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“Bite-Size Bits of Local, National, and Global History”
“Bite-Size Bits of Local, National, and Global History”
Near Richmond in Henrico County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
 

Pocahontas

 
 
Pocahontas Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Kathy Walker, August 11, 2007
1. Pocahontas Marker
Inscription. Matoaka, nicknamed Pocahontas ("playful one"), the daughter of Powhatan, was born about 1595. At age eleven, she befriended Captain John Smith and later visited the English colonists. In 1613 Samuel Argall kidnapped Pocahontas to use her as a negotiating pawn. According to tradition, she was brought to Henrico Town and cared for by the Rev. Alexander Whitaker. She was baptized and renamed Rebecca, and on 5 April 1614 she married John Rolfe. In 1616, Rolfe and their son Thomas accompanied her to England, where King James I and Queen Anne received her. Preparing to return home, she died at Gravesend, England, in March 1617.
 
Erected 1995 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number V-28.)
 
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & ReligionColonial EraNative AmericansWomen. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources series list. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1617.
 
Location. 37° 26.124′ N, 77° 19.743′ W. Marker is near Richmond, Virginia, in Henrico County. Marker is at the intersection of New Market Road (Virginia Route 5) and Farmers Circle Drive, on the right when traveling west on New Market Road. Located with
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markers Action at Osborne's (V-48), Varina (V-33), Proposed First University in English America (V-30), and Henrico Town (V-28). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Henrico VA 23231, United States of America. Touch for directions.
 
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Henrico History (here, next to this marker); Henrico Town (here, next to this marker); Proposed First University in English America (a few steps from this marker); Action at Osborne's (a few steps from this marker); Varina (a few steps from this marker); New Market Heights (within shouting distance of this marker); William Hatcher (within shouting distance of this marker); George Thorpe (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Richmond.
 
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Other markers concerning Pocahontas and her kidnapping by Samuel Argall.
 
Pocahontas Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Kathy Walker, August 11, 2007
2. Pocahontas Marker
Shown with markers Actions at Osborne's (V 48), Varina (V 33), Proposed First University in English America (V 30), and Henrico Town (V 29).
Pocahontas Marker (relocated) image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Bernard Fisher
3. Pocahontas Marker (relocated)
Pocahontas, age 21, 1616 image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, February 16, 2015
4. Pocahontas, age 21, 1616
This portrait of Pocahontas (Matoaks) after a 1616 engraving by Simon van de Passe hangs in the National Portrait Gallery in Washington DC.

Ætatis suæ 21. Ao. 1616.

Matoaks als Rebecka daughter to the mighty Prince Powhatan Emperour of Attanoughkomouck als Virginia converted and baptized in the Chriƒtian faith, and Wife to the worʰ. Mr Tho: Rolff.


“Pocahontas, the Indian princess who allegedly saved the life of English colonist John Smith, survives and flourishes as an example of an early American heroine. While Smith may have embellished the story of his rescue, the importance of Pocahontas to relations between colonists and Native Americans is undisputed. Following her conversion to Christianity and marriage to Englishman John Rolfe, Pocahontas journeyed to England with her family to demonstrate the ability of new settlers and native tribes to coexist in the Virginia colony. While in England, Pocahontas sat for her portrait, which was later engraved. That print served as the basis for this later portrait. The painter included an inscription beneath the likeness, copied from the engraving, but through an error in transcription it misidentifies her husband as Thomas, the name given to their son.” — National Portrait Gallery
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on December 25, 2019. It was originally submitted on July 27, 2008, by Kathy Walker of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,927 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos:   1. submitted on July 27, 2008, by Kathy Walker of Stafford, Virginia.   2. submitted on July 28, 2008, by Kathy Walker of Stafford, Virginia.   3. submitted on March 26, 2017, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.   4. submitted on October 26, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.

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Mar. 29, 2024