Thomas Rolfe facts for kids

Thomas Rolfe (born January 30, 1615 – died around 1680) was the only child of Matoaka (also known as Pocahontas) and her English husband, John Rolfe. His mother's father was Chief Wahunsenacawh, often called Chief Powhatan. He was the powerful leader of the Powhatan people in Virginia.

Thomas Rolfe's Early Years

Thomas Rolfe was born in January 1615 in the English colony of Virginia. His parents were John Rolfe and Matoaka. People believe he was born at the Rolfe family's farm, Varina. This farm was in an area then called James Cittie. Thomas's birth was special because it was the first time a child was born to a Native American mother and a European father in the history of Virginia.

In 1616, when Thomas was less than two years old, he traveled to England. He went with his parents and Governor Sir Thomas Dale. They sailed on a ship called the Treasurer. The trip was meant to help promote the Colony of Virginia back in England. They arrived in Plymouth, England, on June 12, 1616.

A Sad Farewell in England

In March 1617, the Rolfe family was ready to sail back to Virginia. But Thomas's mother, Rebecca (Matoaka), became very sick and died. They had to get off the ship at Gravesend in Kent, England. Matoaka was buried there. Thomas was also sick, and his father, John Rolfe, worried he might not survive the long sea journey home.

Because of this, John Rolfe asked Sir Lewis Stukley to take care of Thomas. This happened on March 21, 1617. John Rolfe was very sad about his wife and worried about his son. But Admiral Argall and others convinced him to continue the trip back to Virginia. John Rolfe and Thomas never saw each other again. John Rolfe returned to Virginia with other Native Americans who had traveled with them. Sir Lewis Stukley later gave Thomas to his uncle, Henry Rolfe, to care for him.

After returning to Virginia, John Rolfe married a third time. His new wife was Jane Pierce. Thomas gained a younger half-sister named Elizabeth from this marriage. Thomas's grandfather, Chief Powhatan, died in 1618. He was happy knowing his grandson was alive in England.

Thomas Returns to Virginia

John Rolfe wrote his will on March 10, 1622, and died soon after. In his will, John asked his father-in-law, William Pierce, to manage his property. William Pierce also became the guardian for his two children, Thomas and Elizabeth.

In October 1622, Thomas's uncle, Henry Rolfe, asked the Council of Virginia for some of John Rolfe's land. He needed it to help pay for Thomas's care. Thomas stayed with his uncle until he was about 21 years old. Sometime before June 1635, Thomas returned to Virginia. His journey was paid for by his guardian in Virginia, William Pierce. We know this because William Pierce claimed land on June 22, 1635. He did this by saying he paid for 40 people to travel, and Thomas Rolfe was one of them. After this, we don't hear much about Thomas until 1641. Once he was back in Virginia, Thomas Rolfe became known as a plantation owner. He also valued his connection to his mother's Native American family.

Thomas Rolfe's Family Life

Thomas Rolfe was the child of a white settler and a Native American woman. This made some parts of his life unusual. He wanted to reconnect with his Native American relatives. This was difficult because society often made fun of such connections. Also, colonial laws sometimes stopped people from having contact with Native Americans. In 1641, Thomas asked the governor for permission to visit his "aunt, Cleopatra, and his kinsman Opecanaugh".

Thomas Rolfe married Jane Poythress. She was the daughter of Captain Francis Poythress, a rich landowner in Virginia. Their daughter, Jane Rolfe, was born on October 10, 1650. She was born at Varina Plantation in Charles City County, Virginia. There are no records of Thomas Rolfe having any other children or other marriages.

Thomas Rolfe's Land and Property

Thomas and his half-sister Elizabeth received land from their father's will. Native Americans had a different idea of land ownership than the white settlers. John Rolfe's will did not mention any former Native American land. However, John Rolfe named Thomas as the rightful owner of all his land and any money from it.

In 1618, there were rumors that Thomas would inherit a large part of Powhatan territory when he grew up. This information was sent to London. It said that "Opechanano and the Natives have given their Country to Rolfe's Child." They would keep it for him until he was old enough. There is no clear proof that when Thomas arrived in Virginia in 1640, the land was recorded as "Varina," his family property.

Thomas's step-grandfather, Captain William Peirce, received 2000 acres of land on June 22, 1635. This was for paying for 40 people to travel, including Thomas Rolfe. William Pierce then listed Thomas as the heir to his father's land. Before March 1640, Thomas took control of this land. It was located on the lower side of the James River.

Thomas also inherited about 150 acres of land on June 10, 1654. This land was in Surry County, across from Jamestown. Later, a deed described the land as "Smith's Fort old field and the Devil's Woodyard swamp." It said this land was given to Rolfe by "Gift from the Indian King."

Protecting the Colony

After a Native American attack on the colony in 1644, four forts were built to protect the border. These were Fort Henry, Fort Royal, Fort James, and Fort Charles. On October 5, 1646, Thomas Rolfe was put in charge of Fort James as a lieutenant. He was given six men. His job was to fight against the Native Americans, who were his own people.

And it is further enacted and granted, That left.[Lieutenant] Thomas Rolfe shall have and enjoy for himselfe and his heires for ever fort James alias Chickahominy fort with fowre hundred acres of land adjoyning to the same, with all houses and edifices belonging to the said forte and all boats and ammunition at present belonging to the said fort; Provided that he the said Leift. Rolfe doe keepe and maintaine sixe men vpon the place duringe the terme and time of three yeares, for which tyme he the said Leift. Rolfe for himselfe and the said sixe men are exempted from publique taxes.

This picture shows the area where the fort was built on Diascund Creek.

Then, on October 6, 1646, Thomas was given the job of building a fort at Moysonec. For this, he received 400 acres of land. This fort was located on the west side of Diascund Creek.

Several years later, on August 8, 1653, Rolfe claimed 525 acres of land. This land was "lying upon the North side of Chickahominy river commonly called and known by the name of James fort." This likely included the 400 acres he received in 1646. This James Fort land was claimed again by William Browne on April 23, 1681. The document described the land as "formerly belonging to Mr Thomas Rolfe, dec'd." This shows that Thomas Rolfe had died before that date.

When Did Thomas Rolfe Die?

The last time Thomas Rolfe is mentioned in official records is in a land patent from September 16, 1658. Some sources say that Thomas died in 1680. However, others say that the exact year he died is not known. There is some evidence that Thomas Rolfe died in James City County, Virginia. But the records for that county were destroyed in a fire in 1685.

Thomas Rolfe's Lasting Impact

The Sedgeford Hall Portrait was once thought to show Pocahontas and her son. But now, experts believe it is Pe-o-ka (wife of Osceola) and her son.

Thomas Rolfe's daughter, Jane Rolfe, married Robert Bolling. He was from Prince George County, Virginia. Their son, John Bolling, was born on January 27, 1676. Jane Rolfe is believed to have died soon after giving birth. John Bolling married Mary Kennon. They had six children who grew up and had their own children.

The Sedgeford Hall Portrait is now in King's Lynn Town Hall. It was once thought to be a painting of Pocahontas and her son, Thomas Rolfe. But now, people believe it shows Pe-o-ka, who was the wife of the Seminole leader Osceola, and her son.

Thomas Rolfe's birth helped bring peace between the Powhatan people and the European settlers. He was of both European and Native American descent. Early in his time as deputy governor, Argall wrote a letter. It said that Powhatan was "happy his child is living" and that Opachank felt the same way.

Actor Edward Norton is the eleventh-great-grandson of Thomas Rolfe.