John Smith & Pocahontas P4

According to John Smith, Pocahontas saved him from death; and over the coming months she helped save many other Jamestown settlers as well. Early historian John Fiske thus writes of Pocahontas stating, “But for her friendly services on more than one occasion, the tiny settlement would probably have perished.”

Pocahontas’ interactions with the other colonists began during the first winter. When their food ran out and they were facing starvation the Indians sent supplies, and Pocahontas was part of the delegation that delivered it. She brought food to the troubled colonists other times as well, even helping them secure peace treaties with surrounding native villages. (Numerous local tribes across the region were part of Powhatan’s vast confederation.)

CONTENT SOURCE: "The American Story, the beginnings" by David Barton and Tim Barton