Chapter Review: Did Pocahontas Save John Smith?

Unsolved Mysteries of American History by Paul Aron, Barnes and Noble Books, New York, 1997.
About the only source that Pocahontas saved John Smith from her father, Powhatan, comes from John Smith himself.  There are no other first party corroborating statements.  The statement wasn't released until some years after the events.  there was a great age difference between Smith and Pocahontas.  However Smith never claimed the relationship was romantic.  It seems Pocahontas helped many with her influence and generosity.  However parts the the story don't make sense.  The author draws the conclusion that to Smith, maybe things appeared like Pocahontas saved him, while instead it may have been part of an adoption into the tribe ritual.  That Smith needed a sponsor.  This would have been a traditional death and rebirth ritual.  Smith would have felt intimidated by Powhatan, and grateful to Pocahontas.  
As for me, I accept the story as written by Smith, because I like the story, and I don't want to take away from the bravery of Pocahontas. 
 

Native American Biographies: Pocahontas, Powhatan and Openchancanough: Jamestown

U.S. stamp featuring Pocahontas in English attire

When the English first came to Jamestown, they were very vulnerable.  True they had more sophisticated weaponry than the native Americans.  However Powhatan had 9000 people under his leadership which extended through the James river area.  He ruled not only the Algonquin speaking people, but also others in the region.  His was the decision as to whether the Jamestown colony would survive.  He took a wait and see attitude.  His decision was influenced by his  daughter Pocahontas.  John Smith writes about being saved from execution at the hands of Powhatan and his followers.  In this case legend and myth are likely accurate descriptions.  The only other plausible interpretation of events is that Pocahontas was his sponsor in adopting him into the tribe.  At any rate, Powhatan befriended the people at Jamestown, and often resupplied them.  He was hoping to trade for muskets, but the English offered trinkets and beads instead.
At one point Pocahontas was kidnapped by the whites, and held for ransom of kidnapped whites and stolen muskets.  Powhatan ignored the situation knowing that the whites respected Pocahontas and would not harm her.  Pocahontas was baptized, and married John Rolfe.  Powhatan sent two of his sons with gifts to the wedding.  This union resulted in further peaceful relations between the Powhatan people and the Jamestown colonists.
It wouldn't be until after Powhatan's death, that relations would become violent.  Openchancanough, a brother of Powhatan became leader of part of the tribe, and with this power started to oppose the British.  It had been Openchancanough who had captured John Smith when he was almost killed.
Openchancanough was alarmed at the rapid growth of the colony.  This was not really a problem while Powhatan lived as the colonists were still small in number.  He was also alarmed at efforts to assimilate Native Americans into white culture.  His first attack took almost 350 English lives, about a third of the population at the time.  From this time the Virginia declared was and the Native Americans were driven deeper into the forest.  Openchancanough did spearhead another attack, taking 400 lives, but by this time the colonist numbered over 8000.
Perhaps some of the attitude of Openchancanough was the result of things that happened to Pocahontas.  Governor Dale saw a promotional opportunity, and insisted on Pocahontas traveling to England with a few other Indians.  Pocahontas was well accepted.  She always intended to return to her people, but succumbed to small pox.  She would die in England at the tender age of 21.  She was only twelve when she saved John Smith.
So we decide.  Is the story of Jamestown one of Whites misusing their power, and insisting on assimilation.  Or is this a story of how Natives and newcomers could coexist peacefully.

Book Review: Pocahontas: A Life in Two Worlds

Pocahontas: A Life in Two Worlds by Victoria Garret Jones, Sterling Publishing, New York, 2010.

This is a fascinating book telling the life of Pocahontas, but also the history of Jamestown, Captain John Smith and well as her father Powhatan and his people.  The relationship between the Native Americans and the people at Jamestown varies from year to year.  It is very likely the settlement would not have taken hold without the help of the Native Americans.  However there were times when they were at open war. 

Pocahontas befriended John Smith and the people at Jamestown.  She intervened on several occasions in their behalf, saving John Smith’s life at least a couple of times.  She once saved his head from being bashed in, and another time warned him and his men of Powhatan’s intent to kill them so they could escape.  Even so, John Smith was made an adoptive son, and adoptive brother of Pocahontas.  However, he returned to England after being badly burned by gun powder.  For her part, Pocahontas thought he had been killed.

Pocahontas was tricked and taken hostage.  This was to manipulate her father into trading with the Jamestown settlers, as they relied on food from the American Indians.  During this time, Pocahontas converted to Christianity.  However, if she had her gull choice, one has to wonder if she would have converted.  She married John Rolfe.  With him she traveled to England, and was honored as a princess. 

However, the moist weather wasn’t good for her health.  They decided to return, but her health failed her.  They began their journey, but took to land in Gravesend because of the health of Pocahontas.  Here she would pass away.  Her son Thomas was also ill, but he would survive.  He would become a tobacco farmer like his father, using lands inherited form his grandfather Powhatan.

Book Review: Pocahontas, American Biographies

Pocahontas, American Biographies, by Gail Fay, Heinemann Library, Chicago, Il, 2013.

This book clarified for me some false ideas I had about Pocahontas.  I guess most of my information came from the Disney movie.  This book indicates that Pocahontas and John Smith were not romantically involved as Pocahontas was only 10 or 11 at the time.  However it is certain Pocahontas was instrumental in the Jamestown settlement surviving.  The story of Pocahontas saving John Smith was told by John Smith, but he is the only source of this story.  The relationship between the Powhatans and the settlement at Jamestown varied from being helpful to being at war.  There were periods the people of Jamestown could not hunt for fear of being killed, and this lead to starvation.  The winter 1609-1610 was particularly bad for the settlers at Jamestown.  Many died of starvation.  They were ready to abandon the settlement when three boat loads of setters arrived. 

This book indicates Pocahontas married Kocoum in 1610 at the age of 15.  At age 18 Pocahontas was tricked by the new governor of Virginia and held captive at Jamestown and then Henrico a more defensible settlement.  The settlers tried to use Pocahontas as leverage.  The insisted her father, Chief Powhatan, the leader of the Powhatan Indians return weapons they had stolen, and provide them with food.  As he refused to return weapons, Pocahontas remained prisoner.  During this time, she lived in the settlement, wore European clothes and was “Christianized.”  She was baptized.  She was taught to read and read from the Bible.  One of her teachers was John Rolfe.  John Rolfe’s wife had passed away shortly after he had arrived in North America.  He fell in love with Pocahontas and they were married.  Pocahontas traveled with him to England.  They had one son. Thomas Rolfe.  While in England Pocohantas became sick and she died, perhaps of tuberculosis.  She was only twenty-two.

However her son reached adulthood.  Her son returned to America where his grandfather, Chief Powhatan had left him lands where he grew tobacco. 

Pocahontas was a peace giver.  She gave the people in Jamestown peace after they first arrived.  She was able to influence her father to provide them with food.  After her marriage to John Rolfe there was also a time of peace.  She had provided peace once again to her peoples.  However, after her death in England, there was no reason for the Powhatan people to maintain peace.  After Chief Powhatan passed away, his brother became the head chief.  His brother did not like the settlers, and a period of conflict resulted with many deaths.

The Powhatan people still live in this area.  There are two reservations.  Pocahontas also has descendants through her son.

Jamestown, Goldhunters?

I was watching Pocahontas Disney movie, and had to wonder; Did the Jamestown Company (The Virginia Company of London) really search for gold?  In searching this question, I must conclude that the answer is yes.  Initially the members of the company spent too much time searching for gold and silver.  As a result the efforts to support themselves were lacking which caused hunger and a poor economy.  Many of the early settlers died due to hunger, disease and the elements.  John Smith was instrumental in getting the colony to focus on agriculture and taking care of their needs.  The philosophy became, if you don't work, you don't eat.
http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h519.html
http://www.nps.gov/jame/historyculture/the-virginia-company-of-london.htm