biography
| name: |
Pocahontas
|
| |
personal name Matoaka
|
pronunciation:
[pohkahontas]
| sex:
| female
|
| lived:
| (1595–1617)
|
| biography:
| American-Indian princess, born near Jamestown, Virginia, USA, the daughter of Powhatan. An American folk heroine, she helped maintain peace between the colonists and Indians, and saved the life of English adventurer John Smith when he was at the mercy of her tribe. In 1612 she embraced Christianity and was baptized Rebecca. The following year she married John Rolfe, and in 1616 came with him to England, where she was received by royalty. She died of smallpox, and left one son; several Virginia families claim descent from her. |
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