Imperial Valley press., 1923-02-08
P0CAHONTAS WAS
REALLY NAMED
MATOAKA. CLAIM
Plan to Bring Body of
Noted Indian Girl
From England

One of the most striking facts
brought to light in connection with
the search. by the historical socie-
ty of Richmond Virginia, for the
body of Pocahontas, the Indian prin-
cess heroine of John Smith S colo
ny in Virginia is that her name was
rot Pocahontas, but Matoaka. Poea-
hontas was Il nickname, or " little
name' used by her father, Powhat
tan, when she was child of 10
years. 1t was at this age that she
first became known to the English
settlers in Virginia, first as the
friend of. Captain John Smith, and
later as the savior of the struggl
ing community from the anger of
her father. PocahoLtas was an In
dian word meaning Little tom
boy
Triumphal Entry in England.
Further proof is to be found i'll
the inscription on the portrait Of
Matoaka painted in London by 81
mon de Passc in 1916 when SHE made
her triumphal entry into England as
the VIE OF JOiln holle.
This picture is now in the posses
sion of a descendant of the Rolfe
family IN Norfolk County, England.
After her marriage with John
Rolfc she died on shipboard on the
eve of her return from England to
Amcric;,, and was buried in Il church
ward near Gravesend. The site Of
her grave is being sought with the
object Of returning her body 20 Am
erica for burial under a memorial
monument.
The story of Pocahontas, or Ma
toaka, is indclibly engraved in the
records of the colony, but it Is prob
able that the legend OF her saving
John Smith from death at the hands
Of Powhaitan S cXccltioners hy coV-
ering his body with her own, was
somewhat exaggerated. At that
time she was barely 10 years of age,
and it is hard to credit 10 year
old girl with so much courage and
resolution. Her greatest service to
the colony, that of teaching john
Rolfc the right way to cultivate to-
bacco, has been oVershadoWcd by
her romance.
Rolfe First Tobacco Grower.
John Rolfc and not Sir Waiter
Raleigh was the mar who first in
troduced tobacco to England, and
who forcsaw the wealth to be de-
rived from its cultivation. 1t was
due to Matoaka, his wife, that the
commercial possibilities Of tobac-
60 planting were due.
At the time when he made his
first experiments, the coloniSts were
II t"outs' with Powhattan, Il pow
crful Indian chief IN control of ali
of the tribes surrounding the settle
mcnt. Matoaka, or Pocahontas, his
daughter, had been kidnapped by
the settlers and was being held rs
hostage. She was consulted by
Rolfo and, following her advice, he
was able TO bring his experiments in
tobacco growing to 4 successful con
clusiou.
Drawn together by their study OF
tobacco, Rolfe began his courtshp
of the Indian princess. Thry were
before that time the Indian girl had
been buptiHcd under the name Of
Rcbccca.'
Son Born in England.
After their marriage RoIfe sailed
fer London with his wife, seeking
support for his plantations. Mutoa-
ka, known throughout England aa
."la belle savage aroused interest
and admiration wherever she went.
Contemporary writer's spoke Of her
"royal dignity" and her beauty.
Queen Elizabeth received her and
was much strucA. with her pcrsonali'
ty and charm.
While she and her husband were
in London, her son, Thomas Rolfe,
from whom many Virginia families
trace their descent. was born.
in Ouantlco, Va, Il marine was
selling uniforms. Maybe he thought
he was our merchant marine!
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