Near Stafford in Stafford County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Kidnapping of Pocahontas

Photographed By Kevin White, August 30, 2007

1. Kidnapping of Pocahontas Marker

Inscription. Near here, Pocahontas visited friends among the Patawomecks on the Potomac River in April 1613. Capt. Samuel Argall saw an opportunity to capture Pocahontas and exchange her for English prisoners held by her father Chief Powhatan. Argall sought out Iopassus, the chief of the Indian town of Passapatanzy. After Argall made veiled threats, Iopassus obtained permission from his brother the Patawomeck district chief to aid Argall. Iopassus had one of his wives insist that Pocahontas accompany her on a tour of Argall’s ship. Once aboard, Pocahontas was detained, the ship departed, and she was held captive elsewhere in the colony. During negotiations for her exchange, Pocahontas married John Rolfe in 1614.

Erected 2001 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number E-48.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Native Americans • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels • Women. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1613.

Location. 38° 22.529′ N, 77° 27.087′ W. Marker is near Stafford, Virginia, in Stafford County. Marker is on Jefferson Davis Highway

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(U.S. 1) 0.4 miles Centreport Parkway, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Stafford VA 22555, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Marlborough (here, next to this marker); "Lest We Forget" (approx. 1.2 miles away); Land for God's Work (approx. 1½ miles away); Milton Snellings (approx. 1.6 miles away); Hulls Memorial Baptist Church (approx. 1.6 miles away); Original Bell of Hulls Memorial Baptist Church (approx. 1.7 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 1.8 miles away); History at Leeland Station (approx. 2.3 miles away).

More about this marker. This marker replaced a marker with the same number, but titled “Potomac Creek,” erected in the late 1920s or early 1930s about 1½ miles south where the road crosses the creek. It read, “Near the mouth of this creek, several miles east, explorers in 1608 found an Indian village called ‘Petomec,’ from which the river took its name. There the Indian princess, Pocahontas, was kidnapped by Captain Argall in 1613. There travelers landed from steamers to take the stage to Fredericksburg; early railroad terminus. Charles Dickens landed there, going to Richmond, and returned the same way, March, 1842.”

Related markers.

Photographed By Kevin White, August 30, 2007

2. Kidnapping of Pocahontas Marker

Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Other markers about Pocahontas.

Additional keywords. abduction, human trafficking

Pocahontas -- Lady Rebecca, (c. 1595 - 1617) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, December 20, 2011

3. Pocahontas -- Lady Rebecca, (c. 1595 - 1617)

Detail of a portrait by an unknown artist (painted after 1616) in the National Portrait Gallery (NPG-42-21)

Smith and Pocahontas image. Click for full size.

4. Smith and Pocahontas

Black and white photograph of and earlier marker titled, "Smith and Pocahontas." It reads, "At the mouth of this stream, Captain John Smith in 1608 found an Indian "Kings House" called "Petomek." The river takes its name from this. Here the Indian princess, Pocahontas, was kidnapped by the English in June 1612. Photograph is from an undated Virginia tourist brochure.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 26, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 30, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 9,469 times since then and 392 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 30, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 3. submitted on July 28, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 4. submitted on November 7, 2021, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.