The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1856-01-31


1 lJamestoSp, where, not long before, the bride
had received Christian, baptism. and WAS
named the Lady Rcbccca. The sun. had
marched half way up toward the meridian,
when a gooliy company Ind assembled be.
meath the temple root. The pleasant, odor
OF the "pews Of cedar commingled with The
fragrance of tho wild flowers which dcckcd
the fesioons of eyergreens and, sprays that
hung over the fair, broad window and
the commandments tables above. the cl,ai,cel.
Over the pulpit, of black.waInut. hung gar.
lands Of white flowers, with the waxcn leaves
and scarlet berries of holly. The conimu-
illonitable- was covered with fair, whiiei.lin.
en-, and bore bread from the wheat fields, of
jamestown, and wine from its luscious
grapes. The font, "hewn hollow between,
Ike canoe" sparkled with water, as OH
the morning When the gentle princess utter
ed her-baptismal vows.I S'aostl4 saT
OF l1,hat compans' assembled in the
broad space between the 'ehancelu and the
pews. the bride and groom were tho cen
trail figures in fact and significance. l,oca.
hontas was dressed in n simple ltunic of
White muslin, from the looms Of Dacca.-
Tier arms were bare even to the shoulders:
and, hanging loosely towards her feet. was a
robe OF rich stuff, presented by Sir Thomas
pale, and ancituliy embroidered by herself
Lanai her maiaens.A u,intlxs stllet encir,.le,l
her head, aud held the pluinage VI binls aud
q veil Of gauze, while her limbs were a,lorn-
cd with the simple .iewclry of the native
workshops. Rolf was ,attued in the gay
clothing of an English cavalier of that peri
cd, and upon his thigh he wore, the short
sword OF a gentleman Of distinction in soci.
.ty. lie was the personitcation of manly
beauty III form and carriage; she of woman-.
y modesty and lovely simplicity and AS
they came and stood before the man Of
God, history dipped her pen in the indcs.
truclable fountain OF truth, aud recorded
prophecy Of mighty empires in the New
World. Upon the chanccl steps, where no
railing interfered, The good Whitaker stood
In his sacerdotal robes, aud, with impressive
voice pronounced the marriage ritual Of the
liturgy of tn, Anglican Church., ihen first
planted on the Western continent. On his
right, in a richly carved chair Of state,
brought from England, sat the Governor.
with his ever attendant haIUerdfers, witifbfa
zen hcmlots, at his back. 50 siA4
There were yet but few women in the
colony, aud tliese, soon after this memorable
event returned to native England. The
ninety young woman, pure and unccrrap-
ted" whom the wise Sandys caused to be
sent to Virginia, as wives for the planters,
did not arrive until seven years later. All
then nj jamestown were at the nlarriaye-
The letters Of the time have transmitted to
us the names Of some of them. Mistress
John Rolf with her rsaild, (doub,Iess of the
i.Anily of tile brides Uam y Mistress Easton
and child, and Mi lress Mortou and grand
child, with her maid.servpat, Elizabeth Par
sons, who on Christmas eve before, had
married Thomas Powell, were yet in Vir-
ginia. Among the noted men then present,
Was Sir Thomas Gates, brave soldier III
many wais, and rs brave an adventurer
among the Atlantic pcrils OF any who ever
trusted to the ribs OF the ships of Old Eng
land. And Master Sparkcs, who had been
|co:ambassador with RoIfto the count of Pow
hatan, stood near the .ia 4ollier, IS iih Young
Henry Spilman at his side. There, too,
was the young George Percy, brother Of
the powerful Duke Of Northumberland,
whose conduct was always rs noble as his
blood and near him, an earnest spectator
Of the scene, was the cider brother of Poca-
hontas; but not the destined successor to
the throne Of his father. There too, Was a
younger brother of the bride, and niaS.S
youths and maidens from the forest shades
but enc noble figure1-tlie pride of the Pow
hatan confederacy- father Of the bride
was absent. He had consented 10 the mar
riage with willing voice, but ,vooi,l not trust
himself within tile power Of the English at
Jamestown. He remained in his liaDitation
at Weroworomoco, while the RosE and To-
run were being welded, but checrfaiiy COM
missioned his brother, Opachisco, to give
away his daughter. That prince performed
bis duty vel, and Then, IN careless gravity,
he sat and listened to the voice Of tho Apos-
tie, and the sweet chanting of the little eho
risters. The music ceased, the benediction
fell, the solemn = Ainenv echoed from the
rude yaulted root, and the Joyous company
left the chapel for the festal hall Of the Gov
sr. Thus .sthe peace was made stronger,
and the ROSE OF England lay undisturbed
upon the HATCHEf OF the Powhatans, while
the father Of Pocahontas lived ~
Months g,ided away. The bride and
groom "liyed cisilly and loyingly jtegethes,"
until Sir Thomas Dale departed to England,
linslel8, when they with many settlers, ac-
i r. IL