Pocahontas (Mother's Day Weekend SPECIAL)

May 09, 2026
00:00 10:00
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Pocahontas became a MOTHER, when she married English planter John Rolfe in 1614 and gave birth ten months later to their son, Thomas Rolfe, in January 1615. Thomas Rolfe, who survived into adulthood and had his own descendants, lived in England and later returned to Virginia. Pocahontas took her son with her when she traveled to England in 1616, where she was introduced to high society. Shortly before returning to Virginia, Pocahontas died in 1617 of a suspected illness at age 22, leaving Thomas in England with his uncle before he later went to live in Virginia. While some oral histories suggest she may also have had a child named Ka-Okee with her first husband, Kocoum, this is not documented in mainstream historical records, which focus on her son with Rolfe. Her marriage and son were seen at the time as a symbol of the "peace" between the English settlers and the Powhatan people, and her name at baptism, Rebecca, was interpreted by some as "mother of two peoples". In 1608, Pocahontas (1596–1617) befriended the daring English explorer and adventurer John Smith (1580–1631) and later converted to Christianity. Her story has been romanticized over the years, many aspects of which are fictional, with the most famous being the many celebrated stories told about her and John Smith.

Check out the YouTube version of this episode at https://youtu.be/vH8qtKxJfsI which has accompanying visuals including maps, charts, timelines, photos, illustrations, and diagrams.

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Audio credits: LibriVox—The Thrilling Adventures of Captain John Smith by Charles Morris (Historical Tales, Vol II: American II), read by Kalynda; Nice Try! podcast with Avery Trufelman by Curbed-Jamestown: Utopia for Whom. Audio excerpts reproduced under the Fair Use (Fair Dealings) Legal Doctrine for purposes such as criticism, comment, teaching, education, scholarship, research and news reporting.

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For decades, Mark Vinet has pursued his passion for 'entertaining education' as a historian, author, professor, scholar, radio host, lecturer, researcher, podcaster, and enthusiastic traveler. He presents eclectic topics in a positive manner with respect for family, faith, and freedom. His traditional approach is refreshing and uplifting in times of radical historical revisionism. Mark's ultimate goal is painting a colorful canvas that illuminates the past to make history accessible and fun for everyone!

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