Bio

• (b. ca. 1595)

  Her Indian name was Matoaka, "Pocahontas" was a nickname meaning "Playful one," baptised as "Rebecca." Born near what is now Jamestown, Virginia, daughter of Powhatan. She saved John Smith from execution in 1608. (An unproven historical legend.) Taken hostage by colonists in 1613. Married John Rolfe in April 1614, mother of Thomas Rolfe. She travelled to England where she was received as an "Indian Princess." Died of smallpox at Gravesend, England.

  An illustration of the baptism of Pocahontas is on the reverse of the $20 National Bank Note, series of 1875.

  bio: DAB; Drake; EAB; WAB; WWWA-H

Place of birth

• Jamestown, Virginia

Date of death

• 1617-03

Relationships