Pocahontas, later known as Rebecca Rolfe, was a Powhatan Native American born around 1595. She was recognised for her involvement with English colonial settlement at Jamestown, Virginia.
In a well-known historical anecdote, she saved the life of Englishman, John Smith, by placing her head upon his own at the moment of his execution. Pocahontas later visited England and married a colonist, John Rolfe. She was then baptisised and changed her name to Rebecca Rolfe. Pocahontas was well respected in England , in fact Queen Anne invited her and Rolfe to her castle, however, Pocahontas was ill and was unable to attend. she eventually died of the illness at the age of 22 in London. |