Once upon a time, four centuries ago, in Virginia, young Thomas Rolfe was born. His existence was a tapestry of two cultures: the Native Americans and the English settlers. His birth was not just a celebration of life but a symbol of hope, much like the union of his parents—John Rolfe, an Englishman of courage, and Pocahontas, a Native American princess of peace, daughter of the mighty Chief Powhatan.
Yet, Thomas’s cradle was rocked by sorrow. Before he could even walk, his mother, the beloved Pocahontas, succumbed to illness on her voyage from England back to Virginia. His father, gripped by fear for his frail son’s health, left him in England, entrusted to the care of kin, including his uncle Henry Rolfe.
In his twenties, Thomas sailed back to Virginia. There, he wrote his own story, one of a man straddling two worlds. He found love with Jane Poythress, and together they welcomed a daughter, Jane Rolfe, into their fold. His journey came to a close in 1860, leaving behind a legacy as rich and complex as the history of the land he called home.
- Full name: Thomas Rolfe
- Date of birth: January 1615
- Died: 1680 (aged 65)
- Place of birth: James Cittie, Colony of Virginia, British America
- Parents: John Rolfe and Pocahontas
- Siblings: 1: Elizabeth Rolfe (half-sister)
- Spouse: Jane Poythress
- Children: Jane Rolfe
- Grandson: John Bolling
Thomas Rolfe’s Birth Marked The First Time A Native American Woman And A European Man Had A Child In The Colony Of Virginia
Back in January 1615, over 400 years ago, Thomas Rolfe was born. He was the only child of John Rolfe and Pocahontas, and he came into the world on their plantation in Virginia, which was an English colony back then.
Thomas’s birth was a big event because it happened just a year after his parents’ wedding in 1614. It was even more special because he was the first child born to a Native American woman and a European man in Virginia.
Now, Thomas had a really interesting family. His dad, John, was an Englishman who loved adventures. He was also a farmer and a merchant. He’s famous because he was the first person to successfully grow tobacco in Virginia and send it to other places. He came to Virginia in 1610 with other settlers.
On the flip side of the family tree, Thomas’ mom, Pocahontas, was a daughter of the stars. Her father was none other than Chief Powhatan (also known as Wahunsenacawh), leader of the Powhatan people. In a twist of fate, she found herself captured by English colonists in 1613, but little did they know she’d be part of a love story that would change the course of history.
So, Thomas grew up with a mix of Native American and European heritage, which made his life pretty unique.
The Trip To England Changed The Course Of His Life
In 1616, little Thomas Rolfe, just a year old, was on a big adventure across the sea. He was with his parents on a ship, sailing with Sir Thomas Dale, the deputy governor of Virginia, to show off the colony’s wonders to England.
They reached Plymouth, England, in June 1616. After their mission, they planned to head back to Virginia in March 1617. But tragedy struck: Thomas’ mother, Pocahontas, fell ill, passed away, and was laid to rest in Gravesend, Kent.
Thomas wasn’t feeling well either. His dad was worried he might not make it back to Virginia, so he left him with a guardian, Sir Lewis Sturkley. Not long after, Thomas’ care was passed to his uncle, Henry Rolfe.
Sadly, Thomas never got to see his father again. He grew up in England, far from the father he barely knew.
Following The Death Of His Mother, His Father Remarried
After Thomas’ mother passed away, his father went back to Virginia and started a new chapter by marrying Jane Pierce. They had a daughter named Elizabeth Rolfe, who became Thomas’ little half-sister.
But then, Thomas’ father also passed away, leaving both of his parents gone. Even so, Thomas wasn’t alone. He stayed with his uncle, who took good care of him until he was old enough to inherit what his dad had left for him and Elizabeth in his will.
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He Returned To Virginia And Started A Family
In June 1935, Thomas Rolfe, a young man of 20, made his way back to Virginia, the land he called home. His caring uncle, Henry Rolfe, and his step-grandfather, William Pierce, chipped in to cover his journey.
Once there, Thomas rolled up his sleeves and settled into life in Virginia, claiming his piece of the family legacy—hundreds of acres of land, just as his father’s will promised. He also took on the role of defender at Fort James, one of the forts built to protect the colony after a big attack by Native Americans in 1644.
Thomas’s heart found its match in Jane Poythress, a landowner’s daughter. They started a family and had a little girl, Jane Rolfe, born on October 10, 1650.
Fast forward some years, and Thomas’s daughter, Jane, tied the knot with Robert Bolling from Prince George County, Virginia. They had a son, John Bolling, who became Thomas’s grandson.
John found love with Mary Kennon, and together they had a bustling household with six kids and even more grandkids down the line.
Today, the Rolfe family tree has branched out far and wide. Thomas’ mother, Pocahontas, is the 12th great-grandmother of the famous American actor, Edward Norton. This also makes him a direct descendant of Thomas.
He Died In 1680, At The Age Of 65
The tale of Thomas Rolfe’s final chapter is wrapped in mystery. Legend has it that he bid farewell to the world in 1680, at the age of 65. Yet, whispers from the past hint at a different story, with a land patent record last mentioning his name in September 1658.
As for his final resting place, some say it was in James City County, Virginia. Alas, the truth may forever be shrouded in the smoke of history, as many records were lost to the hungry flames of a fire in 1685.
So, the end of Thomas Rolfe’s story remains a puzzle, pieced together by bits of history and imagination.
