Samuel Argall captures Native American princess Pocahontas in Passapatanzy, Virginia to ransom her for some English prisoners held by her father; she is brought to Henricus as hostage.

The early 17th century marked a pivotal period for English colonization in North America, a time when figures like Sir Samuel Argall and Pocahontas played indelible roles, shaping the nascent Virginia Colony and the complex relationship between European settlers and Native American peoples.

Sir Samuel Argall: Adventurer, Navigator, and Colonial Figure

Sir Samuel Argall, an English adventurer and seasoned naval officer, whose birth is recorded around either 1572 or 1580, and whose life concluded on January 24, 1626, was a significant, if often controversial, figure in the early years of the Jamestown settlement. His career was marked by audacious voyages, strategic military actions, and a period of governance in the struggling colony.

Pioneering New Routes and Rescuing a Colony

As a skilled sea captain, Argall achieved a notable navigational feat in 1609. He was the first to successfully chart a shorter, more northerly passage across the vast Atlantic Ocean from England directly to the fledgling English colony of Virginia, specifically to Jamestown. This innovation significantly reduced travel time and risks, facilitating subsequent numerous voyages to the New World. His contributions weren't limited to exploration; in 1610, he played a crucial role in a desperate situation. Captaining one of Lord De La Warr's ships, Argall participated in a critical rescue mission to Virginia, an endeavor that successfully saved the Jamestown colony from the brink of starvation, ensuring its continued, albeit precarious, existence.

The Abduction of Pocahontas and Its Diplomatic Fallout

Perhaps the most famous, or infamous, episode in Argall's career involves his "diplomacy by force" with the powerful Chief Powhatan, leader of the formidable Powhatan Confederacy. On April 13, 1613, Argall orchestrated the abduction of Powhatan's daughter, Pocahontas. She was subsequently held captive at Henricus, serving as a strategic pawn to secure the return of English captives and property held by Powhatan. It is important to note that, despite her captivity, Pocahontas, who had long been recognized as a friend to the English and considered an Algonquian princess, was reportedly treated with considerable respect, commensurate with her perceived status. This bold move, while controversial, ultimately contributed to a significant turning point in Anglo-Powhatan relations. Eventually, peace and vital trade relations were painstakingly restored between the English and the Powhatan Confederacy, largely cemented by the marriage of Pocahontas to English planter John Rolfe, of the nearby Varina Plantation.

Broader Colonial Engagements and Later Career

Beyond Virginia, Argall demonstrated his strategic capabilities in broader colonial conflicts. He led successful actions against French attempts at colonization in both Acadia (present-day eastern Canada) and in North Africa. These aggressive moves were justified by London's assertion that the French activities violated the Charter of the Virginia Company, underscoring the fierce competition for colonial territories. Following a period as Governor of the Virginia Colony, Sir Samuel Argall was knighted by King James I, a testament to his service to the Crown. However, his tenure as governor was not without controversy; he faced accusations from some planters of excessive sternness in his governance. These charges were later examined in London, and the opinions of some modern historians have subsequently disputed and often acquitted him of such claims, suggesting a more complex reality than simple tyranny.

Pocahontas: Bridging Worlds, Shaping History

Pocahontas, born Amonute and later known as Matoaka, around 1596, was a remarkable Native American woman belonging to the Powhatan people. Her life became inextricably linked with the early English colonial settlement at Jamestown, Virginia, leaving an enduring legacy in both American and English history. She was the daughter of Powhatan, the paramount chief who presided over a vast network of tributary tribes across the Tsenacommacah, a region encompassing the Tidewater area of Virginia.

Capture, Conversion, and Marriage

The year 1613 proved transformative for Pocahontas. During a period of heightened hostilities, she was captured by English colonists and held for ransom. While in captivity, she was encouraged to embrace Christianity, eventually being baptized and adopting the English name Rebecca. This period marked a profound shift in her life. In April 1614, at the age of approximately 17 or 18, Pocahontas married John Rolfe, a prominent tobacco planter. This union was a pivotal moment, instrumental in bringing about the "Peace of Pocahontas" between the struggling Jamestown colony and the powerful Powhatan Confederacy. The couple welcomed their son, Thomas Rolfe, into the world in January 1615.

A Journey to England and a Tragic End

In 1616, the Rolfes embarked on a significant journey to London. The purpose of this trip was largely propagandistic: Pocahontas was presented to English society as a celebrated example of a "civilized savage," a strategic move by the Virginia Company designed to stimulate further investment and support for the struggling Jamestown settlement. During her time in England, she became something of a celebrity, elegantly fêted by high society and even attending a masque at Whitehall Palace. It is also believed she may have met Squanto, another Native American figure from New England, during this period. However, her time in England was cut tragically short. In 1617, as the Rolfes prepared to set sail for Virginia, Pocahontas succumbed to an unknown illness at Gravesend, aged merely 20 or 21. She was laid to rest in St. George's Church, Gravesend, though the exact location of her grave remains unknown due to the church being rebuilt after a destructive fire.

Legacy and Enduring Myth

Pocahontas's story has resonated through the centuries, leading to numerous places, landmarks, and products across the United States being named in her honor. While her historical significance is undeniable, her narrative has often been romanticized, with many aspects likely embellished or fictionalized over time. For instance, some of the famous stories attributed to her by John Smith have been actively contested by her own documented descendants. She remains a compelling subject in art, literature, and film, and her lineage is a source of pride for many, with numerous prominent individuals claiming descent through her son, Thomas. These include esteemed members of the First Families of Virginia, First Lady Edith Wilson, the American Western actor Glenn Strange, and the renowned astronomer Percival Lowell, all connected to a woman who navigated two vastly different worlds.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sir Samuel Argall and Pocahontas

What was Sir Samuel Argall's most significant contribution to the Jamestown colony?
Argall's most impactful contribution was twofold: first, his discovery in 1609 of a shorter, northern Atlantic route to Virginia, which greatly improved travel and communication; and second, his participation in the 1610 rescue mission that saved the Jamestown colony from certain starvation.
Why did Sir Samuel Argall abduct Pocahontas?
Argall abducted Pocahontas on April 13, 1613, as a diplomatic tactic to pressure her father, Chief Powhatan, into returning English captives and stolen English property. This act was a calculated move to gain leverage during a period of strained relations.
How was Pocahontas treated during her captivity?
Despite being a captive, Pocahontas, who was considered by the English to be an Algonquian princess and a friend, was reportedly treated with great respect. She was held at Henricus and encouraged to convert to Christianity, eventually being baptized as Rebecca.
What was the outcome of Pocahontas's marriage to John Rolfe?
Her marriage to English planter John Rolfe in April 1614 was highly significant. It led to a period of peace, often called the "Peace of Pocahontas," between the English settlers and the Powhatan Confederacy, and they had a son, Thomas Rolfe.
What was the purpose of Pocahontas's trip to London?
Pocahontas's journey to London in 1616, accompanied by her husband John Rolfe, was orchestrated by the Virginia Company. She was presented to English society as an example of a "civilized savage" to generate interest and attract further investment in the struggling Jamestown settlement.
Are the stories about Pocahontas always historically accurate?
While Pocahontas was a real historical figure, her story has been heavily romanticized over time, and many aspects are likely fictionalized. Notably, some of the famous accounts shared by John Smith have been actively contested by her own documented descendants, urging a critical perspective on popular narratives.
Where is Pocahontas buried?
Pocahontas died in Gravesend, England, in March 1617, and was buried in St. George's Church there. However, the exact location of her grave is unknown because the original church was later destroyed by fire and subsequently rebuilt.