Pocahontas has been a legend of American folk culture for hundreds of years – the subject of romantic novels, documentaries and even Disney films. As with many legends as time goes on the myth tends to eclipse the reality. Today we’ll try to unearth the real Pocahontas.
First of all, her name was not Pocahontas. Born in 1596, her real name was Amonute and sometimes Matoaka. Pocahontas was a nickname, which in Algonquin means “playful one” or “misbehaving child.”
Legend claims Pocahontas fell in love with John Smith, an English settler at Jonestown who was captured by chief Powhatan her father. The two shared a secret love affair that they had to keep hidden from the Algonquins. In actuality, there was probably little romance between the two. Pocahontas was twelve when she met John Smith and their only recorded interaction was a time when she helped Smith learn portions of the Algonquin language during his captivity.
Stock Photo Gallery of Native Americans
After his imprisonment, John Smith was sentenced to death. As the tribesmen placed his head on a stone for execution, Pocahontas intervened, pleading with her father to let her lover go. In all likelihood, John Smith did not face execution that day. Algonquins often placed people’s heads on stones for religious rituals. It is not unlikely that John Smith was being anointed before his planned release later that day..
Native American mug and more!
Powhatan dispatched of John Smith and Pocahontas saw mournfully to her lovers’ departure – a bitter sweet romance that gave her a new appreciation of how two peoples can live in harmony.
Records show that Pocahontas’ true love was actually John Rolfe, a man she married in 1614 after her own captivity among European colonists following the First Anglo-Powhatan War. Pocahontas converted to Christianity and was baptized with the name “Rebecca.” She lived among Europeans until her death on a ship bound for Virginia in 1617.
Science Source is a great source of Historic images that illuminate both the facts and legends of the past. Explore more of our images in the links above and for great history prints, mugs, and t-shirts check out our storefront below.