Pocahontas
daughter of Powhatan, a powerful Indian chief of Virginia; born about 1595. She displayed a friendliness toward the British colonists, first at 12 years of age, in saving the life of Capt. John Smith, who had been captured and condemned to death by her father. In 1612, while on a visit to a neighboring tribe, she was seized and held as a hostage by the English.
While on shipboard she became acquainted with, and married John Rolfe, an Englishman, who took her to England, where, in 1616, she was presented at court. She had one son, from whom numerous wealthy families of Virginia claim descent. She died in England, while preparing to return to America, in 1617.