The Real Pocahontas

Separating Fact and Fiction

What do you already know about Pocahontas?

Where did you learn about Pocahontas?
Disney

The Real Pocahontas

She was one of many daughters of the Chief Powhatan. Her real name was Matoaka.
Pocahontas was a nickname which means mischievous child.

She was ten or eleven years old when she first met Captain John Smith.
No, they were never in love nor did they marry.

John Smith Disney Version

John Smith Real Life

Pocahontas and John Smith The Truth

John Smith arrived in Jamestown in 1608 to find people starving and dying of disease. Pocahontas had been trying to help the settlers survive by bringing food to Jamestown. 1609 John Smith was captured by the Powatans. This is where Pocahontas allegedly saves Smith from being murdered by her father.

The Real Story

This story probably never happened.
The first time the story was recorded or ever told was 17 years later.

If it did actually happen it was probably part of a ritual to make John Smith an honorary warrior in the Powhatan confederacy. Smith and Pocahontas were friends and she was vital to the survival of Jamestown.

The Real Story

John Smith returns to England in 1609 to receive medical attentionexploding gunpowder = badly burned leg. While Smith is away, war breaks out. 1612 Pocahontas (age 17) is taken hostage, told Smith had died, and is held for ransom.
Settlers want food and the men that were being held by Powhatans in exchange.

Matoaka, Pocahontas, and Rebecca

While held as prisoner, 28 year old John Rolfe takes an interest in Pocahontas.
As part of her release, she agrees to convert to Christianity, marry Rolfe, and change her name to Rebecca.

Lady Rebecca Goes to England

Rebecca and her husband John Rolfe have a son named Thomas. They go to England to promote colonization of Jamestown. Rebecca contracts pneumonia or tuberculosis and dies at the age of 22 before returning to America.