The Courtship of John Rolfe and Pocahontas

In 1616, the Virginia Company invited Lady Rebecca (Matoka or Pocahontas) (ca. 1597-1617), a daughter of the native leader Powhatan and wife of Englishman John Rolfe (1585-1622), to visit England with her family. They were entertained by the Anglican bishop of London and introduced to England's royal family.

In 1613, Matoka, assuming the name Rebecca, converted to Christianity and assimilated into colonial life. On April 5, 1614, John Rolfe married Rebecca. This is the first documented marriage of an English colonist and a Native American Indian. Surviving documents indicate that John Rolfe struggled with the moral repercussions of marrying, in his words, a "heathen." A letter sent to the royal governor requested his approval of this first recorded church union between an American native and an English colonist in Virginia.

Early in 1617, the Rolfes prepared leave King James’s court and return to their family home in Virginia. However, Rebecca sickened and died at Gravesend. Her child, Thomas (1615-1680?), was educated in England, married and later returned to Virginia, where he attempted to connect with his mother’s family. Thomas and Jane had one child, Jane (1650-1676), who married Robert Bolling in 1675. Soon after giving birth to her son, John, in 1676, Jane died. Through John Bolling (1676-1749) many people today can claim descent from Powhatan and his daughter Matoaka (Pocahontas).