site links. 

Look too for some great Disney children's costumes inside.


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