Pocahontas Saves An Englishman... How?

The story of Pocahontas saving the life of John Smith has been around for many centuries. Unfortunately, the account of this event that most people know is likely untrue, much like other misconceptions about Pocahontas herself, such as her looks (thanks a lot, Disney). Since there is only one account of this event, and it is probably flawed, experts have proposed theories about what could have happened.

John Smith was an explorer who played an important part in establishing the first English settlement in North America. He lived from 1580 to 1631 and arrived in North America on April 26, 1607. One of his most famous sayings was, "He who shall not work, shall not eat." As a leader of Jamestown, Smith used this quote to force cooperation from the people that did not want to help with the physical demands of the settlement.

Pocahontas was the daughter of Powhatan, the leader of a group of Native Americans that lived near Jamestown. Pocahontas was known as Powhatan’s favorite daughter. She was born in 1596 and she died in 1617. During her life, she had many experiences with Europeans. Some of these experiences include being captured and held for ransom, being married to an Englishman, being converted to Christianity, and eventually dying in what is now the United Kingdom. 

The Baptism of Pocahontas

The story of Pocahontas saving John Smith is considered to be one of the most famous rescues of all time. When John Smith went to Powhatan’s village, he wanted to set up trade between the settlers from Europe and the Native American populations. When he arrived at the village he was kindly welcomed by chief Powhatan and was treated very well at first. Suddenly, Smith was wrestled to the ground. He then had his head forced onto an altar to have his brains beaten out. Pocahontas is said to have placed her head on his in order to stop the killing. 

Pocahontas Saves John Smith

Although this is the story most commonly accepted, the only source that recalls this moment is Smith’s personal account. Experts believe that this account of the incident is false because Pocahontas was only 11 years old at the time. Also, experts have concluded that the Powhatans would have tortured him instead of bashing his head in. This would have made it a lot harder for Pocahontas to save him. Experts do not believe that she helped John Smith escape. 

A much more likely chain of events is that Powhatan and John Smith made a deal. This deal said that the Indians would supply corn for the settlers in exchange for copper tools and beads. Another theory is that an elaborate adoption ceremony took place, in which John Smith was adopted and was now part of the tribe. If this theory is true, then John Smith would have had no safety issues with the Native Americans. 

The meeting of Pocahontas and John Smith was influential to the success of the American settlement of Jamestown regardless of what actually happened. The results of the meeting between Powhatan and John Smith are the same. Maybe someday experts will find new evidence that explains exactly what happened between Pocahontas and John Smith, but for now we have good guesses and a little mystery.

Bibliography

 Website

1607, When The English Arrived and Settled Jamestown in May. "Pocahontas: Her Life and Legend." National Parks Service. National Parks Service, 06 Dec. 2013. 15 Dec. 2013.

Video

 Jamestown Against All Odds . youtube. 2 Apr. 2013. Television.

Pictures

 Chapman. Baptism of Pocahontas.  Jamestown. Wikimedia Commons. Web. 17 Dec. 2013.

New England Chromo. Lith. Co.. Pocahontas-saves-Smith-NE-Chromo-1870. Library of Congress, Washington. Wikimedia Commons. Web. 17 Dec. 2013.