Thomas Rolfe
| Thomas Rolfe | |
|---|---|
| Born |
January 30, 1615 Varina Farms, Virginia |
| Died | c. 1680. Kippax Plantation, Virginia |
| Spouse(s) | Jane Poythress |
| Children | Jane Rolfe (1650–76) |
| Parent(s) |
John Rolfe Pocahontas |
Thomas Rolfe (January 30, 1615 – c. 1680?) was the only child of Pocahontas and her English husband, John Rolfe. His maternal grandfather was Wahunsunacock, the chief of Powhatan tribe in Virginia.
Thomas Rolfe was born in Virginia on January 30th, 1615. Governor Sir Thomas Dale accompanied Thomas Rolfe and his parents on their trip to England aboard the Treasurer in 1616. He was a year old during this voyage, and was not necessarily immune to the diseases and hardships of the voyage. Thomas survived, but a year later in spring 1617 was stricken with a severe fever, as was his mother.
The Rolfe family was preparing to re-embark on the George ship commanded by Samuel Argall when Rebecca (Pocahontas) died, possibly of consumption. at Gravesend Kent. The voyage continued but Thomas was left in Plymouth, England with Sir Lewis Stukley, and was later transferred into the care of his uncle, Henry Rolfe. His father, however, sailed to Virginia without him after being persuaded by Admiral Argall and other members of the journey that he was too sick to continue the voyage; this was the last time the two ever saw each other again. Thomas remained in his uncle's care until he reached roughly 21 years of age, by which time his father had already died. As Henry raised Thomas, he felt he deserved compensation from his brother's estate, and therefore petitioned the Virginia Council in October 1622, claiming entitlement to a portion of John Rolfe's land. It is assumed that Thomas returned to Virginia in 1635, and there is no further mention of his whereabouts or doings until 1641.
Once established in Virginia again, Thomas fostered both his reputation as a plantation owner, and as a member of his mother's lineage.
As Rolfe was a child of an Englishman and a Native American woman, some aspects of his life were particularly controversial. He expressed interest in rekindling relations with his Native American relatives, despite societal ridicule and laws that forbade such contact. In 1641, Rolfe petitioned the governor for permission to visit his "aunt, Cleopatra, and his kinsman Opecanaugh".
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Wikipedia