Pocahontas
pocahontas was most likely born in werawocomoco what is now wicomico, gloucester county, virginia on the north side of the pamaunkee york river, around the year 1595. her true name was matoaka, but that name was only used within her tribe. native americans believed harm would come to a person if outsiders learned of their tribal name. pocahontas was one of many daughters of a powerful chief named powhatan, who ruled more than 25 tribes. pocahontas first became acquainted with the english colonists who settled in the chesapeake bay area in 1607. along with her tribe, pocahontas watched the colonists build a fort and search for food. the next year, powhatans brother opechancanough captured colonist john smith. smith was brought to powhatan, who decided he must die. according to an account written later by smith, pocahontas saved smiths life by throwing herself down and cradling his head before he was clubbed to death. after promising to supply powhatan with several guns...