St. George's, Gravesend
SIR,—A former rector of St. George's, Mr. Haslam, a historical scholar, has left documents which are conclusive in their evidence that Princesss Pocahontas was indeed buried in the chancel of St. George's Church, Gravesend. A stone on the wall of the church, erected during Mr. Haslam's time and confirming Mr. Haslam's diligent researches, reads: "This Stone Qmmemorates Princess Pocahontas or Metoaka Daughter of the mighty American Indian Chief Powhattan. Gentle and humane, she was the friend of the earliest struggling English colonists whom she nobly rescued, protedted, and helped. On her conversion to Christianity in 1613, she received in Baptism the name Rebecca, and shortly after- wurds became the wife of Thomas Rolfe, a settler in Virginia. She visited England with her husband in 1616, was graciously received by Queen Anne wife of James I. In the twenty-second year of her age shc died at Gravesend, while preparing to revisit her native country, and was buried near this spot on March 21st 1617."
As this stone records, not only was Princos Pocahontas received at the Court of King James I, but before her marriage to Thomas Rolfe her prospective English husband had to petition the Crown for permission to marry one of rayal blood. There is also evidence .that the news of her services in sparing the life of Captain John Smith had reached England, and it seems extraordinary that Mr. Born should write that " to the people of Gravesend she was simply an unfortunate stranger." Is it not probable that the registers of St. George's Church, which arc extant, are correct when they record that the Princess was interred in the chancel of the church in 1617? Further, other graves have been identified at St. George's. Again, there are two w:ndows given by the Colonial Dames of Virginia and unveiled by the American Ambassador in the church. Would they have been likely to have given a large sum of money Without first being satisfied that both the documentary evidence and the long tradition of the Princess's burial in the chancel of the church were factual ?
What could be more natural than that the remains of the Princess were carried ashore and given a place of singular honour in the chancel of the church ? It seems highly probable that even if, as Mr. Born maintains, the inhabitants of Gravesend were so ignorant of the impor- tance of the Princess, the King and Queen wduld have intervened and seen that their royal visitor was duly honouted.—I have the honour to be, Sir, your obedient servant, The Rectory, Gravesend.
R. D. DAUNTON-FEAR,
Rector and Rural DWI of Gravesend.
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