Pocahontas: The Truth - VOA Story

The story of Pocahontas, John Smith and the Jamestown settlement has inspired books and Hollywood films. Yet the real story of Pocahontas is very different from the legend.

May 14th, 2007 marks the 400th anniversary of the first permanent English settlement in the United States. One of the key figures in that history is a young Indian girl named Pocahontas -- the daughter of the Powhatan chief.

Disney portrayed her as the love interest of English colonist Captain John Smith. But Smith, who is credited by many historians for saving the colony in the early years, was old enough to be her father.

Disney portrayed her as the love interest of English colonist Captain John Smith. But Smith, who is credited by many historians for saving the colony in the early years, was old enough to be her father.

"Pocahontas, when she met John Smith was no more than 11 or 12 years old. John Smith was maybe 28 at the time," says James Horn, a historian. He edited Smith's writings about the Jamestown Colony.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Pocahontas
• John
• Smith
• Jamestown
• Virginia
• Powhatan
• Algonquian
• Indians

[Lochee1000]

ROTENA, True. Unfortunately, many people from the mainstream culture like to romaticize the histories of Native peoples period. Meanwhile back at the ranch, Natives have been tricked, robbed, beaten down, almost obliterated by their Manifest Destiny policies. I think they romanticize our histories because it makes them feel less guilty about what they have done. Like the thief who realizes his wrong and comes back to apologize for it, that's what these people in effect are doing.

[xDJBANANAx]

nice mullet

[JohnRhysMusician]

Thank God for my ancestors the English colonists!

[rockinrobintweets]

@Lochee1000 Any one who thinks a Disney Cartoon is a historical documentry has the mind of a two year old. Just as ANY movie BASSED on a true story is not a historical or genealogicail documentry. I hope most people already know that and just enjoy a cartoon or movie for the FUN of it and if it peaks thier interest do thier own reasearch.

[rockinrobintweets]

@elinheartstristin Yes they could. Your talking the 1600 s wich is not near like it is today. My 3 ed great grandma married at age 13 and had her first child 2 years latter so yes a 14 year old could marry. And by consent . And she been raped you dont think there would have been a war or some kind of revenege at the LEST. pleaseeeeeeeeeeeee

[rockinrobintweets]

@Hachithe8 When she became a Christian she took the name Rebecca as her CHRISTIAN name so that part is true. There are Chruch records to prove it.

[olg06]

Don't u just love Disney Fantasy xD John Smith was old and fugly Not this male model xD and Pocahontas was average looking like most royalties daughters today not supermodel-like barbie-esque oh and she wasn't that asian-y looking either

[ShelszTvChannel]

I think Pocahontas was forced to marry John Rolfe . Just my opinion though .

[ThouWindowShatters]

@ThouWindowShatters and as a final note: white ppl weren't the only racist assholes out there. so stop playing victim to something that was several hundreds of years ago. there are bad apples out there, and they're evenly spread among many people, regardless of race, sex, religion, sexual orientation, etc.

[ThouWindowShatters]

@ThouWindowShatters and at the time that disney made pocahontas, the company was still in the stages of racism itself, being as walt disney was an anti-semite. much like mel gibson.

[ThouWindowShatters]

@ThouWindowShatters and that is the truth of it. so next time you wanna blame the "whites" for being murderers, horrible ppl, prostitutes... know that not only are you being a racist jackass who can't let the past go (were you even born in that time period? no? then it's not your problem anymore and theres nothing you can do about it! it happened and we can only move forward!) but you are also misinformed because history is always skewed.