TO HAVE her 400th wedding anniversary commemorated is quite
something, even for a princess. But the princess was Pocahontas,
the celebrated American Indian, born in Werowocomoco (who could
resist that name?) in Virginia, in 1596, captured by the English,
and brought to London where she chose to remain, marrying John
Rolfe in 1614. Sadly, she died only three years later, and was
buried in a church in Gravesend.
It was in St George's, Gravesend, that 20 members of the
Colonial Dames of America, who can trace their ancestry back to the
original 17th-century settlers in the United States, were recently
welcomed by the Bishop of Rochester, the Rt Revd
James Langstaff,to a special service of commemoration of the
marriage of Pocahontas and Rolfe - the first recorded interracial
marriage in American history. He used the occasion to preach on the
theme of "dedication and commitment".
The Colonial Dames were delighted with the friendliness they met
with, and the Rector of St George's, Canon Chris Stone, said that
"the links between St George's and the Colonial Dames go back more
than 100 years now, and we look forward to them continuing into the
future". The opportunity was taken to unveil a Benefaction Board,
listing the benefactors to the parish from 1596 to 1702. A second
board picking up from 1703 is to be the next project, and the
Colonial Dames have been among the contributors meeting the
cost.
After leaving Gravesend, the Dames travelled on to Heacham, in
Norfolk, Rolfe's birthplace, where they were to meet the Bishop of
Norwich.