Introduction
Pocahontas was born in 1596. She was originally named
“Amonute” and more privately named “Matoaka.” She was then
called “Pocahontas” which means
ing a mischievous behavior.
of chief Powhatan.
“playful one,” due to her hav-
She was the most beloved
daughter
When the English settlers arrived in Jame-
stown in May 1607, Pocahontas was 11 years old. This was where
her story began.
Pocahontas, you could say, was the most famous woman in
early American history.
Even as young as eleven, she helped
English settlers to survive in their new land.
As she became an
English wife and Christian woman she went to London and spoke to
the monarchs. She was a critical player in the survival of Jamestown,
John Smith had it right when he said she was “the in-
strument to preserve this colony from death, famine, and utter
confusion.”