Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1865-12-23


bride had received Christian baptism and
was named the Lady Rebccca. The sun
liat, marched half way up toward the mcri
dian, whcn Il good company had assembled
beneath the temple roof. She pleasant od0r
of the ''pews of cedar" cnnmingled with
I the fragrance .! the wild flowers which
deckcd the fcstoons of evcrgrccns and sprays
| that hung over the fair, broad windows"
and the commandment tablets above the
chanccl Over the pulpit of black walnut
hung garands of wild flowers, with the
Saxen leaves and scarlet berries of the
| holly. The communion table WAS covered
with fair, white linen, and bore bread from
/ the whcat-fields of jamestown and wine
from its luscious grapes. The font, "hcwn
hollow between, like q canoe" sparkled
with water, as on the morning when the
gentle princess uttered her baptismal vows.
OF all that company assembled in the
broad space between tue chancel and the
pews, bride and groom were the central
! figures in fact and significance. Pocahon-
tas was dressed in simple tunic of white
muslin, from the looms of Dacca. Her arms
were bare even to the shoulders, and hang
( ing loosely towards her feet was robe of
rich stuff, presented by Sir Thomas Dale,
and fancifnily embroidered by her maitens.
A gaudy fillct cncirced her head, and held
/ the plumage of birds and veil of gauze,
while her limbs were adorned with the
simple iewery of the native work shops.
Rp!te was attired in the gay clothing Of an
English cavalier ot that period, and upon
his thigh he wore the short sword of q yen
,lemun OF distinction in society. He was
the personihcatiun of manly beauty i'll form
and carrugp she of womanly moGesty and
simplicity; and, rs they came and stood be
fore the man of Cod, History dipped her
pen in the iudcstructi!le fountain of truth,
and reccrdcd prophecy of mighty en-
pire in the New World. Upon the cliancel
steps where 10 railing interlered, the good
Whitaker stood in his sacredUtal robes, and
with impressive vtic pronounced the mar
ragc rtnal of the liturgy Of the Anglican
church, then first planted on the Western
continent. On his right, in Il richly carved
chair OF state, brought. from England, sat
the Governor, with his ever attendent hal.
I bcrdicrs, in bralen hclmets, at his back.
There were yet hut few women in the
colony and these. soon after this memorable
event returned 10 native England. The
ninety yoang women, pure and uncorrupt-
ed whom the wise Sandys caused TO lie
sent to Virginia as wives for The planters,
did not arrive for seven years later. All
then at jamestown were at the marriage
The lct'c:s of the time have transmitted to
US tie names of some of them. Mistress
John Rolfc, with her child, doubtless of the
family of the bri,legroon,:) Mistress Easton
and child, and Mistress Horton and grand.
,chiid with her maid servant, Elizabeth Par.
sons, who, on u Christmas eve before, had
,parrcd Thomas Powell, were yet in Nir.
gnia. Among the noted men then present
was Sir Thomas Gates, a brave soldier in
many wars, and rs brave an adventurer
among the Atlantic -pcriis as any wifo ever
trusted to the ribs Of oat Of the ships OF
Old England. And Master Sparkes, who
had been co-embassaaur with Rolie to'the
court of Powhat,l;., stood near the old sol
dicr, with young Henry Sp,iman at his side
There, too, was the young George Percy,
brother to the powerful duke Of Northum-
lcriund, whose conduct was always as no
bic rs his blood, and near him. an earnest
spectator of the scene, WAS the elder brother
ut Pocahontas, but not the destined sue
c.ssor to the throne Of his father, Thcrc
too. was n younger brother OF the briGe
and many youths and milidcns Of the forest
shades; but one noble iigure-the pride OF
the PpwhataIi &C nicllrrdcy the father OF
thc bride MAS absent He had consented to
the marriage with willing voice, but would
not trust himself within the power of tho
Englis!! at Jamestnwn. He remained in his
halitatiun at NerOworomOco, While tht
Rose and the Tutum were being welded
but chccrfuily commissioned his brother to
give away his daughter. That prince per
formed his duty well, and then, in careles;
gravity, he sat and listened to the voice OF
the apostle and the sweet chanting of tlt
little chorristers The music ceased, the
hcncdlcton fell. the solemn Amen echoed
from the rude vauitcd roof, and the joyous
company left the chapel for the iestal hai
Of the Governor Thus "thc peace" was
made stronger, and the Rose of Eng'ant
lay undisturbed upon the llatchet o. thu
Puwhataus, while the father of Pocahonta
lived.
Months passed away The BRIDE anc
groom lived civilly and lovingly together
until Sir Thomas Dale departed for EnglanC
in 1916, when they with many settlers nc
companirl him. TOmocumo, one OF th
shiew,lcst of Powhatan's councillors, wen
also. that he might report all the wonder
OF England to his master. The Lady Re
becca received great attention from til
court and all below it. 'She accustomed
herself to civility, and carried herself u
daughter of king" DR.. King, the Lor,
Bishop of London, entertained her wit
festival State and p6mp," beyond what h
had eyer given to other latlics; and at cour
i she wAs received with :he courtesy due t
! her rank as a princess. But the silly Gigo
ION The throne was highly inccnsed, becaus
zone Of his subjects had dared TO marry
iMdy IF ,oyal Lioo,i, and in the midst of hi
dreams of periogatives, he al'surtIly apprc
! ihended ;hnt Rolte might lay claim ito III
> Grown of Virginia ~ Afraid of the roya
: displeasure, Captain Smith, who was the
: in England, wonld not aliow her to call hin
= tdfheT. us she desired to do. She could NJ
: comprehend Tire cause !; and her tender sin
pie heart was sorely grieved hy what seen
= ed 10 be his want of affection for her. Sll
!, remuued in England about year; an,
= when ready TO embark for America with he
y husband, She siekencd and died at GRAY,
! send, in the fIowery month of June, l6l
!, when not quite twenty-five wears of age
!. Size left one son, Thomas Rolie, who aite
y wards became distinguished man in vi
y ginia. He had but cue child, Il daughie
= From her, some of the leading families
!, Virginia trace their lineage Among thes
" are the Rolings,' Murrays, Guys, Eldridge
=, and Randolpl,s. But Pncahontas needle
y nn ,,o.t.ritv ~ narnetuatp hpri nAmc--lt