Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-11-05

his immense size and strength. became
King OF Denmark; and IL was introduced
into England by one OF that nonarch's
who came TO Great Britain
with the first Vikings who overran the
island. AS early as 1850 the family Is re-
corded as owning Heacham, in Norfolk
county, which ancient seat is still In their
possession. and the first entry upon
Doomsday book Is the marriage OF Eu-
STAGE and Joanna Rolfe. the grandparents
OF John. His own parents were John
Rolfe and Dorothea Mason, and upon tho
tomb of the former IL a tablet of brass.
upon which the following quaint tribute
n inscribed:
"He prohted his family much while he
remained I'm life: ne wished all his neigh
bors and relations. through himself. TO
be OF great worth by helping the poorer
with his means. Nothing could be more
amiable than he. The reproaches of many
he bore. gently bore. without offence OF
mind. His death was like the extinguish-
ment Of volume Of flame by mass OF
water. for he was of healthy strength,
and when dying had not completed many
years G2) His death caused grief to
many, but It Jared very nobly with him,
whom a consciousness OF life we'll spent
and a record OF many good deeds does not
suffer to perish.
John Rolfe, who was one OF twins, was
born In May, 1858. He established claim
to the gratitude OF the colonists by intro
ducing among them the cultivation OF to-
bacco which afterwards became their
currency, and while in London wrote
report OF their condition TO the King, sug-
costing amendments in the government.
which so commended him TO his sovereign
Lthat he instituted the place of secretary
and recorder-general of Virginia, and APP
pointed Rolfe to FIJI It. Later we find
him a member of the Governors Coun-
Gil.
DEEPLY ENAMOURED.
Concerning his attachment for Pocahon-
tas. for during the period Of her captivity
he became deeply enamOured Of the young
princess, he thus writes 10 Governor
Dale setting forth the grounds and princi-
pal agltations which thus should provoke
him TO be i'm love: Let, therefore he
SAYS, "this. my well-advised protestation,
which here j make between God ana my
own conscience be sufficient witness at
the dreadful day OF judgment when the
secrets of all mems harts shall be openedp
TO condemne me here in. If my chiefest
intent and purpose be not TO strive with
all my power of body and minde in the
undertaking Of so mightie a matter no
WAY led $50 parse forth as mans weake-
ness may permiD by carnall affection
but for the good of this plantation, for
the honour Of our countrie. for the glory
Of God for my own salvation, ana Tor
the converting TO the true knowledge or
God and Jesus Christ an unbelieving
creature. namely Pocahontas. to whom
my hart and best thoughts are and have
a long time bin so entangled and in
thralled I'm so intricate q laborinth that
was even aWearied TO unwinde myself
thereout."
But the affections of Pocahontas were.
alas, equally "entangled and enthralled,"
for she loved. with all the depth and ten
derness of her nature, Captain John
Smith. and she turned a deaf ear to the
pleadings of her ardent sutton. AS a
writer in commenting upon the matter
saws. however. 1.-THE true love of a man
IS strong" and being bereft OF her hearts
first choice-for news reached the colony
that Captain Smith had been killed in a
ea-nght off the Azores-she yielded little
by little to the power Of his affection, and
finally promised 10 become Rolfe's wife.
And n most fortunate contamination
was IL for the English, for Powhatan.
weary OF the detention Of his daughter
and despairing Of making terms for her
release. consistent with his dignity, was
preparing to wrest her from her cap
tors by force Of arms, when the fruit
OF her infections reached him. The
pacific adjustment Of the difficulty de-
lighted him, and he at once dispatched
her two brothers and her "olde uncle,
Opachisco," 10 jamestown TO be present
at her marriage.
II was solemnized April. 1913, In the
first church ever built in Virginia, the
ceremony being performed by the Rev.
Alexander whitaker. one OF the earhest
pioneers Of Christianity in America. A
queer company assembled TO witness IT,
for many OF the Indians came to see
the idol Of their nation married, and
painted savages. with feather-deekea
heads. stood side by side with "buff
terkins and gold-iaced doublets.'
HIS FRIENDSHIP.
The union gained the permanent
friendship Of Powhatan, and his nearest
neighbors. the Chickahominies, being ap'
praised OF II, declared themselves the
subjects Of King James. promising to
nay tribute TO him and to furnlsh th'
colonists with men to fight with then
against their enemies, ana only supu'
lating that their own laws shouid gov
ern them at home. Prior to the mar
rIsge-for Rolfe had scruples In re-
gard TO marrying IAN unbeleeving crea
ture"-the rite of baptism was admins
tered TO Pocahontas. In 1915, accom-
named by Governor Dale, she Visitec
England where she was the guest o.
the virginia Company and the reclpleh
OF the most distinguished attentions
Tbe, circumstances of her liie~ maze
ber an object of universal interest, anC
great astonishment was excited by I'M
grace of her manner. for, IN the ian
euare of Smith. there were many
English ladies worse favoured, propor
toned. and behavioured." When th'
news OF her intended visit reached MN
Captain Smith wrote letter 10 NM
James, telling him OF her serFio :.
the colonists, and commencing her
his favor. and she was received at court
where every courtesy was shown her D!
the Queen and her attendants.
II was. according to one writer. whil'
witnessing the performance OF Shahe
speare's Tempest" then creating sIea
sensation In London, that, seeing Saptaii
smith cross the Stage. she was nrst ihau'
aware that he was living. she was ceep
Nv aritated, and later, when he come u
see her. she turned away her head a. tel
greeting him and. covering her iace WIZ
her hands, remained In this attitule ut'
ing the rest of his visit. Nor oil sI'
recover from the shock or this ulscossiS
Her health ueCuiltuf dhN ~
when preparing reluctantly TO embark 10
America IN a vessel elegantly htted VI
for her accommodation by the Nirgh'
I Company. she suddenly died, she wa
hurled beneath the chancel in the parisi
church. and upon the register TINS eh'r'
may still be read; -,
.iele March q, Rebecca Wrolfe, wyn'
~ Iobn Wolfe gent. Virginia iao'
horn. was buried In the chancel.
Pocahontas left one son, Thomas hole
& who was educated by his uncle IN LONDON
,',,,b whom he remained until he ma
reached his majority. He afterwaru'
came TO Virginia. and marrying ana se'
,Iing upon the patrimonial estate near IN
Site of the present city of Rlchnoho
80 me n man OF note In the colony. From
/ poeahontas's union with Roife many o
! The most prominent families In Nlrs'hl
have sprung. John Randolph OF hoai'
= oke claimed the Indian princess as M
ancestress. and in each generation ois'il'
4 pushed descendants represent her.
HER PORTRAIT
Many pictures are extant OF the youn
+ Indian. who was said by smith 10 DC
extreme grace and comeiiness iar eN
ceeding for beauty the rest OF her peopie.
hnt these with one exception, are ~
/, ments of the artists brain. the on
portrait ever painted OF her Is now
The possession Of Mr.. Elwyn, memps
OF the Rolfe family, living In NORTON
county. England. ,ao,,