John Rolfe

John Rolfe (1585 – March 1622) was an English settler in North America known for being one of the early English settlers of the Virginia Colony and for his successful cultivation of tobacco as an export crop. His marriage to Pocahontas, the daughter of the Powhatan chief, is also a significant historical event.

Early Life

John Rolfe was born in 1585 in Heacham, Norfolk, England. He was the son of John Rolfe and Dorothea Mason. Little is known about his early life, but it is believed that he was well-educated and came from a family of some means.

Journey to Virginia

In 1609, Rolfe set sail for Virginia aboard the Sea Venture, part of a fleet dispatched by the Virginia Company to resupply the colony at Jamestown. The fleet encountered a hurricane, and the Sea Venture was shipwrecked on the Bermuda islands. Rolfe and the other survivors spent several months on Bermuda before building a new ship, the Deliverance, to continue their journey to Virginia, arriving in May 1610.

Tobacco Cultivation

Upon his arrival in Virginia, Rolfe began experimenting with tobacco cultivation. At the time, the tobacco grown by the local Powhatan Confederacy was not well-received in England. Rolfe obtained seeds of a sweeter strain of tobacco from the Spanish colonies in the Caribbean, which he planted in Virginia. By 1612, Rolfe's tobacco was being exported to England, where it became highly popular, providing a profitable export for the colony and ensuring its economic survival.

Marriage to Pocahontas

In 1614, John Rolfe married Pocahontas, the daughter of Chief Powhatan, leader of the Powhatan Confederacy. This marriage is often credited with helping to establish a period of peace between the English settlers and the Powhatan tribes, known as the "Peace of Pocahontas." The couple had one son, Thomas Rolfe.

Later Life and Death

After Pocahontas's death in 1617, Rolfe returned to Virginia, where he continued his work with tobacco. He held several prominent positions in the colony, including serving as a member of the House of Burgesses. John Rolfe died in March 1622, during a period of conflict between the settlers and the Powhatan tribes.

Legacy

John Rolfe's introduction of a successful tobacco crop to Virginia had a lasting impact on the colony's economy and development. His marriage to Pocahontas is remembered as a significant event in early American history, symbolizing a brief period of peace and cooperation between the English settlers and the Native American tribes.

Also see

• Pocahontas
• Jamestown, Virginia
• Virginia Company
• Tobacco in the American Colonies